Pancake day in London

As we approach February, we’ve got only one thing on our minds. No, not the sentimental profusions of love and romantic dinners associated with Valentine’s Day, but something arguably much more interesting- it’s Pancake Day!

Shrove Tuesday will be celebrated this year on 28th February. For the uninitiated, in Christian tradition this is the last day before Lent, when people would clear their kitchen cupboards of excess sugar, flour and eggs in preparation for this period of abstinence. Since this served as an excuse to prepare pancakes, this day has now come to be widely observed as Pancake Day.

If you don’t particularly enjoy the thought of being confined to the kitchen all day, (though we’re sure residents of this four bedroom townhouse in Kensington or this three bedroom apartment in Hampstead with lovely eat-in kitchens aren’t complaining), here’s our shortlist of the most pancake-flipping fabulous restaurants to get your pancake fix in London. Foodies rejoice; from the quirky to the downright indulgent, if you’re feeling gluttonous or adventurous, looking to indulge your sweet tooth or craving something savoury, there’s something for everybody.

My old dutch

No shortlist of pancake restaurants could possibly be complete without a mention of this classic favourite, with its bright orange exterior, warm and friendly atmosphere and the distinct waft of freshly made pancakes in the air. Hordes of pancake lovers converge onto this favourite watering hole. Do try their popular Nutella pancakes and the quaint poffertjes, small puffy pancakes unique to Netherlands filled with chocolate goodness. The more adventurous can opt for more quirky alternatives, with those following a gluten-free diet catered for by the restaurant’s use of a buckwheat, tapioca and potato flour mix. For a place dedicated to pancakes, it certainly lives up to its name and has outlets in Holborn, Kensington and Chelsea.

La Crêperie de Hampstead

This nondescript Parisian street cart is a firm favourite with locals and tourists, and has become an institution of sorts, situated on a delightful street corner in quaint Hampstead. Our favourite is the Belgian chocolate and banana crepe, while their savoury ham, cheese and spinach crepe tastes just as good. Be prepared to stand in a queue, especially on weekends; but it’s definitely worth the wait. Residents of this two bedroom apartment won’t have to travel too far to get their creperie fix, being a short walk away from the many amenities of Hampstead Village.

The diner

As the name suggests, this unassuming chain is modelled on the typical American diner and features a range of breakfast and brunch offerings. Be sure to try out their famous red velvet pancakes with berries and cream cheese frosting or the Oreo cookie stack with marshmallow cream. They have plenty of savoury options too including sweet potato pancakes with bacon, guacamole and maple syrup that tastes as good as it sounds. The chain has branches across London including at Camden, Islington, Soho, Covent Garden, Spitalifields and Shoreditch.

Farmacy

For all those looking to eat healthy and not lose sight of their January fitness goals, this plant based healthy eating restaurant in Notting Hill will allow you to indulge in some delicious guilt-free offerings. Quickly emerging as the restaurant of choice for those looking for fresh, seasonal, locally sourced organic produce, they pride themselves on a specially crafted menu with their gluten-free house pancakes prepared with buckwheat flour and served with fresh fruit, chia berry jam, coconut yoghurt and maple syrup being particularly divine. If you are looking to rent a property in the Notting Hill area, we think that this smart two bedroom apartment at the award-winning Portobello Square property development is perfectly situated. Residents can enjoy a spot of shopping at nearby Portobello Market followed by a refreshing (and healthy!) smoothie at Farmacy .

The breakfast club

While true blue pancake connoisseurs would probably look down their noses at this no frills chain of all-day diners, they offer an extensive breakfast menu with a section dedicated to pancakes. Be prepared to dive into big portions, we recommend the ‘Hams So Eggcited’, layers of American style pancakes stuffed with ham and cheddar and doused with a generous amount of maple syrup. The chain has seven branches across London including at Soho, Islington and Spitalfields.

The parlour at Sketch

A day celebrating the humble pancake doesn’t have to be a frugal event. For those looking to go all-out, the luxurious Sketch in Mayfair features two restaurants, two bars and an art gallery, providing a quirky and dramatic dining experience, from the sci-fi aesthetic, space age toilet pods and chic décor. Soak in the 18th century splendour at The Parlour as you savour their homemade pancakes with Grenadine cream and grapefruit marmalade. This elegant two bedroom apartment situated on Berkeley Street in the heart of Mayfair is perfectly situated to enjoy the offerings at Sketch and indeed the many attractions of the West End throughout the year.

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