It’s been a while, but the highlights list is back! These have always been some of my favourite blog posts to put together – not only is it nice to get some top tips on where to eat from local chefs, landlords, writers and tour guides, but it’s also such a nice way to end the year, seeing Bristol businesses celebrating each other.
I hope you’ll find a few places to add to your list for next year from the picks below, whether it’s a new place or a longtime favourite of one of the contributors. I’ve even put my picks in for the first time, but you’ll have to scroll down a way for those!
If you’ve enjoyed the guides this year, there’s the option to buy me a glass of wine to say cheers – thank you to the folks who have this year, I’m genuinely chuffed whenever I get a notification!
But first, let’s rewind…
Before we dip into everyone’s top picks, here’s the classic recap to round off the year.
2024 saw a lot of big developments finally open after years of planning and speculation. First up was the Carriageworks on Stokes Croft, a divisive spot in the battle for/against gentrification (if you’ve been past Turbo Island recently, you’ll see how well that is going). Carriageworks is now home to dive bar The Farside, hip diner Hot Plate, and the cosy Carmen Street Wine.
After a lot of doom and gloom about pub closures these past few years, we saw a pleasing amount of reopenings and revamps to Bristol pubs, including The Colosseum in Redcliffe, The Crown in St Judes, The Rose of Denmark in Hotwells, Lupe on North Street in the former Old Bookshop, The Ship Inn on Lower Park Row, and The Sugar Loaf in Easton.
Now that there’s no space left on North Street for fashionable openings, we’ve seen some exciting additions to East Street in Bedminster, including Bombil, Other, Apostrophe Coffee, Can Can Pizza, Sunny’s Kitchen and the Tomo No Ramen pop-up at Lucky Strike (I’ll also count The Dame which opened on Dean Lane late last year). We should also see Thumps opening fairly soon – a tortilla factory, bar and live music venue.
It’s been one of the toughest years ever for hospitality businesses, so it’s been heartening to see some local favourites expanding despite tough conditions. Eatchu expanded to a diner on the Triangle and a horsebox in Wapping Wharf, and also swapped their residency at the Wiper and True taproom for one at Lupe on North Street.
Other additions to local restarant/cafe groups this year include – Pazzo from the Bianchis, Condesa by Seaon + Taste, new branches of The Crafty Egg in St George and FED in Westbury Park, and a second Pappu Dosa in Easton. The Lounges group, which started in 2002 in Bristol and now has over 200 Lounges across the country, opened Ritorno Lounge on the harbourside in summer.
Coming in 2025
One of the most eagerly awaited openings in 2025 has to be the new location for Mayflower in Broadmead, following the closure of their restaurant in Haymarket Walk due to redevelopment. There’s no set date yet, but they’ve been working on it for ages, so fingers crossed not long now!
Another place we’ve been waiting aaages for is BOXHALL Bristol on Welsh Back, which is allegedly opening ‘in 2025’ – it was initially supposed to open in 2023 but has been delayed several times.
Just over the river in Redcliffe, Pasture will be opening their burger joint Prime in early 2025. Some other expansions coming soon are a second restaurant for Mangosteen on East St (only a year after they opened their Cotham restaurant), a second Arjee Bhajee in Hotwells (their first restaurant is in Soundwell) and Uncle Wah’s Dim Sum opening on Gloucester Road following the success of their first restaurant in Bedminster.
Popular tasting menu restaurant chain Six by Nico will also open in Quakers Friars in February, and Tapps Wine Bar is coming soon to Whiteladies Road. I’m also excited to see if the reputed rooftop bar will materialise at the new five-star Hotel Gotham on Small Street in autumn.
Okay, now on to everyone’s 2024 highlights!
Anita Cheung – Chef and Owner at Clouds & Ah-Ma’s Dumplings
Bristol stalwart: Cotto Wine Bar. Nice and cosy with a banging lasagne.
Best new place: Has to be Wangs! So lucky to have food of this quality and creativity on our doorstep. Still haven’t managed to make it to Dongnae yet though…
Favourite dish: Dairy free chocolate & hazelnut gelato from Swoon on Park Street.
Martin Booth – Bristol 24/7 Editor, author and tour guide
Bristol stalwart: I am fortunate enough to live just a few hundred metres away from Ka:Fei on the Centre. My Strava stats will show you just how often I cycle there for some of the best coffee and best service in town from Arrow and the team. Big shout-outs to my other two longtime favourite cafes: Full Court Press and Small Street Espresso.
Best new place: It only opened at the back end of 2024 but I love Lost Horizon. It’s located on Upper York Street in St Paul’s in an incredible space with coffee roasting taking up half of the inside and the cafe the other. I can’t wait to see how they use their courtyard in the warmer months next year.
Favourite dish: I love Big Nath‘s dirty fries so much that I mark down on our family calendar at home when he and Kins will be appearing at the Harbourside Market. This year, their dirty fries have got national recognition and rightly so: it’s that good. Interviewing Nath and Kins at their base in Backwell was also one of my favourite features I wrote this year for Bristol24/7.
Sandy – Owner at Wangs
Bristol stalwart: Caper & Cure – we love their a la carte menu and wine list, and had our first tasting menu from Chef Matty this year which was incredible. The team are also absolutely lovely!
New place: Dongnae – luckily they have a lunch service as we’re busy with Wangs in the evening. We’ve always been fans of Bokman so were excited to see what Kyu and Duncan would do on Chandos. The space is beautiful and the BBQ delicious.
Favourite dish: It’s got to be the Triple Roast at Nice Spice. A taste of home and never lets you down!
Joe Sims – Actor & Presenter
Bristol stalwart: Sandwich Sandwich (their Christmas sandwiches come with dipping gravy and are so good they make me want to cry!). Hart’s Bakery, where the food is as comforting as the welcome. Do yourself a favour and grab a bite there especially if you’re going to or from Temple Meads. And the consistently brilliant Matina in St Nicks Market. Perfection in every kebabolicious bite. Cyprus Kitchen which I caught in Redcatch Park Community Garden. Authentic Greek fare, fresh, tasty and stunning flavours.
Best new place: Caper & Cure on Stokes Croft, and Pazzo on Whiteladies was gorgeous with friendly and knowledgeable staff. Both really intimate venues and you had the feeling everyone who worked there cared deeply about your experience. Loved it and have been back to both (and will again).
Favourite dish: Clear Head by Bristol Beer Factory. A brilliant non alcoholic beer by an incredible company who really put Bristol first. They give loads of their profits away to local good causes and 5% of this beauty goes to the brilliant men’s mental wellness charity Talk Club. Good on ‘em! Washing down a Sandwich Sandwich Christmas Sandwich with its own dipping gravy and a twice baked chocolate and hazelnut croissant from Harts Bakery? Perfection.
Top of the list for 2025: Love The Pony in Chew Valley. Josh Eggleton is a sensational Bristolian talent who is always doing so much for our city and the food and atmosphere there is right up my alley. Bank in Totterdown is also an absolute beauty!
Natalie Brereton – Stuffed
Bristol stalwart: My answer never really changes here because Wilson’s is my heart stalwart. It’s innovative, exciting and always spot on. I love how everything is grown by them on their plot, I love their dedication and passion to experimental seasonal cooking and how Jan and the team make it accessible to everyone. Bar 44 is a close runner up, we always head here if we’re not sure where we fancy because we know we’ll always get a delicious experience with lovely drinks and the staff are just gorgeous.
Best new place: For me, this has to be Gigi’s Pizza Shop. As we all know, Bristol has lots of seriously strong pizza offerings, but Gigi’s really topped it for me. Soupy, fresh pizzas with experimental toppings and true NYC style with a solid base that doesn’t flop. The guys did their research and it shows! I could eat that vodka sauce pizza every day.
Favourite dish: I have two contenders for this! COR’s jamón bechamel and villarejo cheese on toast. It’s decadently rich, hearty and simply glorious paired with a glass of something chilled, sitting in the window and watching the world go by. The steak tartare at The Baffled King in Easton was a beautiful dish, in both presentation and taste. Fresh, with great texture from the cracker case it was served in and smothered with the confit egg yolk served on top.
Andy Clarke – Presenter & author
Bristol stalwart: For years I used to cycle past The Spiny Lobster, looking in at the beautiful dining room with fun seafood-based artwork and white tablecloth settings and wonder what it was like. A few years ago I was taken there for lunch and I fell in love with the place. The classic menu, with the dishes cooked beautifully with the best seafood around makes The Spiny Lobster worth going to. I love the open kitchen and the digestive station adorned with a collection of drinks for after dinner. The fishmonger is incredible too. You can even buy their world-class taramasalata to take home (and as part of their take-home offering, they do dressed crab).
Best new place: Condesa. It’s great to see an exciting, modern Mexico twist in the centre of Whiteladies Road. And they do a mean Margarita!
Top dish: Pazzo is a wonderful restaurant with a playful menu. Its additional dishes are great but the ‘Pazzo’ versions are insanely good. Pazzo means mad, insane, crazy, wild. The Pazzo carbonara is insanely good. The crispy pork belly on top the perfectly creamy carbonara makes this dish really special. My favourite dessert has to be Freddy Bird’s prune and almond tart at littlefrench. The shortness of the pastry, the perfectly boozy interior adorned with prints and that wonderful home-made creme a glass. You don’t even have to be hungry to want this pud! If you fancy a decent tipple… The home-made limoncello at Wilsons is incredible. The food here thanks to Jan and team is some of the best in the country in my opinion, but the limoncello will put an even bigger smile on your face at the end of a meal.
Miguel Alzugaray – Food Tours of Bristol
Bristol stalwart: New Cut is my daytime fav spot. Great coffee, lovely staff and I love sitting on their outdoor tables with a view of the harbour.
Best new place: Wangs. Sacha and Sandy are so lovely and have opened an amazing restaurant. Looking forward to going back!
Favourite dish: The Ibérico Pork Presa from COR. Served with panzanella, anchovies, olives and membrillo. Every component worked so well together! For top dessert I’m staying at COR. It has to be their tiramisu. The pannetone as a substitute for lady fingers is next level.
Will Clarke – Co-Founder of Biblos
Best new place: Jinzu on Gloucester Road is my new go-to for something fresh and exciting lunch bites. Jean and Julio from Jean’s Bistro are behind this new venture. Like Jean’s, which serves the best Thai food in Bristol, Jinzu delivers the freshest sushi along with some delicious curries and rice bowls. Jean is on site every day from 6am preparing the dishes herself for Jinzu. It really feels like the duo are always innovating.
Favourite dish: Savoury – pork shine from Jinzu. It’s so flavourful, hearty, and hits the spot every time. Sweet – Farro Bakery. Anything from their indulgent kouign-amann, pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts), or pain au chocolat is a winner. Or their spiced, flaky cinnamon bun. Simple, but hands down unbeatable.
Mimi Avery – Averys Wine Cellars
Bristol stalwart: Wilsons – slowly developing their ‘make amazing dishes from your backyard’ theme. Dishes are absolutely fresh – when it’s ripe they’ll use it. It’s not comfort food – but for wonder and intrigue.
Best new place: Pipp & Co. I was told about it when I came back to the office with a box of v. famous and expensive American doughnuts recently. So I went a few doors further down to Pipp’s and got a selection – including their vegan sausage roll (very moreish), followed by their plum and mulled wine filled doughnut (delicious, festive and decadent), with a bear claw on the side (cinnamon buns are my bakery test – like a risotto in a restaurant – and these guys passed the with flying colours).
Favourite dish: Aubgergine fries with molasses at Bravas (and Gambas)! Nipped at the heels by both Box-E‘s chocolate mousse, and scallops at littlefrench.
Top of the list for 2025: Every year I say I am going to visit Box-E more regularly – I went three times in 2023 and have achingly not managed it this year. I would also love to revisit COR again.
Emilia Risso – The Food At Hand
Bristol stalwart: I would go with a FANTASTIC English and Caribbean combo roast at The King’s Head, super classic, a locals’ favourite. A little bias as they’re my client but only for the last two months, and I’ve been going there for the last 15 years.
Best new place: Has to be Wangs! Fucking glorious! Can’t wait to go back, also that Sichuan Spicy Margarita – wowie.
Favourite dish: I actually think it has to be Big Nath’s BBQ dirty fries, they are just so top notch, and for something so gorgeously gluttonous, they never make me feel slumped. Just well fed with a happy belly!
Top of the list for 2025: Clouds, easy!
Adam Ball – Masterchef 2023 quarter finalist, founder of Frankie’s
Bristol stalwart: Bravas has been mine and my wife’s favourite for so long. I love the food (so much so that I have “croqueta please” tattooed on my arm), and the service is always 10/10. From a chilled out Sat afternoon stop to a date night, this is our go-to.
Best new place: I know it’s not even new anymore, but it’s new-ish and it’s COR. Chef Mark used to be head chef of Bravas many moons ago, that’s where we first met. Then I heard he was opening his own place, and I knew it was going to be amazing. Again, the food is so incredible, and the service is fantastic, and I love that the menu always changes. Pigs cheeks on polenta is a dish I eat again and again.
Favourite dish: Savoury – I’m pretty obsessed with Wangs and my favourite dish is the Hong Kong chilli wontons. Sweet – the chocolate mousse from Gambas is my favourite for sure.
Noel – foodieinbristol
Bristol stalwart: Gambas – consistently delicious & affordable tapas (added bonus when we get a seat with a view of the harbourside). Service is always excellent and the fried aubergine with molasses is to die for. Paired with a glass or four of sherry and you’re golden. Also want to throw in Fat Rice as my long-time fav street food vendor – he’s clearly a very talented chef having been to many of his pop-ups and spending way too much money on his beef rendang.
Best new place: Wangs! Love their refreshing take on Chinese food – all the flavours are on point and reflect proper Chinese cooking. Hats off to the owners & chefs for bringing something different to Bristol!
Favourite dish: I love and constantly crave the lamb kofteh kebab from Sam’s Master Grill. It’s a hearty and comforting meal – the butter placed on the Persian rice is cherry on top. We always come home full to the brim with extra for the next day! For dessert, besides Sam’s baklava, I also spend too much money on Small Goods – love the chocolate doughnuts.
Dom Bianchi Borel – Bianchis Group
Bristol stalwart: I always say this but 30+ years still going back, La Campagnuola, brother and sister Vincenzo and Maria Angela have been doing what Ben and I do for decades. No school like the old school.
Favourite dish: I just tried Tomo no Ramen, I actually refrained from telling him I wasn’t naturally a fan of Ramen anyway, but, late to the party, complete convert and on my list of returns.
David Pavon – El Colmado
Bristol Stalwart: The Grace. The wine selection is very good and the food is not the typical pub food. My Mediterranean heritage really enjoys the flavours of their menu and never disappoints.
Favourite dish: This year is been a Dim Sum year for me, I’ve explored the city’s offer and made it a challenge to try as many places as possible so there’s been a new addition to the concept with Clouds in St Werburghs. They’ve been offering their creations in markets for quite a long time now but with the restaurant they can increase and improve their offer. A must try if you have not yet been!
Best new place: I would like to talk about a hidden gem we have in the city – Fresh Bakery. I have made it a mission to show it to many of my friends. They’re amazing, not pretentious and with the most lovely service. When you get in it looks like they’re moving out or still moving in but the freshness of the food and the quality of the ingredients changes your perspective of what a dinning experience should be. A true indie that really cares about the food on your plate.
Dan Vaux Nobes – EssexEating
Bristol stalwarts: Wilsons, Sonny Stores and littlefrench. Love ’em all.
Best new place: Not that new now, but I’ve had some cracking food at The Clifton.
Favourite dish: I’ve got a real soft spot for the Guinea Fowl, Aioli & Frites for two to share, at littlefrench.
Janine Alexander – J9 Kitchen
Bristol stalwart: Beijing Cooking Pot. Home style cooking in a chilled atmosphere. Whenever I eat the spicy fish noodle with extra winter melon and enoki I feel like I’m nourishing my soul.
Best new place: Wangs – after a series of great pop-ups their full scale opening did not disappoint. Lovely staff and owners, and excellent head chef, Emily. My fave dish has to be the Taiwanese noodle.
Favourite dish: The beef pho from The Saigon Kitchen.
Fiona Beckett – Food & drink writer
Bristol stalwart: Sonny Stores. Brilliant simple Italian food. The epitome of a good neighbourhood restaurant.
Best new place: Dongnae.
Favourite dish: Whole roast Guineafowl frites and aioli at littlefrench.
Top of the list for 2025: Exploring the many new Chinese restos that have sprung up over the city.
Charlie Vivante
Bristol stalwart: The Gallimaufry. I was regularly visiting the previous venue before it became The Galli – friends and I called it “The Non Prom” for a year after it changed hands. The Galli has hosted birthdays, roasts, catch ups, commiserations, dates; seen me cry, laugh and stumble out the door for years and if it ever closed I’d be lost. It’s such an important part of Bristol’s live music scene, serves great food and beer, and provides a safe space for everyone.
Best new place: Lupe – the new, Old Bookshop that’s been reopened under the expert eye of Mike and Emily from Alpha Bottle Shop. The place is much brighter, has great local beer, Eatchu in the kitchen and is easy for me to get to from Gloucester Road – love it!
Favourite dish: It’s a small dish but I had, what I can only describe as “squid jerky” from Bokman and my life changed. Sweet, umami, chewy and served with the banchan, not a week goes by without it being mentioned – bag and sell that stuff!
Harris Massey – Owner & Head Chef at Namak
Bristol stalwart: Napolita Cafe as it serves amazing breakfast, lunch and dinner with pizzas , pastas and salads.
Best new place: Pappu Dosa on Stapleton Road – their thalis with mix dishes is really mouthwatering, and price-wise it’s affordable too. Their pau bhaji is the best.
Bobbi-Jo O’Gilvie – Tech Founder & IGersBristol Moderator
Bristol stalwart: Everyday Thai, this is my favourite go-to Thai place, it feels like home, and the family who runs it makes you feel like they are your family, too.
Best new place: The All Inn (formerly The Crosshands) has knocked pizza and vibes out of the park. They’re friendly, fun, and if you don’t want to brave the crowds at Chance & Counters, they’ve got boardgames, too!
Favourite dish: The folks at Buenosado do a MEAN rib eye that’ll leave you happy and potentially in need of a belly rub.
Sam Gregory – Landlord at The Bank Tavern
Bristol stalwart: Rendezvous Fish Bar on Denmark Street. Best traditional fish and chips in central Bristol run by brothers George & Michael. A family-run business since God was a boy!
Best new place: The big Greggs in Broadmead. Only joking! I’d go for Grano on Old Market. Great authentic Italian food and exceptional service!
Favourite dish: A mixed wrap from Matina is St Nicks Market. Packed with flavour and great value!
Top of the list for 2025: I am waiting with bated breath for Mayflower to reopen!
Ishita, WithMustard
Bristol Stalwart: Jeevan Sweets on Stapleton Road. This is where I go when I have a craving for samosas and chana batura. They do other fried snacks and vegetarian food to take away, plus an excellent ranges mithai (Indian sweets). Hart’s Bakery -Whilst they do great sourdough loaves, I go for their pasties, sausage rolls and sweet bakes. Make sure you try their divine Saturday bread, lemon and mascarpone slice and custard tarts. Bertha’s Pizza – Best pizza with great vegetarian and vegan choices that aren’t an afterthought. The Meat and Heat is a classic and the Napoli (if you like anchovies) is a favourite too. If they do one of their Giro evenings make sure you go!
Best new place: Hilda Bakery at Whiteladies Rd market Tues-Fri. Good coffee and pastries. Love their pain au chocolat and cookies. Watch out for their seasonal pastries, like their current Egg Nog custard tart.
Favourite dish: Steak Tartare at Marmo. One of the best I’ve ever eaten. A great excuse to stay and try the rest of their menu and lovely wines.
Top of the list for 2025: I’d like to try Other and also Clouds. Need to find an excuse to go back to Wilsons and Bulrush!
Candi Williams – candiwrites
Bristol stalwart: Truffled of Totterdown roasts. The marker of a great roast for me is when every bit of it slaps (not just the main characters of the meat and potatoes).
Best new place: It’s gotta be Gigi’s. I am obsessed with these pizzas and beyond lucky to have them on my doorstep. As if Grano wasn’t amazing enough, in comes Gigi’s. Alberto talked them up, telling me how the dough was made for easy digestion but the proof was in the pizza. My first one was half pepperoni and half ragu and it was incredible. Best pizza I’ve ever had in Bristol.
Favourite dish: The Black Pork Curry from Nadu is exceptional, I can’t get enough of it and often day dream about it.i recently discovered Coorgi Pork from Kal Dosa and it was amazing too. Final one is the Junglee Mass slow-cooked lamb curry at Talwar Express. It’s a 100 year old recipe and I’ve never had a lamb curry like it.
Top of the list for 2025: I want to get my chops around Pig’s Pizza and get down to Mellee’s at Kitchen by KASK. Her roasts were the absolute best takeaways, a gluten-free, well-sourced dream. Also, COR – can’t believe I’ve not been yet.
Dan Heath – Founder at The Cider Box
Bristol stalwart: The Jam Jar is a firm favourite, hitting all the right spots when it comes to diverse live music and tasty clubnights ’til the early hours, with a well stocked bar including some decent cider too!
Best new place: Noah’s, it’s a fancy chippy under a flyover on Spike Island, what’s not to love, plus you can enjoy a digestif or three at The Orchard afterwards!
Favourite dish: The Brixham mackerel at Bianchi’s; West Country flavours meet Italian heritage in the heart of Bristol – what a lush trio! Washed down with a large Zinfandel please – takes me straight to the heart of Italy right on my doorstep!
Meg Houghton-Gilmour – Editor of The Bristol Sauce
Bristol stalwart: The Scrandit. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been propping up the bar in that cosy front room this year, inhaling something delicious from one of their pop-ups. Maintaining such high standards across such a range of pop-ups is no mean feat, but Josh and the team pull it out of the bag every time. I love the fact that every time I go, there’s something different. It’s innovative – I’ve tried foods and cuisines there that I’ve never had before. I’m a huge fan.
Best new place: When I wrote about it on The Bristol Sauce in October, I declared Dongnae the best new Bristol restaurant of 2024. I stand by that, but I have to say that Other which opened its doors just a couple of weeks later is a very close contender. A best new north Bristol restaurant and a best new south Bristol restaurant perhaps? They’re very different from each other, but both delivering really adventurous dishes to an insanely high standard.
Favourite dish: The roast guinea fowl with girolles, cognac, white wine, tarragon and cream with its accompanying mountain of fries from littlefrench lives rent free in my mind. I made it my screensaver. Heroic stuff.
Top of the list for 2025: Clouds, the new place from the Ah-Ma’s Dumplings team in St Werburghs. I’m hearing good things. And if, for whatever reason, it doesn’t live up to expectations, one can always procure an excellent smash burger from Danny’s Burgers at Fierce & Noble on the way home.
Woei Lee – Chef and Masterchef finalist
Bristol stalwart: The Ashville Steakhouse. My first choice for steak, this family-run restaurant in Bedminster has top notch service and the quality of the steak is sublime. I shared a 52oz t-bone with friends and it was cooked to perfection. The restaurant is always full – book to avoid disappointment! Also Jean’s Bistro, I’ve tried so many Thai restaurants in Bristol and this one stands out. The pad thai is so authentic, the tom yum is amazing – hot and spicy. The sizzling pork belly is also full of flavour and best paired with rice.
Best new place: Cappadocia, this family-run Turkish restaurant is a true gem. I’d never been to a Turkish restaurant, just had roadside kebabs. I went for my work Christmas meal and had the lamb shish with rice – the lamb was full of spices and flavourful, the rice was nice and fluffy.
Favourite dish: After my chef demo at Valley Fest one food stall caught my eye with a long queue – Urban Eatz, selling Hungarian street food. Langos is a deep fried flatbread topped with whatever topping you like. I chose Peking duck with caramelised onion and goats cheese.
Mike Coe – Landlord at Old Castle Green
Bristol stalwart: The Cornubia. Always has a soft spot in my heart. Lush local beers and good atmosphere. Le Vignoble – just heaven with good wine and good charcuterie boards.
Best new place: Gigi’s Pizza.
Favourite dish: Panna cotta is my favourite dessert in the world, I’ve had the one at Grano Kitchen a few times. Lychee Margaritas from the OCG!
Chris, PX & Tarts
Bristol stalwart: Soukitchen. Tends to fly under the radar but must have been going strong for at least 10 years. Always start with the hummus and flatbread and then I usually go for the specials which, amazingly after all this time, manage to defy repetition. Shout out to Lido, too, where I had an excellent meal with the family.
Best new place: I’m not sure if it is definitely new this year, but certainly new to me are Hilda’s superlative pastries at the top of Whiteladies Road. Formerly the Common Lemon, I’m hoping I can snag myself an eggnog tart and a mince pie before the end of the year, but I’ll need to get up early. Honourable mention to Other, and Wangs in Stokes Croft, especially for their smaller plates.
Favourite dish: Treacle tart from Chez Candice hidden away in Boiling Wells the freezing cold of February. My favourite dessert, and one of the best I have had. Simple. Got a whole one for my birthday. What a day. Best savoury dish: “Celeriac, Monkfish. Pheasant & Girolles” at Wilson’s. Immaculate fish cookery and saucery, as always.
And finally, my picks of 2024!
Bristol stalwart: I’ve always had a fantastic meal at Souk Kitchen or Bravas over the years, and The Strawberry Thief is always such a treat – great Belgian beers and really good food to go with it. The Gallimaufry just smashes it on every level, from free live music to decor, to the great new residency from Wizzy/ Sky Kong Kong. Oh and according to my Monzo, Renato’s was one of my top locations this year – not surprising with their power combo of pizza by the slice, retro decor and great drinks (try the Buckfast Negroni and thank me later).
Best new place: I’ve had some banging ramen and cocktails at Tomo No Ramen @ Lucky Strike, and love the vibes and flavour-packed dishes at Condesa. I’ve also been into the new Pinkmans cafe inside Bristol Cathedral a fair few times already given it only opened a few weeks ago – a serene spot in the city centre with excellent coffee, pastries and sandwiches.
Favourite dish: The sherry trifle wth cherry jam and tonk bean custard at The Granary has lived rent free in my head for most of this year. The cacio e pepe rigatoni with ox cheek ragu at Pazzo was also next level delicious. And any fish dish I’ve had this year at Noah’s, which is a few!
Top of the list for 2025: Some place I’ve wanted to get to for a while are Per Kor, Tare Bar, Little Hollows, Beijing Cooking Pot, The Kandyan and La Guingette. From the newbies – Clouds and Carmen Street Wine.
That’s it for 2024! Let me know what you’re planning on booking over on Threads, see what I’m eating on Instagram or see the latest local food news by following A Life Less Organised on Facebook.
If you enjoy the guides on this blog, or found this post particularly useful/entertaining, you can buy me a coffee or a glass of wine to say thanks – it’s always nice to see when the blog is appreciated. See you next year!
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