Whether traditional crêpes, epic pastries, gelato cocktails or luxury chocolates are more your jam, there’s a fine selection of indulgent sugary treats to get stuck into in Bristol. Here’s our guide to some of the best and where to find them.

Chez Marcel

Chez Marcel has brought a taste of Brittany to Broad Street in Bristol, serving up traditional French crêpes with seriously scrumptious fillings. Choose from an abundance of decadent combos for their sweet crêpes – from honey with roasted flaked almonds, to coconut ice cream, chocolate sauce and Chantilly cream.

These go down nicely with a Breton cider, glass of French wine or a good coffee. Make sure you add the equally delicious savoury galettes to your must-try list too.   

Sweet crepes from Chez Marcel - Credit Chez Marcel
Image - Chez Marcel

Swoon

By churning their ingredients a little bit longer and slower than fellow gelaterias, Swoon manages to whip up impossibly smooth and creamy artisan gelato. It’s common to see a queue outside the Park Street and Wapping Wharf parlours on sunny days, with locals eager to get a fix of their favourite from the nine signature flavours, which range from chocolate brownie to Amarena cherry cheesecake.

Seasonally changing guest flavours are often on the menu too and vegans aren’t left out, with delicious mango, chocolate or raspberry sorbetti to devour.

Gelato in cones at Swoon - credit Swoon
Image - Swoon

Papadeli

Any sweet-toothed visitor is highly likely to leave this award-winning Clifton deli with a treat or two from the cake counter. There’s always a freshly made selection of cakes and traybakes here, with New York cheesecake, chocolate brownies, flapjack and rocky road among the most popular. Others like homemade wagon wheels and teacakes often make guest appearances.

It’s always worth sneaking a peek to see what takes your fancy in between browsing the excellent selection of UK and European deli products.

A cake topped with a red sauce and raspberries - Credit Papadeli
Image - Papadeli

Spicer+Cole

You'll have a tough time trying to pick from Spicer+Cole's inviting selectoin of pastries, cakes and bakes at their cafes dotted around the city! We're usually torn between their seasonal cheesecake option, or the citrusy almond cake.

Spicer+Cole at the RWA - credit Spicer+Cole
Image - Spicer+Cole

Ashwell & Co.

Treat your sweet tooth to a vintage afternoon tea in Clifton! Everything is made on site by the talented team, from the scones and bread for sandwiches through to the miniature cakes and tarts.

Afternoon tea from Ashwell and Co - Credit Ashwell and Co
Image - Ashwell & Co.

Knoops

Find the perfect hot chocolate, mocha or milkshake combo for you at this cafe Queens Road. Choose from over 20 types of chocolate as your base, including white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate (with plenty of vegan options), before combining with your choice of herbs, spices or fruit to take it to the next level.

Brozen Bar

Bristol’s coolest cocktail bar, literally. The skilled bartenders here use liquid nitrogen to concoct snazzy alcoholic sorbets. At -196°C, the ingredients freeze so quickly there’s no time for large ice crystals to form, so you’re left with a smooth sorbet that’s part cocktail, part dessert.

You can also sample drinks featuring their own superb gelato as a base, like the Nippy Russian made with Black Cow Vodka and coffee.

Frozen cocktail - credit Brozen Bar
Image - Brozen Bar

More places serving super sweet treats in Bristol

  • Pinkmans: Park Street café and bakers of the legendary sour-dough-nut.
  • Mrs. Potts Chocolate Shop: Uber chocolatey desserts and drinks on Park Street.
  • Ahh Toots: An art-inspired cakery on Christmas Steps.
  • Zara’s Chocolates: Award-winning handmade chocolates on North Street.
  • ANNA Cake Couture: An elegant cake café in Clifton.