It’s barely visible from the street
The Key Cafe on Gloucester Road is run by former prisoners(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
You may walk straight past The Key Cafe on Gloucester Road if you aren’t looking for it. There’s no signage on the front of the building – only a sandwich board to say that this brand new cafe on Bristol’s bustling independent shopping street is now open.
However, walking in you will find a bright and cosy space, with an accessible ramp entry way for pushchairs and wheelchairs, artwork on walls and plants in the window sills, and a smattering of seating – but not much.
There were a couple of tables for two, and tables for four-six as we entered, with wooden chairs and tables and blue cushioned benches, as well as some taller stools closer to the counter.
The Key Cafe‘s very own Jail Jar Jam sat alongside coffee packs from Triple Co Roast, available to buy and take home.
We took a look at the menu during our visit on a quiet Wednesday morning at around 11am – the cafe had around eight other diners at this time – and we decided on some hot drinks and pastries.
The menu boasts an abundance of options for food and drink – from toast and jam or other spreads (£5.50), to granola (£4.50), and a variety of hot rolls (£5-£7). The Key Cafe also serves up lunch dishes like sausage rolls (£5.50), flatbreads (£4.95), filled rolls, hot sandwiches (£6-£7), cakes and sweet treats.
Inside The Key Cafe on Gloucester Road(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
There are a number of vegan and gluten-free treats on the menu, too.
At the counter, they had a selection of pastries and goodies on display – chocolate cookies (£2.25), pain au chocolat (£2.95), vegan raspberry croissant (£2.95), pistachio croissant (£2.95), and pain au raisin (£2.95).
My dining partner and I opted for a vegan raspberry croissant and a pain au chocolat, as well as a flat white coffee (£3.50) and a hot chocolate (£3.70).
We took our pastries and sat back at our table. Our hot drinks were brought over by our incredibly friendly server just a matter of minutes later.
The vegan raspberry croissant is made with the cafe’s famous Jail Jar Jam and this, as well as the pain au chocolat, were both a good size, fluffy and superbly laminated, with a crispy, flaky pastry outer and dusted in the perfect amount of powdered sugar.
Vegan raspberry croissant at The Key Cafe on Gloucester Road(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
These pastries are some of the nicest I have had in Bristol and are good enough to garner a regular visit.
The coffee and hot chocolate, while not outstanding, were warming and did the job perfectly well. And the staff serving us were bright, friendly and seemed to be immensely proud of this brand new opening in the area.
The Key Cafe opened on May 7 in number 246 Gloucester Road next to the HM Prison in Horfield.
Described as “more than just a coffee shop – a lifeline for those seeking a fresh start”, it has been established by The Restore Trust, an organisation whose mission is to reduce reoffending rates by providing practical skills and work experience to individuals transitioning from prison.
It’s being run by former prisoners.
The cafe partners with local and popular brands, including Single Variety Co, Canton Tea, and Triple Co Roast, promising visitors “a space where high quality food and social purpose intersect”.
Hot chocolate at The Key Cafe on Gloucester Road(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
BristolLive first reported on plans for the cafe back in October 2023 when The Key Cafe was given planning permission to open.
Since then, the scheme has also unveiled its own homemade jam in partnership with award-winning jam makers, Single Variety Co. who are not only supplying the cafe but also leading jam-making workshops with prisoners.
These workshops aim to equip participants with valuable culinary skills and confidence, helping them build a foundation for life beyond incarceration.
Pots of ‘Jail Jar Jam’ are available to buy at the cafe with proceeds going back into the project and raising funds for the jam making equipment.
Understated but delivering great quality food and drink from what we’ve tasted so far – The Key Cafe is a fabulous new addition to the area and we recommend visiting when you get the chance.