People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Dino Zelenika
Dino Zelenika, who was born in Bosnia & Herzegovina but has lived in Bristol for 25 years, runs Balkan Bites Bristol and Real Escape Travel.
Holding both a BA and MA in history from the University of Bristol, his passion for history informs much of his work across the culinary and travel industry.
A keen horticulturalist, with a speciality in orchids, Dino is the show manager for Bristol’s first-ever rare plants show, taking place on Sunday in St John on the Wall Church on Broad Street.
is needed now More than ever
These are Dino’s top-five Bristol favourites:
St John on the Wall Church
St. John the Baptist Church will be the venue for Bristol’s rare plants event – photo: Hope Talbot
“St John on the Wall Church is a true gem, and certainly the most unique of all Bristol’s churches. The 14th-century building is built onto the old Bristol town walls and boasts the sole surviving medieval spire in the city. An original city gate is part of its fabric, making the church nationally important as there’s no other surviving church quite like it in England. The main church is deceptively light and spacious. But the crypt is a largely unknown wonder that is amazingly atmospheric. Few know that it can be visited, and fewer still that it is available for hire and sometimes used as a rock concert venue.”
William Champion’s Garden
William Champion’s Garden in Warmley, was formed from parts of his earlier brassworks, re-using industrial waste in the form of clinker and copper slag blocks – photo: Friends of William Champion’s Garden
“William Champion’s Garden is a ‘secret garden’ in every sense of that phrase. While council-owned and enjoying 24/7 public access, very few people, even Warmley locals, are aware of its existence and significance. Many important 18th-century garden features remain intact, such as the mound, echo pond and, my favourite of all, the grotto with its monstrous faces. We have a fairly recently formed Friends group, and I manage a newly planted, heritage orchard in its grounds. Many are 18th-century fruit varieties, but we have a few that go back as early as the 12th century!”
John Wesley’s New Room
John Wesley’s New Room is a hidden gem of history, writes Dino – photo: Hope Talbot
“John Wesley’s New Room in Broadmead is the oldest Methodist church in the world and was founded by John Wesley himself in 1746, making it internationally significant. The museum is wonderful, and effectively describes Wesley’s and the Methodist’s anti-slavery activities; a stance which put them sharply at odds with the Church of England. It is also a good place to learn about life in 18th-century Bristol generally.”
The Ostrich Inn
The Ostrich pub occupies a prime dockside site – photo: Hope Talbot
“Not far from St Mary Redcliffe, the Ostrich is a historic waterfront pub abuts the artificial Redcliffe Caves to the rear. A section of wall has been taken down to reveal a dungeon in the caves, with a gruesome surprise for those who dare look closely. I love taking first-time visitors to Bristol here; it always gives them a bit of a jolt!”
Authentic Hot Pot & Noodles
Dino adores the authentic pulled noodles at Authentic Hot Pot & Hand-Pulled Noodles – photo: Hope Talbot
“I am a foodie and chef who runs occasional supper clubs in Bristol, so an eatery just had to be on this list. I spent a lot of time in China, Burma and the Far East. Authentic Hot Pot & Hand-Pulled Noodles on Thomas Lane in Redcliffe makes very authentic, northern Chinese-style noodles fresh to order in front of you. Just like the name describes! Plus, the portions are huge. Bonus for me, as I’m always hungry. I feel like I am in China again whenever I go here.”
Main photo: Dino Zelenika
Read next:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
