Ian Waller enjoys a lunchtime visit to one his favourite family friendly venues, the excellent Aerospace Bristol
If you’re heading up the M4 for a family day out, make sure to factor in a stop at the Flightline Kitchen + Bar at Aerospace Bristol. This brilliant café is a real gem for families, combining great food, a relaxed atmosphere and plenty of space for little ones to let off steam.
From the moment you walk in, Flightline feels just right – light, airy and welcoming, but without that echoey noise that big cafés can sometimes have. There’s room for prams and pushchairs, and it’s easy to see why local NCT groups meet here regularly. There’s even a children’s play area, which hosts a fun storytime session every Monday morning. The whole place manages to be lively without feeling loud, which is no small achievement when there are toddlers involved!
The team are genuinely friendly, greeting every customer like a regular. The setting is fantastic too – housed in the historic Filton hangars where engineers once worked on Concorde, the café has a touch of Bristol heritage running through it. It’s a great spot whether you’re exploring the museum, meeting friends or just fancy a family lunch somewhere that welcomes everyone from babies to grandparents.
The Menu
Breakfast runs from 10–11.30am, with tempting options for all ages, including Colours of Concorde smoothies and a kids’ breakfast. Lunchtime brings a bigger choice – soups, grilled sandwiches, hearty mains and sides, plus a children’s menu featuring folded pizza sandwiches, mini chicken burgers, fish fingers and penne pasta. Afterwards, you’ll find an irresistible selection of cakes, sundaes and ice creams. And yes, there’s also wine, because some days call for a glass of something cold and well-earned!
On my visit, I went for the Harissa Mushrooms toasted sandwich (£11.25) – roast wild mushrooms marinated with harissa and agave, with garlic aioli, kimchi, spring onions and sesame seeds. It was absolutely delicious – the perfect balance of spice and crunch – and the fries were the kind that vanish far too quickly. The portion was generous, and though I couldn’t quite finish it, that was only because the cakes were calling my name.
As I ate and caught up on emails (the free Wi-Fi is excellent), I watched a steady stream of visitors – a school group on their way to see Concorde, a cluster of parents expertly juggling babies and coffee cups, and a few older visitors reminiscing about their flying days. Even the tea is a local touch, supplied by the Clifton Tea Company.
Flightline also hosts events and private functions, with catering available for parties, weddings and corporate gatherings held beneath the wings of a real Concorde – surely one of the most unique venues around.
And if you fancy some family fun, Quiz Night takes place on the first Thursday of every month. Entry costs £2.50 per person (up to six per team) with prizes and a rollover jackpot up for grabs – a great excuse to get a few friends together.
Whether you’re visiting Aerospace Bristol for the day, meeting up with family or simply looking for somewhere friendly to eat, Flightline Kitchen + Bar delivers excellent food, plenty of space and a genuinely warm welcome.
Find out more at www.aerospacebristol.org/cafe.
