Two of the finest words in the English language: bottomless pancakes. Whether we’re after thin and crispy crepes with zingy lemon and sugar, indulgent Nutella stuffed galettes or thick and fluffy cinnamon and raisin pancakes, we just can’t seem to get enough of pancakes. And I am no exception. So when I heard that Bill’s offers diners the opportunity to enjoy as many pancakes as they want for 90 minutes every single day, I simply had to give it a try.
The Venue
Bill’s is a British restaurant and bar chain with its origins in a small greengrocery store in Lewes, owned by Bill Collinson and based in his dad’s shed. Following a flood, Bill opened a small café on the site. Since these humble beginnings, it has grown from strength to strength, with Brighton being only the second-ever branch of Bill’s. Bill’s now boasts 78 branches in the UK, with nearby branches in Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne.
The Brighton restaurant is centrally located in the heart of Brighton’s bustling high streets, just a 7-minute walk from the station, on North Road. Bill’s Brighton is located inside a former bus depot, and claims to transport customers to good times. Stepping through the door of the restaurant, you are instantly greeted by the luxurious and decadent décor, featuring soft lighting in statement wicker lampshades, lush plants and greenery and comfortable lounge-style seating. The high ceilings and shining brass give the restaurant a spacious feel.
the Bottomless pancakes Offer
Every day, between 3pm and 5pm, Bill’s offers a bottomless pancakes experience, with guests enjoying 90 minutes of thick, hot, freshly cooked buttermilk pancakes with a choice of toppings for just £7.50. To complement the experience, you can upgrade to include bottomless hot drinks, such as classic teas and coffees, as well as luxurious hot chocolates and matcha lattes, for just £3.50. For a truly decadent pancake experience, bottomless prosecco can be added for £18.50.
The bottomless pancakes experience
On arrival, my partner and I were greeted warmly by a friendly and smartly-dressed member of staff, making us instantly feel both at ease and like a VIP. After being shown to our table, we were looked after by a kindly waiter who was consistently friendly and helpful. But, like the eager beavers we are, we had arrived slightly too early for the bottomless pancake experience, and so we relaxed at our table until it was 3pm and the magic could begin.
The bottomless pancake menu includes a choice of two pancake styles. Chocoholic guests will adore the chocolate pancakes: Bill’s classic buttermilk pancakes served with clotted cream ice cream, strawberries, chocolate biscuit crumb and a jug of warm chocolate sauce. For a fruitier kick, you will also love the strawberry pancakes, served with fresh strawberries, strawberry sauce, pancake syrup and crunchy caramelized hazelnuts. There is also a gluten-free option of gluten-free blueberry pancakes.
My partner and I both opted for the bottomless hot drink upgrade. For just £3.50, it was cheaper than some of the drinks on the menu, so we got excellent value for money. I started with an oat flat white, to give myself an energy boost for the pancake session, while my partner went for the hot chocolate with cream, which also came with a flake!
Our first batch of pancakes came quickly and were clearly fresh and hot. They were quite a bit bigger than I anticipated, and served in a generous stack of three. I opted to try the chocolate pancakes first, which were incredible. The clotted-cream ice cream was smooth and delicious, and perfectly complemented by the crunch of the chocolate biscuit crumb. The highlight for me was the warm chocolate sauce, served in a jug. As well as being fun to drizzle over your pancakes, it was warm, rich and chocolatey and contrasted perfectly with the cool ice cream.
After devouring our first batch of pancakes, we made use of the unlimited hot drinks to cleanse our palettes before round two. I opted for the golden latte, which was out of this world. Sweetened with agave, this creamy coconut milk latte was seasoned with warming ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper. For the final touch, the rich golden drink was topped with beautiful edible flowers, making it one of the most aesthetically pleasing drinks I’ve had in a long time. It was incredibly sweet though, so be warned if you don’t have a sweet tooth, it might not be for you!
Having said that, if you don’t have a sweet tooth then I would suggest that this bottomless pancake experience is also not for you either. Having chosen strawberry pancakes himself, and having sampled some of my chocolate pancakes, my partner’s chocolate cravings persisted and intensified, so he opted for a second chocolate beverage with a caffeine hit: a rich and creamy mocha.
Before too long, our second batch of pancakes arrived, equally fresh and warm as the first. This time, I chose to try the strawberry pancakes, which came drizzled in a zingy strawberry sauce, topped generously with fresh strawberries, sweetened with pancake syrup and topped with the crunchy caramelised nuts. The crisp crunch of the nuts was a highlight of the dish, complementing the soft, pillowy pancakes superbly. The strawberry pancakes were served with a jug of cream, which I actually found unnecessary; the cream diluted the freshness of the flavorsome strawberries.
With our second batch of pancakes, we went for our third hot drink. I chose the matcha and coconut latte, subconsciously hoping to balance out the sugar rush I was having with some gently calming matcha. I wasn’t too struck on the matcha latte, though it was less overpowering and bitter than some others I’ve tried, and the coconut did help to balance out the matcha taste.
After pancake number 6, I was starting to question my life choices. If the sun was a pancake, I was definitely Icarus. The sugar rush was very palpable and so was my heartbeat from the overdose of sugar and caffeine. So, we decided to have a digestive pause and relax with one of Bill’s calming tea infusions; we both went for a mug of elderflower and rose tea while our poor stomachs tried to digest the mountain of buttermilk pancakes we’d stuffed inside.
The table over from us were also doing bottomless pancakes, but had stopped after 3 and a half pancakes. Motivated by a bizarre competitiveness to decisively beat them at the bottomless pancakes game, and also the overwhelming desire to eat more of the chocolate sauce, we ordered our third and final batch of pancakes, both opting for chocolate but requesting only a single pancake each rather than a full stack of three. While just as delicious as the first batch, it was significantly more difficult to eat on an already pancake-full stomach and it was very nearly the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Naturally, though, I still scooped out my partner’s unfinished chocolate sauce from the jug, eating it neat with a fork. Do I have any shame? No. Would I do it again in a heartbeat? Absolutely.
The Verdict
Overall, I highly recommend Bill’s bottomless pancakes. They were generously sized, thick and fluffy, and consistently came quickly. The toppings were delicious, especially the chocolate ones. While I didn’t personally try the gluten free blueberry pancakes, (I simply had to have more of that chocolate sauce) it’s great that the option is there. Unfortunately, Bill’s don’t currently offer vegan pancakes, which is a shame. Perhaps in the future, vegans will be able to enjoy the delights of limitless pancakes at Bill’s.
But for £7.50, the value for money is excellent, and I highly recommend the unlimited hot drinks upgrade. With a single latte costing £3.25, the upgrade of £3.50 is such amazing value for money, and it is great for helping to wash down your infinite supply of pancakes. Just be careful not to over-caffeine like I did, and carefully consider which drinks you order and when, in your strategy to maximise room in your tummy for pancakes.
While I didn’t try the prosecco upgrade, I can’t help but feeling that large quantities of fizz would not have sat well in amongst the carb-heavy mountain of pancakes in my stomach, and things could have ended in disaster. But, perhaps you’re made of stronger stuff than I am, in which case I salute you, and hope that prosecco and pancakes is a safe and delicious combination for you.
Whichever pancakes and drinks package you go for, you will enjoy your bottomless pancakes in a beautiful environment with friendly and helpful staff. I left feeling happy, relaxed and content, while also being fit to burst with delicious buttermilk pancakes. What could be better than that?
Address: 100 North Rd, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1YE
Website: https://bills-website.co.uk/restaurants/brighton/
Telephone: 020 4512 6636
Email: brighton@bills-email.co.uk
