Student life · 18 October 2026
Independent cafes, pubs and restaurants in Bristol: a student guide
A practical guide to independent cafes, pubs and places to eat in Bristol for students, drawn from verified listings. Covers Clifton near the university, Redland and Bishopston, Stokes Croft and the city centre.
Bristol has two universities and tens of thousands of students across the city. The University of Bristol is based mainly in Clifton in BS8, while UWE Bristol's main campus is at Frenchay. Bristol's independent scene is well established, with concentrations in Clifton close to the university, in Redland and Bishopston where many students rent privately, and in Stokes Croft, the Harbourside and the city centre. This guide covers the verified independent listings on Everything Student.
Independent cafes in Bristol
Everything Student lists 25 independent cafes in Bristol, all of them independent. In Clifton, closest to the University of Bristol main buildings, Bakesmiths (BS8 2LY), Budapest Cafe (BS8 2HS), East Village (BS8 4AA), Eden Cafe Clifton (BS8 4BT) and Latimer's (BS8 2RY) are all listed as independent in BS8.
In Redland and Bishopston, the residential areas popular with students in BS6 and BS7, Coffi Lab (BS7 8PG), La Ruca (BS7 8AS), Jean's Bistro (BS7 8TZ) and Lazz Lounge (BS7 8PB) are all listed as independent. Burra (BS6 6TB) is listed as independent in BS6 in Redland.
In the city centre and around the Harbourside, Arnolfini Cafe Bar (BS1 4QA) is at the Arnolfini arts centre on Narrow Quay. 808 (BS1 5BG), Coffee Under Pressure (BS1 5LA) and Full Court Press (BS1 2EJ) are all listed as independent in BS1. Bristol Rocks Cafe (BS3 2NW) is in Southville, south of the city centre.
Pubs and bars in Bristol
Everything Student lists 25 independent pubs and bars in Bristol, all of them independent. In Clifton near the university, Coach & Horses (BS8 2YB) is listed as independent in BS8. In the student residential areas of Redland and Bishopston, Cat and Wheel (BS6 5QX) is in BS6, and Bristol Flyer (BS7 8BN), Chimp House (BS7 8NZ) and Cider Press (BS7 8BN) are all listed as independent in BS7.
In the city centre, All in One (BS1 5JG) and Brozen Bar (BS1 1TP) are both listed as independent in BS1.
Restaurants and takeaways in Bristol
Everything Student lists 25 independent restaurants and takeaways in Bristol, all of them independent. In Stokes Croft and BS2, Beerd (BS2 8DB) is listed as an independent burger and craft beer restaurant. Near the Harbourside in BS1, Bertha's Pizza (BS1 6WW) is listed as independent. Angelababy kitchen (BS1 1LJ) and Authentic Hot Pot & Hand-Pulled Noodles (BS1 6JG) are both listed as independent in the city centre. Asia Garden (BS3 4RJ) is in Southville in BS3. Acappella (BS4 2AL) and Bank (BS4 2BS) are both listed as independent in BS4.
Getting around
First Bus covers the main routes through Bristol. Students at the University of Bristol in Clifton are a short walk from the BS8 listings. The student residential areas of Redland and Bishopston in BS6 and BS7 are 20 to 30 minutes on foot from the main university buildings. UWE Bristol students at Frenchay use the U1 and U2 bus routes to reach the city centre. The Bristol city hub on Everything Student lists businesses across all ten categories in one place.
Student storage in Bristol
At the end of term, UniMove collects from your Bristol address, stores your things over the summer and returns them to your next place, door to door. They operate on a scheduled weekly collection day in Bristol on Fridays, and the booking tool shows your price before you pay.
Common questions
What are the best independent cafes for students in Bristol?
Everything Student lists 25 independent cafes in Bristol, all of them independent. In Clifton near the University of Bristol, Bakesmiths (BS8 2LY), Budapest Cafe (BS8 2HS), East Village (BS8 4AA), Eden Cafe Clifton (BS8 4BT) and Latimer's (BS8 2RY) are all independent listings in BS8. In Redland and Bishopston, Coffi Lab (BS7 8PG), La Ruca (BS7 8AS) and Jean's Bistro (BS7 8TZ) are independent listings in BS7.
Where do students at the University of Bristol go for coffee?
The University of Bristol's main buildings are in Clifton in BS8. Bakesmiths (BS8 2LY), Budapest Cafe (BS8 2HS), East Village (BS8 4AA), Eden Cafe Clifton (BS8 4BT) and Latimer's (BS8 2RY) are all independent cafes listed in BS8 on Everything Student. In the residential areas of Redland and Bishopston, Coffi Lab (BS7 8PG) and La Ruca (BS7 8AS) are listed as independent in BS7.
What are the best student pubs in Bristol?
Everything Student lists 25 independent pubs and bars in Bristol, all independent. In Clifton near the university, Coach and Horses (BS8 2YB) is listed in BS8. In Redland and Bishopston, Cat and Wheel (BS6 5QX), Bristol Flyer (BS7 8BN), Chimp House (BS7 8NZ) and Cider Press (BS7 8BN) are all listed as independent. All in One (BS1 5JG) and Brozen Bar (BS1 1TP) are in the city centre.
Where should students in Bristol eat out?
Everything Student lists 25 independent restaurants and takeaways in Bristol, all independent. Beerd (BS2 8DB) is a burger and craft beer independent in Stokes Croft. Near the Harbourside, Bertha's Pizza (BS1 6WW) is in BS1. Asia Garden (BS3 4RJ) is in Southville. The Bristol eating-out page on Everything Student shows the full list with addresses and links.
Fig. 1. UniMove student storage
When can UniMove collect your things?
UniMove collects your things from your room, stores them safely over the holidays and brings them back when you return. Door to door, packed and labelled, one price paid up front.
One all-in price covers collection, storage and return. See it before you pay.