Wistmans Café - Luisana Martins Guanche, Glenmoor Academy

Need a good place for a quick bite? Worry not. 

As previously dubbed one of the best cafes, not only in the top 10 in Bournemouth in 2018 and 2022, but also a trip advisor travellers’ choice, it is an instant 'must-visit’ on everyone’s list!

The owner of Wistmans café, Ronald Uren - a half Venezuelan that has been living in the UK for 21 years - says, “we opened 3 years and a half ago now, just 1 week before lockdown”, a challenging obstacle, but clearly, they did not let this stop them.  

Everything on their menu is homemade and authentic. Their bestselling dishes are the English breakfast and the brie, bacon and cranberry sandwich. And their bestselling dessert is their carrot cake. 

“We have to make a new cake every day because it sells so quickly”, he says.  

And whilst their bestselling drinks are their coffees and teas, during the summer, their smoothies become quite popular too. As someone who has tried the mixed berry and banana smoothie and the tropical crush smoothie, they are most certainly recommendable! Whilst they are very different, both are still full of flavour. The mixed berry and banana smoothie is fulfilling and thicker because of the greek yoghurt, whilst the tropical crush is light, refreshing and energising. 

Ronald’s friendly and loveable personality is more the reason to check this place out. 

“I talk with everyone and by now I consider them as friends since you start to get to know them, I know what they do, I know where they live, I know their birthdays!” 

As well as the owner, the staff is full of wonderful and joyous people, making you feel very welcome.  

“I've always wanted my own business” he says, “since I started working in hospitality, I love interacting, talking with the people, I've previously worked in hotels and have always received a lot of good reviews so I wanted my own business. I was living in London when I saw the ad for this place go up and took the opportunity and came back to Bournemouth. But I had already previously lived in Bournemouth and had worked in a hotel here for 5 months."

In addition to the staff, the café itself has a warm atmosphere with a familiar sense of comfort, making it feel like a home away from home. The first thing you will notice when you walk in is the beautiful art on the walls. With art styles ranging from hyper realistic drawings of characters in the marvel universe to more abstract paintings, the breathtaking sight will sweep you off your feet before you even order your food! (Then later you’re swept off your feet again when you take the first bite...). The artwork is sourced by a variety of local artists and whilst they are on display to contribute to the harmony of the place, they are also available for purchase. The owner, Ronald, says "The café is a place for art. I enjoy promoting their work and have sold many already because everyone loves it. We create a beautiful ambience, how every chair is different, how every table is different, it’s a vintage style and a lot of people like it”. The main source of the artwork is from the previous owner of the building - whose business is now making art. But there is still a wide range from some artists being those who began making art during lockdown and some being art university students. 

As a Venezuelan, our food is always difficult to find in Bournemouth. Most of the time, you can’t find it in restaurants and must order it in advance - which is often frustrating when you get a sudden craving and don’t want to wait until another day. A lot of Venezuelans relate to this struggle, but now, Wistmans café will be making their empanadas a constant part of their menu. In addition to their three milks cake (a Venezuelan dessert). Ronald says he chose to do this because of the “large community of Venezuelans in Bournemouth”. 

“So far, the Venezuelan food has been well-received, especially our empanada with the cheese and black beans filling”.  

With their extraordinary, flavorsome and diverse menu of food, the café is definitely worth a visit. Whilst Venezuelan food is always good, Wistmans café have taken the flavour to the next level and the empanadas are a must-try! 

Last Sunday, I was there for their ‘Venezuelan Sunday’ where the menu consisted of tequeños, sancocho and different types of empanadas. The empanadas came with a variety of different fillings: black beans and white soft cheese, ham and white soft cheese, shredded beef, minced beef and chicken. They also had the pabellón empanadas which is a filling of shredded beef, white grated cheese, fried plantain and black beans, taken from the typical venezuelan dish, pabellón. 

“@wistmans on Instagram is our most active social media account, I update it regularly, especially when I make something different, like the Venezuelan Sundays”.

Overall, I have no complaints!