We promised a practical toolkit to help you navigate the city's food scene, and today we are thrilled to announce that BFN Premium will officially launch next Monday!

Asking people to subscribe to something they haven't seen isn't really our style, so we wanted to give you a proper preview of exactly what we are building. If you scroll down through today's newsletter, you will spot a new Weekly Deal Scout section featuring a curated list of the best independent food and drink offers we have tracked down across the city this week.

Starting next Monday, this full list of deals will become part of the BFN Premium subscription alongside instant access to our BFN food map and our Bristol food events calendar. To top it off, we promise the whole package will cost you less than a pint!

We have been working hard on this over the last few months and are super excited to finally share the full experience with you. To celebrate the launch, we will be offering a special discounted rate for the first 48 hours; just make sure to keep a close eye on your inbox next week.

…as a side note, no need to worry about your normal newsletter disappearing behind a paywall! We’re serious about providing the best of Bristol’s food scene for free, every single week.

Enjoy the deals! - The BFN Team

Local Burger Tour Review: Food blogger Sam Wilder recently toured the South West hunting for the UK's best burger, and Bristol scored highly. Local favourite Danny's Burgers, situated next to Fierce and Nobel brewery, achieved a staggering 9.2 out of 10 for their £13 Oklahoma Onion burger. Wilder described the burger as stunning and incredible. Three Brothers Burgers also received praise during the tour, scoring a highly respectable 8.3 for their Steak Poivre signature burger.

Radek's Chocolate Opens East Bristol Shop: Award-winning Radek's Chocolate, a well-known Bristol brand since 2008, recently opened a new physical shop at 186 Church Road in East Bristol. Famed for their handmade vegan chocolate and CBD brownies, the new store offers an array of treats. Visitors can enjoy a 52% Pa Lo Chilli Spice hot chocolate for £4, making it a fantastic new pitstop before a walk in St George's Park.

CUPP Announces Penn Street Cafe Concept: Founded right here in Bristol back in 2012, bubble tea specialist CUPP is returning to its roots with a new 35-seat cafe concept store opening on Penn Street this April. This new destination will replace their grab-and-go shipping container in Quakers Friars. The expanded menu will feature classic milk tea alongside matcha, coffee, and Asian-inspired dishes like Taiwanese-style chicken and rice bowls.

New Chain Openings In Cabot Circus: While we always favour Bristol's brilliant independent scene, these two Cabot Circus arrivals have been popping up all over our Instagram feeds lately, so we thought they’re worth a quick mention. Cult favourite Dave's Hot Chicken officially opened its doors on Friday, March 13th, celebrating the launch by giving the first 100 customers a free slider. The following day, March 14th, Haute Dolci arrived offering aesthetic desserts, luxury waffles and chocolate-loaded treats.

Hooked-On Cubano Sandwich Pop-Up (4th April): Head over to Mercy Mercy Mercy in Clifton Village for a special pop-up serving incredible Cubano sandwiches. For £12 you get a sandwich, homemade crisps and a sauce, and you can enjoy as many £5 margaritas as you can handle. It’s an eat-in and takeaway event with limited stock running from 6pm to 9pm, so get there before it’s gone.

Chow Down Fridays Return (10th April): Spring brings the return of the monthly Chow Down Friday street food extravaganza at Coffee Club Paintworks in BS4. Taking place on the second Friday of each month from 5pm to 9pm, this event promises a great lineup of street food legends, local beers, coffee cocktails, and good time DJs.

Spring Wine & Tapas Celebration (11th April): Pop up Wine is hosting a relaxed social wine tasting at One B Coffee House on Gloucester Road. Running from 7pm to 9:30pm, the evening features four wines and four tapas pairings. It’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy great food and company in Bishopston.

Gigi's Pizza Supper Club (16th April): Square Food Foundation is collaborating with Gigi's Pizza for a very special pop-up supper club at 48 Old Market St. Starting at 6pm, the evening includes an Italian-inspired three-course set menu and a welcome drink for £49 per person. All ticket proceeds support their vital work offering free and subsidised cooking classes to people in Knowle West and South Bristol, helping the community cook healthy food from scratch to improve health and bring joy.

Independent Crisp Tasting Championships (18th April): Finally a good chance to put years of snacking to use… The second annual UK Independent Crisp Tasting Championships is returning to the Robin Hood pub on St Michael's Hill. The event is free to enter and features a public tasting session to celebrate the craft of independent crisp makers. Just buy a drink at the bar to get a tasting card and cast your votes across 11 categories, including best texture and most unique flavour.

100 Free Burgers On Whiteladies: Coq on Whiteladies Road is giving away 100 free Classic or Veggie Coq burgers on Tuesday, March 31st starting at midday. To bag yours, you just need to download their app and be one of the first 100 people in the queue. It is strictly first-come, first-served on the day, so make sure you get there early for a proper lush lunch.

£5 Coffee And Cake Deal: Avenue Cafe over in Emersons Green has brought back their popular £5 coffee and cake offer. You can grab this bargain from Monday to Thursday between 2:30pm and 5pm. It’s a brilliant little afternoon treat if you’re in the area.

Two Tacos For Just £10: Nomads' BBQ is serving up two portions of their tacos for just £10 every single Tuesday. You can choose between their smoked pork with BBQ sauce, or the Birria beef with sweet chilli sauce and coriander. Both options come loaded with mozzarella, spring onions, and crispy onions. It’s a brilliant midweek bargain if you are looking for some great food without breaking the bank.

£30 Thai Lunch For Two: Mangosteen is running a cracking lunchtime deal where two people can eat and drink for just £30. You get to choose any four dishes marked with an asterisk to share, alongside a choice of two drinks. You can mix and match between soft drinks, house lager, or a glass of house wine. If you fancy going all out, you can add a cocktail for an extra £3. A great way to try somewhere new without breaking the bank!

Nestled on the corner of Jamaica Street in the heart of Stokes Croft, Poco Tapas Bar has been a cornerstone of Bristol's independent dining scene since autumn 2011. Before setting up their permanent home, the team spent years touring the UK's best festivals, building a loyal following since 2004. Today, Poco is celebrated not just for its vibrant atmosphere, but for an uncompromising love of proper, locally sourced food.

What makes Poco really stand out is how deeply they care about doing things the right way. Rather than just ticking boxes, it’s all about close relationships with local producers, sourcing the vast majority of their ingredients within 50 miles of the restaurant. Their British tapas menu is completely dictated by the seasons, meaning the chefs are constantly getting creative to use up every ingredient and keep waste to a bare minimum. It’s a genuine passion that famously earned them Sustainable Restaurant of the Year in both 2016 and 2018.

Been to Poco before and loved it? They're currently asking for our city's support as they campaign for a spot in the 2026 Good Food Guide's 100 Best Local Restaurants. Taking a quick moment to nominate them will help to support the very best of Bristol's hospitality, and as a brilliant bonus, everyone who casts a vote is entered into a prize draw to win £250 in restaurant vouchers!

View The Sample Menu | Good Food Guide Nomination

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