Weekly roundup

What a week it's been. It feels like the rest of the country is finally catching on to what we've known for ages – that Bristol's independent food scene is properly special. From a huge celebrity endorsement for a local bagel shop to a rave review in The Guardian for one of our best Korean spots, the city is buzzing. We've also got the inside scoop on the cheesiest eats around and a heads-up on some legendary workshops that are about to end for good. Let's get stuck in.

New Openings & Recent Reviews

A celebrity chef endorsement, Bristol's cheesiest dishes, a new fine-dining spot, and more

Little Bagel Co.: The Clifton-based shop received a monumental endorsement last week when celebrity chef Marco Pierre White visited and declared their bagels "The best bagel in the UK". A massive statement and a huge moment for one of our city's brilliant independents.

Bristol's Best Cheesy Eats: Local bloggers Jurassic Foodies have compiled the ultimate guide for cheese lovers. Their recent round-up of Bristol's top "cheesy eats" has been getting a lot of love online, featuring must-try dishes from Gurt Wings, For Mice and Men, Barrelhouse, and Toff's Pasta.

Table Five By Cappadocia: The team behind the much-loved Cappadocia Turkish restaurants has officially opened its new casual fine dining spot in Clifton. Table Five is now fully open after a successful soft launch and is offering a 20% discount on all food during working hours until Sunday, 24th August to celebrate.

WANGS x Oishinboy Pop-Up: Last weekend's collaboration between WANGS and Oishinboy was a roaring success. The one-off event, featuring charcoal-roasted pork belly and dirty rice with lap cheong and chicken liver, has been praised for its incredible flavours and is a perfect example of the collaborative spirit of Bristol's food scene.

Panunzio's Kitchen at WANGS: In more collaboration news, two beloved independents have joined forces. You can now get multi-award-winning Italian gelato from Panunzio's Kitchen on the menu at WANGS in Montpelier.

Rudy's Pizza Napoletana: There's a new pizza joint in the city centre. Rudy's has opened its doors on Baldwin Street, serving up their signature soft and floppy Neapolitan pizzas. While Bristol has no shortage of incredible pizza, there's always room for one more.

Upcoming Food Events

Your last chance for a legendary burger workshop and the return of Bristol Cocktail Weekend

Danny's Burgers 'Last Ever' Burger Workshops: After 17 sold-out workshops, Danny's Burgers has announced that the sessions in August and September will be their last. This is your final chance to learn the secrets behind their famous burgers. Workshops run from 12-3 pm at Fierce & Noble brewery on the final Sundays of the month (August 31st and September 28th) and cost £80pp, including two drinks. There are only two spots left for August, so be quick. To book, email [email protected].

Bristol Cocktail Weekend: Get ready for the return of one of the city's best-loved events. From Thursday, 25th September to Sunday, 28th September, wristband holders can explore a curated selection of Bristol's finest bars and enjoy exclusive signature cocktails for just £6. Early bird wristbands are currently available for £12 (plus booking fee).

The Autumn South Glos Food & Drink Festival: This popular festival returns to the Bristol and Bath Science Park (BS16 7FR) on Saturday, 13th and Sunday, 14th September. Expect a weekend packed with stalls from local producers, mouthwatering street food, and live music. A limited number of free tickets are available via Eventbrite, after which they will be £3 (plus booking fee), so it's worth booking ahead.

Local Highlight

Local Highlight: Dongnae

This week, the spotlight is firmly on Dongnae, the remarkable Korean restaurant on Chandos Road that has been quietly winning over critics and locals alike since it opened. It has recently received national acclaim, with Grace Dent of The Guardian hailing it as “a handpicked flurry of Korean loveliness” and describing a dessert of mugwort cake as “One of the greatest things I’ve ever tasted”. This isn't just another restaurant; it's a celebration of authentic, refined Korean cooking.

The Good Food Guide and Michelin Guide echo this praise, highlighting the value of the £24 lunch set and the ambition of the seven-course £65 hanjeongsik tasting menu. The minimalist dining room, centred around an open kitchen, invites you to watch the chefs at work. Whether you're there for the charcoal-grilled wagyu, hand-dived scallops, or the sizzling mushroom dolsotbap, you're in for a treat. Unsurprisingly, it's become one of the city's toughest tables to book, so planning ahead is essential.

That’s it for this week.

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