Key Points
- New vegan café called Los Dos Gringos inspired by Colombian cuisine has opened in Redfield on Church Road by Suzanna Hawkins and Tom Horton.
- Los Dos Gringos has found the home at the same premises that once accommodated The Crafty Egg branch. This was once a part of The St George’s Hall that originally belonged to Wetherspoons.
- The couple has been spending four years traveling around Colombia starting from 2013, inspiring themselves to open this café.
- Los Dos Gringos started their journey from mobile café that offered services at the local food fayres, markets, pop-up events and via an online store to become the first brick and mortar café.
- The café works seven days a week from 7 am to 7 pm providing Colombian street food menu, as well as coffees, smoothies, hot chocolates and beer.
- Suzanna Hawkins has grown up in Bristol with family background from nearby Fishponds, thus making East Bristol their first choice for home.
- Ethical Colombian coffee and chocolate, plant-based products, sustainable approach and “sabrosura” are the main goals of the business.
Bristol (Bristol Express News) October 23, 2026 – A couple whose lives were transformed by a four-year sojourn in South America have officially launched a permanent bricks-and-mortar vegan café in East Bristol, bringing a distinct taste of Colombian street culture and hospitality back to their home city.
As reported by Ellie Kendall of Bristol Live, Suzanna Hawkins and Tom Horton are the driving force behind Los Dos Gringos, a brand-new vegan, Colombian-inspired café that opened its doors earlier this month. The establishment occupies the former site of The Crafty Egg on Church Road in the Redfield area of Bristol, a building that previously served as a branch of a popular Wetherspoons pub. Following initial test launches and soft openings, the venue has formally commenced full trading, welcoming local patrons and visitors alike.
What Inspired the Creation of Los Dos Gringos Café in Bristol?
According to Ellie Kendall of Bristol Live, the concept for the café was born out of a life-changing move made by the couple back in 2013. Explaining their journey to Bristol Live, the couple stated:
“In 2013, we made the life-changing decision to move from Bristol to Colombia. For four incredible years, we explored, travelled and fell in love with the country, its people, culture, music, food and magical energy! We knew one day we wanted to bring a little bit of that ‘Sabrosura Colombiana’ back home.”
Before securing their permanent location on Church Road, the enterprise operated primarily as a mobile food business, trading at local food fayres, markets, pop-ups, and through an online store. Transitioning to a physical site represents a major milestone for the founders. Suzanna Hawkins, who grew up locally with family ties stretching to nearby Fishponds, noted that establishing roots in this specific part of East Bristol felt like a natural progression for the brand.
What Can Customers Expect from the Menu and Atmosphere at Los Dos Gringos?
As detailed by Ellie Kendall of Bristol Live, Los Dos Gringos is positioned as a relaxed, casual dining destination designed to offer patrons a momentary escape. The team outlined their operational style to Bristol Live, noting:
“We’re starting with our Colombian-inspired street food menu, served café-style alongside all your usual coffees, smoothies, hot chocolates, beers and other favourites. No bookings, no formality, just good food, great coffee, hospitality & plenty of sabrosura.”
Furthermore, the founders emphasized their core business ethos to Bristol Live, stating:
“Our mission is simple: To empower people to make choices that bring joy into their lives. From the Caribbean sunshine, ancient indigenous cultures, laughter-filled parties, lively music and warm hospitality that inspire our café, we want every visit to offer the joyous feel of a mini escape. We will be offering ethically sourced Colombian coffee and chocolate, plant-based options, and sustainable choices.”
The venue operates seven days a week, opening from 7:00 AM until 7:00 PM. While the team has launched with a focused street food and beverage selection, they have indicated plans to introduce further additions over the coming weeks and months while maintaining a steady and deliberate approach to growth.
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How Does the New Café Fit into the Redfield Local Hospitality Scene?
The arrival of Los Dos Gringos fills a notable commercial space on Church Road. As documented by Bristol Live, the building previously housed a branch of The Crafty Egg, which announced its closure in October 2025 after operating on the street for approximately one year. The site itself originally formed part of a larger former Wetherspoons venue known as The St George’s Hall, which had remained vacant following its closure in 2021 before being redeveloped. While The Crafty Egg continues to operate its other established branches in Stokes Croft and Fishponds, the Church Road premises has now entered a fresh chapter under independent vegan management.
The launch reflects a broader trend of independent hospitality ventures adapting commercial spaces in East Bristol, offering specialized, plant-based alternatives tailored to changing neighborhood demographics and consumer preferences.
Background of the Particular Development
The opening of Los Dos Gringos on Church Road highlights the ongoing evolution of Redfield’s high street and dining culture in East Bristol. Over recent years, Church Road has experienced shifts in its commercial landscape, characterized by the departure of large-scale chains and the subsequent rise of independent, community-focused eateries, bakeries, and coffee shops. The building occupied by Los Dos Gringos—historically tied to large pub operations before transitioning through ventures like The Crafty Egg—mirrors a broader economic shift across urban UK neighborhoods toward agile, niche food and beverage concepts. Founders Suzanna Hawkins and Tom Horton’s transition from mobile market stalls to a permanent bricks-and-mortar storefront exemplifies the incremental growth strategy common among independent operators navigating post-pandemic economic conditions in the British hospitality sector.
This development is likely to have a positive impact on the local community, particularly for residents of Redfield and East Bristol seeking plant-based dining options and independent community spaces. By introducing ethically sourced Colombian coffee, chocolate, and vegan street food, Los Dos Gringos diversifies the local culinary scene, attracting both neighborhood regulars and visitors from further afield. For local residents and remote workers, the 7am-to-7pm operating schedule provides an accessible, informal hub for remote working, casual social meetups, and daily dining. Economically, the permanent establishment contributes to the footfall and commercial vitality of Church Road, helping to sustain consumer interest in the local high street following previous high-profile venue closures in the area.
