Cotham Hill is one of north Bristol’s most interesting roads, with a great selection of quirky shops, a couple of trendy bars, cafés and restaurants. I was visiting Corks of Cotham towards the top end of the road to buy a few bottles of Bristol Beer Factory Milk Stout to take to a house party when I noticed Chickpea, a café I hadn’t seen before. As soon as the beers were purchased, I made a beeline towards it and ended up staying for a couple of hours until it was time to spruce up for the night ahead.

I was initially received by one of the warmest greetings I have ever had in a café, the young chap behind the bar full of the joys of spring as we chatted about how just a little bit of sunshine puts a smile on people’s faces and a spring in their step. I certainly had a smile on my face by the end of our conversation.

Chickpea specialises in wraps. You choose your size, regular (£4) or large (£4.50), choose your base flavour, hummus or tzatziki, your primary filling (including peri peri chicken and roast Mediterranean vegetables), your extras and your sauces. The wrap of the day when I visited was chicken and chorizo melt with sweet chilli sauce.

All the wraps are made in front of you while you wait. It’s not large inside Chickpea, and I think that their ‘garden’ out the back must be one of the smallest in Bristol, but it is a very fun place with an uncluttered feel. Around me on my visit were students, a white van man and a young mother breastfeeding after ordering her wrap.

Other food on the menu were a number of Italian treats including arancini (£2.95), parmigiana (£4.75), lasagne (£4.95) and Sicilian meatballs (£4.75).

I, however, chose a smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel (£3.75) followed by a lovely ginger and lemon cake, a perfect combination if I say so myself and greatly enjoyed in a new café that deserves to be a big success.

Price of a large latte: £1.95

Chickpea, Cotham Hill, Cotham. 0117 923 8230.

Bristol cafes. Cafes in Bristol. Cafes near Whiteladies Road.