
Zena’s Bistro Cafe
Quick info
About Zena’s Bistro Cafe
On West St in Bristol, Zena's Bistro Cafe is a coffee shop serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside its coffee menu. Cannoli imported from Italy, in flavors including lemon and salted caramel, sit alongside handmade fresh pasta dishes such as panciotti and lasagna, plus pizza with a gluten free dough option. Arancini comes filled with salami, chorizo, or bolognaise, and toppings can be added to dishes on request. The coffee counter covers Sicilian coffee, lattes, and babychino. The cafe opens Monday to Sunday except Tuesdays, and it operates on a walk-in basis rather than reservations. A step-free, wheelchair-accessible entrance welcomes visitors with mobility needs, and outdoor seating is available for those who want to eat outside. Takeaway and delivery both extend the menu beyond the cafe itself, for those eating off site. Fresh bread, believed to be made from the pizza dough, is offered for dipping in sauce.
Good to know
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Somewhat difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Does not have assistive hearing loop
- Good for kidsGood for kids
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
31 dishes · mains £7–16- Margherita£12.00
- Aroma's£14.00
- Leila's£14.50
- The Ocean£15.50
- Fusion£14.50
- Zena's£15.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention arancini, cannoli, handmade pasta and panciotti.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention arancini, cannoli, handmade pasta and panciotti.
Customer Review Summary
Arancini is the dish diners return to most, described in meat-filled, salami and chorizo with bolognaise, and pistachio versions. Close behind is the handmade pasta, with the panciotti called the best pasta one reviewer has ever had, alongside lasagna and spaghetti al ragu. Cannoli draws repeated praise too, including the lemon and salted caramel, and the coffee is called excellent, from lattes to Sicilian coffee. Reviewers also mention pizza, fresh bread dipped in the pasta sauce, and an avocado breakfast. Many describe the owner and counter staff as friendly, the food as authentic, and the prices as affordable. One family found gluten free pizza dough for a coeliac grandson. One pair sharing an arancini and a sandwich had both served already halved on plates, with sauce, a side salad and pecorino on top.
Customer Review Summary
Arancini is the dish diners return to most, described in meat-filled, salami and chorizo with bolognaise, and pistachio versions. Close behind is the handmade pasta, with the panciotti called the best pasta one reviewer has ever had, alongside lasagna and spaghetti al ragu. Cannoli draws repeated praise too, including the lemon and salted caramel, and the coffee is called excellent, from lattes to Sicilian coffee. Reviewers also mention pizza, fresh bread dipped in the pasta sauce, and an avocado breakfast. Many describe the owner and counter staff as friendly, the food as authentic, and the prices as affordable. One family found gluten free pizza dough for a coeliac grandson. One pair sharing an arancini and a sandwich had both served already halved on plates, with sauce, a side salad and pecorino on top.
Featured reviews
- adil shahruk shahruk
“Went to this cafe for the first time. The person at counter was really friendly (forgot to ask name) and he recommended the cannoli which was really tasty. The coffee was good. Good place to relax and enjoy coffee not too busy.”
- Kane Tutssel
“This was the best food I've had in Bristol as a local Friendly, authentic, balanced, well thought out menu AND IT'S AFFORDABLE?!!!!!! …”
- Sally Massey
“Popped in today for a light lunch with a friend and it was absolutely wonderful! We dined in and wanted to share an arancini and a sandwich between us and the amazing gentleman prepared the dishes already halved on plates for us which was such a kind gesture, he added some wonderful sauce, a little side salad and some pecorino on top and it was an absolutely fantastic feast! The portions are fantastic and the price is brilliant! Both the sandwich and arancini came to £14 which is fantastic for two meals that left us plenty full! We will definitely come back to try more options! Sandwich:Salami, Chorizo, Mozzarella Arancini: salami, Chorizo, Bolognaise”
- Mike
“My Wife and I live nearby and have eaten here on many occasions in the last few years. The food is delicious, handmade and with good ingredients. We love the fresh, handmade pasta dishes the most but often have pizza too, and we've always had a good experience. The owner is very friendly and we enjoy spending time there. I often pop in if I just want a coffee which is excellent and I see regulars in there enjoying the coffee too.”
- Gareth and Rachael Thomas
“For a small place this cafe_bistro is fabulous. Had the avocado breakfast and goats cheese/sun-dried tomato sandwich with some great coffee. Definitely coming back for the pizza, pasta and arancini. Sadly too full to try the cannoli but they looked amazing.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Popular for popular for breakfast
- Popular for popular for lunch
- Popular for popular for dinner
Amenities
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Free of charge street parking
- Has outdoor seating
- Has no-contact delivery
- Offers takeaway
- Serves dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Serves vegan dishes
- Serves alcohol
- Casual
- On-site services available
- Serves coffee
- Dining options· 7
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Service options· 1
- Offers delivery
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Cosy
- Trendy
- Parking· 1
- Somewhat difficult to find a space
- Offerings· 3
- Quick bite
- Serves small plates
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Highlights· 2
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Does not have assistive hearing loop
Location
Coffee shops near Zena’s Bistro Cafe
- The Crepe & Coffee Cabin4.62410.8 mi£1–15Outdoor seating
mushroom avocado cheddar crepe, feta olive crepe, banana chocolate crepe
- Ka:Fei4.82361.1 miOutdoor seatingVegan options
hot chocolate, flat white, vegan pastries
- Foliage Cafe4.65751.3 miWi-Fi / laptopOutdoor seatingVegan options
cakes and pastries, overnight oats, poached eggs on toast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zena’s Bistro Cafe | 5.0308 | — | £10–20 | arancini, cannoli, handmade pasta |
| The Crepe & Coffee CabinOutdoor seating | 4.6241 | 0.8 mi | £1–15 | mushroom avocado cheddar crepe, feta olive crepe, banana chocolate crepe |
| Ka:FeiOutdoor seating · Vegan options | 4.8236 | 1.1 mi | — | hot chocolate, flat white, vegan pastries |
| Foliage CafeWi-Fi / laptop · Outdoor seating · Vegan options | 4.6575 | 1.3 mi | — | cakes and pastries, overnight oats, poached eggs on toast |
The 3 nearest coffee shops by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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