Coffee and Culture in Bristol – 4 Top Coffee Shops

Often overlooked previously for larger cities like London and Edinburgh, Bristol is a city that is increasing in popularity and cultural relevance. Visitors have a vast and rapidly growing array of activities and cultural attractions in this city in the SouthWest of England. It also boasts a vibrant international food and drinks scene, with Bristol becoming a more acclaimed culinary destination by the day. With many distinctive neighbourhoods, there’s something new and exciting around every corner in Bristol.

Although it hasn’t typically been renowned for its coffee, that is all changing now for Bristol and its modern identity. The up-and-coming independent coffee scene has taken a natural hold in Bristol. As it becomes a more and more popular destination, there has never been a better time to soak up some culture while on a well-caffeinated tour of Bristol! In this article, we have rounded up some of the best independent cafes in central Bristol and then linked each one to the best nearby cultural attractions that shouldn’t be missed for the makings of a perfect day out. 

Boston Tea Party – Gloucester Road 

First is Boston Tea Party, a Bristol-based small chain popular with locals and visitors. Although ‘BTP’ is known locally and has multiple stores across Bristol and increasingly England, the Gloucester Road branch is the perfect spot for that coffee and culture combo we seek. It is also one of the larger branches of BTP but still has the cosy feeling of a standalone cafe. The quality of BTP has also endured since they opened their flagship cafe on Park Street. 

Serving ethically sourced and locally roasted coffee and an infamous selection of traybakes, BTP’s unique attraction is its ethos. When you visit the Boston Tea Party, you can confidently support a brand trying to improve how we drink coffee. Boston Tea Party was the first UK cafe franchise to ban single-use cups altogether. Overall, BTP is a sustainable and iconic cafe not to be missed on any Bristol trip.  

Once you’ve enjoyed a coffee break at BTP, Gloucester Road is there for exploring. Known for its independent shops, Gloucester Road in the Horfield area has gone from a historical travel route to a thriving neighbourhood renowned for local trades and community. Bristol City Council even recognises it as a centre for independent trade. 

On a walk down Gloucester Road, look for the infamous graffiti art that fills the area and changes weekly. If you look closely enough, you might even be lucky to spot a new Banksy mural! Culturally, there is nothing quite like enjoying and supporting one of the last ‘true’ traditional high streets in the UK, and this is why Gloucester Road is such a rewarding part of any trip to Bristol. 

Browse one of the UK’s largest selections of vintage, local and independent businesses, from art shops to up-cycle reclamation workshops. There is an endless list of locally sourced books, clothes, antiques, and food shops, but here are some of our favourites: fig and Gloucester Road Reclamation.

Boston Tea Party Gloucester Road – 293 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8PE 

Society Cafe, Harbourside

Situated on the beautiful leafy harbourside, the Society Cafe is a welcome new addition to Bristol’s coffee scene, opening its doors in 2017. The store is reason enough to visit, boasting a spacious outside seating area and a clean, minimalist interior design. Indeed, the Scandinavian-designed store, which was previously a rope factory, has proved very popular with locals. This is Society’s third branch, after their previous success in Oxford and Bath. They even stock sweet treats from an independent bakery in Bath. 

The coffee is another draw, with Society serving only directly sourced beans. Although their house blends are from Origin in Cornwall, Society also features a broad rotation of ‘guest’ coffees, meaning visitors can sample an impressive array of flavours and origins. For the true coffee connoisseurs, it is also worth mentioning that Society does a brilliant job of keeping its Instagram page current on the coffee origins and characteristics, so rest assured that any coffee-related queries will be met with expertise!

Society Cafe is also in the perfect location to explore Bristol Harborside. The Harbourside is an area you can’t miss, filled with cultural significance and attractions for all interests and ages. Bristol has long had a significant maritime history, and there is no better place to learn about it than at the M Shed, where you can find a permanent exhibition on the rich history of Bristol that is perfect for all family ages. Here, you can discover how Bristol became an international trade hub and modern city. 

For art lovers, the Arnolfini is a brilliant contemporary arts centre just a stone’s throw from the Society cafe. With a focus on interdisciplinary arts and something for all tastes, this centre is at the cultural heart of modern Bristol. The Arnolfini also has its own award-winning and locally based cafe and outside seating area with a beautiful view over the harbour. Bristol Aquarium is also well worth a visit in the region; it is a very educational and exciting attraction for families with a strong focus on conservation. 

There is plenty to do if you are interested in boats and waterways, with the family-friendly open-air museum of the SS Great Britain just a short walk from the many restaurants that line the harbour. The harbour is a significant engineering feat, built to overcome the world’s second-highest tidal range. It is worth walking a bit further along the bank to view Brunel’s Floating Harbour to get an accurate scale of the undertaking. 

Society Cafe Harbourside – Farr’s Lane, Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4BB 

Friska, Park Street 

Although good coffee options are abundant on Park Street, Friska is a standout choice. With a few branches around Bristol, Friska was started in 2009 by a pair of friends who wanted to make a one-stop win for good food and coffee. They serve directly sourced coffee, and as an independent coffee chain, they also serve various international breakfast and lunch options. 

Friska became very popular a few years ago after partnering with a coffee bar inside Park Street’s infamous Rise Records shop. Since then, Friska has opened more stores throughout Bristol. Although Friska no longer partners with Rise and the shop has since moved, this classic culture combination meant that for a long time, Friska was at the heart of this renowned area. The good news is that Friska now has its store on Park Street, and plenty of great cultural opportunities are nearby. 

Park Street itself is another Bristolian icon. It is a steep road that runs from the harbour up to the suburb of Clifton, lined with beautiful apartment buildings and landmarks. From the bottom of Park Street, take in College Green, a perfect place to sit and enjoy the atmosphere in good weather, and the adjacent Bristol Cathedral. Look out for one of the most famous Banksy paintings across the street, the unmissable ‘Naked Man Hanging From Window’.  

Park Street also boasts the Wills Memorial building on the way up. This landmark is a part of Bristol University and is said to be one of the last Gothic buildings built in England. Aside from that, it is a beautiful reward for reaching the top of the steep road! 

This beautiful street includes boutique shops, independent vintage shops, books and gift shops, and great food options such as The Florist. There is also an extensive variety of cultural attractions in this small area, including the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery near the top of the road, which holds an impressive art collection from different eras. Whilst at the top of Park Street, be sure to take in the remarkable fountain and front of the Victoria Rooms, which houses the university’s music department. 

Friska Park Street – 87 Park Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS1 5PJ  

 East Village Cafe, Clifton

Finally, a cultural trip to Bristol wouldn’t be complete without a wander around the beautiful Georgian neighbourhood of Clifton. Full of tempting food and drink options and cute boutique shops, Clifton has a polished atmosphere that hasn’t lost the cost village feeling it is famous for. East Village Cafe, opened in 2017, is no exception. Situated under the stone arch at the heart of Clifton Village, East Village is a unique combination of a coffee, food, jewellery and home store. All food and drink served is entirely vegan, but there are no compromises made in the quality of the delicious cakes and sandwiches here. 

French Grey jewellery is also stocked in East Village, and the sister brands base their products around sustainability and waste reduction values. This beautifully laid-out shop offers an incredible array of environmentally minded homeware and cosmetics, and the aesthetically pleasing shop is the perfect backdrop for enjoying a coffee here. 

It is also worth noting that there are many other perfect coffee spots in Clifton; East Village is just a writer’s favourite! There are too many great independent coffee shops around Clifton, including Spicer and Cole, Primrose, and the Mall Deli Cafe. Clifton truly is the perfect meeting point for coffee and culture. 

While in Clifton, be sure to also go on a walk to see the landmark sights around the area, especially the Clifton Suspension Bridge. A familiar sight far and wide, this bridge is an awe-inspiring feat of engineering and is the most iconic image of Bristol by far. Sitting an impressive 75m above the river Avon, the bridge spans the Avon Gorge and was, amazingly, originally designed to cater for horse-drawn traffic only. Clifton Suspension Bridge is best viewed from the Observatory, a beautiful small park a short walk from the village.  

Also in Clifton and very much worth a visit are the Bristol Zoo Gardens, a tiny zoo with excellent conservation programmes and a focus on animal welfare. The zoo is between a botanical garden and a zoo, as they have moved more towards educational experience than big star attractions. This is all the more reason to visit, especially for families, as it is the perfect opportunity to learn about conservation and ecological systems while in the heart of a thriving city. You should go soon, though, if you plan a visit, as Bristol Zoo Gardens has recently announced it will move to a new out-of-city location in 2022.   

East Village Cafe Clifton – Arch House, Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4AA