The Local’s Guide: Easton

Just outside Bristol city centre lies Easton. Often overlooked in favour of trendy Stokes Croft and the star attractions of central Bristol, the area has some great eateries that are worth a trip.

Bristol Sweet Mart, St Mark’s Road

Loved by Bristolians, the Bristol Sweet Mart is an independently owned, cultural supermarket on St Mark’s Road. It’s been an Easton landmark since 1978, and its family-friendly service is some of the best in the city.

Alongside staple ingredients and produce, there are over 1000 types of herbs on the shelves, fruit and vegetables from all over the world and a deli which sells freshly-made snacks, homemade curries and Indian sweets.

Three things to try:

• Enjoy one of the slow cooked curries from the deli
• Buy a fruit or vegetable you’ve never heard of
• Stock up your cupboard with Indian snacks

Discover more international shops and cafes on Stapleton Road

Image - Bristol Sweet Mart, credit Paul Box

Este Kitchen, Greenbank Road

Next to the Greenbank Pub is the wonderful Este Kitchen. Their slogan is ‘Made with love’, and this couldn’t be truer. They serve breakfast, lunch and brunch and it’s all locally-sourced. If the sun is shining, you can enjoy your food and drinks outside, but if the weather is cooler, curl up inside with a coffee and read some of the magazines tucked by the windowsill. All their bread is from the East Bristol bakery, so even the toast tastes out of this world.

Three things to try:

• Have a ‘Love Bowl’ for lunch (my favourite is the Veg Love Bowl!)
• Curl up on a rainy day with a cappuccino and a copy of Frankie from the magazine stand
• Visit at the weekend with the kids and let them explore the play area, complete with soft toys and drawing materials, while you enjoy brunch

Image - credit @estekitchen

Thali Cafe, St Mark’s Road

Thali started as a food truck at Glastonbury Festival, but has since grown to five different locations around Bristol and has won awards from the Observer and BBC Radio 4. The Easton branch is cosy and family-friendly, and seats up to fifty people at a time, serving delicious, healthy Indian food from a predominantly vegetarian menu. Thali Cafe are unconventional and truly embrace the spirit of India - from their ethical, sustainable outlook, to their ‘Thalis’ (meals served on a large plate to be shared amongst friends).

Three things to try:

• The ‘Tiffin Scheme’, which aims to help people enjoy Thali’s food at home and reduce landfill waste by filling up a reusable tiffin tin.
• Taste test the house chutneys
• Order the Rooibos Chai for a vegan alternative to the traditional Masala Chai (which is also available, along with an alcoholic version as well!)

Image - Thali Cafe, Easton, credit Paul Box

East Bristol Bakery, St Marks Road

The waft of organic, handmade bread is sure to draw you into East Bristol Bakery. They use flour from nearby Gloucester and Somerset and even Cornish salt. There’s traditional loaves as well as rye and spelt bread, and it’s all made with only the best ingredients.

East Bristol Bakery are about more than just bread, though. They sell award winning cakes, with staples such as ginger cake and salted rye cookies, vegan cakes as well as seasonal offerings: think fresh hot cross buns at Easter and authentic Italian panettone at Christmas.

Three things to try:

• Buy a loaf of the amazing bread (you won’t be able to resist the smell!)
• Try one of the toast dishes at Este Kitchen; they use bread from East Bristol Bakery
• Have a slice of the vegan Victoria sponge, topped with fresh blueberries and raspberries

The Greenbank pub, Belle Vue Road

Winner of Bristol Life Gastro Pub of the year, head over to Greenbank for classic pizzas and burgers, as well as dishes like jackfruit salad, gammon steak and risotto. There’s also a wide range of events on offer including a baby boogie, ‘Spanglish’ (a Spanish – English language exchange) and drum ‘n’ bass workouts.

Three things to try:

• The weekly life drawing class each Monday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm
• Hire the function room for a party; it holds up to a hundred people and even has a private bar
• Have one of their famous Sunday lunches with friends and family (the side of cauliflower cheese is a must)

Image - credit The Greenbank pub

Editor's tip: If you're in the neighbourhood, it's also worth visiting Zam Zam Bakery, deli-cafe No.12 Easton and friendly punjabi restaurant Pipal Tree - all just a short walk from St Mark's Road. Jeevan Sweets is also a local institution, selling a wonderful range of Indian sweets and snacks. Oh, and don't forget to pay a visit to The Plough if you want to combine some local beers & ciders with a good dance!

How to get to Easton

The area is easily accessible. By bus, the routes 24, 48, 48a, 49 and 49a take about 20 minutes to get from the centre to Easton, or you can take the local branch line train straight from Temple Meads. It reaches Stapleton Road, the train station serving the area, in just five minutes.

About the author:

Lowie Trevena works as a Business Support Apprentice for the Mayor's Office at Bristol City Council.

Read more:

• Discover more about St Paul's Easton and St Mark's Road

Pin it!