How much time do you have to bake your own bread? As waves of sourdough loaves and banana bread swept the nation during the Covid pandemic, baking filled a void for many people during lockdown.
This week is Real Bread Week - I’ll put my hands up and be the first to say this event had not been on my radar before, but the sentiments of the campaign still ring true. Not only is it a great opportunity to highlight the excellent local bakers in Bristol but also provide a crucial point of difference to the industrial, mass-produced loaves found on the supermarket shelves.
Admittedly most of us don’t have much spare time to be experimenting with sourdough starters or knocking up freshly baked rolls each week - sometimes it’s best left to the professionals. So, without further ado, here’s a slice of what’s on offer among some of the best bread bakers in Bristol.
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Mark’s Bread
After recently joining the Tobacco Factory family of sellers, Mark’s Bread has cemented itself as a key baker after eleven years of serving the South Bristol community. Their adored Southville Sourdough sits alongside a vast range of breads, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and specials.
291 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1JP
Harts Bakery
Just under Temple Meads Railway Station, you’ll find many artisan delights at Hart’s Bakery. All of their bread is sourdough made using just flour, water and salt along with a natural leaven to ensure a bake that prioritises flavour by the most authentic means possible. Their core bread range includes White Sourdough, Wholemeal & Sesame, Malted Wheat & Sunflower, Super Seedy.
Arch 35 Lower Approach Rd, Redcliffe, Bristol BS1 6QS
Parsons Bakery
As a household name in Bristol since 1926, Parsons know a thing or two about supplying affordable yet good quality bread to the community. They have since built their bread empire to go beyond the confines of the city with 50 stores in the South West region.
Multiple sites
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Bristol Loaf, Bedminster
Home to two sites in the city, Bristol Loaf in Bedminster is a superb cafe spot that champions locally sourced produce, home to a bakery, a grocer and a cheesemonger. Their organic sourdough bread selection is available by the loaf and is incorporated into their brunch menu if you fancy a bite. If you’re lucky you can get some good deals on their fresh bread selection at the end of the day when they still have stock.
96 Bedminster Parade, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 4HL
East Street Deli
This is a fairly new lunchtime spot in the heart of East Street serving up cheese toasties, paninis and sandwiches with freshly baked bread. Deli owner Tony Miller offers yesterday’s bread at half the price to minimise waste among other independent produce such as cheese from Bath and meats from Pontypool.
91 East St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 4EX
Who makes the best Bread in Bristol? Let us know in the comments section below this article
Farro
Open six days a week, Farro focus on incorporating locally grown, chopped and scalded emmer grain into their bakes to add a sweeter flavour. You can also find them at Whiteladies Road Famers’ Market every Saturday.
1 Brunswick SQ Bristol. BS2 8PE
Joe’s Bakery
The bakery on Gloucester Road has a very long history dating back to the late 19th century and has served many generations. Their team has a wealth of baking experience between them, offering a mixture of classic, artisan and craft breads meaning there’s something for everyone.
240 – 242 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NZ or 45 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AD
The Assembly Bakery
This bakery with an ethical stance is fronted by a team of talented bakers who deliver artisan breads to the community. They also have a site in Wapping Wharf serving up their seasonal bakes, including their impressive range of pastries.
27 West St, Old Market, Bristol BS2 0DF
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East Bristol Bakery
Their no-frills baking keeps traditional methods and ingredients at the core of what they do, guaranteeing a sensational loaf. This award-winning institution has also been commended for having ‘ the best cinnamon swirls in Bristol ’.
112 St Marks Rd, Easton, Bristol BS5 6JD
Brizzle Born and Bread
As a traditional bakery in the heart of Kingswood, Brizzle Born and Bread pride themselves of high quality bakes at low prices. If you’re in the area it’s a good spot to keep an eye out for deals on offer.
97 Summerhill Rd, Bristol BS5 8JT
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