Blog (Cosy places to escape from the cold in Bristol)
Named as one of the ‘top 10 places to visit in the world’* alongside Bali and the Seychelles, it’s no wonder Bristol has become such an illustrious destination for a UK mini-break. It may be cold and grey outside, but the harbour town has plenty of cosy places to escape to this winter.
Independent coffee shops are certainly not in short supply in Bristol, but the modern décor and warm ambience of Small St Espresso makes it our top choice for a coffee and catch up on a frosty morning. The shop serves a selection of Bristol-made bread, cakes and pastries to fill any gaps between meals, and their friendly baristas are more than happy to share their expertise to help inspire your coffee order.
The River Grille at The Bristol
With floor-to-ceiling windows and glossy wooden floors, The River Grille at The Bristol brings a touch of elegance to our cosy list. For a truly special afternoon escape from the cold, book a table for a Sunday roast, where the twinkling sounds of live piano will accompany your delicious dinner.
The Navy Volunteer
Log fires, a library of craft beers and hearty pub grub – the Navy Volunteer ticks all of the boxes for a cosy and comfy place to spend time with friends. Located just a three-minute walk from The Bristol, the pub is a craft beer-lovers heaven and the extensive wine list guarantees to please the non-beer drinkers. An indulgent menu of seasonal, local produce will delight the foodies of the group.
Arnolflini
Head harbourside and find Arnolfini: the perfect cultural pit-stop to warm up this winter. With light installations, guest speakers, music events and interactive talks scheduled throughout February and March (mostly free of charge), the contemporary arts gallery really does have something for everyone. We recommend browsing their independent bookshop, which stocks over 100 magazines, a vast range of books specialising in contemporary art and culture and beautiful postcards, gifts and posters.
https://www.arnolfini.org.uk/visit/bookshop/
Hart’s Bakery
This quirky Bristol bakery is a dream to stumble upon after a day of exploring the city. There’s coffee, sandwiches and mouth-watering pastries on the menu, plus a lovely laid-back atmosphere created by the bakeries large communal dining table. Cake-wise, it’s difficult to choose a favourite, but the flaky cinnamon buns made with fresh French butter are a real standout.
The Cosy Club
Perfectly named, this café restaurant ‘celebrates the joys of relaxed dining, drinking and lounging in a fabulous, welcoming setting.’ Sounds good? Well just wait until you’ve checked out their menu. Brunch, sharing platters, tapas dishes and delicious burgers are all on offer to fill your belly before venturing back out into the cold. Check out the website’s events section too, as there’s often something exciting happening to entertain you as you eat.
