In this article, you'll learn the following:
Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, has been celebrated since around 1445 (over 500 years!). It’s a beloved day in the Christian calendar…because the best traditions involve flour, butter and eggs! In recent years, restaurants have added creative savoury pancakes to menus alongside the more traditional sweet treats, elevating the humble household staple to lofty new heights.
Why not treat yourself to some of the best pancakes in London this Shrove Tuesday? They’re flippin’ great!
When is Pancake Day 2024?
Pancake Day 2024 is Tuesday, 13th February. Pancake Day occurs annually on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.
Why do we celebrate Pancake Day?
Lent is a period of praying and fasting when Christians are forbidden from eating luxury foods like fat and dairy. The Shrove Tuesday pancake-making tradition was devised to use dairy and sugar before the 40-day fast.
What is the difference between a crêpe and a pancake?
Crêpes are thinner than pancakes because they don’t use baking powder. While the more delicate crêpe cooks in only 45 seconds per side, thick pancakes take longer. As a result, they’re bigger and flatter than fluffy pancakes.
What Brits think of as pancakes are crêpes. But crêpe is French for pancake, both are cakes made in pans, and they’re equally delicious, so who’s splitting hairs?
Where to eat pancakes in London
My Old Dutch, Holborn
myolddutch.com/
131-132 High Holborn, London WC1V 6PS
There’s something for everyone at My Old Dutch. Sweet-toothed diners will be glad to see Nutella, sugar and lemon, and banana, nuts and chocolate sauce on the menu. If you prefer savoury, why not try The Full English (with bacon, mushrooms, tomato, cheese and eggs), The Greek (grilled aubergine, tomato, halloumi, feta and olives), or even The Chilli Con Carne (with guacamole, sour cream and tortilla chips)! They also offer vegan pancakes, and you can customise your stack with extras like Kinder Bueno and Nutella.
Prices start from: £8.50
How to get there: My Old Dutch is an 11-minute bus journey from London Waterloo. Hop on the 68 bus from Stop K and get off four stops later at Kingsway/Holborn. My Old Dutch is a 3-minute walk from there.
Crème de la Crêpe, Covent Garden
cremedelacrêpe.co.uk/
29, The Market, The Piazza, London WC2E 8RE
Enjoy gourmet crêpes made using quality ingredients at Crème de la Crêpe, in the heart of Covent Garden. The owner learned crêpe-making in France, so you know they’re authentic, but these aren’t any ordinary crêpes. You’ll find savoury creations using British staples like baked beans and Marmite alongside more traditional options. Plus, there’s a kids’ menu, so why not bring the little ones along for their first Pancake Day?
Prices start from: £5
How to get there: The closest station to Crème de la Crêpe is London Waterloo. From there, it’s a 13-minute bus ride to Savoy Street on the 139 bus. Walk 5 minutes from there.
Héfaure, Chinatown
hefaure.uk/
Hefaure, 108 Shaftesbury Ave, London W1D 5EH
So far, we’ve had authentic French crêpes, British variants and American pancakes.
Why not branch out this Pancake Day and try Japanese soufflé pancakes? The egg whites are whipped for a cloud-like consistency that’ll send you to pancake heaven! Classics include caramel, strawberry cream and hazelnut, but, while we’re trying new things, their matcha and red bean soufflé is well worth ordering.
Prices start from: £7
How to get there: Take the Northern line to Tottenham Court Road from London Waterloo. It’s a 7-minute walk from there.
Stack & Still, Leicester Square
stackandstill.co.uk/
17-18 Irving St, London WC2H 7AU
From katsu chicken to Moroccan spiced lamb, Stack & Still takes you around the world on a magic pancake! The recently refreshed menu includes Jaffa Cake, Nutella and peanut butter pancakes. If you want something healthier, try the Superfood Stack with Greek yoghurt, granola and berries. It also has vegan options like the Jackfruit Stack, with pickled red onion and vegan mozzarella.
Prices start from: £5.50
How to get there: From London Waterloo, ride the Bakerloo line two stops to Charing Cross. Walk 6 minutes from there.
H3: Balans Soho, No. 34
balans.co.uk/
34 Old Compton St, London W1D 4TS
Balans Soho is the best option if you’re looking for a hearty meal. Its all-day menu includes classics like steak and eggs, burgers and curries – but its famous maple butter and bacon or fried buttermilk chicken pancakes steal the show! Recline in a relaxed atmosphere, tucking into some of the best American pancakes on this side of the Atlantic.
Prices start from: £11
How to get there: Take the Northern line to Tottenham Court Road from London Waterloo. Walk 5 minutes from there.
Fuwa Fuwa Café, Soho
fuwafuwa.co.uk/
57A Dean St, London W1D 6AJ
Fuwa means “fluffy” in Japanese, and the soufflé pancakes at Fuwa Fuwa Café live up to the name! Choose from various toppings including Lotus Biscoff, blueberry and yuzu, and banana and Nutella and enjoy the light, “fluffy fluffy” goodness.
Prices start from: £7.90
How to get there: Hop on the Northern line from London Waterloo to Tottenham Court Road. Walk 7 minutes from there.
Where the Pancakes Are, Battersea
wherethepancakesare.com/locations/battersea/
018, Upper Ground Floor, Battersea Power Station, UG, Unit 227 Upper, London SW11 8BZ
Where the Pancakes Are use freshly made buttermilk pancake batter to create the softest American pancakes in London. Savoury toppings include pulled beef pastrami and BBQ chicken, while sweet options are elevated with sophisticated flavours like poached pear and caramel. The German-style oven-baked pancakes with cheeses and herbs or apples and almonds – resembling giant Yorkshire puddings – are a must-try!
Prices start from: £7
How to get there: Where the Pancakes Are is a 16-minute walk from Queenstown Road. Or, hop on the 436 bus, riding two stops to Battersea Power Station Stop A. It’s a 2-minute walk from there.
Butter Beans, Richmond
butter-beans.co.uk/
3, Westminster House, Kew Rd, Richmond TW9 2ND
Butter Beans is an independent café in the heart of Richmond that serves speciality coffee and pastries. The breakfast and lunch menu includes light and fluffy American pancakes with fresh fruit, coconut yoghurt and maple syrup or bacon, banana and maple syrup. Wash it down with a smoothie or homemade hot chocolate!
Prices start from: £9.80
How to get there: Butter Beans is a 1-minute walk from Richmond station.
Jack’s at the Junction, Clapham
instagram.com/jacksatthejunction/?hl=en-gb
252 Lavender Hill, London SW11 1LJ
Jack’s at the Junction is an independent Clapham café serving sandwiches, paninis and burgers alongside comfort food classics like lasagne and bangers and mash. But you’re visiting for the all-day breakfast menu, which includes the Yankee: two American pancakes, two rashers of bacon, two fried eggs and maple-flavoured syrup. Double down with The Yankee Doodle Dandy, which adds one sausage and two slices of French toast.
Prices start from: £5.25
How to get there: Jack’s at the Junction is a 3-minute walk from Clapham Junction.
Ready to enjoy some of the best pancakes in London? Explore trains to London with South Western Railway. Search our Railcards and discounts for even greater savings. Get cheap train tickets when travelling off-peak and using Groupsave or a Family and Friends Railcard. Semi-flex tickets permit you to take any return train, and you can choose any train with Sunday Out tickets. Still peckish? Check out our list of the best British food gems in the South West.
