Bristol
What food is Bristol famous for? And what souvenirs to buy when visiting the south west city!
What food is Bristol famous for? And what souvenirs to buy when visiting the south west city!
The table above lists all the local delicacies from Bristol and souvenirs to purchase on your visit. Click on each name to be taken straight to the part of the blog post for that item.
Pieminister beef steak ale pie by Benreis under license CC BY-SA 4.0
Bristol is renowned for its eclectic and refined cuisine. The city offers a wide variety of dishes, from traditional English fare to international cuisine. There are plenty of eateries to choose from, whether you're looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal. And with so many restaurants to choose from, you're sure to find something to suit your taste and budget. Whether you're in the mood for a pub lunch or a fine dining experience, Bristol has it all. So why not come and experience the city's tantalizing cuisine for yourself? You won't be disappointed.
Many foods are associated with Bristol including the filling Pieminister Pies, the award-winning Tarr's Ice Cream, and the sweet Mothering Bun. Check below for some of the most famous dishes to come from this area.
Dishes From The Bristol Area You Should Try
In this blog post, we will be discussing what delicacies you can expect to find in Bristol.
From traditional cuisine to more continental fare, there are plenty of tasty options available in one of the food capitals of the south west. Here are a few examples we recommend:
Pieminister Pie
A trip to Bristol is not complete without trying a pieminister pie. Pieminister is a chain of restaurants that specialises in pies, and they have several locations in Bristol (the company's place of origin). The pies are made with fresh, local ingredients, and there is a wide variety of flavors to choose from. The menu also features ice cream sundaes and cocktails, but the pies are the real star of the show. So be sure to save room for dessert and try a pieminister pie on your next trip to Bristol. Bon appetit!
Tarr's Ice Cream
If you're looking for a delicious treat while visiting Bristol, then you should definitely try Tarr's Ice Cream. Tarr's has been serving up amazing ice cream for over 100 years, and the award winning team are truly experts at what they do. Their wide selection of flavours means that there's something for everyone, and their use of only the freshest ingredients means that you're getting a top-quality product. The friendly staff are always happy to help you choose the perfect flavour, and their extensive knowledge of the products means that you're guaranteed to get exactly what you're looking for.
Colston Bun
These delicious buns are made with enriched dough and filled with currants, raisins and candied peel. They get their name from Edward Colston, a 17th century merchant who was born in Bristol (his name in more recent times has became controversial through his ties to the slave trade). The buns were said to be given to children on November the 13th (Colston Day) which celebrated the granting of a royal charter to the Society of Merchant Venturers by King Charles the 1st in 1639. Today, colston buns are hard to find but you may still come across them at independent bakeries in the city.
Mothering Bun
A mothering bun is a type of sweetbread that originated in the Bristol area. It is typically a slightly enriched bread bun covered with icing and hundreds and thousands on top. Mothering buns were often eaten on the Saturday before Mothering Sunday. If you're in the city around the month of March, you may come across this bun in many bakeries as the special treat is still enjoyed to this day.
Clifton Puff
While Bristol is best known for its maritime history, there's another local ancient delicacy that visitors should definitely try: the clifton puff. This light and airy pastry is said to get its name from the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge. The clifton puff is made by folding layers of puff pastry around a savoury filling of chopped apples, almonds and other dried fruits. You might be able to find them in some older cooking books from the area, so give cooking them a try at home if you do!
Easter Biscuit
Easter is a time for indulgence, and there is no better place to indulge than Bristol. The city is home to some of the best bakeries in the country, and each one has its own take on the classic Easter biscuit. Traditional recipes originated from the Somerset area and usually provide a sugary, sweet tasting, soft, round biscuit with currants dotted through its base. Whether you prefer yours traditional, plain or adorned with chocolate or icing, you'll be sure to find the perfect treat in the city. So why not start your Easter break with a delicious treat? You won't regret it!
And some souvenirs to take home...
Sherry for two! by Andrea_44 under CC BY 4.0 license.
Harveys Sherry
Bristol is a historic city with a thriving food and drink scene. If you're looking for a delicious sherry to add to your collection, be sure to pick up a bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream. This rich, creamy sherry is perfect for enjoying on its own or using in cocktails. And with its striking dark blue bottle, it makes for a great gift or souvenir. So next time you're in the city, be sure to stop by a local wine shop or supermarket and pick up a bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream to add to your drink cabinet.
'Wallace and Gromit' Gifts
If you're looking for a great local souvenir, be sure to pick up some Wallace and Gromit gifts! The iconic British cartoon characters are beloved around the world, and there's no better place to find merchandise than in their home city. You can find everything from T-shirts and mugs to tea towels and keyrings, all featuring the famous duo. And of course, no visit to Bristol would be complete without a stop at the Gromit Unleased shop. Here you can find all the gifts and collectibles from the famous show. So whether you're a longtime fan or just getting to know Wallace and Gromit, be sure to add some of their souvenirs to your Bristol shopping list.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a tasty, filling food items to try while in Bristol, look no further than the items listed above. The local favourites are made with a delicious combination of ancient recipes and flavours that will have you coming back for more.
In this blog post, we have shared some of the most famous Bristol dishes and their origin stories. What is your favorite dish from the west country? Please share with us (via our contact form) what you think makes for a perfect food day or if there's an interesting story behind one of our featured dishes. These are just a few of the many delicious Bristol foods you can try. To find out more about things to do in the area, click on the links below: