Monica's is a really friendly and helpful corner shop in Cotham. Seemingly family run, the…read moreshopkeepers are always extremely polite and will help you find what you want; they've even let me put posters up in the window in the past. Those with kids might like to know that there's a little toy stand at the back, selling small gadgets and action figures. They also sell a selection of homemade curries and fresh pastry items, which are reduced towards the end of the day.

Monika's is located in Cotham, Bristol. It is a small convenience store which is open until late,…read moremeaning it is great for last minute alcohol dashes or chocolate fixes! They always have deals on for alcohol, such as 3 bottles of wine for £10 which easily rivals the big chain supermarkets. There is a good selection of products, ranging from fresh bread, fruit and vegetables to packaged foods and tins. As Lisa pointed out, they also supply a variety of homemade curries which are really very good for their price. The exterior of the building is a little off putting though. There a lot of posters and various adverts everywhere which is a bit overwhelming, however don't let this put you off as the owners are really polite and lovely, and more willing to help you as you look for things.

It's amazing how many native Bristolians are completely unaware of the amazing Averys, which we…read morethink is the best wine merchant we've ever used. Perhaps Bristolians know better places, but as far as we're concerned, this is our favourite, and for many reasons. Reason #1: You can taste wines before you buy them; not just one or two, but 10 or 11, chilled, non-chilled, white, red, sometimes sparkling. Reason #2: They do great tastings throughout the year, usually a couple of hours of wine and cheese in the evenings, and based around either a grape variety of a specific region. They don't cost too much, either. Reason #3: They stock a good selection of Champagne. Reason #4: They're undergoing a refurb right now, but it won't affect the historic cellars, which are cool and well stocked with all sorts of things you wouldn't normally find at your local supermarket. Reason #5: Knowledgable staff. These guys know their beans (and their grapes). Parking is rubbish, let it be said, but if you're walking anywhere around Park Street, nip down the steps around the back, where you think nothing exists, and you'll find the wonderful Averys. Until we get slapped in the face by a member of staff having a bad day, this is where you'll find us.

Came here for a Champagne tasting for a friend's stag do. £25 each got us four different Champagnes…read more(the grand finale a Bollinger RD 1996 worth £130+ which was stunning). The whole thing lasted just over an hour, exactly how we had arranged it as we just wanted something to start the night off and we learned about each of the wines too. Try getting the same value four glasses of decent Champagne and some bread and cheese for £25 in any bar in town!

Not just a great name, but a great wine merchants too…read more The welcoming and knowledgeable staff are an ideal team for someone as useless as me when it comes to picking a bottle of the good stuff. With their friendly and un-patronising tone they'll guide you through the basics up to the best that they offer. (It's a great way to bluff yourself through dinner conversation, and learn an interesting thing or do). But it's not just wine they have on sale but spirits and ales too. So if you're looking for a bottle of something to take to a party, be sure to pop by to Corks of Cotham.

One of Bristol's few independent wine merchants, Corks of Cotham offers a little more character…read morethan the beer and wine aisle of your local supermarket. It's more of a general off licence really, with generous spaces given to spirits and beers in the shop. They do know their stuff about wine though, and will happily talk you through the basics or discuss some obscure vintage. The staff are always friendly too and don't take themselves too seriously. They do tasting sessions, which are a laugh. I can't take this sort of thing too seriously, but I'm sure there's plenty to learn. Doing so whilst having a couple of glasses of wine can't be a bad thing either. It's certainly preferable to guessing at the quality from what the label looks like, which is what I usually end up doing at the supermarket. Corks of Cotham is a niche store where you'll probably end up buying a better bottle than you otherwise would.

A unique retail experience, you enter The Clifton Cellars by going down a several stone steps into…read morea cellar that wouldn't look out of place in a Harry Potter film. You'll be greeted and asked what sort of occasion you're buying for from a sales clerk that seems to know what they're talking about. The selection is extensive and you can buy in bulk. There are wine quizzes, tastings,and talks, which I can't vouch for. But they at least suggest that the people here are serious about their wine. The prices go from cheap to ridiculous but then that's wine for you. If you're serious about your wine then the range on offer means you'll probably find something affordable Plus, the sales clerks can be very good at explaing just why this particular bottle is so special. This means that whatever you end up buying from The Clifton Cellar, you'll probably end up with something you're happy with.

Ah, the height of Clifton Village living - a wine cellar tucked beneath the street with all the…read morehidden mystique of a secret society. Wine and secrets - what more could you want? This hidden gem is actually a very good wine and alcohol shop. The stock is dynamic and always very impressive. Not such a good place top pick up some cheap plonk but then life is far too short to drink bad wine. If you are on a budget there are often a lot of good deals on; last time I was there it was twelve bottles of some nice French for £75 - not bad at all! They also house a great range in beer and cider from breweries local and further afield.

This shop is unfriendly, sparse, and even a little depressing. I only popped in for a newspaper,…read moreand the woman behind the counter couldn't even bring herself to make eye contact with me, let alone say "hello" or "thank you". Perhaps I just went in on a bad day. The store has an ugly exterior (who on earth decided that bright yellow and purple would be a good combination for a shop front?), an ugly interior (dark, all spread out), and, in Cotham, which is full of unique, lovely businesses and charity shops, it sticks out, in a bad way. It's just a convenience store, of course, so you shouldn't expect much anyway. If you're desperate, live nearby and can't be bothered to walk the extra few steps to another store, this will do. It sells all the basics, and is open late, but just operates with absolutely no flair or enjoyment. The name is somewhat ironic here: "Premier" this shop certainly is not.

Too big for a news agents, too small for a mini supermarket. Premier, sells the bare minimum of…read morewhat you might need. I would not get over excited about it, it does not have the prices of Tesco Metro (or the range), and it has too much to fell like your local newsagent. That being said it is service with a smile, the business has invariably been open when i needed something last minute, and the lady that works there is sweet.

After living with my South African flatmate for almost a year I was devastated when she broke the…read morenews that she was returning home. It felt like the end of an era, but thankfully not the end of a friendship. Months later, all my happy memories of her came flooding back when I spotted Kalahari Moon. As yellow as the sun, and just as uplifting, it's impossible to miss. The friendly shop keepers will let you peruse at your leisure, or are equally at hand if you have any questions. It feels like a corner shop; they supply everything from shampoo to sambucca - all of it imported from South Africa. The prices are fair and the atmosphere is buzzing yet relaxed. Definitely worth a visit the next time you're in St Nicholas market. Ooh - and a word of advice; watch your step! Every time I enter the shop I forget the tiny platform and always make the most dramatic of entrances. Embarrassing to say the least!

Aka Southern African Shop in St Nicholas Market. The bright yellow shop and ts bright South Africa…read moreflag can't be missed. The produce is all traditional and rather yummy, imported directly from South Africa (of course) an unusual treat from the typical French cheeses and Italian olives that fill lots of the other stalls. They stock all sorts of interesting treats like Biltong (dried raw meat), Ouma's rusks, borewors (sausage for a braai), Castle lager, Windhoek lager, Hansa Pilsner, Savannah Dry, Mainstay Cane, Five Roses tea, peppermint crisp (chocolate bar), Tempo (chocolate bar), Ghost Pops (crisps), Mrs Balls Chutney (all flavours, not just the one variety now sold in Sainsburys), Aromat spice, brown onion soup mix, cream style sweet corn, steers sauce, gem squash, etc. Consequently, as they are imported and can't be bought elsewhere in the city, the price is reflected in many of the items. The staff chat away in South African accents and are so helpful and have a real sense of humour that I find is lacking in some shopkeepers!

This is a great Budget Booze, and does some brilliant discounts on quality alcohol. A recent…read morecracker of a deal consisted of a beautiful French red wine at just £1.99 per bottle (needless to say, stocks didn't last long.) The owners are pretty friendly, and the main man certainly likes to talk. Being Polish, they also stock a few Polish snacks and soft drinks, all at good prices. So if you're looking for a booze outlet with a bit of character, this is the place to go.

This is the obvious place to go for any self-respecting party goer or chronic alcoholic. It's…read morestupidly cheap here, as you'd expect with a name like that, so buying a 24-pack or a few bottles of vino isn't going to cripple you for the rest of the weekend, plus they do a range of snacks if you're planning a movie night or something. One thing to watch out for, as with all such establishments, is the sell by dates. Some of the products are on the brink and some just plain gone off, which is why it's so cheap, obviously, so you can't say you haven't been warned.

Vincenzo's was high on my list of Italian restaurants for a long time. A friend introduced it to…read moreme, describing it as a strange, quirky place that you either really like or dislike. I walked in here, and I most definitely liked. The walls were stuck with hundreds of postcards, and there were what looked like rattan wine canisters almost completely covering the ceiling. The postcards are most fascinating things to look at while you're sitting there waiting for your food. These touches give the place such character. The menu here is so vast - they do pastas, pizzas, fish, chicken, veal, steaks and salads! Something for everyone! Their starter of Calamari Alla Giuliana; squid in a tomato, peppers & chilli sauce was something I liked, but their Calamari Fritti; deep fried squid was rather chewy and not so nice. Their pizzas are good too, they are quite big and you can size them up by ordering any of them as a Familiare, which are 12 to 14 inches! This place continued being my favourite Italian, until one day I ordered the Risotto Vegetariano and was so disappointed when I took my first bite. Weirdly, the rice they used wasn't risotto rice, but just plain rice. I ate my meal in confusion and should have asked them about it but I somehow didn't. Since that day I haven't been back there, because I can't understand why an Italian restaurant would serve me risotto, that wasn't risotto. Still good for pizzas and the rest of the grub though. Just maybe don't order the risotto.

This authentic Italian Pizza house at the top of Park Street makes a welcome change from the…read morechained restaurants that populate the rest of Bristol. Vincenzos is a great place for a romantic meal as the intimate environment and gentle local music will put you in the mood for love (as well as the wine that your waiter will keep flowing). The pizzas come with all manner of toppings so there's bound to be something to suit everyone. Just make sure you save room for desert - because one look at the menu and you'll know it's not something you want to miss.