Cafe Kino
BRITISH, VEGAN •STOKES CROFT
A worker-owned cooperative that’s been a cornerstone of Stokes Croft for years. Cafe Kino is the definition of a community hub that's fully vegan, totally unpretentious, and the perfect spot to nurse a coffee or dive into one of their legendary burgers. Whether you’re working on a project or meeting mates before a gig in their basement, it’s a space that belongs to everyone. Real food & real people
Little Victories
BRITISH •HARBOURSIDE
A sleek, Scandinavian-inspired specialty coffee shop by day that transitions into a relaxed craft beer, natural wine, and cocktail bar in the evenings. It offers exceptional espresso, and locally baked goods in a bright, airy space overlooking the harbour. Make sure you try the banana bread with espresso butter!
The Hobgoblin
AMERICAN, BRITISH •GLOUCESTER ROAD
A Gloucester Road icon famous for its 'gut-busting' portions and high-quality burgers. It gained cult status for its 'Dirty Dirty Fries' and extreme eating challenges. While it's a dedicated craft beer pub, the kitchen is the main draw, serving up dry-aged beef patties and a wide array of inventive toppings in a relaxed, classic pub setting.
1b Pitville
COFFEE, CAFE, BRITISH •COTHAM
A cozy, welcoming independent cafe situated just off Cotham Hill. Known for serving top-tier coffee, delicious pastries, and great brunch options in a relaxed setting.
Albatross Café
BRITISH, CAFE, COFFEE •BEDMINSTER
A charming, high-ceilinged cafe known for its specialty coffee, house-made cakes, and a distinctively aesthetic interior. During the day it serves as a creative hub for brunch and coffee, while it frequently hosts evening events with a focused menu of cocktails and wine.
Arnolfini Café Bar
BRITISH •HARBOURSIDE
Located within Bristol's contemporary arts center on the harbourside, the Arnolfini Café Bar pairs spectacular waterfront views with a strong local ethos. Operated in collaboration with independent Bristol breweries, the space offers excellent craft beer alongside a seasonal menu of vibrant, locally sourced dishes. This might be one of the vibiest spots to grab a drink in the Summer on an evening after work.
Bank
BRITISH •TOTTERDOWN
Occupying a striking historical building on Wells Road, BANK is a standout Totterdown independent that centres its entire menu around live fire cooking. The kitchen delivers bold, wood smoked flavours across a constantly evolving selection of sharing plates, driven entirely by seasonal ingredients. Paired with a carefully curated wine list and excellent coffee, it’s a beautifully designed, light-filled space that balances high-quality, creative cooking with a relaxed neighborhood feel.
Box-e
BRITISH •HARBOURSIDE
Operating out of a pair of converted shipping containers at Wapping Wharf, BOX-EClick to open side panel for more information is a masterclass in compact, high-calibre dining. Run by a brilliant husband-and-wife team, this 14-seat independent kitchen focuses on hyper-seasonal British ingredients, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its incredibly thoughtful, flavour-led menus. It’s a beautifully intimate space that removes the barriers between the chefs and the table, delivering world-class cooking and genuine hospitality in a relaxed, harbour-side setting.
Bulrush
BRITISH •COTHAM
Tucked into a modest whitewashed building in Cotham, Bulrush is a creative powerhouse delivering Michelin starred cooking in a relaxed and understated setting. The kitchen specialises in innovative tasting menus that champion foraged ingredients and hyper-seasonal local produce — blending traditional techniques with modern and imaginative flavours. A beautifully run independent that prioritises culinary precision, it's a deeply memorable dining experience.
Burger Theory
BRITISH, AMERICAN •CITY CENTER
A well-known independent burger joint in the city centre, starting life as a pop-up before opening a permanent restaurant. It's famous for its creative, inventive burgers using locally sourced, high-welfare ingredients, with excellent vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. They also offer craft beers and cocktails.
Caper And Cure
BRITISH •STOKES CROFT
An award-winning independent restaurant in Stokes Croft (at the corner of Montpelier). It focuses on modern European bistro cooking with an emphasis on seasonal, high-quality local and organic ingredients. Known for its inventive small plates, Sunday roasts, and open kitchen.
Cord Kitchen
BRITISH, AMERICAN •BEDMINSTER
Housed within the Bristol Beer Factory Tap Room, Cord Kitchen specialises in elevated pub comfort food. They have built a cult following in South Bristol for their 'feeding frenzy' menu of dry-aged beef burgers, seasoned wings, and loaded fries, alongside a Sunday roast often cited as one of the city's finest.