By Maya Tailor, Second Year, English
With the end of term only mere weeks away, hitting your favourite spots in Bristol is of the utmost importance. Whilst this city is home to an array of firm student favourites, such as La Rocca, Pizzarova, and Rubicon Too (to name a few), there are also countless lesser known places that are worth checking out before the academic year is up. Bristol’s diverse, vibrant culture for independent businesses means there is something for everyone for almost every occasion.
Epigram has compiled a list of some of Bristol’s underrated places to eat and drink, as well as both day and night activities to tick off that list that you may not have gotten around to doing yet. Take this as your sign!
Located on Bristol’s Wapping Wharf, this small, cosy restaurant is serving up fresh, homemade pasta, using locally sourced ingredients to serve up quality plates that encapsulate the classic flavours of Italy. Their open kitchen means you can watch the talented team make your meal from scratch, creating an intimate, joyful atmosphere that is suitable for any occasion. This, alongside the attentive service, makes you feel like you’re in someone’s home. They also offer three brilliant lunch deals on weekdays: £10 for pasta and a soft drink or £12.50 for pasta and either a glass of wine or tiramisu. Ideal for students.
If there is one thing better than a tasty restaurant, it’s a tasty restaurant on a boat. Under the Stars is exactly that. Moored in Bristol’s picturesque harbour, this floating restaurant excels at Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired tapas, pizza and cocktails, creating truly unmissable plates and flavours on board. This restaurant prides itself on seasonal produce, with menu changes occurring regularly to keep it fresh and exciting. With views of the harbour, as well as seating both inside the boat and on the deck, this is a place that you’ll want to check out.
Keeping up with the nautical theme, Three Brothers Burgers is also located on a boat, this time in Welsh Back, serving up a wide range of burgers for both meat-eaters and vegans alike. Accompanied by an eclectic drink menu filled with various draughts, ciders and shakes, their burgers are generously topped with veggies and sauces bound to satisfy your cravings. This independent restaurant also offers a £7.50 lunch deal, consisting of a classic burger with either fries or coleslaw, which, in this economy, is too good not to take advantage of.
Bristol is home to a variety of delicious brunch spots, one of these being The Bristolian. Located on Picton Street, just around the corner from Stokes Croft, they add their unique ‘Bristolian’ take on brunch classics. On top of their diverse dishes suitable for all dietary needs, their varied drinks menu deserves a special mention. With a wide range of coffee, teas and juices, pairing together the most unlikely flavours and spices, this place takes brunch to a whole new level.
Kumono
For all the matcha lovers out there, this place is for you! Located on King’s Road in Clifton Village, Kumono is serving up Bristol’s best quality matcha – hand-whisked right in front of you. With a tasty selection of flavours to accompany your drink, such as blueberry, mango and pistachio, this place offers an authentic taste of Japan in the heart of Clifton. Whilst they serve their matcha downstairs, upstairs, you can find a range of Japanese accessories and goods. Even if matcha isn’t your thing, you’re likely to find something of interest here!
Located on Whiteladies Road, this is the pub that does it all. Whether you’re craving a Sunday roast, live entertainment or some delicious cocktails, this is the place for you. Vittoria’s drinks are creative and fun. What’s more, from 4-7 pm every day, they’re only £6, making this the perfect venue for a date or a night out with friends. The interior’s vintage charm, coupled with its dive bar aesthetic, makes this a cosy, intimate spot.
If you’re after activities and other things to do in Bristol before the term ends, then here are a handful of activities that might pique your interest.
As well as being the site of the annual Love Saves The Day festival, you might not have known that you can visit this park for free. Located across the Clifton Suspension Bridge in west Bristol, these grounds are a stunning example of the wildlife and nature that is right on our doorstep. In the estate, you’ll find paths for walking and biking, as well as various types of golf courses and a woodland high ropes course. With the weather getting warmer, this is a perfect place to bask in the sunshine. You might even spot some wild deer whilst you’re at it!
Located in Southville, Bristol’s vibrant arts scene is nowhere more prevalent than here. The theatre offers Bristol’s creatives a chance to showcase their ideas and visions across a wide range of genres, such as music, opera, comedy, drama and Shakespeare. If you’re looking for a different form of entertainment for a nice evening with a partner or with friends, this is the place to go.
Boasting enormous sound systems and an unmissable dancefloor, this electronic music venue in Stokes Croft is the perfect place to celebrate the end of exams. With an exciting lineup of artists and DJs on the decks every day from a wide range of dance genres, you can’t help but immerse yourself in the drum and bass that The Love Inn has to offer. This is the place to dance the night away with your mates – a true marker of an unforgettable night.
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These places are merely a handful of the best of what Bristol has to offer. As the end of term approaches, use this time to step outside of your comfort zone and try out the spots that you frequently walk past. Let the experience of doing something new become a memory you can look back on fondly. Who knows, you might find your new favourite spot.
Featured Image: Nel Roden / Epigram
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