Pancake Day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, originates from the Christian tradition of using up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before observing the fasting period known as ‘Lent.’ In France, ‘La Chandeleur,’ or ‘The Day of Crêpes,’ takes place annually on February 2nd to mark the end of winter, but many people enjoy pancakes every day of the year. Pancake lovers will indulge at breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert, often with sweet or savoury toppings. The following establishments are some of the best spots for pancakes in London.
Where The Pancakes Are, Multiple Locations
Where The Pancakes Are (WTPA) is a restaurant where, as the name suggests, you’ll find pancakes - served all day, every day. With locations in Fitzrovia, London Bridge, and Battersea Power Station, WTPA has become a go-to London spot for pancake lovers all year round. CEO and founder, Patricia Trijbits, was inspired by her father’s ‘Dutch babies’ and the comforting pancake stacks she enjoyed while living in California. Her love for pancakes and connecting people is at the roots of WTPA, making the restaurant a place where simple, high-quality food takes centre stage.
WTPA’s interiors are modern and minimalist, with clean lines that are softened with splashes of green foliage. The lighting fixtures radiate warmth and are vaguely reminiscent of upturned pancakes. At WTPA, guests can enjoy taking their time to explore a wide pancake menu that incorporates both old and new world dishes that are designed to cater to all tastes and dietary preferences.
Fuwa Fuwa, Soho & Stratford
‘Fuwa Fuwa’ is a Japanese term which literally translates to ‘fluffy fluffy.’ Unsurprisingly, this is a perfect description of the soufflé pancakes served at Fuwa Fuwa. Specialising in these cloud-like desserts, the restaurant has several branches across London for diners all over the capital to enjoy. Made from whipped egg whites, soufflé pancakes are bright white, delightfully fluffy, a bit jiggly, and stand impressively tall at a height of 1-2 inches each.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to take a bite out of a cloud, Fuwa Fuwa offers the next best thing. Playfully decorated with cloud motifs - a nod to both the name and the airy texture of its pancakes - the restaurant interiors otherwise offer a ‘no fuss’ setting. While the pancakes are delightful on their own, they can also be enjoyed with a variety of toppings, including strawberries, banana, Nutella, biscoff and more unusually, blueberry and cheesecake flavoured with citrusy yuzu, just to name a few options. If this unique take on the classic pancake has piqued your curiosity, Fuwa Fuwa might be just the place to indulge.
The Wolseley, Piccadilly
If you are looking for a touch of refinement and grandeur in one of London’s oldest and most elegant cafés, The Wolseley is the ideal place for pancakes. With high ceilings, marble floors and chandeliers, The Wolseley offers an elegant setting in which you can enjoy a diverse breakfast menu. While there is a fantastic selection of English classics to choose from, The Wolesley’s stacked American-style buttermilk pancakes have developed a devoted following.
Not only are these pancakes delicious, but they are also beautifully presented and can be ordered with Canadian maple syrup, streaky bacon, or seasonal berries and crème fraîche. At The Wolseley, their sole pancake dish is a standout favourite all year round, and it is solid enough to not need any further variations.
Duck & Waffle, Liverpool Street
While Duck & Waffle’s focus is on waffles - most notably their signature dish of two waffles topped with crispy-skinned duck confit - this stylish, upscale restaurant is also worth a visit for their chocolate chip pancakes. In addition, the stunning views of London from the restaurant’s impressive location while you indulge in this breakfast staple only serves to make eating here all the more special.
Set on the 40th floor of 110 Bishopsgate near Liverpool Street, Duck & Waffle offers guests the opportunity to dine with breathtaking views. Those who secure window tables can enjoy a panorama of city landmarks and, of course, savour the taste of their breakfast pancakes or waffles. D&W’s chocolate chip pancake offering is especially worthy of attention. Chips are swirled into the batter and cooked in a mini steel pan before topped with hazelnut chocolate spread and crunchy chocolate ‘soil’. For chocoholics who appreciate fine food and fine views, Duck & Waffle may just be the perfect destination for pancake cravings.
Ta’Turu Store, Marylebone
On the French holiday of La Chandeleur, tradition says that if you can flip a crêpe with one hand while holding a coin in the other, good fortune will follow. At French crêperie Ta’Turu, you can leave the skill - and the superstition - to the experts and focus on your indulgence. The restaurant prides itself on using traditional techniques with rumours that even their flour is imported from France. There is much craft at work here, evidenced by the array of crêpes and galettes crafted with meticulous flair.
Whether asking for your crêpe to be topped with caviar will bring you additional luck is debatable, but it will certainly add a novelty that is hard to find elsewhere in the city. The menu includes both classic and inventive fillings - from pistachio cream and salted caramel to truffle honey, spicy chorizo, and edible flowers. While no cake can guarantee prosperity, a triangular or square slice of happiness can most certainly be found at Ta’Turu.
Mallow, Multiple Locations
For coffee lovers seeking a pancake destination prioritising ethics and sustainability, Mallow’s offering may be the perfect choice. As the sister restaurant to ‘Mildred’s,’ a well-loved London haunt for vegetarians/vegans, Mallow employs a similar formula - crafting quality, vegan dishes such as their thick, cakey tiramisu pancakes.
In pancake form at Mallow, this traditional dessert takes the shape of a double stack of buttermilk pancakes soaked in espresso syrup and topped with white chocolate chantilly cream. In sum, Mallow is a place where you can feel good about indulging. Mallow also offer an equally tempting cherry meringue option with morello cherry compote, cherry chantilly cream, and almond meringue crumbs.
London also offers a bounty of pancake destinations for those in search of the perfect stack. Visiting any or all of these suggestions has all the makings of what will very likely be a most delicious adventure, thanks to one of the world's best-loved dishes.
