Bristol best of 2015: Food and drink

BEST RESTAURANT

1. Birch

Owners Sam Leach and Beccy Massey used to run supper clubs in their own home before realising a long-held dream and opening a restaurant of their own in Southville, with much of the green stuff grown themselves in a smallholding near Whitchurch.
47 Raleigh Road, BS3 1QS
www.birchbristol.co

2. The Ox

Steak and cocktails. A dream combination if ever there was one. And this year with a newly opened sister restaurant on Whiteladies Road.
The basement, 43 Corn Street, BS1 1HT
www.theoxbristol.com

3. Chai Shai

Lovingly homemade cooking from former Bristol Lord and Lady Mayoress Faruk and Shilpi Choudhury – fresh and healthy fare, far removed from your typical curry house.
4 Jacob’s Wells Road, BS8 4NF
www.facebook.com/chaishaikitchen

4. Wallfish

West Country produce at its finest from chef Seldon Curry and restaurant manager Liberty Wenham. “You wish it was just around the corner from your house,” said Jay Rayner in The Observer.
112 Princess Victoria Street, BS8 4DB
www.wallfishbistro.co.uk

5. Chomp

In a year that has seen the likes of Meat Liquor arrive in town hot on the heels of fellow London-types Byron, Bristol’s own Chomp which started life as a street food van retain its crown as serving the best burgers and some of the best steaks in town.
10 Nicholas Street, BS1 1UQ
www.chompgrill.co.uk

BEST PUB

1. Small Bar

If one pub heralded the arrival of Bristol’s nationally renowned Beermuda Triangle on King Street, it was Small Bar. Space is at a premium on the seats outside on most nights of the week, as Small Bar provides the people of Bristol with some of the best beers that the UK and further afield has to offer.
31 King Street, BS1 4DZ
www.smallbarbristol.com

2. The Hillgrove

14 cask ale pumps, a wine list from Grape & Grind, and regular tap and kitchen takeovers from the likes of Kansai Kitchen (above).
53 Hillgrove Street, BS2 8LT
www.dawkins-ales.co.uk

3. The Plough

Any pub advertising a DJ set by Quiche Chegwin is a winner in our book. The beer Easton’s Gold from Towles also nicely sums this pub up.
223 Easton Road, BS5 0EG
www.facebook.com/ThePloughEaston

4. Old Stillage

Guest ales, cracking Sunday roasts, live music and special events. Just the sort of local you want.
147 Church Road, BS5 9LA
www.facebook.com/thestillage

5. The Victoria Park

One of the best beer gardens in town at this family friendly pub in Windmill Hill.
66 Raymend Road, BS3 4QW
www.thevictoriapark.co.uk

BEST BAR

1. Bar Buvette

Wine here is biodynamic and organic, many made by young producers in France, and served by the glass or bottle, accompanied by some splendid bread, cheese and charcuterie. It’s looking likely that they will also become a permanent feature. Magnifique!
31 Baldwin Street, BS1 1RG
@BuvetteBristol

2. The Old Bookshop

Wedged into a tiny corner unit enlarged by an adjoining cocktail joint, with bundles of character and an open-minded music policy.
65 North Street, BS3 1ES
www.theoldbookshop.co.uk

3. Red Light

This subterranean lair was voted best cocktail bar and best bar team in this year’s Bristol Cocktail Week awards.
1 Unity Street, BS1 5HH
www.redlightbristol.xxx

4. Milk Thistle

Hidden in plain sight on the centre with a myriad of delights to discover after you ring the doorbell.
Quay Head House, Colston Avenue, BS1 1EB
www.milkthistlebristol.com

5. Haus Bar

Bristol’s original subterranean speakeasy and still one of the best.
52 Upper Belgrave Road, BS8 2XP
www.hausbar.co.uk

BEST CAFE

1. Full Court Press

Visit this cosy cafe tucked away off Corn Street in the Old City and you won’t ever have to drink the same coffee twice. Let your tastebuds receive an education from owner Mat North and his knowledgeable staff, including Will from the sadly departed Didn’t You Do Well.
59 Broad Street, BS1 2EJ
www.fcpcoffee.com

2. Small Street Espresso

The place that introduced speciality coffee to Bristol goes from strength to strength. Big plans are afoot for 2016 as they plan to open a second cafe in Wapping Wharf.
23 Small Street, BS1 1DW
www.smallstreetespresso.co.uk

3. Bakers & Co

 

We got cakes.

A photo posted by Team B&Co (@bakersandco) on Oct 3, 2015 at 12:57am PDT

Lose yourself for hours in this San Francisco-inspired spot, the sister of Bravas tapas bar in Cotham.
193 Gloucester Road, BS7 8BG
www.bakersbristol.co.uk

4. No. 12 Easton

A large detour to Easton can often be excused with a visit to this small treasure of delights. Watch out for special burger nights.
12 High Street, BS5 6DL
www.12easton.com

5. Hart’s Bakery

Hart’s Bakery is swiftly becoming a Bristol institution. Big congratulations to Laura who got married this year to husband Pete.
Arch 35, Lower Approach Road, BS1 6QS
www.hartsbakery.co.uk

BEST STREET FOOD

1. Chilli Daddy

What a year 2015 has been for Chilli Daddy. They opened not one but two new restaurants and their street food stall at Friday’s Wine Street food market regularly has long queues. The question is, how brave are you with your choice of spice from 0 to 5?
www.chillidaddy.com

2. Bearritos

A bus lowered into the Bearpit has been transformed into a new Mexican restaurant.
The Bearpit, BS1 3LY
www.bearritos.co.uk

3. Vee Double Moo

There was incredulity when Vee Double Moo lost their pitch near the Cabot Tower. But this purveyor of excellent ice creams could still fortunately be found at plenty of events over the warmer months.
www.veedoublemoo.co.uk

4. Bertha’s Pizza

Still looking for that elusive permanent home, Bertha’s can still be content to serve some of the best pizzas in town from the back of their canary yellow Land Rover. In more big congratulations, Kate and Graham became proud parents for the first time this year.
www.berthas.co.uk

5. Pickle

The smell of bacon butties draws hungry commuters in to Pickle, whose little sister Ickle opened nearby this year.
www.picklebristol.co.uk

BEST POP-UP

1. Durty Gurties

It was the hottest ticket in town in October – a restaurant only open for four days in a dilapidated but hugely atmospheric building in the hinterland between Stokes Croft and Cheltenham Road with a locally-sourced menu whose food miles were sometimes measured in metres.
www.durtygurtiesdiningroom.co.uk

2. Cafe Mulino

Currently only open for dinner on Friday nights. Watch out also for their regular pizza evenings.
www.facebook.com/Cafemulinoonline

3. Adelina Yard

Milk, fig & honey @AdelinaYard last night pic.twitter.com/Mok5i0TP6h

— Adelina Yard (@AdelinaYard) October 4, 2015

A new restaurant on Welsh Back serving modern European food tested the water in Bedminster and Totterdown earlier this year.
www.facebook.com/AdelinaYard/