If there was one thing weekends were made for, it is breakfast and brunch. This lovely meal can be as early or late as you want it, meaning you still get a lie in and the chance to indulge. If you’ve gone that little bit too hard the night before, there is nothing that a good breakfast cannot put right. 

But where is the best breakfast in Bristol? Depending on how far you want to walk you might be surprised to find a lot of them are right on the doorstep!

AT THE WELL (CHELTENHAM ROAD)

A launderette that you’d like to hang out in? Not likely. Yet that’s exactly what At the Well’s owners, the Grist sisters, have created. It’s a unique cafe-come-launderette – so, even if you don’t need to freshen up your threads, it’s still well worth a trip. Their pancake brunches (Charlie & Wriggles favourite in the city!) are spectacular, mounds of pancakes dripping in maple syrup with bacon or blueberries and a big cafetiere served with an egg timer to ensure the best cup of coffee. Also, the eggs/mushrooms on toast or boiled eggs & soldiers are excellent value. After a short time sat in here (amidst the tinkling of coffee cups and washing machine white-noise), you’ll really appreciate the creative interior of this hub of inclusivity and community.

THE BRISTOLIAN (MONTPELIER)

In Montpelier is where you will find The Bristolian Café on Picton Street. This joint appears numerously on many breakfast recommendation lists and what you can expect from this venue is imaginative and free range (including vegan and vegetarian) brekkie options all coming in for under a tenner. However, if you are planning that pub crawl, you may want to splash out on ‘The Bristolian Challenge’ – a HUGE version of their classic breakfast. All produce used here is free range.

BAKESMITHS (WHITELADIES ROAD)

Pretty Clifton has lots of lovely brunch haunts for the perfect Saturday or Sunday start. Bakesmiths on Whiteladies is set-up so that all the baking takes place in plain sight. Great coffees, artisan breads, breakfast and brunches are catered for here, and the team are passionate about using the best of what is on the doorstep in Bristol. Bakesmiths often run specialty evenings and classes at their venue, so it is worth keeping your eyes open for these.

QUAY STREET DINER (CITY CENTRE)

From the ashes of Roll With The Soul comes Quay Street Diner, a Californian inspired bar and restaurant serving beautiful brunches and delicious crave-worthy dinners in the shadow of some of Bristol’s most incredible artwork. The menu is built around their love of great produce and cooking over open fire. Seasonal, locally sourced ingredients make-up their fresh and ever-changing offer. Expect the likes of a properly made, delicious full English breakfast, or how about a gently spiced shakshouka? While you’re there, why not go for a mimosa or three? It’s brunch, after all…

CAFE KINO (STOKES CROFT)

Pioneers of Bristol’s vegan food scene, the lovely folk at Cafe Kino have been serving up delicious healthy food in Stokes Croft since 2004. After starting out as a pop-up way back in 1996, their popularity has brought them to their current base in trendy Stokes Croft. It is through these art filled streets that vegan food lovers roam to get their mitts on Kino’s fresh local grub. From falafel platters to their ‘Kino’ muesli made with toasted coconut, fig, and sultanas – there is something for everyone, whatever your appetite. Cafe Kino is the perfect creative hang-out to sit back, watch the world go by, and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Stokes Croft through their floor to ceiling windows.

WORKOUT BRISTOL CAFÉ & BAR (CITY CENTRE)

Workout Bristol’s waterfront cafe/bar is a proper hidden gem (gym) on Welsh Back. Boy have they done a good job with their recent refurb – repurposed squash court flooring with bright flecks of colour, flanked by French windows looking out over the water, and lots of outside seating for the length of the building – all containing a truly surprising selection of beers, quality of coffee and ambitious food. What’s more, they’re super friendly, and they make a fabulous cooked brekkie that’s an absolute bargain. Oh, and there’s​ two ping pong tables on a Friday night. Two. Free. Ping. Pong. Tables.

BAMBALAN (CITY CENTRE)

The guys behind The Ox, the Milk Thistle and Pata Negra have turned their hands to something a little bit summery – and boy have they nailed it. Bambalan is a dreamy rooftop bar and restaurant that overlooks the heart of Bristol. Think fresh and healthy food: their yummy homemade breakfast granola bowls, topped with yoghurt, berry compote and fresh berries are simply divine.

THE JUICE BOX (WAPPING WHARF)

The Juice Box may be small (this svelte little operation fits into one of the more petite shipping containers down at Wapping Wharf), but the team are on a mighty mission. Their goal? To help busy people (that’s me and thee, Wriggler) fit all the vitamins, minerals, and other healthy bits that our mums used to bang on about into our oh-so-hectic schedules.

The luxuriously topped smoothie bowls come particularly recommended – we’re particularly smitten with the cacao and almond butter number – ideal for a healthy lunchtime feed. It’s not all fruit and veg though; these guys also knock up a mean flat white if you need an extra bit of rocket fuel to get you going in the morning.

PIGSTY (WAPPING WHARF)

PIGSTY – the first permanent (and stylish) space – is now open in the exciting new Cargo development next to the M-Shed on Wapping Wharf, Bristol. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a focus on great tasting and local produce; it’s your chance to see how these folks aren’t telling any porkies when it comes to cracking food. The Pigsty Breakfast comes with two jolly hog proper pork sausages and two rashers of black treacle bacon with scrambled egg, potato rosti, black pudding, roasted tomato and chestnut mushrooms served with a slice of sourdough toast. Yum.

THE CRAFTY EGG (STOKES CROFT)

Across the way is The Crafty Egg. This quirky cafe overlooks the street art which adorns plenty of surfaces in Stokes Croft, and is a relaxing environment to come and grab something to eat or enjoy a locally brewed coffee – these guys use firm favourite Extract again.

As the name would suggest, the brunch options here are eggcellent (sorry), and you can indulge in a variety of free-range options from the crafty egg portion of the menu. Eggs are served in a griddle pan with tomato sauce and your choice of bread, choose from Afghan eggs with mint and cumin, kale eggs with toasted pumpkin seeds, garlic peppers and the good green stuff, or (and this sounds lush) cheesy eggs with mozzarella, basil and oregano.

BAR 44 (CLIFTON)

Ever been to Bar 44 for brunch? No thought not. Grab a +1 and Wriggle over for a sumptuous, absolutely delicious 6-dish brunch and gorgeous bottle of wine. Pick your wine from the house red, rose or white, and each indulge in the following dishes: Pan con tomate, Piquillo, caramelised onion and Arlington egg tortilla, Basque cider poached chorizo, Seasonal tomatoes, avocado, herb migas, Spanish ratatouille, crispy Cacklebean egg, truffled manchego, Wild crab and prawn fritters, spring onion & lemon salsa. What a Saturday!

BRISTOL BEER FACTORY @ ARNOLFINI

Bristol Beer Factory manages Arnolfini’s cafe and bar – a perfectly located hub overlooking Bristol harbour. Kick start your morning with a decadent breakfast that’ll bring sparks of joys to your tastebuds – it’s that good. We know you’ll want to try them all, so why not make this the reason to get out of bed that little bit earlier and indulge on your way to work? Happy Breakfast!

THE GALLIMAUFRY (GLOUCESTER RD)

The Galli offers up delicious brunch options every day, but Saturday is the one you should really look forward to. First, head to the Galli and select a brunch dish from their menu. There are two brunch dishes on the Galli daytime menu – you’ll be able to spot them as they’re priced at £8. Their menu is always changing in line with the fresh ingredients sourced by the Galli’s chefs. Our most recent favourite was the sweet Potato Rosti, Spinach, Roasted Red Pepper & Black Bean Salsa.

PORTWALL TAVERN (REDCLIFFE)

Portwall Tavern is your traditional British pub with its hearty grub, lavish range of ales, wines, craft gins and pub vibes we love so much. Dating back to 1847, Portwall Tavern is situated at the edge of where Bristol’s Old Portwall once stood, opposite the Anglican parish church of St. Mary Redcliffe. Portwall Tavern has this welcoming and laid-back atmosphere that’s so typical of British pubs – perfect to grab a pint with your mates, catch a good sports match or even just enjoy a Full English Breakfast, really.

MUD DOCK (HARBOURSIDE)

How do you like the sound of a delicious cooked breakfast on a sunny roof terrace with panoramic views across the floating harbour? Keen on the idea of tucking into a locally sourced, perfectly cooked plateful of fresh, seasonal produce as the late morning sun warms your face? Of course you bloody are! These guys offer a full english with all the trimmings and can be enjoyed in the glorous weather whilst watching the boats chug by. What a treat. .

NECK OF THE WOODS (ST WERBURGHS)

St Werburghs is one of Bristol’s vibrant, wholesome, and community-focused areas. Stuffed full of alternative lifestyles, vegan eaters, and creative types, it’s also home to a fantastic community centre. It’s here you’ll find Neck of the Woods, and a feast of ridiculously affordable, home-grown edible goodness. Load up on healthful breakfast sarnies, Eastern fusion stacks, or gorgeous, fiery salads. Other quirks include menus printed on recycled coffee cups, completely compostable takeaway containers, and suppliers situated within a 25 mile radius. Expect deliciousness galore!

ROSEMARINO (CLIFTON VILLAGE)

Rosemarino is another city favourite which scooped best brekkie at Bristol Good Food Awards for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 consecutively. Owners Mirco, Sam and Tony believe in using the best produce from the South West simply and effectively. There is a lovely section on the website in which the restaurant and café list the suppliers and local businesses who make Rosemarino what it is; the selection includes Clifton Coffee, Arch House Deli, Severn Project and Attic Tea to name but a few. The breakfast and brunch menu is split into ‘breakfast legends’, ‘classics’, ‘brunch’ and ‘light bites’, so if you are hankering for something Italian inspired then you may want to pay the team a visit.

TINCAN COFFEE (NORTH STREET)

Over on North Street is Tincan Coffee Company, where they originally started, and boy, do they know their coffee. The coffee house specialises in brewing their own coffees, alongside the guest stars that they believe to be outstanding for the season. Roasting is done by Clifton Coffee. They have also recently introduced a new brunch menu, and trust us when we say it has some banging options. Big, bad-ass breakfast sarnies including egg and sausage or a classic BLT comes on chunky sourdough bread, and are filled with fresh ingredients. If you fancy eggs and/or mushrooms on toast these also appear on the menu. These guys have decided to take avocado off the menu recently is response to the social and environmental issues and we applaud them for that.