Our favourite store in Bristol. Whilst technically not in BS3, it's not that far over the harbour. We love this place, and the inside of our house is proof of that! Owner Erica has a great eye and stocks so much cool vintage and one-off interiors product, it's hard not to visit and end up taking something away. We struggle each visit... Always ask for the key and take a look in the (not so secret) separate rear studio where all the bigger pieces and furniture is hidden away! Tucked away just at the top of the Christmas Steps, but so worth finding.
No 1 coffee spot in Bristol for us, we know it's subjective and many others are a very close 2nd! Run by Jimmy and a great team, we spend far too much time in here and our loyalty cards are proof! Bright, cool, Scandi vibes interior, with an ever changing offer of 'award winning' and ethical coffee from all around the world. So lucky this is on our doorstep, top notch every visit.
A local vino institution and it just always draws you in for those famous last words of 'oh, just the one' on the way home. Run by Charlie, Ed and a great bunch of fellow wine lovers, it's always welcoming and buzzing in here. As we've found out well over the last few years, there's never 'just the one' in here! Lovely spot for solos, lovers or a table of mates. Helpful experts in all things 'new wine' (local breweries on tap and food platters too), always letting you taste and choose, it's never a dull hour or two here and with so many events on there's always a reason to pop in. Hey, we even had a tarot reading here the other Sunday night!
The newest addition to the ace food scene on North St, and somewhere we always enjoy taking mates and weekend visitors. Run by the lovely couple, Emma and Zak, they come with a huge foodie history, it's more than worthy of its Michelin Gourmand Award but is affordable and accessible with it. Love the bright exterior/ interior, it's always fun, full of chat and good vibes, it even has Emma's cool family record collection adorning the walls! The dialled in menu is always a win and has something new but amazing to 'give a go'. Sourdough donut dessert anyone? Try it, it's a really, really, good place.
Again, a brilliant local business doing so many great things in the community and beyond (War Child). Run by the always chipper Tom (it's him on the logo and bags!) and a top class range of vinyl and extras, always changing and always tempting! Lots of rare and special issues, given Tom's close work and friendship with many local bands, you'll know who...
Talented local artist Dave is a friend and someone whose work we collect and follow. Based locally and working with repurposed book bindings, his work is a skilful blend of recycling, history and the using written word to make engaging art. We're big fans of all he does and you'll often find his work in Makers Gallery (just up from Lowlands!) and in the North St Gallery.
The hatch in the wall 🍦
Coming over the harbour on a Sunday for the Tobacco Factory market and food trucks? Doing the North St 'end-to-end'? Grabbing coffee at Sweven and doing the galleries? Then grab an amazing fresh and made on-site olive oil fresh serve ice cream from the 'hole in the wall' on the side of the (very good) Sonny Stores restaurant. Top off the Sunday hangover cure with some food market calories, and then don't miss the 'hatch in the wall' off the Raleigh Road restaurant. It's so worth the small detour on the way back.