There are, arguably, two reasons to visit Downend. One is on a summer’s afternoon to watch Downend CC play cricket with the bar in full swing and plenty of boundaries being scored as the ground is relatively small; the other is to pay a visit to Melanie’s Kitchen. This delicatessen shop is a positive cornucopia of cheeses, bakery items, biscuits, chutneys, artisan breads etc etc. The man who serves at the cheese counter (who I assume is not Melanie!) is a fountain of knowledge on local cheeses and knows all of the local cheese producers, when their cheeses are at their best and is happy to provide advice to ensure that you will leave well satisfied having enjoyed a sensory and culinary experience second to none. It’s full marks from me.
Oona Savo
Delicious handmade chocolate and a great range of local products?
Vicky mcpherson
Good service, delicious food and good range of products.
Adèle Grace-Keevil
Great to have such a well stocked deli, bakery, and chocolate shop on our doorstep. Highly recommended.
Sara Bright
This shop is like a Tardis crammed full of the most delicious things. They have a fabulous chilled counter, freshly baked bread, cakes and a chiller with fabulous vegetarian sandwiches, salads and savouries. One section has a wonderful eco friendly refiling station for all your laundry & washing needs along with shampoo & conditioner bars. I spied a freezer with delicious frozen meals and ice creams and the prettiest mugs and giftware corner. I only popped in for a jar of Littles flavoured coffee & could’ve walked out with half their shop. Wonderul
Finn Nesbitt
Warm, friendly, well informed local independent stocking a fabulous range of local, ethical & delicious produce. Great place for biodegradable refills too :) PS : great coffee.
Tara Wilson
Great cafe /deli with ethically and lovely sourced produce and homemade cakes. You can also top up your washing liquids here! Cannot wait to go back!
Cassy124
Went in for lunch, and the staff were so friendly. The food was wonderful and freshly cooked. The deli is well stocked at very reasonable prices.
Rachel M.
In principle, Melanie's Kitchen should be the jewel in the crown that is Downend high street. It sells delicious and fancy deli foods - the sort of stuff you get excited about cracking open for a treat on the weekend, or try to pass off as your own when hosting a tea party with the girls, or put in a Christmas Hamper. It provides a much needed change for an area that is saturated with supermarket chains like Sainsburys, Tescos and Co-op. When it first moved in I thought - 'Great, if this place thrives maybe more independent shops will move in, butchers, bakers, green grocers... This could be the start of something good!'. I was willing to become a regular customer of this place for the purchase of 'weekend treats', despite the high price tags, to ensure that this sort of businesses is supported and encouraged. However, this place is severely let down by the grumpy staff. Both myself and my sisters, who have also visited this place, agree that we found the experience uncomfortable and hostile. So much so that you resent handing over the money for your olives/cakes/chutney, and wish you had simply gone to the co-op. The staff really need to work on their customer service skills. There is an expected level of 'polite interaction' when you visit a place like this. The sort of human interaction and service that sets it apart from the supermarket - that drives people to become regular customers. I would expect the staff to be able to tell me a bit about the products, be a little bit excited or enthusiastic about the items, and partake in a bit of friendly chit-chat. At the very least I would expect a warm welcome, or an offer if assistance if there was anything I was looking for. Come on guys. You have the potential to be so good. Make the customers feel glad they visited. Give them some 'warm and fuzzies' - you might just make a fortune.
Chris J.
Walked up here one Saturday morning to take advantage of the Full English advertised. We turned up at 9:30 only to be told by the surely man behind the counter that breakfast would not be until later. I enquired when later would be ? I dont know just later ! Was the reply. It's a big shame as this place on the outside looks very inviting. I probably will not return as I don't see that member of staffs attitude at all appealing ! What a disappointment !
A lovely deli which has its wares all in tempting piles and baskets about the shop. In the middle of Downend high street shops, this can do you for a decent grocery shop in one go without having to step into one of the supermarkets further out. Melanie's Kitchen stocks local hen and duck eggs, fresh bread and cakes, a nice selection of teas (honey redbush, yum), meat, cheese and olives. It is sat near some other sweet shops, such as a fair trade cafe and pretty florist so Downend is very relaxed and chilled compared to the busy and practical Staple Hill shops up the road.
Melanie M.
I don't just like this place because of the name. And it doesn't belong to me, despite my name (although I wish it did). A fairly typical delicatessen style shop, but what I like about it is its bravery. Melanie (whoever she is) opened the shop up in Kingswood where it's surrounded by a. kebab shops, b. Tescos and c. KFCs. That's the sort of food the locals obviously like. Therefore, opening a gorgeous, classy little deli full of homemade cakes, unusuals fromage and organic chocolates was a definite risk. I would visit more often if I lived nearby. I truly hope other people do to, or this one could go the way of all things, and be replaced by a fast food joint quicker than you can say 'locally sourced'.
Qype User (Mrshal…)
This is the place to go to for unusual cooking ingredients. I love the range here and the staff are always helpful with ideas for recipies. There is also a small cafe area at the back serving quite nice food.
There are, arguably, two reasons to visit Downend. One is on a summer’s afternoon to watch Downend CC play cricket with the bar in full swing and plenty of boundaries being scored as the ground is relatively small; the other is to pay a visit to Melanie’s Kitchen. This delicatessen shop is a positive cornucopia of cheeses, bakery items, biscuits, chutneys, artisan breads etc etc. The man who serves at the cheese counter (who I assume is not Melanie!) is a fountain of knowledge on local cheeses and knows all of the local cheese producers, when their cheeses are at their best and is happy to provide advice to ensure that you will leave well satisfied having enjoyed a sensory and culinary experience second to none. It’s full marks from me.
Delicious handmade chocolate and a great range of local products?
Good service, delicious food and good range of products.
Great to have such a well stocked deli, bakery, and chocolate shop on our doorstep. Highly recommended.
This shop is like a Tardis crammed full of the most delicious things. They have a fabulous chilled counter, freshly baked bread, cakes and a chiller with fabulous vegetarian sandwiches, salads and savouries. One section has a wonderful eco friendly refiling station for all your laundry & washing needs along with shampoo & conditioner bars. I spied a freezer with delicious frozen meals and ice creams and the prettiest mugs and giftware corner. I only popped in for a jar of Littles flavoured coffee & could’ve walked out with half their shop. Wonderul
Warm, friendly, well informed local independent stocking a fabulous range of local, ethical & delicious produce. Great place for biodegradable refills too :) PS : great coffee.
Great cafe /deli with ethically and lovely sourced produce and homemade cakes. You can also top up your washing liquids here! Cannot wait to go back!
Went in for lunch, and the staff were so friendly. The food was wonderful and freshly cooked. The deli is well stocked at very reasonable prices.
In principle, Melanie's Kitchen should be the jewel in the crown that is Downend high street. It sells delicious and fancy deli foods - the sort of stuff you get excited about cracking open for a treat on the weekend, or try to pass off as your own when hosting a tea party with the girls, or put in a Christmas Hamper. It provides a much needed change for an area that is saturated with supermarket chains like Sainsburys, Tescos and Co-op. When it first moved in I thought - 'Great, if this place thrives maybe more independent shops will move in, butchers, bakers, green grocers... This could be the start of something good!'. I was willing to become a regular customer of this place for the purchase of 'weekend treats', despite the high price tags, to ensure that this sort of businesses is supported and encouraged. However, this place is severely let down by the grumpy staff. Both myself and my sisters, who have also visited this place, agree that we found the experience uncomfortable and hostile. So much so that you resent handing over the money for your olives/cakes/chutney, and wish you had simply gone to the co-op. The staff really need to work on their customer service skills. There is an expected level of 'polite interaction' when you visit a place like this. The sort of human interaction and service that sets it apart from the supermarket - that drives people to become regular customers. I would expect the staff to be able to tell me a bit about the products, be a little bit excited or enthusiastic about the items, and partake in a bit of friendly chit-chat. At the very least I would expect a warm welcome, or an offer if assistance if there was anything I was looking for. Come on guys. You have the potential to be so good. Make the customers feel glad they visited. Give them some 'warm and fuzzies' - you might just make a fortune.
Walked up here one Saturday morning to take advantage of the Full English advertised. We turned up at 9:30 only to be told by the surely man behind the counter that breakfast would not be until later. I enquired when later would be ? I dont know just later ! Was the reply. It's a big shame as this place on the outside looks very inviting. I probably will not return as I don't see that member of staffs attitude at all appealing ! What a disappointment !
Restaurantji Recommends
A lovely deli which has its wares all in tempting piles and baskets about the shop. In the middle of Downend high street shops, this can do you for a decent grocery shop in one go without having to step into one of the supermarkets further out. Melanie's Kitchen stocks local hen and duck eggs, fresh bread and cakes, a nice selection of teas (honey redbush, yum), meat, cheese and olives. It is sat near some other sweet shops, such as a fair trade cafe and pretty florist so Downend is very relaxed and chilled compared to the busy and practical Staple Hill shops up the road.
I don't just like this place because of the name. And it doesn't belong to me, despite my name (although I wish it did). A fairly typical delicatessen style shop, but what I like about it is its bravery. Melanie (whoever she is) opened the shop up in Kingswood where it's surrounded by a. kebab shops, b. Tescos and c. KFCs. That's the sort of food the locals obviously like. Therefore, opening a gorgeous, classy little deli full of homemade cakes, unusuals fromage and organic chocolates was a definite risk. I would visit more often if I lived nearby. I truly hope other people do to, or this one could go the way of all things, and be replaced by a fast food joint quicker than you can say 'locally sourced'.
This is the place to go to for unusual cooking ingredients. I love the range here and the staff are always helpful with ideas for recipies. There is also a small cafe area at the back serving quite nice food.