Toastie Queens & Rice and Shine: Two new food businesses are setting up shop in Wapping Wharf, replacing the former units of Seven Lucky Gods Shop & Sushi and Daily Noodles. Toastie Queens, run by friends Shaz and Deb, is scheduled to open on March 14th serving up loaded toasties, milkshakes, and coffee. Right next door, former Bath market stall Rice and Shine will be bringing their incredible Filipino comfort food - think bulalo broth, spicy pork belly and traditional slow-cooked beef stew. Opening date still to be confirmed.

Italian Awards Finalists: A huge congratulations is in order for the Little Hollows Pasta team on Chandos Road in Redland. They have just been named as a finalist for 'Best Restaurant in the South of England' at The UK Italian Awards 2026. Given they make their pasta fresh daily and hang it in the window before serving up flawless, Michelin-recognized dishes, this nod is incredibly well deserved. Winners are announced at the end of March!

Major Awards & Spotlight for Lapin: It's been a massive week for Wapping Wharf’s French hotspot, Lapin. They have just been shortlisted for two Trencherman's Awards: Best Newcomer and Best Bar List. In less than a year, owners Dan O’Regan and executive chef Jack Briggs-Horan (the team behind Totterdown's BANK) have drawn serious praise, including a glowing review from Grace Dent and a spot in SquareMeal’s Top 100 UK Restaurants for 2026. Adding to the well-deserved hype, they were also just featured in episode 1 of Brin Pirathapan's new "Spotlight" video series over on Instagram, showcasing their stunning plates.

Pints & Pizza at The Yard: Thornbury locals, this one is for you. After months of hard graft, The Yard is officially opening its doors this coming Friday, February 27th at 9am. They are kicking things off by giving away 100 free coffees from Ritual Roasters. Moving forward, expect fresh loaves, ciabatta sandwiches, and specialty coffee by day, switching to an evening bar serving up award-winning Pig’s Pizzas from Thursday to Saturday.

Harbourside Move for The Arjee Bhajee & Thank Cod For That: After closing their beloved Soundwell Road site, this award-winning curry house has officially relocated south of the river to Hotwell Road (right next to the Mardyke Pub). Even better, they’ve opened a brand new sister branch right next door - a fish and chip shop with a twist called Thank Cod For That. They are open now for direct orders and collections, with delivery apps launching soon.

OpenTable Top 10 for Cappadocia Bristol: OpenTable diners have spoken, and Cappadocia has officially been named one of the Top 10 Restaurants in Bristol. To top it off, they also secured a spot on OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the entire UK. If you're looking for great atmosphere and authentic Turkish food, get a table booked.

Bedminster Brews at Malago Coffee: Bedminster is getting a new spot for takeaway coffee, cakes, and pastries. Named after the nearby river, Malago Coffee is opening soon on the corner of East Street and Dalby Avenue, taking up a section of the existing vape shop right by the ‘Welcome to Bedminster’ mural.

Wine and Bifana Event (Feb 28th): Mercy Mercy Mercy is kicking off their first event of the year with a seriously good night of proper food and wine. From 7pm to 11pm, they are serving up £5 glasses of dangerously drinkable wine and £8 traditional Portuguese bifanas (slow-simmered, white-wine-and-garlic marinated pork stuffed into a crusty roll). No bookings required, just turn up.

Elly Pear Guest Chef Takeover (March 5th): Carmen Beckford Street is hosting celebrated chef Elly Pear for a special International Women's Day dinner. The evening features her famous plant-based, seasonal cooking, with vibrant aperitifs selected by Kate Hawkings and a curated wine flight from Fiona Beckett. Tickets are £60pp (with £10 going to Women's Aid). Arrival is at 6:30pm and booking is essential via their email.

Flo’s ‘Pasta la Vista’ Menu (March 6th): Little Hollows Pasta is saying goodbye to Flo with an extra special, one-off tasting menu at 7:30pm. The menu looks ridiculous - featuring duck ham agnolotti, prawn tagliolini with bisque, and a rhubarb and custard cannoli to finish. Tickets are extremely limited, so call them or book online ASAP.

FAREWELL 145: THE LAST HURRAH (March 8th): Interlude Coffee’s time at 145 St. Michael’s Hill is officially coming to an end on March 10th. This spot was always an intentional "long-term pop-up" and the team is now hunting for a permanent Bristol home where they can offer better workflow, dedicated takeaway waiting areas, and the return of their popular 'Picky Bits and Pours' events (plus chairs with actual backs). Before they pack up, they are throwing one last shindig on Sunday, March 8th from 10am to 4pm. Expect their usual Sunday offering alongside a fun 'We Pour' format where customers get to choose which wine bottles are cracked open.

Buskers Banquet (April 14th): This intimate music and food event is taking over Carouse Wines in BS3 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. You'll get a stellar 3-course menu cooked by James Stuart of Tomo No Ramen, followed by live, storytelling performances from alt-indie artist Billy Lambert and harmony trio Play Misty. There are only 20 tickets available at £65pp, bookable via their website or Yuup.

DJ BBQ X Big Nath's BBQ Guest Masterclass (June 7th): Big Nath’s BBQ HQ in Backwell is hosting global fire-cooking legend DJ BBQ for an exclusive, hands-on masterclass. You'll learn everything from Carolina pulled pork to bavette steak with cherry wood smoked garlic butter, ending in a massive feast. Tickets are £190pp and available on Big Nath's website. This will absolutely sell out.

If you are looking for an upgrade to your usual lunchbreak, Dio’s Deli at 71 North Street is a firm favourite in Bedminster. Founded by the team behind the well-loved Hugo's Greengrocer right next door, this spot was born out of a desire to rescue the soggy, unloved sandwich. They take the exact same Michelin-grade, seasonal produce supplied to top Bristol restaurants and use it to craft incredible chef-made sandwiches, fresh salads, and handmade pastries. With a strong commitment to keeping food miles low, their menu changes frequently based on what’s fresh and in season - ensuring everyone is catered for with fantastic meat and dairy classics alongside their top-tier vegan options.

Alongside their pure fruit and vegetable juices, Dio's Deli has a standout offer for local coffee lovers. They serve a £1 espresso every single day, using high-quality beans from Bristol's own Triple Co Roast. It is a fantastic deal that perfectly pairs with their sweet treats and highlights their commitment to great local suppliers. You can visit them Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 4pm, and Sundays from 9am to 3pm. And if you don’t fancy leaving the house, you can also find their lunch options on UberEats and Deliveroo.

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Save the Bravas Terrace: The team at Bravas on Cotham Hill needs your help. Tomorrow night (Feb 24th) from 6:00pm at City Hall, a planning committee will decide the future of their beloved outdoor terrace. It’s been a staple of the pedestrianised street for five years, but it's now at risk. If you love Cotham Hill's independent culture, Fabia and the team would be incredibly grateful for your support in person. You don't even need to speak - just sitting in the public gallery makes a huge difference.

BoxHall Bristol: The long-awaited BoxHall venue planned for the O&M Sheds at Welsh Back has officially been scrapped. Despite years of anticipation and workers being spotted on-site as recently as early 2024, BoxPark's new CEO confirmed that they are stepping away from the lease. The Bristol site reportedly didn't meet their core criteria for being near major transport infrastructure or event spaces, and the massive £5m-£7m financial commitment forced them to back out.

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