When it comes to independent coffee shops, Bristol is undoubtedly home to some of the best that the UK has to offer. As a University of Bristol student who loves a good cup of coffee (and preferably a pastry to go with it) I am a regular customer of this city’s many cafes. My flatmate and I made it our mission to try out as many cafes as possible. In no particular order, here are the results:
1. Coffee Under Pressure
Sitting at the top of Park Street, Coffee Under Pressure is one of my all-time favourite coffee shops in Bristol. The décor is perfect in every way, with the oak brown benches and hanging lamps that give the shop a particularly cosy feel. It is the perfect refuge from the busy Bristol streets, especially after a trudge up the steep hill.
For me, it is the mocha and hot chocolate range that makes Coffee Under Pressure so special. They have so many different flavours for you to try, from dark spice to rum, and salted caramel. I prefer mine hot, but they are also available iced and are a great sweet treat to prepare you for a study session in Wills Library (only a 2 minute walk away). Don’t try and study in Coffee Under Pressure though, as I have found that the Wi-Fi is not the best and free space is often limited when the cafe becomes busier around midday.
If you have the chance, I highly recommend trying one of Coffee Under Pressure’s pastries. They have pastel de natas and cookie croissants (they’re best warmed up, so always ask! The staff are really friendly and will be happy to help), or if you fancy something savoury they have you covered too, with a spinach and feta pie.
2. Mokoko Bakery
Mokoko have two cafes in central Bristol and pride themselves on their exquisite pastries, baked freshly in store every day (you can even watch them do it!). My favourite store is the one just by Temple Meads Station, tucked away at Box Makers Yard. It is especially good because you can grab a pastry and coffee right before your train, and that is guaranteed to put you in a good mood for the rest of the day!
The coffee at Mokoko is excellent, and they offer a matcha range and freshly squeezed juices too. One of their best pastries has to be the honey and walnut pain au chocolat. The sweet sticky filling is complimented by the more bitter walnuts on top, and the layers this pastry has going on are just incredible. Seriously, you need to try it.
While these treats are delicious, Mokoko is pricier than some of the other independent coffee shops that Bristol has to offer. I now save my visits for special occasions and try to resist the temptation whenever I get near Temple Meads.
3. Flour House
Serving up brunch and coffee all day long, Flour House is a must for anyone visiting Bristol. My favourite coffee is the Biscoffee (essentially a Biscoff latte) and the latte art is always impeccable. They also offer lots of cakes and salads alongside their food menu, with vegan and gluten free options too.
There are plenty of tables at Flour House, although it does get busy around lunch time, so I would recommend heading there just before the rush (about 11am should be early enough to ensure a seat).
4. Mocha Mocha
If you are a student in Bristol, I’m sure you must have heard of Mocha Mocha. This independent café sits right behind the Arts and Social Sciences Library and is in the perfect location for anyone to pick up their pre-lecture caffeine fix. The prices are also good, with student discount as an added bonus. Make sure you look out for their great food and drink deals too, like their coffee and cake for just £5. It is definitely one of the more affordable options when considering Bristol’s rather expensive coffee scene.
Mocha Mocha also opens nice and early, 7am on weekdays and 9am on Saturdays. If you get their quickly, you might even be able to get one of their fresh pastries before they all go. The Nutella croissant is one of my favourites, although they have a pistachio filled one too.
5. Pinkmans
Pinkmans was the first café I visited when I came to Bristol for an Open Day back in 2022. This bakery has a similar feel to Mokoko, with their pastries being the real star of the show. The layers that they achieve on those pain au chocs really are incredible.
Since the Pinkmans on Park Street has closed down, the store on Whiteladies Road (just outside Big Sainsbury’s) is the one to go to. It is lovely on a sunny day as the sun shines through its big glass windows and fills the room with warmth. This is only made better by the high quality coffee and brunch options they have on offer.
So there you have it, five of the best independent coffee shops in Bristol. With so many café chains out there, it is so important to support these local businesses. So, grab a friend or a book, and head down to an independent cafe. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed!