The Bristol Loaf - Beacon
Quick info
About The Bristol Loaf - Beacon
The Bristol Loaf - Beacon is an independent cafe in Bristol, on the ground floor of Bristol Beacon. Evening opening depends on the show schedule, so the hours shift with what is on in the building. The kitchen serves brunch, dinner and a Sunday roast with beef, working from local and seasonal produce. A bacon sandwich on toasted sourdough with brown sauce is on the menu, and the Basque cheesecake sits alongside a pastry selection that includes vegan options. A grab-and-go counter holds salads and sandwiches for people in a hurry. The drinks list covers speciality coffee, natural wine, local beers and ciders, and spirits. Fresh flowers sit on the tables, and living plants trail along the ceiling. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingPaid parking garage · Paid parking lot · Usually plenty of parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Family-friendly
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, basque cheesecake, bacon sandwich and vegan pastries.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, basque cheesecake, bacon sandwich and vegan pastries.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast draws the most repeated praise, with reviewers describing tasty beef, tender meat and gorgeous side vegetables. One wanted thicker gravy and hotter plates, and another felt staff could have been more attentive. Close behind is the basque cheesecake, which one reviewer calls probably the best they have had. Reviewers also single out a generous bacon sandwich on butter-toasted sourdough with brown sauce, a beautifully presented haddock mornay, and egg and mushrooms on toast. Pastries, including vegan ones, earn praise too, and the room is described as calm, relaxed, light and airy, with fresh flowers on the tables. Noise is a recurring trade-off for one diner, who had to shout across the table at a Sunday roast. Other complaints are scattered. One reviewer found a sausage roll hard and crumbly, and another could not try the coffee because the milk steamer was broken. One diner reports that the price shown on an item differed from the till and the server refused to change it.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast draws the most repeated praise, with reviewers describing tasty beef, tender meat and gorgeous side vegetables. One wanted thicker gravy and hotter plates, and another felt staff could have been more attentive. Close behind is the basque cheesecake, which one reviewer calls probably the best they have had. Reviewers also single out a generous bacon sandwich on butter-toasted sourdough with brown sauce, a beautifully presented haddock mornay, and egg and mushrooms on toast. Pastries, including vegan ones, earn praise too, and the room is described as calm, relaxed, light and airy, with fresh flowers on the tables. Noise is a recurring trade-off for one diner, who had to shout across the table at a Sunday roast. Other complaints are scattered. One reviewer found a sausage roll hard and crumbly, and another could not try the coffee because the milk steamer was broken. One diner reports that the price shown on an item differed from the till and the server refused to change it.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“One of my favourite place in city cneter, good variety of bakeries, I love that the Bedminster one has more variety but this is also a good spot”
- Google user
“I visited today and was a little disappointed with the food. The sausage roll was quite hard and rather crumbly, which made it difficult to eat and enjoy. It also seemed to fall apart very easily. Overall, the food quality did not meet my expectations. Unfortunately, I felt the standard was below what I would normally expect from a typical fast-food restaurant. I hope this was just an isolated experience and that the quality will be better on future visits.”
- Google user
“I visited here for the basque cake, but the bacon sandwich surprised me the most! It was delicious with a generous portion. I really love the brown sauce, which balanced out the richness of the bacon without overpowering it. Also the sourdough was toasted in butter (I guess?), adding more complexity to the dish. It was bigger than I expected, so I had to take half away!”
- Google user
“Welcoming cafe with a calm, relaxed vibe. Delicious pastries, including vegan options that don't compromise on quality or taste). The cafe is well presented with fresh flowers on all tables and living plants trailing the ceiling. Reasonably priced and the team are lovely too.”
- Google user
“Dishonest pricing. Price clearly stated on the item, however I was charged differently on the till and the server refused to change the price to reflect the given price. It’s not about the money, it’s about the principles! Based on their other low star reviews, this wasn’t the first time.”
Highlights
“Independent café serving the best of local and seasonal produce executing Brunch, Dinner and Sunday Roast. For a quick grab and go our counter will be stocked up with great salads and sandwiches. Great range of speciality coffee, a well curated natural wine list, local beers/ ciders and spirits. ****Evening hours are show dependant**** Please email beacon@thebristolloaf.co.uk for enquiries. Warm regards, Team Loaf Beacon.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Popular for breakfast
Amenities
- Wi-Fi
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Paid parking garage
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
Show more amenities
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Family-friendly
- Vegan options
- Bar onsite
- Offerings· 8
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Hard liquor
- Quick bite
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Parking· 2
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Dining options· 6
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 3
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Highlights· 5
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Live music
- Live performances
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
- Family-friendly· 2
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Location
Cafes near The Bristol Loaf - Beacon
- The Cloakroom Cafe4.31500.2 miOutdoor seatingWi-Fi
converted victorian toilet building, flat white and latte, cakes selection
- Mrs. Potts Chocolate House4.51,2120.2 mi£1–10Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsDelivery
hot chocolate, matilda cake, chocolate drizzle options
- Be Natural Kitchen4.71220.2 miVegetarian optionsVegan options
poached eggs on toast, gluten free toasties, broccoli and cheese frittata
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bristol Loaf - BeaconOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Delivery | 4.5200 | — | £10–20 | sunday roast, basque cheesecake, bacon sandwich |
| The Cloakroom CafeOutdoor seating · Wi-Fi | 4.3150 | 0.2 mi | — | converted victorian toilet building, flat white and latte, cakes selection |
| Mrs. Potts Chocolate HouseOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Delivery | 4.51,212 | 0.2 mi | £1–10 | hot chocolate, matilda cake, chocolate drizzle options |
| Be Natural KitchenVegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.7122 | 0.2 mi | — | poached eggs on toast, gluten free toasties, broccoli and cheese frittata |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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