Experience: Basil & Bunny’ Brick-and-Mortar in Bristol

New vegan hub in Unity Park offers plant-based twists on fast food faves

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Among Bristol’s ever-growing Unity Park complex is a vegan eater’s dream that’s garnered quite the following with their food trailer – fondly dubbed “Fluffy” – slinging burgers and tots since 2020. Basil & Bunny, with owners Lyslie and Mat Medeiros at the helm, opened their brick-and-mortar in the summer, with other recently opened hot spots as their neighbors, including Borealis Coffee Company, Brick Pizza Co., Pivotal Brewing Company, and O’Brien & Brough Distillery. 

The gorgeous space, designed by Libby Slater, is full of natural light, live green plants, and pops of color throughout. The Australian-inspired printed wallpaper and porcelain floor tile design are eye-catching features that bring to life Lyslie’s love of natural flourishes with a welcoming island feel. 

Originally operating out of Hope & Main, Basil & Bunny’s expansion has allowed for an expanded menu of, as Lyslie put it, “the best of the trailer,” as well as new items that may be too difficult to prepare and serve in the trailer. Using locally sourced ingredients to create fresh spins on fast food staples, the Medeiros’ recipes center around the belief that eating plant-based shouldn’t mean giving up your favorite comfort food dishes, which has been the mission from the start. 

The fast-casual concept begins at the counter – don’t forget to grab a beverage while you’re ordering. Choose from kombucha and imported sodas for now, though they’re in the midst of getting a liquor license, so watch for handcrafted cocktails to come! 

I visited midweek for lunch and started with the Nacho Fries, which are hand-cut and made with locally sourced potatoes. The fries themselves are super crispy and downright addicting, and come loaded with toppings of chili, pickled onions, jalapeños, tomatoes, and avocado. The house-made cashew nacho “cheeze” is well seasoned, smooth, and tasty, tying everything together nicely. 

A visit to Basil & Bunny isn’t complete without trying a burger. The Bunny Blake is their classic offering. I honestly couldn’t tell that I wasn’t eating real meat – it was that good. The combination of the toasted brioche bun, the seasoned Impossible™ burger, the crunchy lettuce and pickles, and Bunny sauce made it a truly satisfying experience. Next was the Buff Bunny, their veganized version of a buffalo chicken sandwich. They swap in house-made chicky seitan, which is super crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with just the right amount of buffalo sauce and house ranch. The tangy cabbage slaw piled over top made for the perfect bite. 

Though already full, I couldn’t pass up their signature dessert: Bop-Tarts. Like the popular toaster pastries that come in foil sleeves (but so much better), it’s once again hard to believe that these perfectly flaky pastry pockets are vegan. Blueberry filling is nearly bursting out of these warm delights, with icing on top.

Vegans and omnivores alike are sure to agree that Basil & Bunny is a must stop for a new spin on all your comfort food favorites.  

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