Kyu Jeon and Duncan Robertson drinking coffee.

Dine like a local: Jeon and Robertson’s guide to Bristol

15 Oct 2025

Kyu Jeon and Duncan Robertson, the chef couple behind acclaimed restaurants Bokman and Dongnae, share their favourite places to eat and drink in their adopted city

Husband and wife, Duncan Robertson and Kyu Jeon, are the chef-owners of acclaimed Bristol Korean restaurants Bokman and Dongnae. Having met in Paris and lived and worked together in France and South Korea, with plenty of fine-dining experience between them, they returned to Robertson’s native England to open the more casual Bokman in Bristol in 2019. Neighbourhood restaurant Dongnae followed in 2024.

Firmly part of Bristol’s enviable and ever-expanding food scene, they highlight local deli El Comado, on Gloucester Road, as one of their favourite places for grocery shopping, where owner David Pavon has a “treasure trove” of Spanish artisanal products. “It’s impossible to leave without an armful of delicious groceries, and you’ll be planning your next visit as you head out the door,” they say.

They also recommend Interlude Coffee on St Michael’s Hill for its “excellent selection” of regularly changing coffees and “curated selection of wines to drink in or take away” selected by owner and wine buff Laurence Lawes.

Here’s where else they recommend eating and drinking in Bristol.

Farro

We’re spoilt for good bakeries in Bristol, but Farro is still our favourite. Brad [Tapp] and his team consistently deliver, whether it’s their go-to classics or new creations, as well as the excellent coffee and warm service. A must order is the panela and bourbon tart, or if they have it on, get their seasonal soft serve – we’re big soft serve fans and always have it on the menu at Bokman.

_{Photo by Ed Schofield}

Explore Farro online

Marmo

Marmo is set in the most beautiful building right in the heart of the city, and makes for a cosy, intimate setting. Cosmo and Lily [Sterck] really have something special here – they use brilliant produce which shines in dishes like the steak tartare, and their wine list is perfectly pitched.

Explore Marmo online

Beef tartare and egg yolk at Marmo in Bristol.

The Pony Chew Valley

Josh and Holly [Eggleton] have been on the Bristol scene for a long time, but we’ve loved seeing how they’ve turned their former pub into a dream country restaurant, complete with market garden where they source all the veg, and a cookery school upstairs. We’ve only had the chance to try the incredible family-style Sunday lunch after a big country walk, but will try and sneak back for a midweek dinner.

_{Photo by Ed Schofield}

Explore The Pony online

The Scrandit

It’s usually a good day when you find yourself wandering around the iconic Christmas Steps, and now The Scrandit makes it even better. They host pop-ups, supper clubs and events showcasing some amazing Bristol talent, or you can just pop in for a drink, grab the window seat and watch the city go by.

_{Photo by Elly Deakin}

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The exterior of The Scrandit pub in Bristol.

Wangs

Just down the road from Bokman, in a tiny former greengrocer's, is Wangs. It’s doing some really exciting things with Chinese cuisine. We were so excited when Sacha [Watts] and Sandy [Or] first started, and they’ve only gone from strength to strength. They've recruited dumpling aficionado Emily [Xin Xin Chan] as Head Chef, and are about to bring a Cantonese oven over from China. We love the noodles, chilli oil wontons and homemade turnip cakes with house XO – every dish is on point.

Explore Wangs online

Wilson's

We might be somewhat biased since Mary [Wilson] and Jan [Ostle] are our friends and neighbours (at home and at work – Wilson’s is just a few doors down from Dongnae), but we’re not the only ones who agree. We were so happy seeing them get their Michelin star this year, as well as their earlier Michelin green star. The food is fantastic, of course, but the warmth and passion you feel in the restaurant is the secret to their well-deserved success.

_{Photo by Alexander Baxter}