March digest: Bristol food and drink news
A huge loss for the Bristol food scene
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We’re starting our March digest on a very sad note. Writing on Instagram last Tuesday, March 18, Wilsons restaurant announced the passing of their colleague Ben Martin.
Ben was the supremely talented head baker behind Wilsons’ Bread Shop. Many tributes have been paid to him on Instagram, attesting to his remarkable skill, but also his kindness and compassion. It is a terrible loss for Ben’s family and loved ones, his colleagues and Bristol’s food scene. I hope Ben is resting peacefully somewhere with bacon rolls as sublime as the ones he created. Our thoughts are with all who loved him.
Tare Bistro has closed its doors, again. First it was Tare, then they opened a second branch, also in Wapping Wharf, in the form of Picole. Then Picole was rebranded to Tare Bistro. Then they turned Tare into Tare Bar. Anyone else confused? But now Tare Bistro has announced its closure, effective immediately. Writing on Instagram on Monday, March 17, the team mentioned ‘difficult financial circumstances’ - despite having been recognised with a Bib Gourmand by Michelin only four weeks prior. Given their track record for reopening, I doubt this is the last we’ll see of Tare. As for the fate of Tare Bar - who knows? They’ve deleted all the posts from their Instagram page, but there’s been no official announcement that the Sauce knows of.
Michael Wiper told Insider in February that the Wiper and True team are on the hunt for a third site. Apparently opening a third, city-centre venue will be one of Wiper and True’s main focuses in 2026 and they are currently on the lookout for a suitable site. Read the full interview with Michael here.
Taste of Napoli has opened a second cafe on Park Street. The family behind the Italian cafe that has sat defiantly opposite Primark in Broadmead since 2017 opened their second branch at the beginning of March, where they are serving their pizza slices, stuffed focaccias and coffee as well as stocking a range of Italian goods to take away.
Foodstuff is back, but in a slightly different guise. The ethical delivery platform that at one point almost rivalled Deliveroo and Uber Eats in Bristol called it a day in 2024. However, Instagram followers were pleased to see the company announce they are ‘so back, baby’ on March 14. Their website and reintroduction now suggest that the site is helping people find independent restaurants in Bristol and featuring news pieces about new openings (sound familiar?) Of the ten Bristol restaurants that are currently featured, booking a table for Pizzarova takes you to Pizzarova’s site and ordering for delivery takes you to Uber Eats. Or you can book a corporate delivery through their marketplace platform. It’s giving… confused.
Pasture has announced that their new site ‘Prime by Pasture’ will open at the end of May. The new space will be just around the corner from their original Pasture site in Redcliffe and will comprise a butchers, burger restaurant, cookery school and deli.
Following legal pressure from a restaurant in London, the team behind COR have had to change the name of their second site from LUCA to RAGÙ. Reservations are now open and the restaurant will be holding a soft launch for family and friends at the beginning of April.
Tapps wine bar is a new Japanese listening bar-inspired wine bar due to open soon on Whiteladies Road that promises to combine a love of wine, music and food. No official opening date has been given yet, but updates are being posted on their Instagram.
A new ceramics cafe is coming to Stokes Croft. Terra Cafe is the sister business to Terra Studio in Montpelier and promises to be a welcoming space for all to try out pottery while enjoying a nice cup of coffee. Terra Cafe is due to open on May 13 and it looks very cute.
Bocabar in the Paintworks is being taken over by the Loungers. After 21 years running the site, the lovely Mel and Paul Eavis have decided to focus solely on their Finzel’s Reach Bocabar and make more time for life outside Bocabar. The Loungers Group will reopen the site in June as Miro Lounge.