Bristol’s best pastries

Farro has quickly established itself on the Bristol baking scene. It prides itself on its ethical approach, working with Bristol- and South West-grown grains from farmers who prioritise soil health. The proof is in the pastry, too – from its fruit galette, a delightful treat of lightly poached Yorkshire rhubarb and white chocolate custard, to its signature flakey croissants, you won’t leave disappointed. The bakery isn’t limited to its St Pauls location, either – look out for its weekly stall down at the Whiteladies Road Sunday farmers’ market.

Sotiris’ authentic Greek white-and-blue shopfront is totally Instagrammable. But more importantly, the pastries are delicious. Freshly made on-site, the Bougatsa pastry will make you feel like you’ve stepped onto the streets of Athens. If it’s a savoury pastry you fancy, try the feta and cheese pie. Or if you’re after something sweeter, we recommend the vanilla pie. Open everyday, and letting you sit in or take away, Sotiris is there whenever the pastry craving strikes, washed down with a speciality coffee.

A local institution amongst the hustle and bustle of Redfield’s Church Road, the Loaf handcrafts beautiful pastries as well as a selection of organic breads and cakes. With a seasonally changing menu, the selection includes croissants, pains au chocolat and cinnamon swirls, with vegan options available. There’s also a great morning coffee + pastry deal for the early birds amongst you. A recent fave was the smoked almond and quince frangipane tartlet. You can also find the Bristol Loaf over at the Bedminster and Bristol Beacon locations.

Pastryccino is really special. Using family recipes passed down through the generations, it prides itself on its homemade quality. Try the traditional zeppola, a choux pastry, filled with Italian pastry cream, then topped with more cream, a sour cherry and a sprinkle of sugar. Or how about the cannolo Siciliano, a cylindrical shell of fried pastry dough, filled with sweet ricotta cheese cream and garnished with chocolate and candied orange peel. If there’s something special you want, you can place an order too.

For a feel of sophistication, stop off at Coppa Club for a classy Clifton breakfast or lazy weekend brunch. The artisan pastries will start your day off to perfection. But it’s open all day long, so don’t miss out. Spread over two floors, the venue is light and airy – sink into one of the comfy sofas and enjoy that pain au chocolat.

From its 2009 origins as a small artisan bakery on North Street, Mark’s Bread has flourished into an award-winning bakery that uses only the best local ingredients. Pastries are freshly made every morning by Mark’s dedicated pastry chefs – from pan au raisins to cinnamon buns, you’ll find something scrumptious. But don’t just listen to us – go and see (and most importantly, taste) for yourselves.

Tea room, bakery, dessert shop – whatever you want to call it, Great Bunnies delivers an authentic taste of Hong Kong. All products are freshly made on site. It’s the best place in Bristol for an egg tart – if you know, you know. With a side of delicious milk tea, or one of the seasonal specials, while away a grey afternoon in this colourful spot.

We couldn’t not include Bristol Life Awards’ 2022 Cafe of the Year. Rooted in Antipodean values, Burra delivers up delicious healthy brunches and snacks. Its entire menu is sourced within 25 miles of the city centre, underpinning its sustainable values. Courtesy of Hobbs House Bakery, the counter of pastries you’ll find just inside is a welcome sight. Grab a table inside (or outside; there’s al fresco seating, too) and tuck in. Burra has recently opened a second site towards the top of Gloucester Road, so don’t miss out.