Bristol’s best student-friendly eateries

Bristol has an amazingly diverse food and drink scene. In all parts of the city there are interesting places to try, many of them student budget-friendly. And, when they’re not, they’re great places to splash out for a celebration, or to suggest take your parents to in the hope that they’ll pay the bill.

City centre

St Nick’s Market
The Exchange, Corn St, BS1 1JQ
Check out the street food market every Tuesday and Friday, with food from burgers and raclette to Japanese, Brazilian and Indian food. And then of course there is the covered market inside with hands-down the best falafels you will ever try at Eat a Pitta – who also have stores in Broadmead and Gloucester Road (and were getting their new Queen’s Road restaurant ready as this guide went to press). One of the best hangover cures out there, their pittas are piled high with salad and hummus. Be sure to try the delicious naan breads at Matina that are perpetually queued for and the hearty Moroccan dishes at The Moorish Cafe.

Harbourside Market
The Centre
There is so much to choose from at this wonderful market that you’ll find yourself wandering around multiple times before you can make a decision about what to buy. It runs from midday to 3pm every Tuesday and 11am to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday, and it is very reasonably priced. You will find delicious stalls such as doughnuts, grilled cheese sandwiches, wood fired pizzas, fried chicken, fresh bread and cakes and mom dumplings. There are also plenty of crafts, vintage clothes and books.

Bertha’s
The Old Gaol Stables, Cumberland Road, BS1 6WW
Located at the top of Gaol Ferry Steps in the new Wapping Wharf development (with so many amazing food and drink places to discover), Bertha’s bright yellow doors open to the welcoming smell of sourdough pizza that is to die for. The ingredients are of the highest quality and their interesting flavour combinations make for a meal to remember. Try their homemade gelato.

Swoon
31a College Green, BS1 5TB
Did I say gelato? These guys serve the best in Bristol. Before a night out or after a long day at university, Swoon’s gelato will cure all your problems. The chocolate sorbet is like eating chocolate ganache straight from the bowl and even better, it’s vegan! The coffee gelato (made from beans from Extract coffee roasters next to the M32 in St Werburgh’s) is also incredibly decadent and strong. They regularly add guest flavours so keep your eyes peeled and be prepared to queue out the door on sunny days.

Pinkmans
85 Park Street, BS1 5PJ
This bakery and café is always packed full of people. By day a delicious bakery (voted one of the top 25 in the UK) and by night a charming restaurant that serves pizza among other things, there is not much that Pinkmans doesn’t have to offer. It is perfect for a takeaway lunch between lectures or a coffee and a catch up with a friend.

Temple Meads

Hart’s Bakery
35 Lower Approach Road, BS1 6QS
Hidden under the arches of Temple Meads station, Hart’s Bakery is so popular that its freshly made bread, cakes and pastries sell out within hours. They also serve delicious locally roasted coffee and always makes for a great pre-/post-journey breakfast or lunch.

Clifton & surrounds

Bakesmiths
65 Whiteladies Road, BS8 2LY
The tall glass windows of this large, minimalistic café create the perfect atmosphere for winding down. With an extensive brunch menu, the egg Benedict’s and the espresso cheesecake brownies cannot be missed. This is a great place to sit and people watch when that essay writers’ block hits.

Bravas
7 Cotham Hill, BS6 6LD
Bristol’s top tapas destination, Bravas cooks high quality, unpretentious Spanish food, such as patatas bravas, manchego cheese and padrón peppers. They use seasonal ingredients and therefore regularly change their menu.

Stokes Croft, Gloucester Road & surrounds

St Werburgh’s City Farm Café
Watercress Road, St Werburgh‘s, BS2 9YJ
This place really is a hidden gem. You are unlikely to have seen anything like this Gaudi/hobbit-esque café that serves large, healthy brunches and fresh lunches supplied from their farm. It is tucked away inside the greenery of pretty walking trails.

The Canteen
80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY
The Canteen is a large, open eatery that makes high quality, slow cooked food for lunch and dinner. Although the menu is small, everything is cooked to perfection and there are numerous interesting events to attend in the same building, along with live music every night. Plus, there is free soup and bread with all mains!

The Bristolian
2 Picton Street, Montpelier, BS6 5QA
With a reputation for some of the best breakfasts in Bristol, here you’ll find a wide selection of delicious brunch options along with cakes and salads with plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices. The menu sides towards larger dishes in the evening, bistro style.

Flour & Ash
203b Cheltenham Road, BS6 5QX
Reservations are recommended at this award winning sourdough pizza joint which is a friendly place perfect for celebrating the end of exams or dragging your parents to when they come to visit you. They also have a great selection of beers and gelato.

Various locations

Boston Tea Party
Park Street, Stokes Croft, Chiswick Village, Clifton, Gloucester Road and Whiteladies Road
Around exam time you’ll see plenty of students spending their days here. Although a chain, BTP makes reasonably priced delicious food, serves decent coffee and has good wifi and long opening hours.

Thali Café
Clifton, Southville, Easton, Montpelier and Totterdown
Serving delectable, authentic thalis: Indian selection plates containing dal, rice, salad, dips and different curries. Beginning as a food truck at the Glastonbury Festival, Thali now wins plenty of awards and has an excellent record of sustainability. Be the envy of all your friends