Slow living stories from a Bristol blogger

Cafés, bars & restaurants

The 8 best coffee shops and cafés in South Bristol

29 June 2023

I don’t care if you think it’s basic or a waste of money; I love heading out to a café. And luckily for me, South Bristol has a whole bunch of lovely independent cafés to frequent.

Whether the experience includes deep chats with a best friend, a quick and casual business meeting, or going solo with my notebook, there’s just something about coffee shop culture that I’m a real sucker for.

Maybe it’s the warmth, the smell, the taste… the hustle and bustle, the people-watching opportunities – I’ve gotta say, I love all of it. I think the whole experience is worth the ~£4 it costs to purchase a coffee in 2023. There, I said it.

The South Bristol neighbourhoods of Bedminster and Southville are home to a plethora of coffee shops and cafés. There are actually a whole bunch more cafés in BS3 than I’ve mentioned here, but I don’t know about them yet (surely not).

A little note: these cafés are simply in location order rather than rating order, as I think they’re all good for different reasons. So grab yourself a hot drink and we’ll dive right in.

@lyziunwin
Wander with me around
Bristol & beyond
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Tincan Coffee Co

234 North Street

Another coffee shop I've visited more times than I can count - Tincan serves up reliably great coffee, along with brunch dishes, various sandwiches and sweet bakes.

I pretty much always bump into someone I know at Tincan - last time I met my friend Leila for a coffee, I bumped into 3 other pals while I was there. It's a really great meeting spot.

OPEN: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat-Sun 9-5
GOOD FOR: A reliable coffee with friends or family

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Mark's Bread

291 North Street

If you're walking down North Street from the most westerly point, Mark's Bread is one of the first coffee stops you'll come across. You'll smell it before you see it - that incredible bready scent lingers in the air and draws you in. And yes, you should buy a baked good while you're there.

It's a frequent stop for me on my way to or from Ashton Court - a coffee and bacon sandwich from Mark's Bread has actually saved many lives on one occasion, when I got up very early to watch hot air balloons and was on the verge of committing crimes due to being hangry.

OPEN: Mon-Sat 8-4
GOOD FOR: A takeaway coffee and a hearty snack

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The Malago

220 North Street

Somewhere on North Street which feels a bit posh (but is actually super chilled) is The Malago. It's got that really lovely vibe inside - it looks a little upmarket, serves up really delicious food day and night, and - yup - coffee too. It's totally unpretentious, and has a really nice family feel.

I'd recommend trying their brunch while you're there - the mushrooms on toast with poached eggs is my fav.

OPEN: Tues-Thurs 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 9am-8pm
GOOD FOR: A relaxed coffee in a family-friendly environment

Vintage table and midcentury chairs, shelves with plants and prints in Albatross Cafe, Bristol

Albatross Café

60 North Street

Albatross is the perfect combination of unfussy cool and lovely detail, the staff are always super friendly, and on the counter you'll find a hoard of delicious bakes, and there's also a small menu of brunch items like homemade beans, avocado on toast, and decadent toasties.

The coffee is great, and they also open some evenings for cocktails and other deliciously boozy drinks. Take a look at the Albatross Café Instagram to check their current opening hours.

OPEN: Tues-Sat 9-4, Sun 10-4
GOOD FOR: Literally any occasion

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Nook

24 North Street

One of the newest kids on the block, Nook has transformed a beautiful shop front into a clean and modern café, retaining some of the original features like stained glass and wall tiles.

They serve up delicious and healthy brunches and lunches, as well as good coffee and bakes, and they specialise in gluten free food. Follow them @nooktheshop while we're at it.

OPEN: Mon-Sun 8-4
GOOD FOR: A healthy bite in a cool space

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Hennesseys

18 North Street

Oh, Hennesseys - it's a real locals' favourite, and there's really nowhere else like it. From the outside you may notice a window display of something interesting or someone sitting in the window seat (IMO the best seat in the house), but it's hard to see just how amazing it is from there.

When you walk through the doors into the dark and cosy café, you will undoubtedly be greeted by the friendliest "hello!"  Take a moment to look around you, and you'll discover loads of weird and wonderful things, art, objects. There appears to be more the longer you look.

OPEN: Mon-Fri 10-5
GOOD FOR: Affordable coffee or hot chocolates with the kids

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Sweven

12 North Street

Firstly, how pleasing is it that Sweven came in at number 7? I didn't even do that intentionally. Head here for white, minimal vibes top notch coffee and cakes.

The people running this speciality coffee shop really know their beans, so if you're a coffee snob, this is the place you should hit up in South Bristol.

OPEN: Mon-Fri 8-5, Sat 9-5, Sun 10-4
GOOD FOR: Swanky coffee in a minimal interior

The Bristol Loaf

96 Bedminster Parade

Loaf is always bustling - it's an awesome spot for brunch and lunch, with incredible baked goods, and of course, lovely coffee. They also have veg from Hugo's Greengrocer for sale, as well as wine, beer and cider from Native Vine.

If it's too busy to sit in (and it's not raining) grab a takeaway coffee and sweet treat, and find a bench in nearby Victoria Park.

OPEN: Mon-Sat 9-3, Sun 10-3
GOOD FOR: amazing bakes, great coffee and a bustling atmosphere

I may be biased, but I really do thing there’s a coffee shop for everyone in South Bristol. Let me know if I forgot any total gems over on Instagram!

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