People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Best of 2024
We have been blessed with some incredible contributors during 2024 for our weekly My Bristol Favourites feature.
So as our tenth anniversary year draws to a close, we thought it would be nice to do pick our top-ten from the series published in Bristol24/7 every Sunday (with one also featuring in our bi-monthly printed magazine).
Like the series, this is opinion-based but we have tried to pick them based on different factors: uniqueness, location, popularity (or lack of) and price.
is needed now More than ever
SWU.fm
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Thom Whitchurch: “I’ll admit I was late to the party when it comes to SWU. I was a diehard 6 Music fan for years, but I’ve been tuning in to SWU every day for over a year now and I absolutely love it! Felix Joy is the best way to start the day, and Feel the Real with Pato has completely transformed my Spotify playlists.”
Thom Whitchurch is a social media professional, content creator and founder of Bristol Social Media Academy
Ruby Jeans
Ruby Jeans on The Parade in Shirehampton is located in a former NatWest bank – photo: Martin Booth
AA Abbott: “There’s lush coffee all over Bristol, and I especially love a latte at this friendly brunch spot on Shirehampton Green. The staff are cheerful and efficient, customers sociable, and the menu offers both healthy options and cakes. Ruby Jeans is an easy place to lounge about with a laptop and bash out a few words.”
AA Abbott’s latest novel is Run For Your Lies, a fast-paced tale set in Clifton which explores dark themes of vengeance, guilt and redemption
Chez Candice
Chez Candice is a true gem of a restaurant tucked away in Boiling Wells Lane serving up seasonal food from a converted horsebox – photo: Chez Candice
Mikey Farrer: “I discovered this place via a tip-off from a coffee industry friend. Chez Candice cooks up a concise menu from a horsebox on watercress farm in St Werburgh’s. The food is always fresh and grown by them, and the setting is gorgeous. Enjoy the walk down through the allotments and farms on your way from town.”
Mikey Farrer is a director at One B Coffee House, who this opened their second cafe on 13A Gloucester Road
Kumomo
Janine Alexander loves the warm matcha rose from Kumomo – photo: Janine Alexander
Janine Alexander: “This charming little Japanese speciality shop in Clifton Village is perfect for sake, snacks, beauty products and more. As the weather cools, I love the matcha lattes at Kumomo, especially the rose and hojicha (roasted green tea) versions. In summer, I go for the iced yuzu matcha or strawberry matcha.”
Janine Alexander is a marketing and content executive at Visit Bristol and Visit West. She also shares plenty of food and drink recommendations via her own Instagram account, j9kitchen.
Henleaze Lake
Henleaze Lake is a former quarry that is the home of Henleaze Swimming Club – photo: Barbara Evripidou
Scott Hendy: “I’ve been lucky enough to have made it to Henleaze Lake a few times this year as friends are members. This is an absolute oasis in the middle of the city. Perhaps I’ll send this to them and they’ll let me buy a season ticket for next summer!”
Scott Hendy, aka Boca 45, is a DJ and producer who has collaborated with everyone from Banksy to Bristol Beer Factory.
Panunzio’s Kitchen
Enjoy natural fresh homemade artisan Italian gelato at Panunzio’s – photo: Cristina Pinuaga
Serena Appleby: “If you want authentic high quality gelato, then this is the only place for you! I’ve been a big supporter of Daniele since he opened Panunzio’s on Cotham Hill. I call him the Willy Wonka of gelato because he’s a genius at creating such unique flavours. My favourites have been papaya (so creamy!) and the blue cheese, which is absolutely bonkers but it works!”
Serena Appleby is a private chef whose Kring Kringz pop-was at at the Scrandit on Christmas Steps this summer
Hebron Burial Ground
Getting Up To Stuff’s sculpture of Princess Caraboo can be found in Hebron Burial Ground – photo: Benji Chapman
Sheila Hannon: “Hidden just off North Street, and unknown even by many locals, this small graveyard has some fabulous memorials (for example, a man called Hamlet). It’s also the burial place of early 19th century impostor, Princess Caraboo, with a sculpture by Getting Up To Stuff. Particularly beautiful on a sunny morning when the lilac’s in bloom, it’s part of our Blood and Butchery in Bedminster tour.”
Sheila Hannon is creative producer of Bedminster’s Show of Strength Theatre Company
Royate Hill Allotments
Greg Moody: “An east Bristol institution. Royate Hill Allotments head honcho Mike Feingold is an absolute character. Last year, he taught me how to pasteurise apple juice on an open fire during their annual apple pressing. It’s such a wonderful, ramshackle, interesting and community-focused place! Everyone is welcome, and will be put to work!”
Greg Moody is the founder of Orchard Sauna, an outdoor barrel sauna and cold plunge pool at Windmill Hill City Farm
The Pickle Factory
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Sisanda Myataza: “This is one of Bristol’s hidden gems. The Pickle Factory on All Hallows Road in Easton is a dope space to host events. Run by NYCE to create opportunities for inner city youth, the venue has plenty of space outside so kids can run around, and multi-use indoor spaces for screenings and live music. There’s also a gorgeous garden, which I sometimes like to pretend is my own back garden because it’s so inviting and relaxing to be in.”
South African born singer-songwriter Sisanda Myataza has been active in the Bristol music scene for almost a decade, both as a solo artist and with her French-Afro fusion project, Songø
Licata
Licata is one of Bristol’s oldest shops, having been trading since 1959 – photo: Martin Booth
Fabio Ferri: “It took me too long before discovering this Italian deli in Montpelier. Licata on Picton Street has great products and prices! If you’re planning to cook a carbonara, avoid bacon and head there to get some proper guanciale. It also has a great selection of cheese, pasta sauces, Italian brands of biscuits (I’m nostalgic) and much more!”
Musician, composer and mathematician Fabio Ferri has been described by Headfirst as “Bristol’s answer to Frank Zappa”
Main photo: Chez Candice
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