What is in season in Bristol. and what to order when the market changes.

Spring

  • Asparagus and spring greens: West Country asparagus lands at the Tobacco Factory Sunday Market and on menus at Root and Wilsons, whose market garden drives the spring plates.
  • Elderflower: Hedgerow elderflower shows up in Bristol's cordials, bakes and taproom specials from late May, with foraged finds on tasting menus at Bulrush.
  • eat:Bedminster festival: Early May brings producer stalls to East Street, the street-festival start of Bristol's outdoor eating year.

Summer

  • Harbourside season: July's Harbour Festival and June's Craft Beer Festival bookend long evenings on the cider boats, Cargo terraces and the Lido's poolside tables.
  • Somerset strawberries and stone fruit: Cheddar Valley strawberries fill the markets; Swoon's gelato counter and the city's bakeries turn them into the season's puddings.
  • Chew Valley feasts: Valley Fest sets chef demos and live-fire long tables beside Chew Valley Lake at the turn of August, Bristol's farm-food weekend out.

Autumn

  • Apple pressing and new cider: Orchard harvests reach the city as fresh-pressed juice and early ciders; The Cider Box's arch and The Apple's decks pour the new season's casks.
  • Game and mushrooms: Mendip game and foraged mushrooms anchor autumn menus at Wilsons, Bulrush and the Sunday roast boards across the city's gastropubs.
  • Taprooms turn dark: Taprooms swing to darker, stronger brews as the orchard harvest lands; CAMRA's Bristol Beer & Cider Festival is on pause while the branch seeks a new venue.

Winter

  • Sunday roasts and pie weather: Roast bookings peak, led by the Bank Tavern's famously sold-out Sunday lunch; Pieminister pies and pub fires carry the city to spring.
  • Christmas market and mulled cider: Broadmead's chalets pour mulled Somerset cider from early November, while bakeries stack panettone, stollen and mince pies.
  • Wassail season: January wassails in the surrounding Somerset orchards bless the next apple crop, an easy pilgrimage for Bristol's cider faithful.
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