Friska - Bristol Food Review
Posted on: 2017-03-08
Our rating:
Like a Pret 2.0
Friska is an independent eatery that doesn’t label itself as a café or a restaurant; it’s a bit of both! It’s like a better version of Pret. A Pret 2.0 I suppose. Even though their location on Victoria Street is two doors down from a Pret, it offers much more variety when it comes to both food and drink.
The menu is quite extensive for breakfast, lunch and hot & cold drinks. You’ll find things here that you’ve never seen before, which is why I bought myself a pot of Friska’s Mocha Overnight Oats and House Breakfast Bowl because they sounded like nothing else I’d ever tasted. Luckily I was right and both of these bowls were moreish, naturally sweet and wonderfully indulgent. Alongside these unique breakfasts they have the traditional breakfast muffins, a range of toasties, as well as healthy pots like smoked salmon, avocado & kale.
They house a great range of dairy free, wheat free and gluten free options. Even the Mocha Overnight Oats I tried were dairy free which is perfect for vegans! Made with chia seeds, espresso, chocolate maple syrup and their signature coconut crumble, this special overnight oat concoction is without a doubt my new favourite take-away breakfast pot. This is closely followed by their House Breakfast Bowl which is made using oats, nuts, mixed seeds, an assortment of dried fruits including apricots, dates and raisins, as well as stewed fruit, Greek yogurt and that coconut crumble again. That isn’t even an exhaustive list of the ingredients but it’s an example of how much imagination clearly goes into their foods and how much they value making healthy food taste incredible.
The reason they can’t be labelled as a café or restaurant is because they offer a bit of a random assortment of foods such as pho noodles, burritos, gumbo, salad boxes and sandwiches. They aren’t defined by one food type such as Mexican or Asian, they offer an intriguing mixture of the most delicious and nutritious foods all under one roof. I tried the Crispy Pork Pho Noodles and, although it wouldn’t be my usual choice of food, was pleasantly surprised by the flavours including the strong smell of the fresh mint in the broth. These tasty pho noodles also had Thai basil, spring onion, mixed vegetables and sesame seeds which all combined to give a unique, exciting mix of flavours. The rice noodles are light, but the big portion is filling and a great alternative to sandwiches if you want to try something different.
That’s why I can honestly say it has become my new favourite healthy independent eatery in Bristol. There is one by the harbourside too which is perfect for those sunny days spent by the waters. Since reviewing the food I have been back multiple times of my own accord so I can make my way through the menu as quickly as possible!
Atmosphere 5
Value 5
Food 5
Service 4
Address: Various. Check out Friska's website here and find them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Article by:
Born in Bath, Safia has lived on the outskirts of the city her whole life and is the Editor of 365bath.com. After studying journalism in Bristol she now spends a lot of her time searching for new foodie delights in both cities and finding new things to do. You're most likely to find her sipping a soya latte in a lovely little independent cafe!
