When it comes to finding the perfect stack, the stakes are high. It is the 47th Day before Easter; also know as Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. The virtuous and the zealous will be celebrating with pancake races all over town. But if you, like us, prefer sitting flat on your bottom to falling flat on your face, then this is the list for a flippin’ great shrove Tuesday.
Ask for Janice
What: For those with some serious savoury pancake cravings, we recommend a visit to Ask For Janice. The Smithfield Market local is dishing up toppings such as crab with avocado, spiced cauliflower cheese or pork and fennel. As firm believers that a pancake main requires a pancake dessert, dig into some buttermilk pancakes with ricotta, berries and rapeseed honey.
When: 13th February, 7.30am – 12am
Price: From £8
Address: Ask For Janice, 50-52 Long Ln, EC1A 9EJ
Christopher’s
What: This classic American diner has put together an extravagant menu that proves the age-old adage that pancakes go best with everything. Three special dishes will be served from dusk till dawn; the lobster one, the multi-coloured vegan and the French Toast one, a hybrid from heaven we presume. The ever-popular Build-Your-Own pancake is the perfect option for the picky; choose your base, from buckwheat to buttermilk, and delectable toppings ranging from coconut ice-cream and bacon to Valrhona chocolate sauce.
When: 13th February, 11.30am – 11.30pm
Price: From £12
Address: Christopher’s, Covent Garden, 18 Wellington St, WC2E 7DD
Mr Bao
What: For a Taiwanese twist to your pancakes head to Mr Bao in Peckham. Crispy spring onion and sesame seed pancakes topped with basil, homemade kimichi and a fried egg; it’s the perfect option for a gluttonous day without the syrupy fingers and the all too brief sugar-high that comes with it.
When: 13th February,
Price: From £6
Address: Mr Bao, 293 Rye Ln, SE15 4UA
Riding House Café
What: Buttermilk base, vanilla clotted cream, berries and dripping with maple syrup. Locals and tourist alike flock here every day of the week for pancakes that never fall flat. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself on the wrong side of an hour-long waiting list. It’s worth giving their sister restaurants a try, Village East in Bermondsey and Rail House Café in Victoria; equally great at whipping up a pancake but with less wait-time.
When: 13th February, 7.30am – 12am
Price: From £9.50
Address: Riding House Café, 43-51 Great Titchfield St, Fitzrovia, W1W 7PQ
Where The Pancakes Are
What: This non-traditional pancake house successfully combines modern food trends with the nostalgia trip that only a well-flipped pancake can bring. With a restaurant as well as Après chalet pop-up nestled in Flat Iron Square, you need not walk far to find all imaginable variations of pancakes. What’s more this charitable bunch have joined forces with sustainable food company Rubies in the Rubble. We’re always more than happy to stuff our faces for a good cause.
When: 13th February, 7am – 3pm & 5pm – 11pm
Price: From £6
Address: Arch 35a, 85 Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 0NQ