The Triangle

The Triangle

The Triangle is a busy stretch of road at the top of Park Street that has the feel of a busy town centre. Here there are many places of interest, bars, restaurants, shops, and night clubs and many locals and students head here throughout the week for entertainment. Perfectly located between the bars of Clifton and the city centre there's always something to do. Here's my guide to what to visit, and eating and drinking on the triangle.

What to See?

Bristol Museum

Closed on mondays but open 10-5 every other day of the week, the Bristol Museum is housed in a beautiful Eduardian Baroque grade II listed building and so it's worth seeing even just from the outside. Admission is free and features displays detailing the history of Bristol, ancient Egypt and the mummies, precious stones, animals dinosaurs and ancient artefacts. There's also a lovely museum café that's perfect for a cup of tea and piece of cake for tired legs. If you're lucky you'll be in Bristol at the same time as the Wildlife Photographer of the Year display with beautiful shots of nature from around the world.

Bristol Museum, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL, Telephone: 0117 922 3571

The Wills Memorial Building

Comissioned by the Wills family before World War 2, famous for making their fortune throug tobacco, the Wills Memorial Building is considered to be one of the last great Gothic buildings to have been constructed in Englnd. Originally built to mimic the design of the Oxford and Cambridge University halls, the building now acts as a university building for the University of Bristol and is the third highest structure in Bristol. The beautiful Bath Stone walls tower over the triangle and shine gold as the sun begins to set. Tours of the tower are available for a small price here however it's definitely worth taking a closer look from the outside too!

Victoria Rooms

This fabulous building, constructed in Greek revival style now houses the University of Bristol music department however it was comissioned to honour Queen Victoria and the foundation stone was laid on her 19th birthday. And honour it does, with 8 glorious colomns and a large staircase in front leading down to a grade II listed fountain complete with crouching lions and Art-Noveau style sculptures. The 'Vic Rooms' as it's known by locals once even played host to readings by famous English authors Charles Dickens and Oscar Wilde. It is now used for concerts, exhibitions, plays and lectures and although I am not sure if it is available to visitors, if you're in the area it's definitely worth a look and it's a popular attraction with tourists for photos.

Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower

Constructed to celebrate the 400th anniversary of John Cabot's voyage from Bristol to Newfoundland, Cabot Tower stands high above Bristol on the top of Brandon's hill. The hill itself is a beautiful park on a steep hill, perfect for rolling down, with ponds and tree areas that are buzzing with nature. You'll find squirrels, toads and fish and even the occasional newt here. Further down the hill there's a play area with something for all ages. Grab an ice cream and sit on a bench looking down on the harbour and Brunel's famous SS Great Britain below. Or, climb up to the top of the tower (free admission) between 8:15am and 6:15pm for a higher viewpoint. On a clear day it's possible to see the Severn Bridge and parts of Bath and at the top of the tower their are arrows pointing to the better known landmarks in Bristol.

Cabot Tower, Brandon Hill Park, Park St, Bristol, Avon BS1 5RR

Royal West of England Academy

Housed in an impressive grade II listed building, just opposite the Victoria Rooms, the Royal West of England Academy gained its royal status in 1913 and houses exciting, contemporary works that are often thought provoking or at the very least fun! Open from Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:30 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last admission 30 minutes before closing, you can visit the gallery for £6.75 (including a voluntary 70p donation.) For any of you that prefer a slightly smaller gallery that may be more accessible than the older art that is displayed in the Bristol Museum, this would be my first choice. You can easily wander and wonder through the well like rooms in an hour or two before grabbing a delicous locally sourced wrap, salad or sandwich from the café. For more information about ticket prices and to see what's showing at the moment, visit their website!

Where to Eat Brunch?

Bill's

Serving breakfast until 12 during the week and 1pm on the weekends, Bill's serves up all the classics in a charming restaurant with excellent service. On the menu you can expect to find pancakes with bacon and syrup or banana, strawberries and blueberries, granola and yoghurt and of course the classic full english breakfast. Their hearty portion sizes and range of tea's, coffées and jucies as well as fairly low portion sizes meant that I came to Bill's with my class from schoolonce a month for brunch on friday morning. They also have an excellent gluten free menu so don't be afraid to ask! Bill's also serve lunch, afternoon tea (featuring the classic English scone,) and dinner, with excellent burgers and other classics however the dim lighting means I prefer to head elsewhere for these meals.

Bill's, 67-69 Queens Road, Bristol BS8 1QL, Telephone: 0117 929 0035

Rocotillos

Popularly known around Bristol to serve the best pancakes and milshakes in town, Rocotillo's is an American diner style restaurant complete with authentic decorations and retro American music. Their pancakes come topped with a range of tasty ingredients including nutella and of course bacon and I've personally never triend it but the egg and bacon breakfast muffin is said to be to die for! However the star of the show really is the milkshakes. With a huge range of flavours from malteaser, banana, hazelnut, snickers, strawberry, oreo and many many more, their milkshakes are fresh, super tasty and the best bit? The extra milkshake that doesn't fit in your glass is given to you too so that you get all the crunchy bottom bits too. Less formal than Bill's but a true Bristol favourite, Rocotillo's is a must go!

Rocotillos, 1 Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1EZ, Telephone: 0117 929 7207

Where to eat Lunch?

Friska

For fresh, healthy and responsibly sourced food, Friska is a safe bet. With a shop upstairs selling excellent present ideas including a range of vintage clothes, CDs, vinyls and books and games the café downstairs provides a wonderful environment in which to chill out and enjoy your meal. Their menu features a range of pots filled to the brim with salads or superfoods, delicious premium sandwiches, pho, and stuffed wraps and burritos. My personal favourites are the BBQ Pulled Pork Burrito and the Hummus and Roast Butternut salad. They also serve a large range of fresh smoohies, teas and coffees with all the classics and may more, as well as snacks including home made granola. So even if you don't have time for a full lunch in this quirky establishment, grab a drink and a snack and head upstairs to browse in the shop.

Friska, 87 Park Street, Clifton, Bristol, BS1 5PJ, Telephone: 0117 930 0989

Wagamama

Well known in and around England, but less well known elsewhere, Wagamama serves hearty portions of fresh japanese food to get your taste buds tingling. Filled with spices, their dishes are served with rice, thick Udon noodles or the better known, thinner Soba noodles. In a laid back restaurant where you sit on benches alongside long tables, these plates are filling and warming and perfect for a break between sight seeing or shopping in the many shops around. My favourite is the Yaki Udon, a big plate of noodles mixed with chili, chicken, prawns, sesame seeds, egg, ginger and a range of fresh vegetables however most people opt for the chicken katsu curry.

Wagamama, 68 Queen's Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1QL, Telephone: 0117 922 1188

Taka Taka 

Featuring a variety of greek inspired wraps, and filled pittas, salads and grilled dishes, Taka Taka is a great place to grab a sandwich to take with you as you continue your sight seeing. With all the classics such as pork gyros and a range of souvlaki, their food is flavoursome and filling and will leave you wanting to come back. Open until the early hours of the morning Taka Taka is also a favourite fro students returning from a night out due to their low prices. They also serve the best Baklava in the city!

Taka Taka, 1-3 Queens Row, the Triangle Bristol, BS8 1EZ, Telephone: 0117 929 1785

If you're looking for a slightly lighter lunch then the Triangle also has cafés such as Costa and Pret a Manger where you can grab a salad or sandwich or a quick soup and coffee to keep you going. There are shops too, such as Sainsbury's and Boots which both feature lunch time meal deals with a sandwich/wrap/pasta salad, a drink and a packet of crisps of diffrent snack for a set price which are perfect for an on-the-go lunch however may not be quite as satisfying as some of the other options listed.

Where to Eat Dinner?

Wahaca

Bringing fresh mexican food to the table, Wahaca is a laid back, HUGE restaurant whose size still surprises me every time. Relatively new to the Bristol scene, Wahaca serves everything you would expect from a mexican restaurant including burritos, quesadillas and tacos stuffed with fresh guacamole and tangy lime. They have smaller plates for sharing as a snack or for more of a Tapas vibe or bigger dishes for if you're feeling a bit more hungry. The light and bright interior really reminds you of the colours of mexico and theit classic cocktails with a twist are refreshing fruity. If you're loooking for something truly mexican try one of their Cerveza + tequila combos for an extra added kick!

Wahaca, 70-78 Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU, Telephone: 0117 332 4486

Grillstock

Originally a music festival filled with delicious food, Grillstock started as an annual festival at the Bristol Harbourside marketed with the caption 'meat, music and mayhem', and so thanks to popular demand, they opened their first restaurant on the Triangle to allow people to enjoy this experience throughout the year. Like most smokehouses, but better, Grillstock serves authentic, slow-cooked barbeque dishes in large portions with burgers, stacks and salads, loaded fries, and their legendary BBQ trays piled high with sides. Grillstock is a true meat lovers dream although I would recommend this be avoided for those on a diet. If you happen to be in Bristol in late June or early July then grb a ticket to the Grillstock festival (tickets can be purchased through their website) and see where the dream began.

Grillstock, 41 Triangle West, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1ER, Telephone: 0117 929 7690 

CAU

Capturing the true spirit of Buenos Aires, and another firm contented for the best restaurant for meat lovers in Bristol, CAU serves an excellent menu of Argentinian steak alongside other authentic dishes. Although it's not cheap, they serve mouth watering steak in more cuts than I had heard of before, simply presented with a range of sauces and sides to choose between. This is the perfect restaurant for true steak lovers to dig in. And the light room with floor to ceiling windows and sophisticated but elegant decor provides the perfect setting in which to do so. If not for dinner, pop in at lunch to split a sharing platter and beers between friends or enjoy one of their beautifully decorated cocktails before dinner.

CAU, 74 Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QU 925 416, Telephone: 0117 925 4162

Khrishna's Inn

Less well known amongst Bristolians, Khrishna's inn is the perfect place to enjoy authentic Indian food from the South of India with traditional music playing in the background. Alongside the authentic food, you can expect an authentic Indian style of service, that is a slightly slower more laid back experience and so I would not come here if you're someone who expects silver service and a lot of attention. Do not be put off by this slight drawback, if you can even call it that, as the food is delicious and worth the wait every time. Coming from an Indian background I feel it is important to find a good, local, Indian restaurant and Khrishna's Inn never disappoints. For the true Indian experience try the Mango Lassi that is sweet and refreshing and a Masala Dosa.

Khrishna's Inn, 4 Byron Place, Triangle South, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 1JT, Telephone: 0117 927 6864

Where to Drink?

The Brass Pig

With a large range of top end wines and delicious cocktails, this large bar and outside terrace is a favourite amongst Bristolians. With live jazz music the restaurant becomes a bar in the early evening and then a dancefloor as the night progresses. It's great location just across the street from some of the best night clubs in Bristol have made it an important part of every Bristol night out, and a great place to stop off in their comfortable seating on the way for a drink. Their student discounts on top of the 2-4-1 cocktails every Tuesday and Thursday until 11pm mean there's a steady flow of people through the door every day of the week. I'm such a fan of the Brass Pig that I even chose it as the venue for my 21st birthday and the staff were extremely helpful and friendly throughout, even escorting my Grandmother through the dancefloor to the ladies! If you're looking for a drink with an extra punch try out Zombie or two, and dance the night away.

The Brass Pig, 1 Clifton Heights, 45 Triangle W, Bristol, BS8 1EJ

Be At One

Although Be At One is part of a large chain of cocktail bars, their stylish decor and Happy Hours every night, combined with their extensive menu and excellent knowledge make it a firm favourite for cocktail lovers in Bristol. Think dark wood and dim lighting with bar stools and more comfortable seating as well. Feel free to challenge the bar staff on their cocktail expertise as I can assure you they wont fail to impress. And not only are the cocktails delicious and refreshing, but they are also served beautifully in a variety of different glasses, each one fitted to the character of the cocktail and delicately garnished. On Monday it's 2-4-1 ALL NIGHT LONG!!! The only problem you might have here is choosing from all the choices however, if that's the case ask the bar man for a recommendation and if you're lucky he might even fix you up one of his own creations!!!

55 Queens Road, Bristol, BS8 1QQ, Telephone: 0117 929 4323

The Botanist

For a slightly more upmarket feel, head the The Botanist Bristol. Situated just off the Triangle, on Berkely Square, in an open and stylish building flooded with light the Botanist is the perfect place to relax with a stylish drink ro even grab a bite to eat. With two courses and bottomless prosecco for £29.95 of Fridays and Saturdays it's not overly expensive either. They also offer two of their spectacular cocktails for £10, from 12-7pm Monday to Friday! The wide variety of drinks on offer here features wines and bubbles, the classic gin and tonic and those with a twist, beers and ciders, of course the cocktails and even the world's first distilled non-alcoholic spirit! It's a beautiful setting in which to celebrate together, catch up or even just dine with friends!

The Botanist Bristol, 20a Berkely Square, Bristol, BS8 1HP, Telephone: 0117 927 7333

Illusions

Packed with entertainment, Illusions is the place to head to if you're looking for something a little different. Open from 8pm til late every Thursday to Saturday this magic bar is sure to amuse. Like any other bar, you can stroll in for a drink and catch up with friends, or you can opt for a part of the bar where free up-close magic tricks are available. It's free entry and designed to place magic more in the public eye. Expect slight of hand as well as other baffling tricks! If magic isn't for you however, they also have karaoke, cocktail making masterclasses, and live music events. If you're looking for an evening filled with fun, this is the place to be. I would however, make sure that you are going at a busy time, as in off-peak hours there is often only one magician performing and you might not be able to experience the atmosphere at its best.

Illusions, 2 Byron Place, Bristol, BS8 1JT, Telephone: 0117 313 7550

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