Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday is associated with pancakes in some countries as it is the day before the Christians traditionally fast for 40 days. It is a way of using up rich foods like eggs, milk, butter and sugar, all denied during Lent. For most of us these days it’s just an excuse to scoff as many pancakes as we can!
Most of us go sweet on Pancake Day, but we can all do lemon and sugar or Nutella at home. Head out this March for an indulgent treat at some of London’s best pancake eateries. Here are the best places in London to eat pancakes in 2025.
When is Pancake Day 2025?
This year Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 4th March.
Where The Pancakes Are, Flat Iron Square
Right, now, these are some serious pancakes. Their batters are made fresh every day using organic flour and buckwheat, high-welfare eggs and are packed full of vitamins and proteins. Try the forest berries; one or two deliciously fluffy pancakes, with berry compote, house cream, crushed violet meringue and toasted almonds. Or the Hummingbird; cinnamon pineapple, house cream, lime syrup, pomegranate and toasted coconut. The 3-in-1 batter option for all pancakes is vegan, dairy and wheat-free so you can bring anyone here!
Fuwa Fuwa, Brunswick Centre
Our obsession with Japanese food continues as the heavily Instagrammable soufflé pancakes at Fuwa Fuwa have taken London by storm. How are they different to our UK pancakes? The chef separates the egg yolks and whites, chills and whips the whites, then gently folds in the yolks and other ingredients. Extravagant toppings include salted caramel, miso and popcorn, banana and Nutella, honeycomb butter, and yuzu cheesecake.
Kipferl, Angel
This cafe specialises in savoury and sweet classic Austrian dishes. Go for two courses and start with the Wiener schnitzel or the spinach dumplings with organic mountain cheese. Then move on to pancakes. Traditional Austrian Kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy shredded pancake with raisins and apple compote. Or Marillen Palatschinken – apricot pancakes served with whipped cream on top of organic vanilla ice cream. With its simplistic and relaxing interior, Kipferl suggests sitting on your own with a “kleiner Brauner, reading a newspaper for hours, or having a “three-course dinner with friends in the evening”. There’s also a great selection of self-imported fine Austrian wines and beers.
My Old Dutch, Holborn and Chelsea
A beloved staple of the city since 1958, My Old Dutch offers both sweet and savoury pancakes Dutch pancakes. Boasting a range of traditional flat pancakes and the stacks you have become accustomed to; the menu has something for everyone. From spinach and bacon and egg to Biscoff and syrup for the sweet tooths, the pancakes are unique and bespoke to your tastes.
Pancake Day Events in London
Inter-Livery Pancake Race
Located in Guildhall Yard, the annual pancake-flipping race draws in quite the crowd! Dressed in full regalia. The members of the related Liveries in London compete for a coveted frying pan trophy. With clockmakers timing it, gunmakers firing the starting pistol, glovers providing the white gloves worn by the racers, fruiterers providing lemons, and cutlers providing forks, it takes a village! The races start at 12pm on Pancake Day- drop by and cheer on the competitors.
Where to Find the Best Savoury Pancakes in London
If you lack a sweet tooth but still want to celebrate, why not try savoury pancakes in London?
La Creperie De Hampstead, Hampstead
If you’ve ever been to Hampstead and seen a massive queue by the King William IV pub, you’ve missed out of La Creperie De Hampstead. Open between 11:45am and 11:30pm 7 days a week, the basic yet delicious crepes from this 35 year old, established food truck are worth the queue. The sweet choices are well worth a look, but for a filling snack on the go order one of their savouries. Try the oozing mushroom, garlic and cheese, classic ham and cheese, or the filling ratatouille, ham and cheese. There are no seats but the people behind these crepes know to wrap them up well, the perfect bite before a walk on the Heath or a dip in the ponds.
Saravanaa Bhavan, East Ham
Some of the best Indian food to be found in London is in East Ham. Just down the District Line from Brick Lane (Whitechapel), you’ll find a bustling high street with a different South Indian restaurant every other shop front. Not strictly your classic lemon and sugar, but an Indian dosa pancake is a must-try. A gigantic paper thin, crispy pancake glisteningly doused in ghee butter and traditionally filled with spiced potatoes and served with coconut chutney and sambar. Other fillings can include paneer (Indian cheese a bit like halloumi), spinach or coconut. Saravanaa Bhavan is one of the best restaurants in East Ham and has an extensive empire throughout Asia. It has shops in Malaysia, Hong Kong, India, Saudi Arabia and some in Europe.
