7 must visit cafes in Bristol

Primrose Café

There’s nowhere better to bring out-of-town friends for a pot of tea and a slice of homemade cake (after having dragged them across the Suspension Bridge and back) than Primrose Café in the Clifton Arcade. This café is extremely popular and it’s easy to see why: all their ingredients are locally sourced and the seasonal menu is mouth-watering. As far as I’m concerned, this is the only appropriate setting in which to enjoy eggs benedict.

Friska

Friska actually has six cafes around Bristol, but their most convenient location is on the Triangle. It’s not only perfect to pop in for a coffee or sandwich with a friend; the independent record store Rise is just upstairs if you fancy a peruse. Bonus: free lunch if you download the Friska app – my personal favourite is their halloumi & roasted veg hotbox.

Boston Tea Party

If you’re not a West Country-native, you may have not heard of this café chain. With three locations close to the university, – Whiteladies Road, Park Street, and Clifton – BTP is ideal for all your coffee-frenzied studying needs. The staff are incredibly friendly, plug sockets are a-plenty, the brunches are delicious (hey there chorizo hash) and the seats always seem to be filled by inspirational-looking people writing novels.

Deco Lounge

Although Loungers now have quite a few locations around the country, it started up in Bristol. As hinted by the name, the décor in Deco Lounge on Cotham Hill is absolutely fabulous. What’s more, their triple-stacked buttermilk pancakes have the stamp of approval from brunch-fiends everywhere.

Café Kino

Stokes Croft’s delight for vegans and omnivores alike, Café Kino is a not-for-profit co-operative with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and lots going on. Because all food is locally-sourced and made from scratch in the kitchen the menu isn’t set in stone, but there’s always falafel, veggie burgers and cakes to be had.

La Ruca

The teeny-tiny La Ruca might be tricky to find at first (it’s above a health food shop on Gloucester Road) but it’s worth it for the nachos and the £2.50 coffee and churros deal. A visit here is recommended as a well-deserved break after trawling all of the Gloucester Road charity shops.

Penfold’s Kitchen

Penfold’s Kitchen, which is run by a lovely, enthusiastic team, can be found right by the Bristol Bus Station – making it perfect for the lunch break in between journeying to glamourous locations. There’s a 10% student discount and, on top of that, you can customise all your own panini or flabread fillings. What more can you ask for?