Weekly roundup

Hope you all had a cracking time at the Balloon Fiesta over the weekend and managed to see some of the ascents. With the city getting back to normal, we're turning our attention back to what's new and what's next on the food scene. We've got a huge new city centre opening, some massive praise from national critics for local spots, and a calendar packed with must-visit events.

New Openings & Recent Reviews

New Kid on the Block & Critical Acclaim: A Major City Centre Burger Opening and Praise from National Critics

Really Good Burgers: The well-loved burger spot from Fishponds has just opened a new site right in the city centre, taking over The Colosseum pub on Redcliff Hill. Expect their signature stacked smash patties, brisket-topped burgers, and seriously loaded fries. A massive new contender in the city's burger scene.

Dongnae: The modern Korean restaurant on Cotham Hill received a huge seal of approval this past week from none other than legendary chef Pierre Koffmann, who shared his love for the restaurant's flavours on social media. High praise indeed.

RAGÙ: The small, independent pasta restaurant on College Green has received a stellar national review from esteemed critic Tom Parker Bowles in The Daily Mail's YOU Magazine. A massive moment for one of Bristol's favourite independents.

Pig's Pizza at New Bristol Brewery: The popular pizza slingers have officially launched their permanent residency at New Bristol Brewery in St Pauls. You can now get their Neapolitan-style pizzas, including the highly-rated 'Spicy Marg', from Thursday to Sunday every week. A perfect pairing of local indies.

Fat Dads Kitchen at The Gallimaufry: There's a new kitchen residency on Gloucester Road. Fat Dads Kitchen has taken over at The Galli, serving up a simple menu of smash burgers and sides that are already being called "some of the best in Bristol".

Little Smoker: A new street food trader has popped up at the Harbourside Market as part of the Buoy Accelerator programme. Little Smoker, hailing from Somerset, specialises in 12-hour smoked meats, with their brisket buns and loaded fries already proving popular.

Upcoming Food Events

Experimental Thai Pop-ups, Korean Collaborations, and Craft Beer Festivals

The Social Distortion Thai Pop-up at The Scrandit: From this Thursday, August 14th to Saturday, August 16th, Chef Mark Hill is bringing his experimental Thai small plates from Hull to The Scrandit on Christmas Steps. An alternative roast menu will also run on Sunday.

Latino Fest at Beeses: Head to the legendary riverside bar this Saturday, August 16th, for a full day of food, live music from multiple bands, and salsa dancers. Entry is free.

Ratatouille Supper Club by Dinnema Club: On Tuesday, 30th September, Dinnema Club hosts a 5-course cinematic dining experience at Bruhaha, inspired by the film Ratatouille.

Food and Drink Festival at Old Down Estate: Spend the August Bank Holiday (Monday, August 25th) at Old Down Estate in Tockington for a festival packed with street and artisan food vendors, local wines, and craft beers. Expect live music in a relaxed setting. Admission is £5 per adult, and children under 12 go free.

First Friday Sloppy Joe Special at Big Nath's BBQ: Pre-orders are open for Big Nath's 'First Friday' on September 5th. This month's special is a Sloppy Joe, available for collection only from their HQ in Backwell.

Autumn South Glos Food & Drink Festival: Taking place on Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th, this free-entry festival on the lawns of the Bristol & Bath Science Park in Emersons Green features a weekend of local food and drink stalls, live music, and family-friendly entertainment.

The Bristol Vegan Fayre: A two-day celebration of all things vegan at Document on September 20th - 21st, featuring food stalls, talks, and entertainment.

Wells Food Festival: A little further afield, but worth the trip. On Sunday, October 12th, the beautiful city of Wells celebrates the best of Somerset's local produce with a huge artisan market.

Local Highlight

Cargo Cantina

As one of the original residents of Wapping Wharf, Cargo Cantina has become a cornerstone of the harbourside’s vibrant food scene. Housed in one of the development's iconic shipping containers, it's the go-to spot for authentic Mexican street food. The atmosphere is always bustling and informal, making it the perfect place to drop in for a quick lunch or settle in for an evening of drinks and tacos with friends, especially when you can grab a table outside overlooking the water.

The menu is focused and consistently delivers. The tacos are the main event, with a simple but delicious range of fillings served on soft corn tortillas. From classic al pastor pork to fried chicken or fresh fish, there's a reason people keep coming back for them. Of course, no trip to Cantina is complete without trying one of their frozen margaritas – a Bristol institution in their own right. For a reliably good time and a true taste of the Wapping Wharf buzz, Cargo Cantina never disappoints.

That’s it for this week.

As a very small team, we rely on word of mouth to grow. If you've enjoyed this week's newsletter, please consider forwarding it to a fellow foodie. Thanks for your support!