Food in Bristol – 3 food experiences that make perfect gifts

Bristol is fast building a reputation as a world-class foodie destination, with food festivals, trendy new restaurants and a wealth of artisan food producers in the West Country. As a travel blogger I’ve found myself visiting festivals, markets and top restaurants abroad, only to come home and realise I’d missed something similar on my own doorstep.

I’ve attended events in my home town where I’ve tasted my way through some delicious food in Bristol, making me appreciate the local food scene even more. To give you just a taste of what’s on offer here are a few foodie experiences in Bristol, which would also make a fab gift for the foodie in your life.

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Book a food tour

Food tours are a great way to discover the local food scene and I was delighted to join EatWalkTalk food tours on one of their Taste Bristol food tours. Update: This business has stopped doing food tours but you can take a similar tour with The Bristol Food Tour.

I’d assumed that I had a pretty good knowledge of the Bristol food scene, but how wrong I was! The food tour really opened my eyes to what a foodie destination Bristol has become, since almost all the places we visited were ones I hadn’t visited before, but will certainly be returning to and recommending to friends.

First stop on our Bristol Food Tour was the legendary Hart’s bakery, which I’d heard a lot about but probably wouldn’t have found myself, since it’s tucked away under the station arches. We progressed towards the old centre of Bristol, with our guide feeding us with historical tit-bits as well as delicious food at some of Bristol’s finest artisan food producers.

There were best-of-British favourites like fish and chips, bacon sarnies and Pieminister pies, but also Somerset cheese and local craft beer. We rounded off our ten-plus tasting stops with some SWOON Gelato and chocolates from Guilberts.

I loved the way that our guide wove the history of Bristol into the food stops and his enthusiasm for our city was infectious. The food tour is aimed at visitors to Bristol but is also a great way for locals to explore the riches on their own doorstep and the convivial atmosphere of the group would be great for those travelling on their own.

What I enjoyed most about the Food Tour

Discovering fabulous new foodie places in Bristol even though I’ve lived here for 25 years.

Treat yourself or buy as a gift

Although Eat Walk Talk Bristol are no longer running food tours, you can book a similar tour with The Bristol Food Tour. 

Afternoon tea at Hotel du Vin

Afternoon tea is one of those oh-so-British institutions, whether it’s a cup of builders dunked with a rich tea biscuit, or the full blown treat of tiny cakes and elegant savouries. At Hotel du Vin in Bristol it was very much the latter that I tried, a meal that you need to be hungry to do justice to. I’ve always loved the hotel’s old school elegance, housed in an old stone sugar warehouse, with a theme of wine and dark polished wood.

Hotel du Vin recently relaunched their afternoon tea menu which now includes a savoury course with egg and cress brioche, goat’s cheese and spinach quiche and smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels. There were warm scones with jam and clotted cream as well as the sweet treats of dark chocolate teacakes and lemon meringue tarts. For something a bit difference we tried a lime jelly in a glass and a flourish of apple candy floss to top the cake stand.

You can choose from a range of Twining teas or add a glass of something bubbly if you’re in the mood. For smaller groups the afternoon tea is served either in the comfortable bar or at a table in the Bistro restaurant, while one of the elegant first floor reception rooms can be used for larger parties.

Hotel du Vin afternoon tea would be perfect for a multi-generational celebration, girls birthday, hen gathering or baby shower and at £20 per head it’s very affordable for a larger group.

What I enjoyed most at Hotel du Vin

The pretty presentation on cake stands with the fun addition of candy floss on the top!

Treat Yourself or Buy as a gift

The classic afternoon tea is £20 per person and cream tea is £8.50, served daily at Hotel du Vin Bristol 12 pm-6 pm. Bookings are advisable for groups, but not always essential if you just fancy popping in with a friend. Gift cards are available from the Hotel du Vin Website.

More information at Hotel du Vin. The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NU

Gelato at SWOON

Soon after it opened, SWOON quickly became the place that everyone in Bristol seemed to be tweeting and instagramming about. They run a vote for new flavours on Social Media and reward customers with a Fan of the Week award. I’d popped in a couple of times and loved their flavours, but was able to dive deeper into the world of gelato at a recent event.

The gelato bar is co-owned by Pat and Bruno, a brother and sister duo who have re-invented the family business of their Italian grandparents, who came to the UK and set up ice cream parlours and restaurants.

A core range of flavours, like mango sorbet, pistachio and dark chocolate, are always on offer and to these they add monthly seasonal flavours – the mince pie and mulled wine gelato were to die for. Apparently the Brussels sprout flavour came last in the public vote, although adventurous eaters may like to know that in Italy, vegetable gelato flavours are all the rage among gourmets.

For an inexpensive treat, there are individual gelato desserts like gelato macarons and panettone as well as gelato cakes that are a popular alternative to the Christmas pudding or birthday cake. All the gelato is made on the premises from scratch, with only fresh ingredients, so the flavours really shine through. SWOON opens daily until 10.30 pm so it’s a great place to meet friends in the evening as an alternative to the pub.

What I enjoyed most at SWOON

The staff are happy to let you try any of the different flavours before you make your final choice.

Treat yourself or buy as a gift

Just pop into the SWOON gelato bar opposite College Green for whatever you fancy – small single tubs start at around £2.50. You can take some gelato away or buy one of their gelato cakes (it’s specially wrapped so it won’t melt) and gift cards from £10 are available in store.

More information at Swoononaspoon.co.uk, 31a College Green, Bristol.

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I tried the food experiences mentioned on a complimentary* basis at blogger events organised by the Bristol Bloggers and Influencers group.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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