Well, Bristol's food scene has certainly been busy. A huge festival just wrapped, and a national critic has put one of our new local spots in the limelight. Here’s what you need to know.

New & Upcoming Openings

A few new spots to keep on your radar:

• Tocayo: Hot on the heels of the success of Chido Wey, the same team has just opened Tocayo right next door on Old Market Street. Opening its doors to the public officially on Monday 16th June, this new cafe and bar will be serving up Mexican-inspired brunch and top-notch coffee. It's looking like a great addition to the area for daytime eats.

• Recent Additions: In case you missed them, a few other noteworthy restaurants have opened their doors this year. Frankie's, a fried chicken and waffle joint from a MasterChef contestant, is now permanently housed at Kitchen by Kask in Southville. For those seeking a unique dining experience, Six By Nico in Quakers Friars offers a constantly changing six-course tasting menu. And for award-winning wings, Gurt Wings has set up its first permanent location at Wapping Wharf.

Bristol Food Events

• Feast On: Get your diaries out for this one. After a successful debut last year, Feast On is returning to The Downs from Thursday, 24th to Sunday, 27th July. This festival is a proper celebration of Bristol's food scene, with a huge lineup of local restaurants and chefs showcasing their signature dishes. Expect pop-ups from the likes of Pasture, Nadu, and The Bank Tavern, alongside cooking demos, a produce market, and plenty of live music. It's a fantastic opportunity to sample the best of Bristol in one place.

• Bristol Harbour Festival: While not solely a food festival, the annual Harbour Festival, returning July 18th - 20th, is always a highlight for its fantastic selection of street food stalls. As you're enjoying the on-water activities and entertainment, you'll be able to grab a bite from some of the city's best mobile food traders.

Local Highlight: Ragù

Wapping Wharf's newest Italian restaurant, Ragù, has been making waves since it opened in a shipping container in April, and this week it received the ultimate seal of approval. Writing in her column for The Guardian, esteemed restaurant critic Grace Dent hailed Ragu as her "favourite new restaurant of 2025" so far.

In her glowing review, Dent praised the "cool, minimal, romantic ode to Italian cooking." Ragu, as the name suggests, focuses on the art of slow-cooked sauces, and it seems they've perfected it. This is a massive nod for a new, independent Bristol restaurant and is sure to make getting a table even more of a challenge. If you're looking for authentic, lovingly prepared Italian food, Ragu should be at the top of your list.

Festival Focus: Bristol Craft Beer Festival

The harbourside was buzzing this past weekend (13th-14th June) as the Bristol Craft Beer Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary. By all accounts, it was a roaring success. Thousands of beer lovers descended upon the Lloyds Amphitheatre to sample hundreds of beers from over 50 breweries, including many of our brilliant local names like Arbor, Wiper and True, and Bristol Beer Factory.

The festival has grown from a niche gathering into one of the UK's most significant celebrations of craft beer, and this year's event was a fitting tribute to that journey. Alongside the incredible array of beers, there was a great atmosphere with live DJ sets and a fantastic selection of street food. It's a testament to the strength of Bristol's brewing scene and its place as a true capital for craft beer. Here's to another ten years!

- Bristol Food Newsletter Team