My Bristol Food with Lily Doble
Posted on: 24 Oct 2017In our My Bristol Food series, we talk with some of the most prominent Bristol foodies around to get their take on what makes the city's culinary scene tick and also get their recommendations. This week we spoke with Bristol foodie legend, Lily Doble.
Who are you?
Hiya! I am Lily. I moved to Bristol nearly 8 years ago from Cheltenham for uni, and ended up sticking around. By day I am a content writer for an online beauty company, and in my spare time I run my blog www.lilydoughball.com. My favourite things include real ale, bright colours, loud music, tacos and petting dogs.
Where are your most visited food places in Bristol?
We’re big fans of Pizzarova, mainly because I am the lucky holder of one of their coveted pink cards. It’s so nice to sit on the harbour by Cargo 2 for a weekday teatime treat. Other than that we go to Farrow’s on the Wells Rd quite a lot - it’s the best chip shop in Bristol!
Where in Bristol has the...
Best Burger
Hands down, it has to be Oowee burger in Montpelier. It’s something else. If you haven’t tried it yet you’re seriously missing out. If burgers aren’t your thing either they do some excellent dirty fries, like their cheese & marmite waffle fries. Heaven. Coming a very close second is Asado on Colston Avenue.
Best Sunday Roast
The OId Bookshop is always my go-to, it’s the perfect place to spend a hungover Sunday afternoon. I’ve heard good things about the Green Man in Kingsdown too.
Best Pub/bar
Our locals are The Oxford in Totterdown, and The Victoria Park. The former has excellent music on frequently, and the latter has an amazing beer garden out the back, with a pizza oven. Mmm.
Best Pizza
Those chaps at Mission Pizza are my absolute blimmin’ faves. All of their pizzas are veggie, but if you’re a meat fan don’t let that put you off - my carnivorous pal was very impressed. They craft their own spicy fennel ‘sausage’ and make all manner of interesting creations, like their Cheesus Crust, which is pure cheesy heaven. They’re a pop up but keep track of their whereabouts on Instagram.
Best for special occasions
I’m really not a fancy pants kinda gal, and about as fancy as I get is venturing up Clifton way. Faves up there are Bosco Pizzeria, and I’ve heard amazing things about Pasta Loco.
Best Brunch?
Cafe Ceres on Stokes Croft are doing something reeeeal special on the brunch front. Their super-relaxed Melbourne style is perfect for whiling away an hour or so. Another Gloucester Rd favourite of mine will always be Bakers & Co, their dirty chai and huevos rancheros have a special place in my heart.
Best indie producer/shop/market?
The monthly BS5 Market has been going a few months now and is growing bigger and better every time. Bristol is full of great independents but one of my favourites is Milk Teeth in St Pauls - a brilliant coffee shop which also sells the best food bits and bobs from around Bristol.
Best Mexican?
I have to include Mexican food in here because it’s my absolute favourite in the whole wide world. Without a doubt the best in Bristol is the Plumed Serpent Cantina, if you can catch them at one of their pop ups. There’s a very humble, authentic place on East St in Bedminster too called Viva La Mexicana, or those folks at Bakers & Co have just opened Cargo Cantina on the waterfront.
Any other top foodie tips?
Stray from the beaten path! Don’t be tempted to think that the best food is at the brand new ‘foodie destinations’ of Bristol. The best Chinese restaurant in the city is underneath the Bearpit, for example, and there’s a great Polish restaurant all the way out in Fishponds. Go with people’s recommendations and be prepared to do some adventuring.
If you were the Mayor of Bristol for a day what would you do?
Give everyone a bicycle and ban all the cars in the centre.
You’ve got 24 hours in Bristol to show some visitors around. What are you going to do?
Cripes! I’d definitely include a trip on the Bristol Ferry, and if it’s sunny then a pint at the Cottage. From there is a nice steep hillside walk through Cliftonwood to Cabot Tower. Then a walk through the park down the hill to have a pint at the Bag Of Nails and pet some kittens. After that we’d probs get a taxi back to Bemmie to get some food on North St (either Carol’s Crab Shack, Soukitchen or Pizza Workshop) and go on a pub crawl tbh - The Tobacco Factory, The Malago, The Spotted Cow, The Hare, The Bookshop, The North Street Standard then The Steam Crane. *hic*
Where else can we find you?
You can find me on Twitter on Facebook and on Instagram.
Photography credit goes to Lauren Hall, check her out on Instagram.
Article by:
Sarah is a writer and blogger, as well as running workshops and teaching. Her passions are food and travel, and you can follow her on Instagram at YesStarling and find her website at www.yesstarling.com .
