Taste of Napoli, located in the Broadmead area of Bristol, has garnered rave reviews on Trip Advisor, promising an authentic Italian experience with everything from expertly brewed coffees to classic cannolis and pizzas. I was eager to see if this café could live up to its glowing five-star reputation
Taste of Napoli certainly shines when it comes to its coffee offerings. I opted for a cappuccino (£3.60), and it did not disappoint. The Italian atmosphere, enhanced by the chatter of Italians and even a charming toddler babbling “grazie” to every customer, made sipping my coffee feel like a mini escape to Italy.
The authentic Italian interior of Taste of Napoli
My partner went for the Italian-style hot chocolate (£4), which is much thicker than what you’d typically expect. This velvety, almost custard-like drink was indulgent and rich, a real treat for chocolate lovers, though I personally didn’t enjoy it as I’m not a fan of custard.
When it came to the food, things weren’t quite as impressive. I had been looking forward to trying their focaccia, but unfortunately, it wasn’t available during my visit.
In its place, I opted for two cannolis (£2.45 each) – one chocolate and one lemon. The lemon version was the highlight of the meal, with the tangy zest of Italian lemons transporting me straight from grey Broadmead to the Amalfi Coast. It was fresh, vibrant, and a real treat.
We also ordered chocolate-filled croissants (£3). Despite visiting only an hour after the café had opened, they didn’t taste as fresh as I’d hoped. The pastry felt a bit stale, which was a bit of a letdown considering the café’s reviews.
The pastries at Taste of Napoli
We felt deflated by the breakfast food options and decided we must be missing something so in an effort to explore more of the menu, my partner and I ordered a margarita pizza (£5) and a mushroom arancini ball (£4).
Unfortunately, the pizza was also mediocre, it felt somewhat lacklustre, lacking the bold, fresh flavours I was hoping for. On the other hand, the arancini ball was a standout – crispy on the outside and creamy and flavourful on the inside. It was the kind of snack that would bring me back, especially for a quick lunch.
Taste of Napoli offers a lively, authentic Italian atmosphere, and the staff were warm and attentive. The coffee and cannolis are definitely worth the visit, but when it comes to the food, the café falls short of its five-star reputation.
Much like Naples itself, I think Taste of Napoli is a place you’ll either absolutely love or feel indifferent toward. It’s perfect for a quick coffee break or a casual snack, but if you’re after a full, standout meal, you might want to adjust your expectations.
Taste of Napoli, 32 The Horsefair, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3HZ.