Bristol: A City Guide with Mélanie Stevenson, The Frenglish Girl

From Lorraine in Northeastern France to Bristol by way of London, Stevenson has called the UK home for nearly two decades. Through her heartfelt reflections on expat life, she’s built a loyal community who appreciate her warm, witty takes on the French-British lifestyle blend. 

In this special guide, Mélanie takes us on a personal tour of her favourite French-inspired spots in Bristol — a city where Parisian charm meets West Country cool. 

Kask Wine Bar & Wine Shop 

“In the Bedminster area, I love KASK: a much-loved wine bar among Bristolians. They take pride in offering only organic and low-intervention wines from small producers. Of course, they have great a selection of French wines and you can enjoy them alongside a cheese or charcuterie board for a truly homely experience. I like the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and their charming little outdoor garden. It has become so popular, they’ve just announced plans to open a second wine bar very soon — this time in the North of Bristol”. 

📍51 North St, Bedminster, Bristol BS3 1EN 
kaskwine.co.uk 

Try this: a glass of white Alsace wine, Mise du Printemps 2023, by Josmeyer 

Littlefrench 

“A renowned spot in Bristol for lovers of French cuisine is Littlefrench is a well-known gem for fans of classic French bistro. It even holds a review in the Michelin Guide! Located in Westbury Park, it is run by Bristol-born Chef Freddy Bird and his wife Nessa. They offer authentic cuisine, focusing on high-quality ingredients — think mussels with fries, beef tartare or ravioles, all paired with carefully selected wines”. 

The pair also runs sister ventures 1 York Place restaurant and Littleshop & Pantry with an on-site bakery. 

📍 Little French restaurant 
2B North View, Westbury Park, Bristol BS6 7QB 
littlefrench.co.uk 

Try this: roast snails with garlic butter; whole roast guinea fowl with riesling and frites to share; aligot; a crisp glass of 2022 ‘l'abeille’ picpoul de pinet from Languedoc. 

👉 They do an excellent Paris-Brest and Saint-Honoré — pastries you rarely see outside of France. You can also order 8-inch versions, perfect for special occasions like birthdays or weddings.” 

Bristol’Eclair 

“Bristol’Eclair in Clifton is the place for choux pastry lovers. It’s a great spot when you’re craving the delicate pâtisseries you know from France, as they offer Paris-Brest and St Honoré which are hard to find in the UK. Plus, you can order larger 6- or 8-inches versions, perfect for special occasions like birthdays or weddings”. 

📍 195-197 Whiteladies road, Bristol BS8 2SB 

@bristoleclair 

Try this: lemon meringue éclair, salted caramel Paris-Brest and pistachio Saint-Honoré.