While there are plenty of reasons to be concerned about Bristol’s dining scene in the coming months, there are also plenty of reasons to be excited.
These are just a few of the new openings we can expect in 2023.
1. Pizza
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Pizzucci is opened by the team behind Bosco
It’s clear that Bristol hasn’t reached peak pizza yet. Gloucester Road’s Pizzucci “takes its inspiration from New York’s best pizza restaurants, but this time with more Big His Apple vibes.” The dough rises quickly, and 18-inch pizzas are served whole or sliced. Bosco’s famous arancini shines with a pizzucci with three different varieties.
2. Muse
Muse already has a restaurant in Cheltenham
One of Cheltenham’s most acclaimed restaurants opens in Bristol for the first time. Muse promises to offer a “unique and inspiring French-her-Fusion-her dining experience” within her socials of the former Prince Her Streets. Their website says, “Traditional European and Asian ingredients are combined with modern cooking techniques and beautifully presented with love and passion.”
3. Ruby Hue
It may not be public yet, but Ruby Hue has already made a name for herself on TikTok, with her recent videos racking up over 10 million views. Ru Scanlon and Tom Hughes describe themselves as ‘Bean to Bar’ chocolate makers, transforming single-origin cocoa beans into ethical chocolate. See how chocolate is made at the soon-to-be-opening chocolate factory and café on Hawkins Lane, Finsel’s Reach.
4. Boxhole
BoxHall comes from the team behind BoxPark in London
One of the biggest openings to come is undoubtedly Welsh Back’s BoxHall from the folks behind BoxPark in London. Scheduled to open in the summer, it promises to be a “new, premium food, beer and music concept” with a lineup of seven independent food vendors along with an event program.
5. Origin
Friska opened its first cafe on Victoria Street, but its business model for office workers has been hit hard by the pandemic.
Cornwall’s Origin is already a household name in Bristol, known for its coffee served at cafés such as Ka:Fei and Society, as well as its pop-up inside Finisterre’s new shop on Park Street. The original Frisca on Victoria Street will be transformed into Bristol’s first Origin His Café.
6. Old Glass Boat
Glass Boat was once one of Bristol’s most acclaimed restaurants.
What was once Bristol’s most famous floating restaurant and bar now has a ‘Sold’ sign on the roof. Boat was a short-lived restaurant and takeaway fish these days, but before that he was a glass bottom boat for over 30 years. It is unclear who is taking on the former barge, which can hold 170 people.
7. Horus
Horus Appears on Canon Street
Horus is an upcoming Lebanese restaurant on Cannon Street, Bedminster. Its website promises to “stay true to the authentic flavors of Lebanese cuisine, combining traditional dishes with a modern twist.”
8. Chance & Counter
Chance & Counters will move to Finzels Reach in 2023
After a few false starts rather than a new opening, board game cafe Chance & Counter appears to move from its original home at the foot of the Christmas Steps. More spacious than the environment, it offers over 850 games to choose from and a seasonal food menu.
9. The Shop
87 Henleaze Road will become La Bottega, a deli and café that promises to ‘bring Italian magic to Bristol’.
10. Teacher J
Bombay-style Guruj’s coming soon to Cheltenham Road
A sign that has been in place for months already above what will become Guru J’s calls it ‘The Street’ and Shisha Lounge. Guru J’s, which already has stores in Staple Hill and Cheltenham, offers “Bombay-style handcrafted gourmet his burgers, wraps, naanwiches, fries, poppadoms his nachos, sides, deliciously rich creamy milkshakes and more. !” I promise.
11. Bedminster’s Former Public Toilet
East Street public facility opened in 1988
Hugo’s Greengrocer has had his eye on this quirky location on East Street for some time, but it’s unclear how the once public convenience has changed. When it opens as a hospitality business, it joins other businesses that have opened in former restrooms, such as Cloak on Woodland Road, Retreat on Downs and Café on Square at Sea Mills.
12. Fishmonger
The Fish Shop on Gloucester Street has plans to expand with a small seating area for up to six people serving dishes such as sushi and oysters.
13. Prisoner-owned café
The new cafe and shop will act as a bridge between prisons, employment and rehabilitation to reduce recidivism. Charity The Key Unlock Potential hopes to open a cafe on Gloucester Road near Bristol Prison to offer jobs to those released on parole or those who have recently been out of prison for more than six months.
14. Bagel Place
Bagel Place has opened in what used to be Cath Kidston and most recently in Illustrate.
Bristol 24/7 named The Little Bagel Company in the Clifton Triangle as the best new cafe of 2022. A new bagel shop is now opening just a few hundred meters away. Bagels Place on Park Street bakes bagels from scratch daily.
15. Toast
Toasted promises to be ‘your next local coffee shop’
Toasted has opened in a small unit on Queens Road, which has seen a lot of business in recent years. We promise to be “your next local coffee shop”.
16. Pasta
Pastan opens in another old Friska
Pastan is a vegan pasta restaurant that promises “a vibrant approach to fresh, plant-based pasta” coming as a pop-up at Nectar House on Gloucester Road in summer 2021. Friska: This is in the Royal Oak House on the corner of Prince Street and Queen Square.
17. One of Bristol’s smallest cafes
One of Bristol’s smallest cafes reopens
In 2016, interviews with customers outside the former breakfast boxes tucked away on Bedminster Parade’s Nelson Parade revealed that 18 gangsters used the café to serve bacon and eggs with several kilos of cocaine. It became a viral video after a member was jailed. Its new incarnation features menu items such as falafel wraps, salad boxes and tabbouleh.
18. Jan’s Thai Minimart
Jean’s Thai Mini Mart belongs to Jean’s Bistro
Jean’s Bistro is one of Gloucester Road’s most popular restaurants. Her favorite sauces line the shelves at her Jean’s Thai Mini Mart, which opens next door to Drapers Arms.
19. Black Sheep
Black Sheep opens with former Crazy Fox
Black Sheep already has over 10 cafes across the UK. Coffee is served with smoothies, shakes and Norwegian waffles. Opens in Broadmead’s historic arcade.
All Photos: Martin Booth
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