Pancake Day is by far one of my favourite days of the year. The unearthly glow evoked in my mind by the mere thought of Pancake Day is comparable to the delights of Christmas and Easter, and it totally eclipses holidays such as St. Paddy’s Day, which I have never quite had the liver for. For me, the holiday goes far beyond its Christian roots; it is an opportunity to capitalise on my undying love for pancakes.
On countless occasions, whilst sitting in my humble student abode, living my daily existence of neglecting work, neglecting seminars and sleeping far too little, I have been swept up by a craving for pancakes. I long to taste the fatty goodness of chocolate chip pancakes, or the Sunday morning delight of a lovely stack of Nutella pancakes topped with vanilla ice cream and maple syrup (after all, they really do heal all ills). Â
One such instance saw me call a local Bristol diner, Rocotillos, to order pancakes 20 minutes before my arrival, ensuring that I wouldn’t miss out on the possibility of fresh pancakes before hitting my seminars. It remains unclear whether Rocotillos actually offers order-in service, but on that occasion, my clear resolve to gorge on endless stacks of pancakes shone through, overshadowing any adverse restaurant policies. Anything is possible, they say; with pancakes, that certainly was the case.
With the arrival of Pancake Day, I have compiled a list of the best places to get your fix in Bristol town:
1. Impossible to miss, either due to raving undergraduate reviews (possibly brought on by its potent alcoholic smoothies) or its media coverage in Skins, Rocotillos is a Bristol favourite for pancakes, smoothies or even a nice dish of nachos.
2. Pancake House Bristol is where you will find both quantity and quality: an assortment of pancakes, crepes, blinis and pancakes are on offer at this authentic, batter-loving restaurant, located near Town Hall square, in the very centre of the city.
3. If your purse strings aren’t quite up to it, the Crepe and Coffee Cabin is a perfect choice, with pancakes ranging from £1-2. A mini-trek from traditional student areas Redland, Clifton and Whiteladies, this Creperie will make you work for your money. Situated in the quiet area of Queen’s Square (near Thekla, for the party animals among you), it is still very much worth a visit.
4. Source Food Bristol, a fantastic find in the Nicholas Market area, is perfect for a drop-in meal. Its ethical and community friendly menus will offer you the freshest of pancakes, along with some delightful seasonal menus, Bristol-sourced.
5. Finally, if you’re on the go (or perhaps on a pancake bar crawl) and don’t have time to stop for a coffee, I would strongly recommend Quick Crepes, an adorable little crepe stall that is situated right by the Harbourside. Delicious and inexpensive, these crepes are perfect for the busy student, but be sure to shield your spoils from on looking seagulls and pigeons, as they are well known fans of this creperie.
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