This is an area that I never spent much time in before we started doing shoots at The Forge at the end of last year. It was then I realised how lovely the old, coloured buildings were, as well as the independent shops within them.
People are often asking me for recommendations for Bristol, so I thought I better create a few mini guides for various areas! I'm hoping to do lots more - I've already got a few other areas in mind, as well as some showcases for individual restaurants and shops.
COLSTON STREET
..is bang in the centre, although a little walk from the main shopping area. It's right near Harbourside, the Hippodrome, and all that stuff. I don't know about you, but I always expect it to be hard to find anything other chain restaurants and shops when that close to the centre.
Let's start from the bottom.
This super colourful, plant-filled oasis is one of the more recent additions to The Ox/Milk Thistle etc family, so naturally, they do really good cocktails and really good food. The latter has a fresh and healthy feel, with a middle eastern vibe.
They also have a huge outside terrace (partly covered) complete with ping pong tables and table football. It's a very fun place.
Technically just off Colston Street, but I thought I'd include it as it's so close. Hop halfway down the Christmas Steps to find this new candle shop. Yup, it's just a candle shop, but if you're into candles, this is a must. They stock all the best brands, and those are ever-expanding. The shop itself is super cute too, with the black walls and tantalising "treat yourself" neon sign! I can imagine they'll get very busy come Christmas time..
I've only had a quick browse in here, but it felt like such a novelty to be in a video store. They have a tiny cinema which seats 11 people, and would be such a cool place to go for a birthday or a special date.
Back onto Colston Street and up the hill a little, you'll find this super cute pink shop. Pirrip is a small design & print studio, and this is their shop which is open Thursday-Saturday. They sell their gorgeous totes, cards, zines & more, and you can commission them for things too. Also, they do a card loyalty card - which is great if you're always buying cute cards like I am!
BLOOM & CURLL
Probably the best bookshop you'll ever go to. There are loads of hilariously grumpy signs by the door saying that they don't like browsers etc, but I always pop in anyway. Their displays are brilliant, and they'll definitely have that obscure book you've been searching for!
If you're looking for a gorgeous plant, bunch of flowers, or just a nice chat with the friendliest French lady in the world, pop in here. There's a shelf of "rescued" plants, all with their own interesting backstory - make sure you ask about them. I finally picked up a lovely little string of hearts last time I was there.
Kind of like visiting a gallery where absolutely everything is for sale, Blaze is jam packed full of loads of artists' work. It's a great place to pick up a gift or card for someone, or just to waste a bit of time browsing all the beautiful and wonderful things people make.
This only opened a few months ago, and quickly became many foodies' number 1 burger in Bristol - which is no mean feat, considering how many burger joints there are in the city now (and more set to open soon!) When Sam and I got around to visiting, it became my favourite too.
Since then I've been back a couple of times, and always get the namesake burger - it's so good that I can't bring myself to have anything else! Although, I'll happily have a bite of someone else's... The chips are AMAZING, and the slaw is nice and spicy. The pud was a little of a letdown for us, as we were expecting the brownie to be warm and gooey, but I'm sure we could request that if we fancied having it again.
Ok, sorry, another one off Colston Street, but it's riiiiight by it, and I try to stop in if I'm in the area, so I had to include it. Their food is amazing (once I had a salad and was trying to recreate it for weeks afterwards, it was that good. A salad.) and so are their coffees - if they still have the maple syrup iced almond latte on, get it. Last time I was there I had an epiphany of how happy I was too. Great place.
Hope you found this useful! I always use my #beinglittlebristol hashtag for my favourite places, so have a look at that if you're after more places to visit in Bristol!
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I've lived in Bristol since March and the first time I strolled down Colston Street was this weekend just gone. It was lovely! And now I've just came across your blog... coincidence I think not!
ReplyDeleteMeowandme.co.uk xxx