Here we are, on the brink of spring finally! I can almost taste the pub gardens.

As we emerge from our winter hibernations, there’s plenty to tempt you out, whether you’re looking for a slap-up dinner, beer festival, gin making class or want to visit a brand new restaurant.

News

First up, congratulations to those newly awarded in the Michelin guide – Wilsons received a well-earned Michelin Star to add to its Green Star, while quirky Bedminster small plates restaurant Other was also added to the guide just a few months after opening.

Early bird tickets have been released for this year’s edition of Feast On food festival, as well as Bristol Craft Beer Festival. You can also get your hands on some early bird ticket for Bath Oktoberfest too!

Speaking of beer, this year’s dates for the East Bristol Brewery Trail have been announced – mark 3rd – 4th May and 23rd – 24th August in your calendars!

Finally, I am more excited than ever before for Pie Week at the start of March, as Pieminister have announced their new special, The Big Cheese, with Cheddar, potato, leek and Emmental with cider – there’s even a GF version if you’re dodging gluten!

Dinners & celebrations

Treat yourself to an extra special day or night out this month…

• Wed 5th – Wine & Curry Night at Le Vignoble, £32.50
• Thu 6th – New tasting menu launch at Caper & Cure, £65
• Sat 8th – Disney Drag Bottomless Brunch at Lola Lo’s, £47.99
• Sat 8th – International Women’s Day Beer Launch Party at Lost and Grounded Brewers taproom
• Sat 8th – Free From Festival at Document
• Thu 13th + Tue 25th – Blindfolded Dinner Experience, £44.95
• Sun 16th – AfroBrunch at The Pickle Factory, £22.50
• Sun 16th – Sunday roasts on Brunel’s SS Great Britain, from £35
• Wed 19th – Frassinelli wine dinner at Pazzo, £65
• Thu 20th – Thirsty Thursday Cruise with Bristol Ferry, £10
• Thu 20th – British Chophouse Dinner at The Kensington Arms, £75
• Fri 21st & Sat 22nd – Cask Beer Festival at Lupe
• Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd – Bath & West Food Festival at The Royal Bath & West Showground, £6
• Wed 26th – English Cheese & Wine Tasting, £30
• Thu 27th – Calcotada Festival at Bar 44, £48
• Thu 27th – Cream Tea Cruise with Bristol Packet Boat Trips

Mothers’ Day

Looking for some tasty options for a special family day on Sunday 30th March? Here are a few picks…

• Soul Brunch at Bambalan, £25
• Sip and Paint at Riverstation, £35 (or two for £60)
• Sunday roasts on Brunel’s SS Great Britain, from £35
• Biscuit Decorating Masterclass, £35
• Set menu at The Square Club, two courses for £29, three courses £35

Tours, tastings & workshops

Try something new over the next few weeks…

• Tue 4th – Discover Italy wine tasting at The Scrandit, £40
• Wed 5th – Winemakers wine tasting – Celebrating International Women’s Day at KASK, £35
• Thu 6th – Make Your Own Sauerkraut, £18
• Thu 6th – Whisky Lover’s Masterclass at Circumstance, £30
• Fri 7th – Wapping Wharf Gourmet Food Tour, £65
• Fri 7th – Gin Lover’s Masterclass at Psychopomp Micordistillery, £30
• Sat 8th – Egyptian Cookery Class, £45
• Sat 8th – Gin Making at Psychopomp, £115 for one, £145 for two
• Sat 8th – Orange Wine tasting at Native Vine, £25
• Mon 10th – The FINAL CWR Rum Club x Takamaka Rum at The Clockwork Rose, £25
• Tue 11th – Sparkling wines & oysters at Cave, £45
• Tue 11th – Explore Spain and Portugal, £40
• Thu 13th – Middle Eastern cookery class at The Pony Chew Valley, £110
• Thu 13th – The Ultimate Rum Experience at Industry Bar & Kitchen, £30
• Fri 14th – Gin Lover’s Masterclass at Psychopomp Micordistillery, £30
• Sat 15th – Be a Barista with OddKin Coffee Roasters, £60
• Sat 15th – Introduction to bread making at The Pony Chew Valley, £130
• Sat 15th – Food & Drink Tour: Hotspots & Hidden Treasures, £60
• Sat 15th – Wapping Wharf Gourmet Food Tour, £65
• Sun 16th – Spring Wild Food Forage Course, £40

• Tue 18th – Kurdish Cookery Class, £45
• Tue 18th – Australia and New Zealand wine tasting, £40
• Wed 19th – Uruguay – your new fav wine region at KASK, £35
• Fri 21st – Spirited x Averys whisky and wine tasting, £35
• Sat 22nd – Bristol: A journey into heresy whisky tasting, £50
• Sat 22nd – Wapping Wharf Gourmet Food Tour, £65
• Sat 22nd – Orange Wine tasting at Native Vine, £25
• Sun 23rd – Sushi cookery class at The Pony Chew Valley, £95
• Sun 23rd – Cheese + beer tasting at Hop Union Brewery, £20
• Tue 25th – Discover Chile and Argentina wine tasting, £40
• Tue 25th – Hong Konger Cookery Class, £45
• Tue 25th – Wines of South America tasting at Cave, £35
• Wed 26th – Fermentation Class at Bristol Folk House, £18
• Fri 28th – Coffee Tasting and Latte Art workshop at Flourish, £20
• Sat 29th – North Street Food Tour, £65
• Sat 29th – Root classic dishes cookery class, £110
• Sat 29th – Spanish Wine Tasting at Native Vine, £25

New openings

Have a pen at the ready, there are lots of new places for you to try, as well as plenty more coming soon…

Recently opened are Mocha Mocha cafe on Anchor Road, Six by Nico in Quakers Friars, Dosa Queen on Cheltenham Road, Rasa Kita Malaysian restaurant on Gloucester Road, Oriental Bistro on Park Street and Gurt Wings in Wapping Wharf.

You don’t have long to wait for some more newbies, with Taste of Napoli opening their second cafe on Park Street on 1st March, Coffi Lab dog-friendly cafe on Gloucester Road on 8th March, and Little Bagel Co. opening their second branch on Baldwin Street on 10th March.

Wapping Wharf has two exciting openings in April – a second restaurant from the team behind the excellent COR – an Italian inspired restaurant called LUCA’S. You’ll also be able to visit French-style restaurant Lapin from the award-winning BANK team.

The team behind Mother’s Ruin, The Crown and The Colosseum are bringing their magic to the Greyhound pub in Fishponds, which will reopen on 17th April.

Coming up soon but with no set date are Barbara’s Bier Haus by the harbourside, and Thumps on East Street in Bedminster.

If you found this or any of the other guides useful, you can shout me a coffee to say cheers if you like – it’s always appreciated!

That’s it for this month, 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 like this, you’ll also like:

• The Best Brunches in Bristol
• Food & Drink Offers (set menus, bottomless brunch and more)
• Country Pubs Near Bristol

I’ve also got a few travel guides if you’re planning a getaway, including Fowey, York, Malaga and Nice.