Best Brunch In Bristol: The Definitive Guide
With so many distinctive neighborhoods, tourist districts, and shopping corridors, Bristol locals and visitors have plenty of reason to fuel up before their day out on the town. Fortunately, brunch in Bristol is well taken care of by the numerous cafes and restaurants serving up all the eggs benedict, huevos rancheros, sweet french toast, and bottomless mimosas that these hungry hordes can handle.
From Instagram-friendly cafes to upscale dining experiences, there are so many quality brunch spots to take advantage of. So many, in fact, that it would be hard to fit them all in. Make things easier on yourself by leaving your heavy bags behind at a Bounce luggage storage in Bristol before you head out in search of breakfast food.
Here are the best of the best for brunch in Bristol:
Hart’s Bakery
Redcliffe ꘡ Tuesday - Saturday 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Hart’s Bakery is tucked away near Bristol Temple Meads train station, so this eatery is perfect for grabbing a bite when you’re on your way in or out of town. This bakery has been churning out breakfast classics for over a decade, and its sterling reputation has made it a go-to destination for the work crowd on weekdays, but its Saturday brunch’s popularity has exploded in recent years.
With an amazing menu that always has diners perplexed at which dish to order, it’s best to start with some caffeine and a pastry. They source their fair-trade coffee from the best roasters in Bristol, so a cup of pour-over or frosty cold brew will taste as amazing as their entrees or pastries. The sourdough toast tastes incredible, especially when topped with smashed avocado, salmon, or garlic mushrooms. Need some serious sustenance? Their sausage rolls are what you need.
If it’s later in the day, try their Saturday Lunch Special for their garlic, parmesan, and Caesar-heavy chicken BLT sandwich on a homemade bun. It’s incredible!
Cafe Kino
Stokes Croft ꘡ Weekends 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cafe Kino is not just a restaurant, it's a workers’ co-op located in the ever-trendy brunch mecca of Stokes Croft that serves up some of the best vegan food in all of Bristol. They aren't just a restaurant with veggie options scattered about, this is an exclusively vegetarian menu specializing in crispy tofu scrambles, veggie sausages, equally impressive veggie version of other brunch staples, and an incredible vegan BLT. Their vegan waffles topped with seasonal berries are some of the best in Bristol, veggie to not.
Come for the veggie breakfast, stay for the great coffee. Their fair-trade organic beans come from stalwart Bristol roaster Triple Co. They pour a mean latte, and their rotating pour-over selection excites both coffee-obsessed hipsters and purists alike. With large windows and high ceilings, it’s the perfect spot to post up for a sunny brunch or hunker down in their snug booths with your laptop.
At The Well
Cheltenham ꘡ Weekends 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
This neighborhood cafe's homey dining room offers a bright, airy ambiance and approachable but interesting breakfast dishes. They also offer an all-day brunch menu, which is ideal if you need some eggs florentine or vegan waffles without having to check your watch. The vibe is comfortable and family-friendly, and yet the kitchen churns out fascinating and trendy creations that Bristol foodies swear by. At The Well is also famous for its owner taking on the Great British Bake Off technical challenge by preparing it from scratch every week. Customers flock to this cafe during each season to sample what they’ve been watching on TV. It’s a fun and delicious experiment that has turned this cafe into one of Bristol’s favorite brunch spots.
The Brunchy McBrunchface is both a hilariously named and delicious take on the classic English breakfast. Homebaked sourdough with free-range poached eggs, smoky beans, indulgent streaky bacon, and savory crushed peas with herbs. It’s a staple with a twist, done perfectly. They also serve an incredible variety of attention-grabbing pancake stacks, including savory white cabbage Osaka pancakes topped with eggs, onions, and Japanese-style mayonnaise. Those with a sweet tooth can also find American-style pancake stacks served with fresh seasonal berries.
If it’s later in the morning, their lunch items are also incredible. The toasted open-face sandwich is a local favorite, with herby pea crush, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. It’s a refreshing take on avocado toast that highlights top-quality local ingredients and British flavors. Depending on the season, you won't want to miss their soup of the day. The staff sources the freshest seasonal ingredients for their steamy creations. All in all, this cool and creative spot has the perfect balance of inventive dishes, brunch staples, and lunch favorites. It’s sure to please the whole group.
The Bristolian
Stokes Croft ꘡ Everyday 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
This OG Stokes Croft spot was serving brunch long before it became the most common type of Instagram post. It also happens to be Instagram-friendly, with a cozy atmosphere and attractive decor. But the food is the main reason there are crowds every day of the week at The Bristolian.
Expect all the classics here, done with a twist and executed perfectly. Their flagship dish, The Bristolian, is a classic take on the English breakfast, with fried eggs, Cumberland sausages, beans, bacon, tomatoes, and crispy fried potatoes. The Bristolian Fusion adds the twist of chorizo, mint yogurt, spicy salsa, and garlic mushrooms to the mix for a funky take on an old recipe.
Their egg dishes are standouts among Bristol brunch spots. Eggs benedict is dependable with perfectly poached eggs and a rich hollandaise, and their eggs royale with smoked salmon and spinach is a healthy but delicious option. Another highlight has to be the breakfast tostadas tomato, which combines traditional Spanish flavors with garlic, homemade sourdough, and either halloumi or smoked bacon.
Get there early for weekend brunch because there is a ton of buzz for the great food at this restaurant.
No. 12 Easton
Easton ꘡ Weekdays 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM - Weekends 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Located in the part of Stokes Croft near Bristol Coach Station, this is an accessible restaurant for both visitors and locals to swing by for an unforgettable brunch experience. No. 12 Easton provides an airy and energetic climate for both hungry foodies and sociable groups looking for bottomless brunch cocktails. One thing is certain, this stylish neighborhood cafe and deli serves up some of the best breakfast sandwiches in Bristol. Their crispy bacon on brioche with local cheddar and aioli is to die for.
On weekends, their headlining dish is the Full Easton, with is a proper take on a full English breakfast, with streaky bacon, fried egg, buttery toast, mushrooms, homemade brown sauce, and an herb aioli. They also serve a veggie option with halloumi. Every other day of the week? The garlic mushrooms on toasted sourdough is the thing to get. Miso, tarragon, creme fraiche, poached eggs, and sausage make this savory concoction one of the most flavorful menu items and a must-try Bristol brunch favorite.
Caper and Cure
Stokes Croft ꘡ Saturday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Having replaced beloved Bristol institution Arts House Cafe, neighborhood residents were initially hesitant to embrace this Stokes Croft gastropub, but the Caper and Cure team has been winning locals over ever since it opened. For one, this place can be enjoyed socially, or with your laptop. The ambiance is bright enough to sit with a group of friends but comfortable enough that you can retreat into a corner for deep concentration, a great coffee, and a solid mid-day meal to fuel your productivity. This plant-filled cafe serves elevated bar food and its brunch menu includes simple, perfectly-executed favorites, including smashed avocado on sourdough toast, and huevos rancheros.
Caper and Cure’s take on avocado toast is impeccable, with the right balance of flavors and textures that tricks you into thinking you’re in Southern California. Their English breakfast has an upscale angle, but it will satisfy purists. The most interesting thing on the menu has to be the crab mayo on toast with Aleppo pepper. It’s a spicy, briny, decadent creation, but it's light and approachable enough that you won’t need to nap immediately after brunch.
They make a well-spiced bloody mary that’s reasonably priced, and thirsty groups can put together a nice carafe of bubbles and orange juice for when a celebration is appropriate (which is every Saturday). The ambiance is the star of the show here. It’s an upscale and sunny location that is both elegant and celebratory. It’s a fun place to get dressed up before heading out to explore the trendy neighborhood and all it has to offer.
The Bristol Loaf
Redfield and Bedminster ꘡ Weekends 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM
This quirky Bristol enterprise first came onto the scene with its bread, homemade cakes, and pastries. But after luring the local populace in with its confections, they have truly won them over with a solid brunch menu of reimagined classics. In fact, Bristol Loaf’s offerings have become so popular that their owners have turned the buzz into a bread and crumpet empire, having opened three locations around Bristol.
Their chefs are encouraged to exercise their creative muscles, especially when it comes to maximizing the amount of flavor you can derive from veggie-forward dishes. The Fungarium Mushroom Tartine, with incredible garlic flavors, Tropea onion, and fava bean hummus is a particular favorite. Their sourdough crumpets with cultured butter and preserve are one of Bristol’s best sharable brunch dishes. If you’re a purist with a sweet tooth, their buttermilk pancakes are served with orange blossom, poached rhubarb, and hazelnut brittle. They even serve a cavatelli pasta that will be the envy of even the best Italian restaurant in Bristol. Either way, look forward to eggy bread, breakfast muffins, and other classic dishes that have won Bristol Good Food Awards almost every year.
What’s most impressive about The Bristol Loaf is that, with their base of bread and baked goods, they could have phoned their brunch menu in and just made toast with smashed avocado and breakfast sandwiches. Instead, they have put together a compelling brunch in Bristol that proves you can be more than just a bakery.
Harbour and Browns
Wapping Wharf ꘡ Weekends 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Brunch served on the water, anyone? This upscale restaurant is literally (and we mean literally) located inside repurposed shipping containers in the buzzy and bustling Wapping Wharf development. This has easily the best view of any brunch in Bristol. Its location, novelty aside, is incredible, but the Harbour and Browns lengthy menu is alone worth checking out. Most brunches tend to start with one of their damn fine cocktails or a generous serving of Prosecco, and you can order a three-course brunch with generous carafes of these bubbles. And we’re not talking about scrambled eggs and a sausage link for this offer, we mean confit duck leg or fish, and a brioche sweet treat. It’s a solid deal, especially given the locale, but the a la carte brunch menu has some dependable dishes that will inspire you to schedule another visit to the wharf for brunch.
The Duck and Waffle is the headliner here. It’s not always on the menu, but when it is, word spreads! This popular restaurant commands a strong following among brunch enthusiasts, foodies, and travelers in the know. Saturday brunch can be particularly busy, especially if the weather draws people to the waterfront. Even if there’s a wait, the scenery is perfect for socializing and enjoying a nice breeze off the water and views of the Bristol Harbour, and Clifton Suspension Bridge. This is a must-try Bristol brunch spot. After brunch, head over to M Shed, one of Bristol’s many incredible museums.
Quay Street Diner
Stokes Croft ꘡ Thursday to Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Located near the Bristol Shopping Quarter, this friendly eatery is a prime option for a pre-shopping spree brunch. With big portions, hearty fare, and reasonable prices, this is an outstanding go-to brunch spot for locals. Their bottomless brunch includes 90 minutes of unlimited mimosas, Prosecco, and bloody marys, so the crowd gets pretty rowdy for their Saturday brunch. If you perhaps indulged too much the night before, their California breakfast burrito, breakfast burger, or fried chicken and waffles are sure to provide a solid base for recovery.
Conclusion
With so many incredible brunch spots, it’s no wonder the Bristol restaurant scene is famous throughout the UK. The bustling city centre, social atmosphere, incredible culinary tradition, and focus on local businesses make Bristol one of the best places to visit. Whether you’re fueling up for an afternoon shopping spree, or reeling from a night out at Bristol’s famous clubs, these restaurants are here to put something delicious in your belly. Let a Bounce storage facility take care of the luggage while you search for your next french toast, favorite eggs benedict, or bottomless brunch!
