Well, I'm not a vegetarian but I certainly appreciate having Scoopaway close at hand. Come here if…read moreyou're buying anything dry, stuff like pasta, dried fruit, cereals, spices. Quite a range of things really with the emphasis on things being organic and sustainable. Plus. It's all paid for by weight (as the name suggests you just scoop up however much you want) so they cut out loads of needless packaging. A good place to stock up on supplies, it's a actually fairly well priced despite being organic. And of course having museli every morning is a lot cheaper than a bacon sandwich, so a good place if you're tight on cash. Very popular, it can get overcrowded on Saturdays. They stuff quite a lot into a small space, unexpected finds include toiletries (eco-friendly ones, of course). Scoopaways a great idea and a good place for cheap staples.

This is a surprisingly large healthfood mini-supermarket on the Gloucester road. The name suggests…read moredusty wholefoods in troughs but there's really more variety than this. A perfect place for the health and ethically conscious, the shop stocks everything from frozen food to sweets and sundries. I'm a particular fan of the gluten free range, as I have a caeliac friend who I often invite to dinner parties. The staff are always really helpful in showing me what's the best product for my recipe.

"Oh great", I thought to myself when I first saw this place, "another health food shop up in 'high…read moresociety' producing delicious looking nosh at absurdly high prices". I was right about the first bit. This is a wonderful little store with a really down-to-earth and funky vibe. From the snazzy and colourful (Caribbean influenced?) frontage to the actual products on display it's clear that a lot of thought has gone into this enterprise. The focus is on organic, fresh and healthy food and drink. Towards the back of the shop the store opens up into a huge back room filled with excellent raw foods, cleaning products, teas and so much more. There's often a good little deal on the go so things really aren't too dear - and the owner's lovely too! A real gem this one.

This shop looks more like an extreme sports gear from the outside, but enter in and you'll find a…read moreworld of healthy food. Not the cheapest way to buy your groceries, but I'm constantly reminded that health and well-being is priceless... They have the usual range of health food items, from milk and bread to pulses, nuts and fruit. AND If you're pooch has had a moral awakening and decided to go green, you can get your organic pet food here too.

This health and well being shop is anazing and by far the very best in the Bristol area…read more The staff are lovely and just so knowledgable about the numerous pills & tinctures on sale there. They are never pushy and always have time to listen to your questions. They are also non bias about all the different brands they offer as they will always try and recommend what's best for you.....and your budget. Love this place!

This place turned my life around today! My entire backpack of essential nutritional supplements was…read morestolen out of our rental car while on holiday in Avebury (beware!). I have trouble digesting without specific enzymes, causing reflux and discomfort. I couldn't eat without them. With 7 days left on our vacation, I was physically and mentally miserable. I googled natural food stores and Wild Oats popped up. I drove 30 miles to get to it, and they had EVERYTHING I needed, plus sugar-free, dairy-free, coconut cream ice cream alternative. The woman at the info counter was busy on her computer but stopped briefly to help me find what I needed. I'm so grateful for Wild Oats' existence!

I'll admit that I've never been much of a health-nut. In fact, pizza and pasta have gotten me this…read morefar and I won't be abandoning them anytime soon. Nevertheless, I am occasionally tempted by this place and its utopia of healthy, ethical (I think) foods and beverages. You can get nuts from around the world, dried fruits, and a wealth of different 'natural' potions and medicines. No, the nuts and fruits are all well and good (plus some are chocolate coated to make them twice as yummy), but I can't stand these 'miracle' cures. Much of it is placebo and let me ask you this: have you ever seen a healthy-looking person working in a health food store, or are they all pasty and bone-thin? I rest my case.

What a grave little shop. It's not the most cheerful, I have to say, and it doesn't exactly scream:…read more"Our foods will make you healthy!" The dark green decor, slightly dingy lighting, and sheepish location opposite a whole load of closed down shops, all make for a less than chirpy shopping experience. That said, there's lots of excellent stuff on sale here. I went through a serious porridge phase as a student, and I came here regularly for cheap bags of jumbo oats. Also, one wall is entirely given over to bags of yummy treats such as dried bananas, yoghurt-coated raisins and peanuts. It's worth coming here for those things.

Sonni's Food and Wine is considered to be a treasure by the locals. Everybody loves it. This has…read moremore to do with the family that run it, than the products they stock, which are these days not so unusual, but were relatively unique when they first started stocking them. Nevertheless, the fairtrade, and oganic goods, that used to be so rare at corner shops are indicative of the ethos that makes them so popular. This is a shop that possesses a strong sense of community that bends and bows to the needs of the customers. Run by gentle folk that are neither loud nor intrusive, the place has an antiquated feel, owing to the quiet unrushed way it goes about its business. Being so supportive of all things community, Sonni's is the place you go if you need to find out about the area. The window is crammed with houses and flats to rent and items for sale, along with adverts for all of the different classes and workshops in the area.

This friendly neighbourhood store is far more than just a corner shop. Expertly run by various…read morefamily members, it is not unusual to see three generations behind the till. The genius of Sonni's is that it has listened to what the community wants and supplied that demand exactly. Organic produce and dairy-free items sit comfortably alongside classic basics and there is a huge range of ciders, beers, wines and spirits on offer. Even if I am just passing, the bright array of cheerful pot plants for sale outside usually lures me in. From curry sauces, organic biscuits and fair trade teas to toiletries, pet food and delicious mezze items, it is rare Sonni's does not stock what you need or at least a useful alternative. If only every neighbourhood shop could be so well run. Sonni's makes buying local an absolute pleasure. And it is always open early until late.

Harvest is Godsend for vegetarian Bristolians like me who want more from their food than lentils…read moreand rice. The small but sweet shop offers a range of ethically sourced seeds, dried fruits and spices to pack a punch into your dishes. Harvest is also a great place to pick up those hard to find ingredients like spelt flour, Cacao beans or Goji Berries. But the best thing about the shop is the fresh bread that gets delivered daily. Personally I love their Sourdough bread which is tasty and different to boring ol' white sliced!

This little ethical food shop is a great alternative to the nearby Mc Colls and Somerfield, if you…read moreprefer to eat natural, organic, fair trade type food. If you're after meat, best going to the nearby Paeckurt Butchers or another on Gloucester road, but this place is ideal for veggies. They are committed to providing excellent quality health food and believe in the importance of remaining an independent business. Also, if you're looking for somewhere to recycle old ink cartridges and mobile phone handsets, they do this too!

Now I'm not a yoghurt-weaver myself, so I rarely frequent such mystifying shops filled with buckets…read moreof tofu and lies-its-all-lies-homeopathy bottles, but I have been here a few times for seeds for my porridge (much cheaper buying them by the scoop than in the tiny overpackaged and overpriced offerings from Tescos) and for quality vanilla extract for baking (Bourbon is the scrummiest, fact fans). Whod've thunk it?

I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful shop with extremely knowledgeable owner and staff. They…read moreare great at giving excellent advice and products. Have to recommend their own arnica and devils claw gel, it's works amazingly. A friend of mine who lives in Berlin always buys a few jars to take home.

Beauty Queen Cosmetics is an expansive store for people of Afro-Caribbean descent on Stapleton…read moreRoad. It is nevertheless patronised by people of all nationalities and ethnicity, and stocks a phenomenal range of products. Shelf after shelf of beauty products and toiletries stretch from the floor to the ceiling, with everything crammed in so tightly that there's barely room for the aisles. What I like about this store is that if I can't buy something elsewhere, then I can pretty much guarantee that these guys will have it. I also love the fact that I don't recognise over 50% of the products. There are brands here that I've never heard of, and all sorts of stuff that I never even knew existed. Beauty Queen Cosmetics offers the shopper with an anthropological experience as well as the opportunity to indulge in a vanity induced bout of consumerism.

Beauty Queen Cosmetics stocks an amazing variety of hair care commodities and specialises in…read moreAfro-Caribbean hair products. Along with the shampoos and conditioners, you can find a massive selection of styling and moisturising products all at very reasonable prices. They also have a wig boutique and an enormous range of hair extensions. Scarves, scrunchies, dyes, combs and brushes complete the range of just about every conceivable hair product you can imagine. Service is very helpful and friendly.