Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol


<p>A Muddy round up of the latest happenings in the area.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keralan-inspired-food-in-yeovil">Keralan-inspired food in Yeovil</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-pepper-_DSC0584.jpg" alt="The white pepper" class="wp-image-116127" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-pepper-_DSC0584.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-pepper-_DSC0584-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-pepper-_DSC0584-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-pepper-_DSC0584-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/White-pepper-_DSC0584-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Weymouth peeps have been enjoying authentic Keralan cuisine and refined South Indian dining at <a href="https://www.thewhitepepper.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The White Pepper </a>for some time. Now chef and founder Louis brings the essence of Kerala’s coastal cooking inland to <a href="https://www.thewhitepepper.co.uk/yeovil" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yeovil.</a> You won&#8217;t find burn-the-roof-off-your-mouth North Indian vindaloos and phalls here. It&#8217;s far more subtle – and flavoursome&nbsp;– with seafood dishes like sea bass pollichathu (a parcel of seabass marinated in spicy caramelized onion and tomato and cooked in a huge banana leaf), slow-braised Kerala beef masala served with a flaky Kerala parotta, kozhi porichathu (spicy, deep-fried chicken &#8216;lollipops&#8217; with an onion &amp; tomato salad) and coconut &amp; mango pannacotta. Well, that&#8217;s what we had –&nbsp;delicious! And it&#8217;s all cooked from scratch.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marvellous-matcha-in-bristol">Marvellous matcha in Bristol</h2>



<p>New York, Boston, Washington DC, London &#8230; Bristol. Soon you could be sipping your matcha at <a href="https://www.blankstreet.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blank Street</a> as the coffee bar group that that started life as coffee cart in the garden of a Brooklyn diner is opening a café in Park Street in Bristol. Watch this space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crocs-sighted-in-street">Crocs sighted in Street!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="838" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Crocs-at-Clarks-Village-preview.png" alt="crocs in street" class="wp-image-116123" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Crocs-at-Clarks-Village-preview.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Crocs-at-Clarks-Village-preview-800x447.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Crocs-at-Clarks-Village-preview-1000x559.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Crocs-at-Clarks-Village-preview-400x223.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Crocs-at-Clarks-Village-preview-768x429.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>The marmite footwear brand ambles its way into <a href="https://www.clarksvillage.co.uk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clarks Village </a>shopping outlet at the end of February. Overlooking the Central Square gardens, the new dedicated Crocs store will have exclusive outlet-only discounts of 30% off RRP on Crocs’ clogs,&nbsp;sliders and sandals&nbsp;for both adults and kids and&nbsp;have a dedicated Jibbitz™&nbsp;charm station, if that&#8217;s your thang. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-squaremeal-s-uk-top-100-in-dorset-amp-somerset">SquareMeal’s UK Top 100 in Dorset &amp; Somerset</h2>



<p>One of the UK’s leading independent restaurant guides, SquareMeal, have revealed their top 100 restaurants outside of London. At number one is <a href="https://www.wilsonsbristol.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wilson’s</a> in Bristol (who&#8217;ve also just retained their Michelin One Star and Green Star). Also on the list: <a href="https://landrace.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upstairs at Landrace</a>, Bath (no. 15); <a href="https://osiprestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osip</a>, Bruton (No. 18); <a href="https://theponychewvalley.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pony Chew Valley</a>, Chew Magna (no. 44); <a href="https://www.dongnae.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dongnae</a>, Bristol (no. 45); <a href="https://www.otherrestaurant.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">OTHER</a>, Bristol (no. 49); <a href="https://www.rootrestaurants.co.uk/bath" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Root Bath</a> (no 64); <a href="https://www.olivetreebath.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Olive Tree</a>, Bath (no 76); <a href="https://catchattheoldfishmarket.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Catch at the Old Fish Market</a>, Weymouth (no. 81); <a href="http://Briar, Bruton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Briar</a>, Bruton (no 92); and <a href="https://www.lapinbristol.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lapin Restaurant</a>, Bristol (no. 95). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-south-west-small-presses-in-line-for-national-award">South West small presses in line for national award</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="750" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/persephone-30106960_18561198511046074_8360699768560678313_n-750x1000.jpg" alt="Persephone Books Bath British Book Awards" class="wp-image-116143" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/persephone-30106960_18561198511046074_8360699768560678313_n-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/persephone-30106960_18561198511046074_8360699768560678313_n-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/persephone-30106960_18561198511046074_8360699768560678313_n-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/persephone-30106960_18561198511046074_8360699768560678313_n-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/persephone-30106960_18561198511046074_8360699768560678313_n-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/persephone-30106960_18561198511046074_8360699768560678313_n.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Persephone Books, Bath</figcaption></figure>



<p>The British Book Awards 2026 Small Press of the Year finalists have just been announced and there are three beauties in Bath! <a href="https://persephonebooks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Persephone Books</a> (neglected fiction and non-fiction, mostly by mid-20th century women writers); <a href="https://www.peirenepress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peirene</a> (books, including literary fiction, from 25 countries and 20 different languages); and <a href="https://www.reallydecentbooks.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Really Decent Books</a> (colourful baby, toddler and pre-school titles). Winners will </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-new-marks-amp-sparks-lands-in-bath">The new Marks &amp; Sparks lands in Bath</h2>



<p>Is it a bit sad to get excited over a new M&amp;S? When you see the whopping new branch in Bath&#8217;s Southgate Centre (where Debenhams was) you&#8217;ll be jumping for joy. It&#8217;s four floors, with a huge food hall, homes and clothing sections – and a top floor café to boot. See you there?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climbing-the-walls-in-taunton">Climbing the walls in Taunton</h2>



<p>If the weather has you climbing the walls, then really climb the walls at the <a href="https://ymcataunton.co.uk/facilities/the-wrencon-climbing-hall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new climbing wall</a> at the YMCA Taunton. With six auto belays for solo climbers and beginners, six roped climbs for pairs and those who want to develop their skils, the Wrencon Climbing Hall is fun for novices (from age 3 years+) and experienced climbers alike. And it&#8217;s dirt cheap, at £12 for Seniors (16 years+) and Juniors (3– 15 years) per 90-min session.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bristol-pride-announces-headliners">Bristol Pride announces headliners</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1045" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Sister-Sledge.jpg" alt="Sister Sledge Bristol Pride 2026" class="wp-image-116131" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Sister-Sledge.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Sister-Sledge-800x557.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Sister-Sledge-1000x697.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Sister-Sledge-400x279.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2026/02/Sister-Sledge-768x535.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://bristolpride.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bristol Pride 2026</a>, running from 27 June to 12 July sees Sister Sledge and Jason Donovan at the top of the bill, alongside house music legends Black Box, rising alt pop artist and 21st Century Cool Girl singer Chloe Qisha.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-japanese-comfort-food-in-bath">Japanese comfort food in Bath</h2>



<p>Say konnichiwa to the new Japanese-style restaurant that&#8217;s just opened up in Weston Village. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/darumadiner/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daruma Diner</a> offers a very small but perfectly formed menu, which they plan to change every two weeks, and includes a teishoku –Japanese-style set meal – like grilled miso salmon, fried aubergine, shiitake mushrooms, kimchi, marinated egg, miso soup, along with desserts, cakes and Jasmine tea. Open Thurs to Sun, 11am–4pm.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/michelin-star-bib-gourmand-somerset-dorset-bristol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Somerset &amp; Bristol’s Michelin winners 2026</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/top-100-gastropubs-revealed-somerset-dorset-west-country/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lovely local pubs named in the Top 50 Gastropubs 2026 – but which ones?</a></li>



<li><a href="https://dorsetsomerset.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/latest-news/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The latest foodie and other news in Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol</a></li>
</ul>


Superflashy newsflash: all the latest goings on in the locale

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