Shrove Tuesday 2024: Best Pancakes In London

One of our favourite holidays of the year is in sight: Shrove Tuesday, of course, which falls on 13 February this year. It’s a day when we’re encouraged to eat pancakes for breakfast, lunch and dinner – whether that’s the classic lemon and sugar combination, a decadent American-inspired stack with bacon and maple syrup, or a savoury crepe oozing with cheese (or all three). Sure, you can whizz your own up (try these recipes here) – but this surprisingly simple dish is actually quite tricky to nail. If your flipping skills aren’t quite up to scratch, leave it to the professionals. London is home to numerous restaurants which serve up top-class pancakes, from Aussie-inspired brunch eateries to Brazilian creperies and more. Read on for the ultimate list of the best pancakes in London.

Shrove Tuesday 2024: Where To Go For Pancakes in London

What Is Shrove Tuesday?

Shrove Tuesday has its roots in a Christian tradition which dates back thousands of years. It falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a period of six weeks leading up to Easter where Christians give up luxuries to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. So where do pancakes come into it? Well, the day is seen as a chance to get rid of all the butter, eggs and sugar in their cupboards ahead of the fasting period, and what better way than with a stack of pancakes?

The festival is called different names around the world: in France and some other places, it’s known as Mardi Gras, from the French phrase meaning ‘Fat Tuesday’. In Germany, meanwhile, it’s called Fastnacht, meaning ‘Eve of the Fast’.

Best Pancake Places In London 2024

Granger & Co, Multiple Locations

This Sydney-style hotspot is an absolute must year-round, and even more so in honour of Pancake Day. Founder Bill Granger’s hotcakes are the stuff of legend, whipped with ricotta to ensure maximum fluffiness, then topped with honeycomb butter, banana and maple syrup. Try them this year at one of Granger & Co.’s many locations, found in places like Chelsea, Notting Hill and King’s Cross.

Multiple locations, grangerandco.com

Senzala, Brixton

Tucked away in the ever-buzzing Brixton Market is Senzala, a Brazilian-inspired spot serving an extensive menu of crepes and galettes. What’s the difference, you may ask? It’s mainly about the type of flour used to make them: galettes are made with buckwheat flour, crepes with white flour. On the savoury front, options include the Caramelised Goat, a combination of goat’s cheese, rocket and caramelised onions, or the Picante, made with cheese, spicy minced beef, red onions and jalapeno peppers. Sweet options, on the other hand, include the Banoffee, topped with caramel, banana and Belgian chocolate.

41-42 Brixton Village Market, Coldharbour Ln, London SW9 8PS, senzalacreperie.co.uk

The Breakfast Club, Multiple Locations

With outposts dotted around the capital, The Breakfast Club is a true expert on all things brunch. Its pancakes are legendary – The All American, in particular, is an iconic stack, topped with bacon, sausage, potatoes, fried eggs and maple syrup. And this Shrove Tuesday, the restaurant has collaborated with Tony’s Chocolonely on a series of specials, including The Chocolate & Bacon Bananaganza, which is topped with caramelised banana, candied bacon and vanilla cream, and topped with Tony’s chocolate sauce.

Multiple locations, thebreakfastclubcafes.com

Where The Pancakes Are, Multiple Locations

The clue’s in the name: this restaurant is dedicated to all things pancakes, and boy are they good. So what’s the secret? Well, they’re made using a special buttermilk batter, created with 12 ingredients including panela sugar, buckwheat and high welfare eggs – though wheat-free and vegan options are available too. On the savoury side, toppings include everything from pulled beef pastrami to poached eggs and asparagus, while sweet combinations include banana, marshmallow and sea salted caramel.

Multiple locations, wherethepancakesare.com

A.O.K Kitchen, Marylebone

We’re told Head Chef at AOK Kitchen, Kostas Rampias, has mastered the perfect pancakes – his secret is cooking the batter for six minutes in the oven instead of the frying pan. He then tops his creations with organic maple syrup, coconut cream and fresh berries. The best bit? They’re healthy! AOK Kitchen is totally free from refined sugar, so you can indulge guilt-free. 

52-55 Dorset St, London W1U 7NH, aokkitchen.co.uk

My Old Dutch, Holborn, Chelsea & Kensington

Where better to spend Pancake Day than at London’s original pancake house? The first My Old Dutch was established back in 1958, and ever since it has been one of the city’s prime spots for pancakes, with three branches across Holborn, Chelsea and Kensington. If you like savoury pancakes, this is the spot for you: toppings include everything from chilli con carne to spicy chicken goujons and even seafood. Alternatively, opt for a butterscotch stack, where you can build your own pancakes featuring Oreo, Nutella, ice cream, fruit and more.

Locations in Holborn, Chelsea and Kensington, myolddutch.com

Bellanger, Islington

For a French twist on pancakes, head down to Islington, where neighbourhood favourite Bellanger serves up some very good crêpes. Keep it classic with lemon and sugar, or satisfy your sweet tooth with a choice of either chocolate sauce and whipped cream, or blueberry compote and creme fraiche. 

9 Islington Grn, London N1 2XR, bellanger.co.uk

Avobar, Covent Garden

Avocado mega-fan? Head to Covent Garden’s Avobar, where the beloved green fruit sits at the heart of the menu – even on the pancakes. These are made with matcha, then topped with a mango and fruit coulis, coconut flakes and mascarpone. It’s a very Instagram-friendly spot too, with a beachy, laid-back vibe, leafy decor and earthy wooden seats. 

24 Henrietta St, London WC2E 8ND, avobar.co.uk

Drunch, Mayfair, Regent’s Park & Fitzrovia

Café-restaurant Drunch was originally set up by Syrian relatives Hom and Aboudi, with the aim of creating a social hub for friends and family. As the name suggests, it’s a combination of brunch, lunch and dinner dishes which can be eaten at any time of day – so naturally pancakes play a big part. There are four options to choose from here: crispy turkey bacon with maple syrup, ricotta and berry compote, banana with dulce de leche or our top pick: a heart-shaped creation topped with Nutella and hazelnuts. 

Locations in Mayfair, Regent’s Park and Fitzrovia, drunch.co.uk

Daisy Green Collection, Multiple Locations

Another Aussie-inspired brunch favourite, the Daisy Green Collection has branches all over the city – including a recent launch housed in a boat on the Richmond riverside. Its blueberry pancakes are a highlight year-round, but if you want something extra decadent go for the Golden Gaytime stack, served with milk chocolate ganache, malt crumble, whipped mascarpone and salted caramel sauce. Wow. 

Multiple locations, daisygreenfood.com

Dirty Bones, Shoreditch, Soho & Carnaby

It’s all about American comfort food at Dirty Bones, so of course there are some impressive pancakes on offer. Sweet-toothed diners will be in heaven with a plate of the Oreo Pancakes, topped with a chocolate and caramel sauce, plus plenty of the cookies in question. Alternatively, keep it classic with a stack of the Blueberry Pancakes, drizzled in maple syrup.

Locations in Shoreditch, Soho and Carnaby, dirty-bones.com