I’m on a bit of a health kick at the moment. My blood pressure is a little too high, so I’ve been making healthier choices over the last few weeks.
Obviously, I’m not completely cutting out ALL the unhealthy stuff. As someone who definitely lives to eat, rather than eating to live, that would make life pretty boring.
Healthy food, though, doesn’t need to mean compromising on flavour. At Primal 8, a health and wellbeing café on Risbygate in Bury St Edmunds, nutrition and flavour combine perfectly.
Since 2001, Primal 8 has been serving up healthy snacks, drinks and meals in its café. It also sells natural herbal supplements, CBD infusions and more in its retail shop, which shares the same space. Don’t be fooled by its tiny frontage. While you walk into the small shop area itself, head up the steps to the left and there’s a beautifully serene seating area, the sound of a water feature in one nook adding to the sense of calm. Through a short corridor at the very back you’ll find the counter, packed with healthier sweet treats.
There’s a breakfast menu of porridge, overnight oats, granola and pancakes. This sits alongside Primal 8’s take on a full English, featuring organic nitrate-free bacon and hemp or rye bread, with the option to make it veggie. I was there for lunch, though, and ordered an iced maple latte (£4) while I browsed the menu. The board out the front describes it as a “customer fave” and I can see why. It came in a handled glass jar, had a decent amount of maple flavour and was seriously refreshing.
The lunch menu stars “light bites” such as toast, fruit toast and bone broth. Instead, I chose Primal 8’s “build your bowl” concept. Choose a base of quinoa, basmati rice or baby potatoes for £4.25. Add your topping (prices vary): a choice of beef brisket, Cajun chicken, streaky bacon or chorizo. Choose from a choice of four dressings, all made by the fantastic Hunter & Gather, and add any optional extras, like feta, seeds, avocado and more.
All of their bowls come with a rocket and veg salad, too. While I had to wait a while for it to arrive, my 18-hour slow-cooked BBQ beef brisket bowl (£12.95 in total) was well worth it.
It was a seriously generous portion – I couldn’t eat it all. The brisket was tender and flavourful, lovely and moist with a fruity flavour and a bit of a kick. The rice was perfectly cooked (and there was a LOT of it!), and the salad of rocket, yellow and red peppers, spring onions and grated carrot was fresh and vibrant. The whole thing was sprinkled with plenty of chopped chives and my choice of chipotle and lime mayo (vegan, but delicious) was full of flavour and served on the side – I was told that I could ask for more if needed.
Service from both members of the Primal 8 team was incredible, from menu descriptions through to sorting out the issue with their WiFi not working. I was made to feel so welcome – and this, combined with the delicious food and the chilled atmosphere – gives me a definite incentive to head back to Primal 8 soon, maybe to try their breakfast menu next time.