Folklore Provisions

(Note: I write these reviews in part for my own nationwide business clients, for travel and activity inspiration. Follow me for more! I’m a financial planner - CFP®️practitioner - with a focus on retirement wealth strategies, primarily serving business women and LGBTQ individuals. #VirtualPlanningCraftedWithCare®️) I stopped here with a friend on our way to visit Blithewood estate. Not going to lie, it was the fact that they are Portuguese owned that caught my attention. But it was the carefully marked menu showing gluten free options and the freshly prepared coffee and salad that made me love this place. They had lots to choose from and many items were unique. The staff was super friendly. Appropriate for all ages. Fair prices given the quality. And they are LGBTQ friendly. Check them out. If you’re new to Bristol, this is a beautiful town with lots to see and do.

Follow-up visit to Folklore Provisions. Finally got to try the bacon quiche. Doesn't look great, but it did taste great. Really like the pie crust they use. Wish they did mini quiches in a small dish. Would be so much more presentable. Previously went with the Portuguese egg sandwich. Comes on a bolo. Layered with a crunchy hashbrown and linguica patty. It was good, but was hoping for a little more. I like cheddar cheese, but sao jorge cheese would kick it up a notch. Could use a sauce as well. Will be back for the quiche again.

Only come if you want to be blown away. Top notch coffee/tea drinks with breakfast and lunch options to die for. Really good Portuguese /American offerings with a twist as well as completely unique offerings like this Twix latte pictured here created by Sadie! Always a must stop when in town!

Beyond its daily offerings, Folklore Provisions hosts monthly Supper Club events, transforming the café into an intimate dining venue. These themed evenings feature five-course tasting menus that celebrate various culinary traditions, from Mardi Gras festivities to tributes to Chef Eli’s previous ventures. Guests are treated to a communal dining experience, complete with curated wine pairings, engaging storytelling, and thoughtful parting gifts.   The ambiance is as inviting as the menu, with fresh flowers adorning the space and personal touches that make diners feel at home. Rachel’s gracious hospitality and the attentive staff contribute to an atmosphere where patrons are not just customers but part of the Folklore family. Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring Bristol, Folklore Provisions offers a dining experience that is both comforting and adventurous. It’s a place where tradition meets innovation, and every meal is a celebration of culture and community.

They are fantastic. Friendly, accommodating to special requests and delicious highly recommend. Piri piri chicken and BLT with avocado.

Fantastic first dinner at Folklore! Surprise starter of hummus with middle eastern flare, then the amazing cauliflower, which was better than I remembered. Next was crab cakes- full of meat and light with a dill tartar sauce. Carnitas with bean and pork was next- pork was my favorite. Flaky and nice salty/sweet with a bit of crunch (onion?). Sorbet surprise of sugar cube Mellon in Prosecco with mint. Fantastic! Then shrimp and grits, with great Cajun/Portuguese heat. Open fire homemade doughnuts for dessert, maple bacon, honey brown butter or chocolate. Fantastic experience once again from Eli and Rachel and the team!

Piri Piri Chicken Sandwich was tasty and well seasoned. I don't usually go for chicken thighs but it was good. About 15 bucks for the sandwich and a side of fries or greens. Yum!

wow wow. don’t miss the supper club offered every month by rachel and eli and the whole crew. truly exceptional plates from start to finish, and a warm (properly lit) cozy atmosphere filled with community, stories, and cheer.

I am typically never in the Bristol area but have found my new favorite brunch spot and will certainly be back more often! This is a unique European cafe in the cutest part of Bristol, on a fun busy street near other local shops. Everything I tried on the menu was absolutely amazing! I got an iced pumpkin latte and it was a perfect boost to my morning with a subtle and smooth pumpkin flavor just in time for fall. The Pear Pancake special was perfect for sharing and was sweet and delicate. The service was quick and friendly. I'll be back again this weekend! The decor is bright and fresh, a wonderful spot for a sit down or grab n go.

I came for the first time this past Sunday, and I was happy to be able to try it finally! I tried the chourico and chips breakfast sandwich and an iced folklore latte. Both were delicious! The line was long and tight ordering space, but plenty of seating in the back and outside. Looking forward to trying them again!

This spot is run by a chef who won chopped in 2018 - Eli Dunn - the food was tasty and vegan friendly and service was great we went back twice!

Maybe I shouldn't comment as this will only cause more folks to attempt to attend this already extremely popular dinner. Folklore Provisions, a European-style storefront cafe in Bristol, has quickly become a local culinary sensation since its opening. Founded by Chef Eli Dunn, a former private chef and owner of Eli's Kitchen in Bristol, and a two-time Food Network Chopped champion, opened Folklore in June 2024 along with his finance (and now wife!) and business partner Rachel Lopes-Almeida. The restaurant draws inspiration from Portuguese food and culture, particularly from Lopes-Almeida's Azorean heritage. While not strictly a Portuguese restaurant, Folklore Provisions has garnered favorable reviews for its breakfast and lunch offerings. The restaurant's monthly "supper club" dinners have become highly sought-after events, with only 28 seats available only on the first Friday of each month. We somehow got seats at the fourth such dinner, a tribute to Chef Dunn's 2006 Italian trip with his sister, that showcased his culinary expertise with a four-course meal featuring locally sourced ingredients (many from Prica Farina Fresh Pasta in Warren) and recipes inspired by Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. The menu included white pizza, charcuterie, tortellini in brodo, palate cleanser of limoncello with a dash of prosecco, Bolognese on creamy polenta, and homemade gelatos (3 mini scoops and maybe the crowd favorite), all expertly prepared and portioned. The intimate dinner setting fostered a community atmosphere, with diners actively participating in plate passing and drink refills. Chef Dunn provided insightful commentary on each dish throughout the evening. At $100 per person, including drinks (red or white wine, beer, or a spritz) and gratuity, these dinners represent exceptional value, though securing a reservation has become increasingly challenging due to their popularity (Dunn "I created a monster"). While minor improvements in table service are needed (a pitcher of water and water glasses and bottles of red wine (most everyone had red wine with this dinner) at each table would free up the very busy wait staff), the overall experience is highly recommended, solidifying Folklore Provisions' reputation as a rising star in the local dining scene. Good luck in snagging a reservation. Next month's dinner sold out in minutes.

Great addition to Bristol!! I have always been a fan of any business run by Chef Eli, and this is the newest one on the list! The owners of this cafe are the sweetest people. The menu has a lot of creative Portuguese twists and influences. My fiance got a latte with Azorean milk and their house made caramel sauce (yum!!!). I tried their special garlic kale hash, which was equally incredible. Cant wait to try everything on their menu... Folklore Provisions is definitely added into our rotation of favorite weekend cafe spots!

I found this little gem and I'm glad I got to try it. My friend and I visited on Friday morning, and there were plenty of tables available. I loved the atmosphere--wooden tables adorned with flowers and a lot of neutral tones. I couldn't take pictures of the food, but everything we ordered was delicious!

Excellent new cafe in Bristol. Eli and his bride opened Folklore provisions recently in the downtown area. As you may know Eli has won top chef twice on the food network! So you can be sure you're in for a great experience. My friend and I had the Avocado toast and apple crisp pancakes. Delicious! Very casual cafe where you'll order at the counter and they'll bring it when ready. We enjoyed a perfectly made latte and chia tea while waiting. Small and quaint. Open for breakfast and lunch. It won't disappoint. Enjoy!

This is a good breakfast spot in Bristol, though it's a bit easy to miss if you're not looking for it. I had the chourico and chips, as well as the avocado toast. The chourico sandwich was really satisfying, especially after a long night of work. The home fries were alright. The avocado toast was also really tasty, though a little bit oily. I'd definitely come back again--there's plenty of seating in the back, too.

My first meal at Folklore Provisions was superb. As a longtime customer at Eli's in Warren, I figured I would also love his new restaurant, which has a Portuguese theme. My Piri Piri Chicken was great - the Piri Piri sauce on the dark meat thighs, with arugula and lemon aioli, on a Portuguese roll. Yum! My daughter loved her avocado toast and home fries. The menu had breakfast and lunch options and both looked great. The atmosphere is clean and quiet, and the service was absolutely charming. Which, if you know Eli's - you wouldn't be surprised. Folklore Provisions has the same quality and value but a new culinary focus. I will most definitely be back. Great spot for lunch or brunch.

This is an adorable spot that recently opened up in the scenic section of Bristol. They serve amazing coffee (Borealis) along with various breakfast/lunch options. The theme is mostly Portuguese with an American flair. You'll find many recognizable treats, but if you're Portuguese, you'll also find some nostalgic favorites like a galão (hot or iced) using azorean milk. Very awesome! The staff were very friendly and attentive. The sitting area is also super cute with family photos and hydrangeas. I look forward to coming back whenever I visit Bristol!

I was expecting a standard coffee shop but was surprised to find a very approachable elevated yet casual breakfast experience. I had Eli's special eggs which caught me by surprise, better than many 4 or 5 star hotel breakfasts. My toddler inhaled a cookie and would not share! Will literally be coming back tomorrow.

Love this place. The food and coffee is delicious- annnnd the pastries!! Everyone is so kind.

Nothing short of fabulous! Eli and Rachel serve fabulous food in a cosy and comfortable restaurant. The service is exceptional both at the regular brunch/lunch and the special dinners. Try the open faced tuna sandwich.

I just got home from walking my dog and made the excuse to stop by Folklore and try their made in house baked goods. My husband and I have had several fabulous breakfasts here in the past. But what is blowing my mind is the extraordinary scallions and apricot scone(I think I got that combo right) that I have nearly devoured. While that combo wouldn't have been my first choice, I must declare it is certainly the best scone I have ever encountered. The balance of sweet, salty and savory is perfection. My husband hates scones because the baking powder typically makes them dry and crumbly. Amazingly, this scone is quite moist and needs absolutely no butter. I was 1/2 way through before realizing one is supposed to have butter with a scone! No need here. My lab insisted on a piece of the blueberry muffin so I too had a quick bite as well. I know that this and the lemon poppy muffin will do their part to rock my morning as well. They are still warm after a 15 minute walk home. The pictures don't do them justice

Stopped in for lunch on a weekday after a decent amount of hype on social media. Love the location, was aware of the team involved, and the Portuguese influence was close to my heart, so I was game. My wife and I stopped at the counter and ordered and grabbed a seat (the food would be brought to our table later). Nice decor, but nothing over the top. Wait was a little long, considering we didn't have many people ahead of us. I ordered the cacoila sandwich, and was pretty excited, since it was something I haven't had in a little while and grew up eating. Basically marinated pork that is nearly falling apart with a spicy marinade on a Portuguese roll. My sandwich came with seasoned fries. When the sandwich arrived, it was pretty fatty and under seasoned. It also had a half of a roasted red pepper on top, which was a bit much, but welcomed in this case, since it was under seasoned. The fries were fine, paprika, S&P. The Portuguese wine offerings were actually quite good. Overall it was pretty middle of the road. I would be back to try another menu option, but there are plenty of other options in the Bristol area that would be higher on my list.

Cute & cozy breakfast place. The food was delicious. Their lunch menu also looks great- will definitely be back.

Took my daughter here recently for lunch while she was in town. Had always appreciated Chef Eli's cuisine when he had a restaurant in Warren and wanted to stop by and experience his new venture in Bristol. I was not disappointed. My daughter had the Avocado Toast entree and I had the Cacoila. I was a little bit apprehensive to try it as I had seen an earlier review criticizing the seasoning, but at the suggestion of our server, I took the chance. Not only was this entree delicious and flavorful, it was filling. Marinated just right and the seasoned fries that came with it was a great compliment. My daughter also enjoyed how her Avocado Toast plate was prepared. We cleaned our plates. Counterstaff was awesome. Friendly and welcoming. The only downside is the small space. Small room with a few tables. If you are coming with a large party (4+), the space may not be able to accomodate you. But if you are coming with a friend or family member, it's cozy and clean. We will definitely be back. Chef Eli's cuisine never disappoints.

After reading about FOLKLORE PROVISONS in Bristol RI it piqued our so we decided to pay them a visit. The good news? They greeted as with a warm smile - but then when we asked if they were serving French toast but the answer was no and that was disappointing news because that was main reason we came here. Ok, well about a cinnamon bun then...well, sorry we don't have them this morning. Hmmmm. I noticed the barista was making a yummy something latté so I ordered a hot one but when it was served it only like warm. We did order an omelet but to be honest it was very small for the price and home fries were not hot and the plate was rather sad looking. We also ordered a chorizo breakfast sandwich which only can be best described as a soggy concoction which was tasteless lukewarm and the home fries were cold. I'd have to say closing I'd say that a return trip would be unlikely because for almost forty dollars our meal simply wasn't worth it

absolutely delicious! The highlights were the muffins and peri peri chicken sandwiches

Solid cute place with a banger BLT and local sodas. Seasoned fries are super good. You order at the counter and they bring the food out to you. Sat at the little window bar and watched the world go by

Quaint place, a couple of outside tables with a small back room that has about 5 tables. There's a counter as you enter with pastries and this is where you order your food and you seat yourself. There is no service per se, there is a self service cart with salt, pepper, and ketchup. We ordered the BLT, tuna melt, and cacoila sandwiches. I was told the BLT was good. The tuna is an open face sandwich. I like salt so this sandwich was fine for me. But to my companions it was salty. I was even told by a table next to us that they found it salty. I am assuming this is because they use tinned tuna. I tried half of the cacoila sandwich and both of us thought it was lacking flavor. The cacoila I have had in the past has been a little spicy. This really didn't have much flavor at all and could have used some salt. All the sandwiches come with fries or a salad. Along with the sandwiches they serve salads, breakfast items and various pastries.