St Nicholas Market (aka St Nicks Market) has been trading since 1743. Just to give an idea of how old it is, that’s the same year that Thomas Jefferson – the third US president – was born. Its longevity is what makes it so beloved by Bristolians, however, and was even recently named one of the UK’s favourite markets.
You’ll find a maze of over 60 independent and quirky retailers inside this vibrant market – from hot sauces and secondhand books to Jamaican records, board games, and all sorts of oddities. If you plan to visit St Nick’s Market then make sure you arrive hungry as there are plenty of local, independent foods to discover too.
1. Eatchu
The purveyors of delicious dumplings in Bristol, Eatchu, offer a range of crispy fried gyozas to choose from and are perfect as a snack or small meal. Choose from pork, chicken, roasted broccoli or triple mushroom all laced with mayo (vegan option available), sauces, spices and seasonings. If dumplings aren’t quite hitting the spot (although we think these will), you can also order soba noodles, dressed rice or add a soy pickled egg. Plus, you can even have a taste of Eatchu at home with their cook-at-home dumpling packs.
2. Pieminister
It’s hard to find anything more comforting than a pie. Especially one from Pieminister. Founded in Bristol and expanding across the UK, this pie company offer perfect pies in St Nicholas’ Market which are great for when you’re looking to find refuge from the cold weather. Served with mash and peas and drenched in gravy, you’ll never want to leave the market after you’ve had one of these pies. Pieminister serves a range of pies suitable for meat-eaters, vegetarians, coeliacs and vegans.
3. Eat A Pitta
Now, that’s a wrap! Eat A Pitta offers possibly the best falafels in Bristol and they thankfully serve these delights at their stall in St Nicholas’ Market. You can enjoy their falafels either in a generous pitta wrap filled with salads, tabbouleh, cous cous, hummus and either pickled gherkins, chillies or onions. Or enjoy it in a salad box, a hummus bowl or simply dipped in a pot of hummus on the side. Eat A Pitta’s wraps are vibrant and bursting with Middle-Eastern flavours and they’re well worth a try!
4. Matina
You won’t miss Matina and it’s (almost comically) giant piles of salad on the counter. This Middle Eastern spot serves cheap, but flavoursome charcoaled meats and vegetables wrapped in freshly made Kurdish naan bread – fired in front of your very eyes! Choose between lamb, chicken and halloumi skewers.
5. Low And Slow
Located in the Glass Arcade of St Nicholas’ Market, Low and Slow offers succulent smokehouse meats in either burgers or in meal boxes loaded with toppings and fries. Low and Slow offers pulled pork, beef brisket and chicken thighs, plus vegans and vegetarians needn’t walk straight past as they serve up barbecue pulled jackfruit too. Low and Slow also offers loaded pitmaster fries, mac and cheese, slaw and pit beans.
6. Chilli Daddy
Serving authentic Szechuan street food based on third-generation recipes, Chilli Daddy claims to be the first Szechuan street food stall in the UK. Situated in the Glass Arcade, it’s also been a finalist in the 2014 BBC Food and Farming Award, and the 2016 Bristol Good Food Award. Tuck into the likes of beef, paojiao chicken or tofu noodle hotpot and wild garlic dumplings in the Glass Arcade.
7. Portuguese Taste
You needn’t have to hop on a plane to Lisbon to enjoy a delicious pastel de nata when you can enjoy one in St Nicholas’ Market in Bristol! Portuguese Taste serves these flaky, custard-filled treats as well as some traditional Portuguese savoury dishes, including stews and marinated meatballs.
8. The Olive Works
Fancy something a bit healthier? The Olive Works sells fresh salads for all – including vegetarians, meat lovers, vegans, gluten-free and others. Yes, they do love olives here, but these salads are jam-packed with all sorts from hummus, falafel, and feta to butterbeans, chicken and lamb. It also has a range of wraps on offer, perfect for lunchtime.
What else is at St Nicks Market?
Other eatery highlights include Caribbean Wrap for authentic and freshly prepared Caribbean cuisine; The Moorish Cafe for Moroccan tagines; breakfast at Mother’s Kitchen; and home-cooked Indian food from Spice Up Your Life. If you’re thirsty, head to Caffè Exchange, Royce Rolls Cafe or Big Juice Bar.
On top of these permanent businesses at St Nicks, every Tuesday and Friday a street food market set up on Corn Street and Wine Street. Changing regularly, the line-up of vendors is always full of surprises. Sometimes the simplest way to know what to eat at St Nicholas’ Market is to pop down and see what’s there!