Bristol's best women-owned restaurants
And cafes, wine bars, bakeries, pubs
If you haven’t already, I’d highly recommend reading ‘A Woman’s Place is in the Kitchen’ by Sally Abé. Sally is not a Bristolian sadly — I’d love to claim her as one of our own — but I do feel she has a bit of Bristol spirit in her. Sally is a wonderful writer, a phenomenal chef and a lovely person; I had the pleasure of meeting her briefly at Glastonbury last year. She’s a big advocate for women in kitchens, and a few weeks ago her and Kayla Lawrie, who is a producer for TopJaw, created this map of women-owned hospitality businesses around the UK.
Why highlight women-owned businesses? Although women make up more than half of the workforce in hospitality, very few make it to leadership positions. Fewer still get recognition from the likes of Michelin — by my count there are currently 11 restaurants with one or more stars in the UK that are run by women. That’s 11 out of 230.
There is no silver bullet to solving this problem because it is complex and multi-faceted. In no small part, women often have to leave the profession or are overlooked for promotion due to juggling family life and antisocial hours, and the balancing act not being accounted for in male-dominated spaces, spaces which can also be incredibly hostile to young women especially.
A map like Sally and Kayla’s, which platforms and celebrates women-owned businesses, is part of the solution. There are a few Bristol businesses on there, but it is not exhaustive. Neither is this list. But hopefully it will go some way to drawing attention to the problems that persist, and encourage people to support the women who are breaking through. Here’s some of Bristol’s best women-owned spots.
Chez Candice, Boiling Wells
Chez Candice is a bit of a Bristol Sauce all star — it makes it to almost every list I write. Run by one-woman powerhouse Candice Bryant, Chez Candice serves loaded flatbreads, sausage rolls and superb tarts for lunch out of a converted horse box on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Chez Candice.
Box-E, Wapping Wharf
Possibly the purveyors of Bristol’s best-value tasting menu, Box-E is co-owned by Tess Lidstone, who runs the front-of-house operation. Despite raising two daughters and running a restaurant, Tess also manages to find the time to do a host of charity work including supporting the likes of Square Food Foundation.
The Blaise Inn, Henbury
Working away in the kitchen of Henbury’s Michelin Bib Gourmand pub The Blaise Inn you’ll find head chef Louise McCrimmon whipping up a delicate fish dish, elevated pub classics or one of Bristol’s best Sunday roasts. There are few better places to eat after a stomp around Blaise Castle estate. Read The Bristol Sauce review of The Blaise Inn.
Catley’s, St Anne’s and Clifton Village
If we were all as driven, talented and mad as Hannah Catley, we’d have our work done by 11am every day ready to put our feet up and have a good gossip, or, as Hannah does, go and show the men up in the gym. As owner and baker behind Catley’s HQ in St Annes and Catley’s cafe in Clifton, Hannah often wakes at 3am to laminate dough before doing a barista shift, a masterclass and then a gym sesh. Has the chocolate and caramel tart suffered from her insane schedule? No it has not.
Mey-ze, Chandos Road
New(ish) to Chandos Road is Mey-Ze, a Mediterranean meze bar run by Ece Seval. With a handful of outdoor tables for al fresco people watching over a few sharing plates, Mey-ze offers a predominantly vegetarian menu inspired by Ece’s Turkish heritage.
Radical Roasters & Oh My Pie, Easton
If you like your coffee strong and your women stronger, head to Radical Roasters in Easton — a micro-roastery-cum-cafe that churns out incredible drinks in an inspiring, community-oriented space. If available, pair one of your drinks with a slice of local baker Amy Symond’s ‘Oh My! Pie’ creations, such as the quick to sell out and thus much-coveted cherry pie.
radicalroasters.co.uk | ohmypieco.co.uk
Carouse, Totterdown
Make your way up the Totterdown hill to be rewarded with a glass of something from Carouse, run by Faye Buckle. Though relatively new to the area, Carouse has already become a local favourite for interesting wines and local beers plus fun events including tastings, music and run clubs.
Spirited, North Street
On North Street head to Spirited for tastings and cocktails from Katy Kennedy in this bar, tasting room, events space and shop. This is a particularly good spot for lovers of whisky!
Same Again, Finzels Reach
Same Again is co-owned by Pippa Guy, who made history in 2017 as the first female senior bartender at the legendary American Bar at The Savoy in London in over 100 years. She’s now running Bristol’s best cocktail bar with partner Seb. Get the Headshot and thank me later.
instagram.com/same.again.bristol
Toastie Queens, Wapping Wharf
A new addition to Wapping Wharf celebrates one of the best categories of food: things in bread. The clue is in the name — this spot is run by two queens (they have crowns and everything), Shaz and Deb, and even better is also serving Radical Roasters coffee.
Dongnae, Chandos Road
Recently awarded the title of the 12th best restaurant in the UK at the National Restaurant Awards, Dongnae is co-owned by Kyu Jeong Jeon, who you’ll frequently find firing things on the grill and dishing out banchan behind the pass. Kyu is also responsible for Dongnae’s back garden full of homemade ferments, which is one of many reasons the food here is so memorable. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Dongnae.
Wilsons, Chandos Road
Another Bristol Sauce regular, Michelin-starred Wilsons is co-owned by Mary Wilson who is chief grower of all the produce and an all round wonderful human being. Wilsons is my favourite restaurant in Bristol and there’s nowhere I recommend more frequently. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Wilsons.
Corks, Cotham and North Street
Whenever I need a nice bottle of wine or a rare spirit — I go to Corks. Even if they haven’t got what I’m looking for, more often than not they’ll recommend something even better or order it in for me. They also do great tastings — keep an eye on their Instagram for upcoming dates. Corks is co-owned and co-run by Rachel Higgens.
Bravas, Cotham Hill
Bravas is part of the Season & Taste hospitality group, which currently encompasses Bravas, Gambas, Condesa and Cargo Cantina. Imogen Waite is one half of the couple behind Season & Taste and she oversees much of the group’s operations; ensuring that some of Bristol’s best restaurants for Spanish and Mexican fare run without a hitch.
Terra, Montpelier
If you’re into hand building some pottery while enjoying a particularly good cup of coffee, Terra will soon become a firm favourite. Run by three artists Izzy, Goobie (Gaby) and Joby (Josie), Terra is an accessible and inclusive space where you can embrace your creative side in inspiring surrounds.
WANGS, Montpelier
The WANGS team are going from strength to strength — following being the first Bristol restaurant to start cooking in an authentic Chinese charcoal roasting oven, they’re now also the Good Food Guide’s best local restaurant in the south west. None of their endeavours would be possible without the guidance of co-owner Sandy, who has been holding down a career in finance while running the restaurant and also growing a tiny human. That’s before we even get onto head chef Emily Xin Xin Chan, who’s responsible for this neighbourhood spot becoming locally-famed for dumplings, turnip cake and night market fried chicken.
Ahh Toots, Christmas Steps
If you ever want to experience the best kind of decision paralysis, head to Ahh Toots, where the counter is laden with beautiful cakes, cookies, tray bakes and basically every kind of sweet treat you could possibly hope for. Run by head Tooter Tam, Ahh Toots is a great place to wile away a morning of afternoon while indulging in something delicious.
Coffee Club
A delightfully Bristol-y institution, Coffee Club operates out of a shipping container in Bristol Marina and is co-owned and co-run by Lucy Atkins. Head down to check out the neighbouring Banksy over a cup of Radical Roasters coffee.
Emmeline, Spike Island
If something good is happening in the food world in Bristol that helps people and brings them together, there’s a good chance that Shona Graham has had a hand in it. She’s also the owner of Emmeline cafe in Spike Island, which serves a delicious array of healthy food, great coffee and inspiration.
The Olive Shed, Harbourside
Celebrating 25 years later this year is The Olive Shed, owned by Anastasia OShea, a scenic spot on Bristol’s harbourside known for tapas and prime sunset-bathing.
The Pony, Chew Valley
The Pony in Chew Valley is co-owned and co-run by Holly Eggleton, who runs the front of house team with general manager extraordinaire Emma Mays. Between them they run a tight ship, which is nothing short of a miracle consider the number of events they host and projects they run across Bristol.
Jikoni, The Station
Tucked away inside The Station in central Bristol is East African cafe Jikoni, co-owned and co-run by Iman Salat. A lunch here will see you laden with extremely good value dishes including slow cooked goat, crisp lentil bajia and coconut curry chicken kuku paka. Read The Bristol Sauce review of Jikoni.
Sundial Kitchen, Totterdown
The Sundial Kitchen in Totterdown is known for hearty, healthy brunches and lunches as well as being a great event space. Co-owned and run by Chloë Hunt, Sundial is a particularly good option for plant-based pals and is also dog-friendly!
Co-Exist Community Kitchen, Easton
Co-Exist Community Kitchen is a non-profit, so it has no owner, but it does have a team of incredibly, dedicated women running it: Ari Cantwell, Kelly Sealey, Becky Millington, Aileen Small, Mel Fu and Ella Wysocki. A cookery class, run by people from a wealth of different backgrounds and cultures, is a great gift or something to do as a date or with friends and all proceeds directly support the charity.
Tiffins, Tobacco Factory
Jay Jethwa started Tiffins in 2003, from which she sells regional Indian vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free foods from the Gujarat region at the Tobacco Factory Sunday Market. Jay also runs cooking classes where you can learn to recreate her dishes at the Tobacco Factory.
COR, North Street
If I got heart palpitations when I heard that Mark and Karen Chapman were renovating and opening their first restaurant while also expecting their first baby, I can’t imagine how they were feeling. We needn’t have worried. Under the watchful eye of Karen, COR has quickly become one of Bristol’s most beloved restaurants and the team have now opened a second site in the form of RAGU in Wapping Wharf. Read The Bristol Sauce review of RAGU.
Kask, North Street
Also on North Street is the home of natural wine in Bristol — Kask. Co-owned by Natalie Taylor, Kask specialise in organic and natural wines without any stuffiness and do some brilliant tastings. For those in north Bristol, Kask2 on Zetland Road will be closer.
Laura’s Pizzas, Bishopston and Totterdown
Laura has become a bit of an icon in the Bristol pizza takeaway world for her top-notch Neapolitan creations, often with toppings sourced from Italy. She’s been so successful, in fact, that last year she opened a second site in Totterdown so as to expand her delivery radius.
Tiger Mum, Bishopston
Few things about Chef Wizzy can be predicted, other than the fact that whatever she decides to serve up on any given day will stop you in your tracks for all the right reasons. Now operating out of what’s essentially a garage in an industrial unit on Merton Road, a trip to Tiger Mum will remind you of the inherent wonder in being a bit rough around the edges.
Adelina Yard, Welsh Back
When Olivia Barry, co-owner of Adelina Yard, appeared on Great British Menu for the second time in 2022, it was as part of the show’s first ever all-woman line-up. Not only did Liv win the South West group on the show, you too can win by making a beeline to Adelina Yard to try her cooking.
Hart’s, Temple Meads
Laura Hart is a Bristol baking legend and the woman behind one of our most-beloved bakeries, Hart’s. The Saturday bread is worthy of forming your weekend around. We’d also highly recommend going to get one of chef Issy Cox’s amazing weekday lunch creations.
The Metropolitan, Whiteladies Road
Both The Metropolitan on Whiteladies Road and The Downs Cafe, of which the location shall remain a secret, are run by Mel Hancock, who is involved in just about every aspect of the businesses. The Metropolitan is a great stop for brunch and serves a menu that defies normal boring breakfast fare — the ox cheek hash is particularly enticing.
Drizzle, Christmas Steps
Specialising in loaf cakes and named after the popular lemon drizzle, this cafe on Christmas Steps is owned and operated by Francesca Grout. Stop in for a coffee and a slice — best paired with a fresh mag from nearby Rova Editions.
Cibomatto, St Anne’s House
Serving ethically-minded Italian lunches to the people of St Anne’s from Tuesday through Saturday is Cibomatto, co-owned and co-run by Elisa Bozzarelli. Expect salads, focaccia, fresh pasta and some serious Italian desserts.
The Good Measure, Chandos Road
In the last decade, Kelly Sidgwick, co-owner of the Good Measure and the King’s Head, has put a huge amount of effort into promoting women brewing beer and the encouraging of women drinking it. Many of her ‘She Drinks Beer’ events take place at this cosy Chandos Road drinking den.
Littlefrench, Westbury Park
Littlefrench, Little Shop & Pantry and Clifton’s 1 York Place are all co-owned and co-run by Nessa Bird. Littlefrench is one of my favourite spots for an indulgent French meal — I’d highly recommend the guinea fowl.
Root, Wapping Wharf
Putting beautifully-treated vegetables centre stage is Root; one of Bristol’s best and most consistent restaurants which is co-owned and co-run by Meg Howell. Now with branches in Wells and Bath too, Meg juggles managing the operations of three restaurants while simultaneously raising three kids.
Lupe, North Street
For a craft beer on North Street, you’ll struggle to beat Lupe, which is co-owned by Emily Penney. Served alongside an Asian-inspired pub menu from Eatchu, this is a very happy place to spend a few hours indeed.
Clouds, St Werburgh’s
Before she opened Clouds, Anita Cheung built up a loyal following for her dumplings touring the Bristol markets as Ah-Ma’s Dumplings. Ah-Ma’s is still going strong, but Clouds has enabled Anita and her team to expand the menu with great results.
Marmo, Baldwin Street
For a seasonal, refined Italian plate with a beautifully sourced glass of wine, you can’t do much better than Marmo, and once you’re in there, you won’t want to be anywhere else. That’s partly the work of Lily Sterck, the co-owner who runs the front of house. Don’t leave without trying the gnocco fritto.
Ruby Hue, Finzels Reach
As close to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory as you’ll get in Bristol, minus the child abuse. Head to Ruby Hue’s, co-owned by Ru Scanlon, for unbelievable bars of chocolate and chocolate-based drinks with a view of the bean-to-bar process.
Jeans Bistro, Gloucester Road
Last but certainly not least is another of my favourite restaurants on this list. Jean’s Bistro is run by Jirarat Reis who hails from the Isaan region of Thailand known for bold flavours, sharp spice and fresh herbs — all of which are present and correct in her restaurant on Gloucester Road.
All words and photos by Meg Houghton-Gilmour
The Bristol Sauce is an AI free publication — all our work is written and edited by humans.
Nice! Broadly speaking, I think women are great! Hardly any of them start wars - Helen of Troy excepted, of course, but even then it was all the men did all the killing,I think.