We Love: Bristol Bakeries

The best thing since sliced bread is... proper bread!
And Bristol is lucky to have some very good independent bakeries. 

Here are my 4 favourite bakeries (in no particular order):

1. Herberts
   The oldest on this list and still one of the best bakeries in the city.  Situated on Wellington Avenue, just off Picton Street, Herbert's has a loyal following.  It offers a wide range of bread, my particular favourite is their stunning overnight dough loaf which always seems to have half missing by the time I get home.  Herbert’s also provide great bacon sarnies perfect for anyone with a “morning head”.
    
2. The Breadstore
   A Gloucester Road institution, it offers an eclectic range of high quality bread including some excellent rye and sourdough breads. During a recent Euro football championship they produced a bread from each country. Try the sun-dried tomato bread with some decent goats cheese and a good white wine. Simple but delicious.
    
3. Mark's Bakery
   As recommend by Jamie Oliver. An excellent artisan bakery, part of the North Street renaissance with several shops and bars opening to cater for the new clientele who call Southville "Lower Clifton"! Be prepared to queue on a Saturday.
   
   For daily specials check the Mark's Bakery website for information. My personal favourite is the beer bread - very yeasty and perfect with some decent ham, a strong cheddar, a pickled onion and a pint of Gem (from Bath Ales)!
    
4. Joe's Bakery
   Many high streets are lucky if they have one decent bakery, Gloucester Road has two!  Joe’s is what we Bristolians call "a proper job".  There is nothing pretentious about Joe’s, just good old fashioned bloomers and split tins in abundance, made on the premises all tasty and at reasonable prices.  Joe’s success lies in the fact that it is part of the Bristol community it serves.  Probably the most underrated on this list.

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As people become more aware that quality not quantity is the order of the day, we will see more and more independent successful bakeries in Bristol springing up. 

Why not tell us about your favourite and why it deserves to be added to the list.