The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street

The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street

Posted on: 23 Mar 2018

Southville feels almost like a stand-alone town within Bristol. When I first moved to Bristol in 2008, North Street was just starting to make its mark as a great place to come for a wander around the shops and to check out the market and independent restaurants and bars. I lived in the area for a couple of years before moving to Gloucester Road. I moved back to Southville in late 2015 and the area had become even more vibrant and interesting. I spend a lot of time out and about in my area - Southville and North Street have almost everything I need; as well as great bars and cafes, there are lots of charity shops, greengrocers, dry cleaners, banks and a hardware store.

The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street

For this article, I’m including North Street from Greville Smyth Park all the way through to The Steam Crane Roundabout.

We will also be putting together an article covering Bedminster, East Street and West Street as there’s simply too much to celebrate in one article! I have picked out just a few of my favourite places to give you a bit of a feel for the area.  

Bars and Restaurants

Southville and North Street have a huge variety of cafes, bars and restaurants which can cater to all diets.

Souk Kitchen is an award-winning Mediterranean/Middle-Eastern restaurant. It is usually very busy, so I recommend booking ahead. One of my favourite things to have is the home-made dips and bread, and the shakshouka.

Thali Café has fresh, light and seasonal Indian food in a colourful, spacious restaurant. The restaurant is really big, so I’ve always been able to get a table but you can always get a take-away if not, and they also operate a tiffin scheme which means no waste to throw away. My favourites dishes are the Punjabi paneer and the subji.

Head to Pizza Workshop for simple, gorgeous sourdough pizzas. When they’re done this well, it’s hard to choose anything other than the margarita – the perfect marriage of dough, tomato and cheese (fior de latte). Sometimes I add truffle oil. We tend to get takeaway and make a pot of garlic butter to dunk the crusts – bliss!

North Street Standard is my preferred café for brunch. I love the veggie breakfast. The space is huge, but it’s testament to its popularity that it still sometimes gets full up. My friends and I have been known to order a portion of pancakes as breakfast pudding – I suggest you do the same!

Earthcake is a vegan café and cake shop. I’m pretty much addicted to the chocolate peanut butter cake, and I’ve ordered several celebration cakes from here too. In the best possible way, you’ll never guess they’re vegan!

I think I’ve visited Albatross almost every week since it opened. With china from Jericho Studio Pottery, cakes from Pearly King Cake and plants everywhere, Albatross is a bustling oasis of beauty.

The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street | Albatross Cafe

Before Bristol’s burger boom, there was Burger Joint, and this North Street legend is quietly cooking away, being as awesome as ever. Burger Joint don’t rest on their laurels, and while the menu has little refinements now and then, they don’t try and fix what isn’t broken. There are veggie and vegan options as well as meaty ones, and the sweet potato fries are incredible.

The Old Bookshop hosts gigs and quizzes, and it’s my 'Go To' roast on North Street. Vegans are catered for just as well as meat eaters, and the pub is warm, cosy and there’s always a selection of four-legged visitors to make friends with.

The Ashville Steakhouse serves steaks from an 8oz sirloin through to a 96oz T-bone, as well as a range of burgers and traditional pub mains like fish and chips. I tried the 22oz earlier in the year and it was amazing. If you manage the 96oz, make sure you let us know! 

 

Shopping

Homewares and clothes 

In Mon Pote you will find a treasure trove of things you didn’t know you needed. From gorgeous hand-made jewellery, sumptuous cushions and hand poured candles through to beautiful children’s books and wooden toys – there’s something for everyone here.

The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street | Mon Pote

Rhubarb Jumble sells a wonderful selection of vintage homewares and clothing. Owner Amy also sells chairs that she has given new life to with her re-upholstery.  

Ivory Flowers and Zara’s Chocolates share a space on North Street, and it’s another place to get the perfect present or treat for yourself whether it’s handmade chocolates, a wonderful bouquet or both!

Bristol Reclamation is another treasure trove. You can find all sort of brilliant furniture here, including antiques and upcycled pieces.

Toyville is another place to find beautiful and interesting kids toys, and I’ll admit that I’ve spent more than a couple of happy hours looking at all the lovely things when shopping for my nieces and friends’ children.

Food and Drink 

Mark’s Bread and Hobbs House Bakery both produce wonderful bread and have excellent cafes attached. Hobbs House Bakery's converted me to liking mince pies, and Mark's Bread does fantastic sausage rolls. 

Zero Green, Bristol’s first zero-waste shop, has just opened. You can bring your own containers to stock up on dried goods, or you can buy glass jars and cloth bags at the shop.

The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street | Zero Green

I love having Hugo’s Greengrocer so close to home. As well as the fab range of fruit and veg, there’s also fresh pasta, pesto and artisan cheeses meaning I can make a delicious dinner in two minutes, tops (the time it takes the pasta to cook!)

Wellbeing

I’ve not tried them myself, but my friends who have are big fans. There’s Trika Yoga and Workout Bristol.

The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street | Trika Yoga

Parks

From the enormous Greville Smyth Park to the teeny tiny Ebenezer Gate Pocket Park, Southville is well-served for green spaces. The North Street Green even has a bed by Incredible Edible Bristol.

Markets

No walk around Southville on a Sunday would be complete without a visit to the Tobacco Factory Market. It’s on every week and features an ever-changing array of local makers.

 

Art and Culture

Running since the late 1990’s The Tobacco Factory Theatre hosts a huge variety of performances.

One of the most famous south-of-the-river events is Upfest. The annual street art festival takes place in the summer, and the rest of the year you can take a walk around to see the permanent pieces and visit the Upfest Shop.

The 365 Bristol Guide to Southville and North Street | Upfest

Schools

There are two great schools in the area.

Ashton Gate Primary School which is graded outstanding, and Southville Primary School which is graded good.

 

Where would you include on your list? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter. 


Article by:

Sarah Starling

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 .