Top 5 local dishes to try in the best restaurants in Bristol, the UK

Pieminster Pie. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/pieministeruk

There is nothing more British than meat-filled tarts. But Bristol manages to take this a notch further with their Pieminister pies. It is an award-winning business that originated in the city and creates a variety of delicious-filled pastries. The meal is a great way to warm oneself up in winter and especially during themed holidays.

During Christmas, the best thing to buy would be the Mistle Moo – a beef steak pie with dry cured bacon and Port wine, or the Good Elf featuring thyme-seasoned tofu with cranberries in Port. Each of these pastries comes with a unique mix of accompaniments and sauces, including mashed potatoes, peas, tater tots, seasonal vegetables, etc. For any Bristolian, it is a tradition to visit the legendary eponymous eatery at least once every quarter. You can even call it a religious practice.

Tucked away in the Glass Arcade on Stokes Street, Pieminister is the premium go-to place for locals for their daily dose of savory delights. This family-run business started in 2003 after brothers Jon and Tristan returned from a trip to Australia and incorporated a few modern cooking techniques into the classic British patsy. The small change made their shop so famous that they managed to open 3 more branches within two years.

Today, tourists can choose between the Broad Quay, St. Nicks Market, and the flagship location to enjoy a bite of the comfort food in Bristol. Expect to relish scrumptious creations, such as turkey with ham in cranberry sauce, steak with Port wine, leek with cheddar cheese filling, wild portobello mushrooms with baby onions in gravy, cured bacon in red wine jus, spinach with feta in lemon garlic, and Moroccan spiced carrot and chickpea curry. Pair your meal with their bar menu ranging from lemonades to craft beers.

Average bill – £18

Easter Biscuits. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/Parsonsbakery

Another celebratory dish patrons can find in Bristol is called Easter biscuits. They are amazingly spiced circular cookies made with butter, egg, flour, baking powder, and currants. Originally from Somerset in the west, these delights have one distinct feature – the tangy currant flavor mixed with seasonings. Though these are abundantly available in the months of March or April, some bakeries do make the treats all year round.

The first recipe of the biscuits included cassia oil, as there was a belief that this substance was used in the embalming process when cleaning Christ’s body after the crucifixion. The oil comes from the Chinese cinnamon plant and was a cheaper substitute for the spice. Today, these little sugary goods are the best snacks to carry around in a bag while exploring the city’s attractions. Whether you like them in a traditional form, plain, or doused in chocolate icing, be sure to buy some from Parsons Bakery.

Though Easter biscuits are a seasonal delight, you can always find them at nearly all of the 14 outlets of Parsons Bakery in Bristol. Started in 1926 as a small shop in Richfield, this eatery has soon converted into a chain spread all across South West England with over 50 branches. Our personal favorite would be the one on Henleaze Road as it not only serves baked goodies but also artisanal pizzas.

The decor follows a simplistic and welcoming café design, made up of tall wooden stools, an open service counter, a large glass façade, and bright Edison lamps. They also feature outdoor curbside seating when the weather is warm and sunny. Diners can savor pesto chicken pizza with red onions, spicy pepperoni pie with mozzarella cheese, raisin-filled cinnamon rolls, rhubarb cupcakes, black currant-infused Easter biscuits, green apple crumble, and flaky pear tart. Also check out their vast variety of coffees, teas, juices, and smoothies.

Average bill – £23

Mothering Buns. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/JoesBakeryBristol

Our next top dish to sample in Bristol is Mothering buns. Aptly named, as these subtly sweetened delights are eaten mostly on the Saturday before Mothering Sunday. The treats became a traditional consumption item in the 18th century to celebrate Lent – a Christian religious observance that commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptations from Satan.

Though these buns are prepared and eaten all over the UK, Bristol cooks use a slightly different recipe to make theirs by baking a plain yeasted loaf with butter and sugar and then decorate it with exotic garnish. Being a port city, they would always have unique ingredients such as seeds, flax, and spices. The most common spice is caraway along with thousands of colorful icing balls scattered on the sweetbreads.

What better place can there be to try Mothering buns in Bristol than the oldest bakery in the city? Joe’s Bakery is an institution that was created somewhere in the 19th century and has since been serving the community of South Western England. In March, this place makes over 900 Mothering Buns for the Lent weekend which gets sold out by midday Saturday. But if you are not here in spring, do not fear as they also provide the special sweet loaf all year round.

Just ask over the counter for one as it will not be displayed on the menu. Besides this, visitors can indulge in exquisite items, such as jam-filled ringed donuts, almond croissants, custard slices, Greek orange filo cake, chocolate brownies, soft muffins with icing, crusty cob rolls, cinnamon bread with raisins, gingerbread, and buttered scones. We also recommend that our readers take a parcel of a few biscuits, meat pies, and puff pastries to go as a snack while exploring the beautiful county.

Average bill – £21

Clifton Puff. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/thebristolloaf.co.uk

Clifton puff is a local delicacy that honors Bristol's maritime tradition. As the name suggests, it was created as an homage to the city’s most renowned attraction – the Clifton Suspension Bridge. The dish consists of a light and airy snack made by folding layers upon layers of puff pastry around an irresistible filling of almonds, dried fruits, and spiced apples.

Some local recipes also contain brandy and raisins. But whatever the version, these treats are readily available all over the county and are worth a try. The origin story of the staple is not very clearly mentioned, but the earliest known recipes can be found in cookbooks written at the end of the 19th century, around the same time when the bridge was constructed. If you have some valuable culinary insights to share, drop a comment below.

An iconic spot to relish Clifton puff and other baked goods in the city is Bristol Loaf – an artisanal café that started as a little shop in Redfield and quickly grew into a big branch in Bedminster serving wholesale and retail customers. The bistro is designed and operated with sustainability, reflected both in its motto and interiors created by Phoenix Wharf, a renowned architectural company.

The dining space is adorned with nature-inspired elements like solid ash timber for paneling and shelving, potted plants, exposed smooth concrete walls with rustic bricks, and wicker woven lanterns. Some of the specialty dishes you can enjoy here are grilled chicken pesto sandwiches with provolone cheese, vegetable lasagna, Spanish omelet in Dijon mustard dressing topped with pan-fried mushrooms, roasted beef with Yorkshire pudding in gravy, and baked macaroni with cheese in shrimp bisque. End the feast on a sweet note with Clifton puff, blood orange Danish, and almond crumble muffin.

Average bill – £27

Cream Sherry. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/harveyssherry/

Our last item is truly a Bristolian creation – cream sherry. During the late 18th century, a hugely popular drink in the UK was sweetened oloroso which was locally called milk sherry. Many of these bottles used to be traded from the port of the city. A wine merchant by the name of John Harvey started the brand of Bristol Milk in 1796.

In the 1860s, John Harvey II and his brother invited an aristocratic lady to their cellars to sample some of the finest creations. Upon tasting a newer and richer blend of the vino she exclaimed, If the other bottles are Milk then this new one should be Cream. So in 1882, Harvey’s Sherry was trademarked. Today, travelers can pick up the striking dark blue bottle of this unique fortified wine as a delicious souvenir from local markets.

Complete your indulgent journey in Bristol by heading to John Harvey Arms in Goodwin district. It is a two-story drinking establishment that has been a community favorite haunt for over 50 years. Since its recent takeover by the Craft Union Pubs Company, the place got a new and improved refurbished look oozing a sports club vibe. The ambiance is casual and inviting, complete with three television screens, plush carpeted flooring, elegant French window design, a dart board, a few pool tables, and a polished central oakwood bar counter.

The kitchen team presents a menu of small-plate appetizers and finger food complementing the drink selections. We highly recommend ordering succulent oven-baked chicken thighs, crab cakes in garlic aioli, grilled sausages with bacon, shrimp cocktails served on crackers, bacon wrapped asparagus, braised meat pie with fries, mini hamburger sliders, and pan-fried sea bass with sautéed bell peppers in lemon caper sauce. Elevate your experience by pairing it with their vast beverage collection consisting of Bristol cream sherry, apéritifs, craft beers, and fruity cocktails.

Average bill – £19 (without drinks)

Bristol is a popular tourist destination renowned for its eclectic and refined cuisine. The city has a lot more to offer its visitors besides the above-mentioned dishes and restaurants. From traditional English fare to international foods, there will be plenty of delicacies in the petite maritime haven that can cater to every type of palate. So be sure to bring a big appetite along on your vacation.