As one of the most vibrant and diverse cities in the UK, Bristol is home to a thriving street food scene with vendors offering the chance to sample some of the very best flavour combinations global cuisine has to offer.
Here at Hopewell, we’re passionate about sharing our local knowledge, So, if you’re new to the city, or eager to learn more about Bristol’s street food scene, keep reading because we’ve collated our local knowledge and put together some of the must-visit markets and independent vendors in Bristol.
The Harbourside Street Food Market
No round-up of Bristol’s street food scene is complete without mentioning the Harbourside Street Food Market, which is held weekly between Wednesday and Sunday. As well as enjoying scenic views across the harbour, you can tuck into everything from extravagant cheese toasties to Nepalese dumplings and flavourful curries.
Temple Quay Market
One of the most established street food markets in Bristol, you can find Temple Quay Market in the centre of the Temple Quay district, just a few minutes away from the station and the harbour. This buzzing street food market is open every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtime and is home to a diverse selection of vendors specialising in everything from Malaysian to Greek, Texan and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Finzels Reach Food Market
Just a 10-minute waterfront stroll away from Temple Meads Station, Finzels Reach Food Market takes place every Wednesday and Friday lunchtime and invites visitors to step into a world of truly incredible street food. Alongside regular traders, this market also likes to keep things fresh by rotating traders on a weekly basis to provide plenty of variety. So, whether you’re looking for sushi, gyros, chicken wings or a sweet treat, there’s something here for you. The organisers of this market also have an eye on sustainability, and ensure that traders take steps to minimise food waste and utilise eco-friendly packaging.
St Nicholas Street Food Market
It’s impossible to leave the St Nicholas Street Food Market feeling hungry, as it’s one of the most popular food markets in the city for a reason. There are a number of permanent street food traders within the stunning Glass Arcade, but if you’re a frequent visitor, you’ll also notice that different traders pop up throughout the year. There’s always an impressive selection of food to enjoy, including vendors who specialise in seasonal cooking.
Tobacco Factory Market
Open every Sunday between 10am, and 2:30pm, Tobacco Factory Market in Southville is home to around 60 different stalls offering everything from handmade crafts to delicious street food. On the food front, you can expect to find vendors offering everything from immaculate patisserie and baked goods to hearty pies, tasty kombucha, and much more. The organisers of this market also encourage visitors to bring reusable containers, as all their vendors are more than happy to use them.
Independent Street Food Vendors in Bristol
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the city’s most popular street food markets, let’s take this opportunity to highlight some of the individual vendors you can expect to see around the city.
Ah-Ma’s Dumplings
Offering an authentic taste of China, Ah-Ma’s Dumplings are always a popular vendor at food markets across the city as their home-style dumplings are full of flavour. Run by Anita, who is inspired by her Cantonese heritage, Ah-Ma’s menu features a variety of dumpling flavours, including meat, fish and vegetarian options. Excitingly, Ah-Ma’s Dumplings are also now offering a Sunday lunch delivery service across Bristol, or you can pick up your order directly from their St Werburghs kitchen.
Wood Chop Pizza
Celebrating quality British and Italian ingredients, Wood Chop Pizza specialises in simple, but outstanding pizza made using their own sourdough and wood-fired oven. They endeavour to bring at least four options to every market, so there’s always plenty of variety to choose from.
Big Bao
Celebrating Vietnamese street food, the Big Bao menu contains everything from freshly prepared bao buns to flavourful, handmade Banh Mi baguettes. Big Bao has been delighting Bristolians since 2018, and while its kiosk may be compact, it always delivers big flavours. This friendly, family team loves to welcome both new and repeat customers because they’re hugely passionate about Vietnamese flavours. As well as fluffy, light bao buns and generously filled Banh Mi baguettes, you can also enjoy Korean corn dogs, rice boxes, bubble tea and Vietnamese coffee.
Edna’s Kitchen
Over the years, Edna’s Kitchen has built a reputation as being one of the most highly regarded street food vendors in the city. Edna’s Kitchen specialises in authentic Mediterranean vegetarian and vegan food and proudly proclaims that they offer the best falafel in the whole of Bristol. You can find Edna’s Kitchen cafe in Castle Park, which is open daily between 10am and 5pm. We highly recommend stopping by to enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and peruse the tempting menu, which offers everything from fresh filled pittas to wraps, salads and desserts.
So, whether you’re going to be spending the day in the city or you’re planning a longer trip, it’s clear that you won’t need to settle for a soggy sandwich or a boring burger to fuel your adventures!
