My Bristol Food - Tom Whitehead
Posted on: 20 Dec 2016Here we have for you another amazing perspective from one of Bristol's food lovers, Tom Whitehead. The city is awash with restaurants and bars serving some of the best food around, so our series of interviews intends to delve into the minds of some of Bristol's best foodies. These food buffs can help you if you are new to the city, or just looking for something new to try!
Tom Whitehead is a Bedminster boy, currently freelance-writing, music-loving, film-watching, rum-drinking and food obsessing! He moved to Bristol to escape the cramped and commute-filled lifestyle of London, and to find somewhere more affordable and vibrant. He used to visit Bristol and was drawn to its strong sense of community. He told us - "It really is like no other place in the country."
Where is the best place to go and have some food in Bristol?
Breakfast is fast becoming one of the most popular meals of the day and Bristol has a plethora of places to get whatever you desire. Clifton Village is perfect for a weekend visit and places like Primrose Café, The Ivy Clifton Brasserie, and Saffron are great for brunch. I also recently tried the new Ceres Café in Stokes Croft and it was exceptional.
I really love the area around Baldwin Street and St Nicks Market - particularly for a midweek lunch. Five grains do a Lebanese manouche and their juices are great. Bar Buvette make an amazing cheese toastie and that’s before you get to even think about St Nicks. The extended food market on Wednesday and Friday is even better. Thai curry, jerk chicken, raclette, donburi, and pizza - it’s all great!
There are also some really great places producing high end food in relaxed settings. Two of the best meals I’ve had this year were at Bulrush and Adelina Yard. Super luxurious food at very reasonable prices."
You’ve got 24 hours in Bristol to show some visitors around. What are you going to do?
Having moved here only a year ago we have lots of visitors so are often conducting weekend tours! We usually start by walking over to Wild Beer co at Wapping Wharf for a light refreshment, and then we mooch on over to the Harbourside Market for some street food.
Next we head to King Street for some more refreshments and stop at Small Bar or the Volley for their great selection of beers. After more drinks at Kongs, and probably the Beer Emporium, we then go to Pata Negra for their luscious tapas.
The music scene in Bristol is great so depending on the mood we may end up watching some live music in the Attic Bar or maybe some jazz in the Old Duke. Mr Wolfs and Small Horse Social are great for a boogie. But if we really want to let loose, then it’s a night raving at Blue Mountain or Motion.
After a heavy night it is essential to replenish your body with a decent breakfast and Bristol has brunch options aplenty. My local breakfast spot is the North Street Standard and they have helped me through some difficult mornings!
If you were the Mayor of Bristol for a day what would you change or implement?
If I was mayor for the day I would try and protect the independent businesses of the city by keeping their rents capped. To keep the heart of Bristol alive it is essential that art and creativity can flourish, otherwise we are in danger of going the same way as London. I would also do something about the empty buildings that have sat dormant for far too long. When affordable housing is so desperately needed it seems ludicrous to have so many wasted spaces.
Best Burger – Three Brothers is immense. Their milkshakes are also the best you’ll find in the city.
Best Sunday Roast – The amount of places that do a good Sunday Roast in Bristol is ridiculous! The Bank Tavern was my most recent and it was excellent.
Best Steak – I always enjoy Steak of the Art.
Best Indian – Still yet to find my go to Indian restaurant but Gopal’s Curry Shack do some very good Indian street food.
Best Italian – Zitto and Bevi is a great place, even just for a drink.
Best Pub – Again, so many to mention. As a Bedminster local I must represent North Street and I have been enjoying The Hare pub recently.
Article by:
Matt, originally from Belfast, has only lived in Bristol for a year now and is studying Media & Journalism at UWE. He wants to concentrate his writing and media skills in Bristol's culinary culture, delving into what fine feasts the city has to offer and where the best places to go for food really are. Along with an aspiration to interview some of the influential people shaping Bristol and some who are simply passing through, Matt really is trying to make Bristol his new home! For any other info check out his Facebook or Twitter.
