If you are looking for a fun, hip town that is filled with rich history, head over to Bristol Borough where you will find award-winning restaurants, bars, shops, and much more. Bristol is one of the Delaware River’s most historic towns, dating back to 1681 and happens to be the third-oldest town and second-chartered borough in Pennsylvania.
Historic King George II Inn
I felt welcomed at my first stop, our country’s oldest continuously operated inn and Pennsylvania’s oldest tavern, The Historic King George Inn II. Not only does this tavern have an inn upstairs, where Martha Washington was a guest back in the day, but you can also use the space below for rehearsal dinners, baby and bridal showers, or birthday parties! When I visited, I was introduced to the Peach Summer Heat and Strawberry Sunrisetini, two of their signature drinks. The tavern seats about 240 patrons in the six dining rooms and is beautifully located right next to the Delaware river, overlooking Lions Park, making it the ideal location to hang out on the spacious outdoor patio, have a beverage or a meal, and enjoy the river right at your fingertips.
Drift on Mill
Drift was recently voted The Hottest New Restaurant in Philly according to Eater Philly and I could immediately tell why! Upon entering, you are greeted with a mako shark right at the front desk, which fits well with their unique nautical atmosphere filled with vintage chandeliers, original exposed bricks, and nautical decorations from several antique and thrift shops. If you look closely to the right, you will see a picture of the fisherman who caught this mighty oceanic beast! A customer favorite is the Crabby Patty, a handheld sandwich that contains Eastern shore lump crabmeat, lemon-lime slaw, and garlic remoulade. I couldn’t believe the flavors that went on during the party in my mouth as I munched on their Ahi Tuna Wontons, a scrumptious appetizer consisting of avocado mousse, Waikiki, wasabi mayo, and teriyaki. During Shark Week, you can find different specials including the Shark in the Water, a cocktail concocted with fresh coconut juice, Blue Curacao liqueur, and yes, you guessed it, a floater of grenadine with a shark gummy to garnish.
The Forager
This local market and cheese shop is growing into a cheese heaven with many other delicious eats! Victoria, who was working the store when I visited, is a level one sommelier, who also works across the street at 304 Wine and Beer Shop. She shared a tasting of the Mastorazio cheese, one of the manager’s favorites, which is made from transcendent sheep’s milk from southern Italy, aged a minimum of six months in caves dug into the hillsides and perfumed with local herbs. Didi, The Forager’s manager, is a Certified Cheese Professional through the American Cheese Society. Her favorite meat is the salami known as Dodge City, an aromatic wonder, packed with fennel pollen for a bold floral flavor and pink and black peppercorns for some earthy balance. Customers can enjoy freshly made sandwiches from the fresh bread that is delivered to the store every Wednesday and Sunday from a local baker.
HP Smoothies
Matt Big Q (Matt Howard), the store’s owner, shared how this was originally Healthy Plate Meal Preps and Smoothie Bar, before closing two and a half years after the pandemic. About a month ago, they reopened with the new name, HP Smoothies, and the smoothies are delightful! My smoothie choice was the #1 Bristol Stomp, a refreshing and light smoothie with strawberry and banana. Besides smoothies, HP offers made-to-order breakfast, lunch, and other treats like their French Toast, Warrior Omelet, and Veggie Wrap. Everything is made fresh on the premises, including their vegan options. HP is clean, attractive, and has plenty of seating inside the shop, with outdoor seating to come.
Isn't She Lovely
Carmella, owner and a high-school friend of mine, met me at the door, offering an ice-cold water on this hot, summer morning. Her boutique has everything you can imagine from custom-made Phily sports gear to earrings that suit your desires like blown-up beach tubes with ducks. You’ll find a vast selection of clothing to choose from reasonably priced sun dresses, to wedding dresses, both casual and formal. There are some amazing antique shops in town, but this particular shop adds to the eclectic and creative feel you get when walking down Mill Street. A few hours after my visit, I went home and sent out an invitation to my friends and family for one of Carmella’s Wednesday night Shop and Sips, where guests can sip on champagne and munch on finger sandwiches and desserts, while you shop!
Bristol Antiques Market
This market has been around for six years and is managed by Lynette, who is very passionate about her business. There are over 80 vendors selling anything from antiques, baked goods, holiday decor, and Marvel collectors items, making this market a shopping and browsing adventure! I was impressed at how organized the layout of the space was, where you can find sections grouped by vendor, novelties, furniture, vintage items, and antiques. You will have a blast rummaging through the many gems located in this space right in the heart of the borough.
Itri Wood Fired Pizza
If you are looking for good food and a vibe that gives you a city feel in the suburbs, this is the place for you! All ingredients in the food served at Itri are local and fresh. There is a community and a small herb garden in the back of the restaurant which makes the picking extra fresh. A fan favorite on the menu is the Detroit-style pizza topped with fresh mozzarella, shredded mozzarella, Wisconsin cheddar, and red sauce, but you better grab it early because there is a limited quantity sold each day. Itri first opened back in 2017 with only eight tables and ten bar seats and in the middle of the pandemic, they expanded to approximately 65 seats, a beautiful bar, and outside seating. There’s a spot in the back of the restaurant where you can sit and sip on a drink while waiting to be seated or if you are too full to eat. If you’re looking for a cool way to impress your friends, you can host a private event in the back room and witness an amazing team of creative chefs and mixologists while absorbing the comfortable and cool atmosphere.
304 Wine and Beer Shop/Daddy Tom’s Speakeasy
You will feel like you are living in 1925 when you walk through the wine shop and your host opens the secret wall of shelving into the speakeasy. The only way you will feel like you are living in the present is to go onto their Instagram for the unique password to enter the speakeasy. You can register to take a cocktail class, throw an engagement party or bridal shower for your friends, and there’s plans to do wine and cheese pairing events. Not only does Daddy Tom’s whip up an amazing cocktail, but they also serve delicious bar desserts, snacks, and even tomato pie. Make sure to stop by the 304 Wine Shop for wine that you will not find in a typical liquor store!
Dad’s Hat Mill Street Tasting Room
College friends turned co-owners, Herman Mihalich and John Cooper, know how to run a successful business close to their hearts, with the awards to prove it! Their mission is to distill and deliver classic Pennsylvania Rye spirits following over 200 years of American distilling tradition. They are truly “Pennsylvania Proud” in the way they give back to the whiskey-loving community and welcome whiskey lovers and spirited newcomers to their tasting room right on Mill Street. It’s no wonder they are James Beard Semi-Finalists and named Whisky Advocate’s Craft Whiskey of the Year! They feature Dad’s Hat Craft Cocktails and a selection of Pennsylvania beers, wine, and other spirits. What is unique about the tasting room is that Dad’s Hat uses Bucks County grains from Meadowbrook Farm to produce their liquor. We were able to try some amazing cocktails, including the Weekend Warrior and the White Tai Affair, which had the perfect bite to it. If you’re not in the mood for a drink, you can order one of their delicious mocktails. Schedule a cocktail class at the Mill Street location or take a tour of their distillery, held twice a month at the Grundy Clock Tower location in Bristol.
Terra Cotta Green Market
Jordan and Andie, co-owners and twin sisters, really know how to create an environmentally friendly and sustainable market. Terra Cotta sells not only organic, clean, and healthy foods, where many of the ingredients are from a farm in Lancaster, but you can also pick up cleaning products, reusable “plastic” beeswax wrap, and reusable paper towels. All prepared foods are both dine-in and take-out. A favorite is their overnight oats, which contain chocolate, vanilla, or maple brown sugar latte oat base with chia seeds and homemade granola. Treat yourself to “Steak” and Potatoes Brekkie Tacos which is made with seasoned seitan, sautéed onions, and seasoned roasted potatoes in a vegan flour tortilla served with a house made vegan Louisiana aioli.
Whether you go with a group, your sibling, your children, or yourself, you will not be disappointed when you make the trip to Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania. It is a must-see, must-experience historical town in this beautiful county of Bucks!
