bodyism pancakes london

The best pancake houses in London for Shrove Tuesday 2024

09 Feb 2024 | | By Annie Lewis

Thin or thick, sweet or savoury: however you like them, these are the best London restaurants flipping pancakes on Shrove Tuesday

Pancake Day, otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday, marks the last day of feasting before lent begins. The Christian celebration shifts every year according to where Easter falls in the calendar and is traditionally celebrated with pancakes as a way of using up cupboard ingredients that may prove tempting during a time of abstinence. 

As we hungrily await 13 February 2024, we’ve been on the hunt for the best pancakes in London. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve found a number of classic pancake menus (think fluffy stacks with rich sauces, fresh fruit and smooth ice creams), as well as some non-traditional options in case you fancy going a little avant-garde with your pancakes this year. What could be batter? 

Bodyism, Notting Hill

bodyism pancakes london

Combining health and wellness with the most indulgent day of the year, Bodyism – situated in Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove – will be serving its dairy-free, gluten-free and protein-rich pancakes throughout 13 February. The latter are our favourites, using Bodyism’s protein powder, banana and cinnamon with toppings including Coconut Collaborative’s chocolate, Food Thoughts Oat Mylk chocolate nibs and Liberation’s seeds, nuts and goji berries – a perfect filling winter warmer. 

222-224 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH, visit bodyism.com

The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont Hotel, Mayfair

colony grill room pancakes

Enjoy American-style pancakes all day long on 13 February at The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont in Mayfair. For breakfast, enjoy the signature stack with a choice of maple syrup and bacon or sour cream and cherries, while during lunch and dinner pick between the Colony Fried Chicken pancakes with maple syrup or Crêpes Suzette, featuring Grand Marnier flambée and Papua New Guinea vanilla ice cream. 

 8 Balderton Street, Brown Hart Gardens, W1K 6TF, visit colonygrillroom.co.uk

Nessa, Soho

nessa soho

Modern Soho bistro Nessa will introduce a special buttermilk pancake served with rhubarb and custard and a sprinkle of ginger crumble topping for Shrove Tuesday. The dish will be available every day from 10 February on the breakfast menu, as well as featuring as a special dessert for lunch and dinner on Pancake Day.  

86 Brewer Street, W1F 9UB, visit nessasoho.com

Mortimer House Kitchen, Fitzrovia

mortimer house kitchen pancakes london

This Pancake Day, guests at Mortimer House Kitchen – a new Italian venture headed up by executive chef Tom Cenci in the heart of Fitzrovia – can enjoy the restaurant’s signature pancakes with ricotta, Amalfi lemon curd and maple syrup. Be quick, as you can only indulge in this recipe at breakfast and as a dessert after lunch and dinner on 13 February. 

37-41 Mortimer Street, W1T 3JH, visit mortimerhousekitchen.co.uk

Mildreds and Mallow, across London

Sister vegan restaurants Mildreds and Mallow – boasting outposts in Soho, Canary Wharf, Borough, Camden and more – will be cooking up two different pancake stacks throughout 13 February until 6pm. Head to Mildreds for its signature banana Biscoff pancakes topped with cookie crumbs, Speculoos caramel and vanilla maple syrup, while Mallow will serve equally-decadent Black Forest chocolate pancakes, accompanied by cherries, hazelnuts and vanilla cream. 

Visit mildreds.com and mallowlondon.com

Where The Pancakes Are, across London

where the pancakes are
Image: Where The Pancakes Are

Having started out as a pop-up on Regents Canal in 2015, Where The Pancakes Are has since taken the capital by storm. Now with three locations across London, the pioneering pancake purveyor is celebrating Shrove Tuesday with its Pop Pancake Special, stacked with popcorn, chocolate-covered popping candy, and cookie dough coated ice-cream from London-based cookie brand Doughlicious. Magician Darryl Rose and his team will also be on hand from 5pm at the outposts in Fitzrovia, London Bridge and Battersea to entertain the crowds with magic tricks, while one lucky diner will be served a Lucky Charm Pancake to unlock great prizes, including unlimited pancakes for a year...

Visit wherethepancakesare.com

Crêpeaffaire at The Hippodrome, Leicester Square

Crêpeaffaire at The Hippodrome will be showcasing what it does best on 13 February: thin sweet and savoury hand-crafted crêpes with mixologist-worthy, bar-strength cocktails on tap. Crêpes include Love You Lotus topped with Biscoff spread, The Whole Shebang with bananas, strawberries, whipped cream and ice cream, and Oreo Cookie, alongside savoury options of Wiltshire ham and cheddar and smoked salmon and cream cheese. Made with organic flour and natural ingredients, Crêpeaffaire offers vegan and gluten-free options, too. 

Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH, visit hippodromecasino.com

Riding House Cafe, Bloomsbury, Fitzrovia and Victoria

the riding house cafe

For one-day only, the Riding House Cafes will be serving its malted deep-dish pancakes all day and will be available in three different guises: with clotted cream and berry compote, with triple-smoked streaky bacon, blueberries and sour cream, or Caribbean-style, with coconut cream, white chocolate and marshmallows. Don't worry, there will be plenty of complimentary sweet and nutty maple syrup on the side too.

Visit ridinghouse.cafe

Coal Office, King’s Cross

coal office

Coal Office is a collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit and designer Tom Dixon, who have created a delectable Israeli food offering that reflects Middle East and Mediterranean dining traditions. Although this signature dish is available year-round, visit Coal Office this Pancake Day for its octopus al lachuh: a savoury pancake served with grilled octopus, fresh pomegranate, herbs and drizzled with a luxurious truffle harissa sauce. Utterly delicious. 

2 Bagley Walk, King’s Cross, N1C 4PQ, visit coaloffice.com.

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