Anyone that has been on Gloucester Road must have popped into Cafe Ronak at some point. Fresh cakes, great coffee and a huge menu ranging from a full english to vegan wraps were all on offer as well as plenty of prime people-watching spots and a hidden garden. You may then have noticed they have been undergoing a bit of a refurb of late and soon, the grand opening of The Nectar House will be upon us!
Ownership has stayed the same but management has switched up with local Dave Thomas, who has worked on and off in the cafe over the last few years, taking over the helm and is the brains behind the new, bee and pollinator friendly concept. Dave has created a partnership with beekeeping non-profit and community group Bee The Change buying their local honey stocks to use in recipes in the cafe for a taste that just can’t be replicated. As well as providing the yellow stuff, The Nectar House will be using their expertise (along with a local horticulturist) to pack the back garden with all the flowers that attract not only bees but butterflies, hoverflies and a whole host of minibeasts that keep the planet alive.
The cafe itself has had a much-needed facelift, the feel is a lot lighter and airer with the walls painted a mix of mossy grey and honey yellow and decorated with plenty of bee-themed art. Seating has been improved with bench seating snaking around the front room and new, smaller tables being used. Everything that could be repurposed has been with old wall decoration now used as skirting boards, old floorboards sanded and brought back to life and the incredible carved bar still the pride of place.
Locally sourced ingredients will be on the menu from 9am to 3pm every day with The Nectar House continuing with the fantastic food that Ronak built its reputation on. Offering a smaller menu than before, you will still be able to sit down to some brilliant brunches and lunches with plenty for people that opt for a plant-based diet.
Dave has also secured a late license for the cafe and will be introducing pop-ups in the evening (Salt Street being the first) and alcohol can now be served. Wine and local craft beer from Arbor, Moor and Croft Ales will be offered by the can or bottle the fridge. Pop up food will be available from 5pm -9:30pm Monday to Saturday so there will be plenty of opportunities to try some of the incredible roaming kitchens that Bristol is becoming famous for. I’ve heard rumours of some cocktails being offered too so watch this space!
With Gloucester Road offering the public so much when it comes to food and drink, I am very pleased that my cappuccino and slice of cake now comes with a free side of environmental awareness, local business support and giving the humble bee the leg up it needs to keep out plants pollinated!
The grand opening is to be confirmed but we shouldn’t be waiting too long to have our much-loved cafe back, I’ll see you in the garden! Find The Nectar House on Facebook (still under Ronak until Zuckerberg changes it!) and Instagram to keep up to date with openings, pop-ups and pictures of buzzy bees.