Bristol24/7 Student Guide 2020: Welcome to the vegan capital

If, like me, you are arriving to Bristol from a hometown where vegans evoke a similar reaction to alien lifeforms (we come in peace), then prepare to enter a veggie utopia filled with delicious food from all around the world!

Throughout my two years in Bristol, I have never once struggled to find plant-based options – I’ve even broken into a cold sweat from the pressure of choosing from an extensive menu!

Named Vegan Capital of The World in 2019 by Chef’s Pencil, Bristol has plenty of options to choose from.

Grabbing lunch
There are plenty of tasty and budget-friendly options available for a quick lunch.

Parsons Bakery, a local chain, with branches in Clifton, Gloucester Road, Bedminster, and more, is a big student favourite. Home to the legendary Vegan Sausage Roll, their £3.75 meal deal gets you a sandwich, cake and a drink.

Another giant of the student vegan scene is Eat a Pitta. Offering delicious and affordable falafels, salads and hummus, you’re never far from one of their four Bristol locations.

There are four Eat a Pitta locations in Bristol. Photo: Eat a Pitta

Coffee trips
Whether you’re looking to socialise or furiously cram a last-minute essay, oat-milk cappuccinos are the perfect fuel for student life. Try these places for your caffeine fix!

Some of my favourites for a sweet treat are Pinkmans and Mrs Potts Chocolate House. Both located on Park Street, they offer an impressive range of vegan goodies to satisfy chocoholics and cake lovers alike.

Make your way to Clifton Village and you can indulge in the entirely plant-based menu of East Village Cafe, featuring both gorgeous food and an Instagrammable location to boot.

Get Instagramming at East Village Cafe. Photo: Bristol24/7

Post-night out
The real culinary excellence of Bristol emerges in the early hours of the morning when the kebab shops open their shutters to hundreds of hungry clubbers. From Diamond Kebabs, to Taka Taka, to the iconic Jason Donervan: you will have plenty of options for your late-night carb needs; I recommend the chips and salad wrap with lashings of sauce (trust me on this).

If you’re looking for some veggie junk food during sober, daylight hours, you must make a trip to Oowee Vegan – a fast food chain offering mouth-watering burgers, fries and shakes.

Special occasions
It’s always good practice to make a mental list of the fancy grub you want to try out on special occasions.

Some popular spots for special occasions include the Koocha Mezze Bar and the Coconut Tree, located on the lively Gloucester Road. Koocha has an entirely vegan menu and the Coconut Tree boasts a wide range of plant-based Sri Lankan street food.

Fill yourself up at Koocha. Photo: Ellie Pipe

In Clifton, The Giggling Squid offers delicious Thai dishes with plenty of great veggie and vegan options.

It is also worth getting linked in with the vegetarian and vegan community at university; both UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol offer veggie societies with great socials throughout the year.

You will meet a lot of plant-based pals in Bristol, so you’ll be in good company to try out all the herbivore hot spots!

Main photo: Martin Booth

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