It’s fair to say that London isn’t short of top breakfast and brunch places. You’ll know that if you’ve checked out my London breakfast guides for Central, South , North and East London. For me, no breakfast menu would be complete without pancakes! I am obsessed with pancakes and always on the hunt for good ones. From authentic, thick American style pancakes to more unusual savoury creations, here are, in no particular order the ultimate bucket list of London’s most delicious pancakes!
1. Outsider Tart, Chiswick
Outsider Tart is the home of true southern American cooking and no American style restaurant would be complete without a stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes on the menu. Outsider’s pancakes come in a short stack (2) mid-stack (3) or long haul (4), and all come with real maple syrup and a dollop of salted butter melting in the middle. A really quirky and unique place for brunch in West London.
83 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London W4 2EF www.outsidertart.com
2. Chiltern Firehouse, Marylebone
Chiltern Firehouse is a 5* hotel and former fire station in Marylebone serving up 5* pancakes. This is the place to go when a regular stack just won’t do and you REALLY want to treat yourself (and indeed your waistline). The pancakes come plain with toppings on the side which means you can design them to your own liking. A place for great pancakes and the occasional celebrity sighting!
1 Chiltern St, Marylebone, London W1U 7PA www.chilternfirehouse.com
3. Angie’s Little Food Shop, Chiswick
Angie’s is a gorgeous Australian brunch spot in leafy West London. Their pancakes or ‘hot cakes’ as they call them are not really like any others I’ve tried before. Rounder, smaller and a little bit savoury; They come with a dollop of espresso cream and a cute pot of cinnamon syrup to drizzle. Expect lots of locals and yummy mummies!
114 Chiswick High Rd, Chiswick, London W4 1PU www.angieslittlefoodshop.com
4. Balans Soho Society, Soho
Balans do some of the best pancakes I’ve had in London. They are the thick American style and come drowned in maple syrup with lots of toppings and are VERY generous in size. Have them as bressert (breakfast dessert) to one of Balans’s full English breakfasts and you can’t go wrong. Always a friendly welcome at the original site in Soho.
60-62 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 4UG www.balans.co.uk
5. NAC, Mayfair
NAC is a popular brunch spot in London’s super swanky Mayfair and one thing everyone raves about is their pancakes. They are drowned in dulce de leche sauce (a sweet caramel) and are topped with banana and icing sugar. If you like a sweet breakfast this is one for you.
41 N Audley St, Mayfair, London W1K 6ZP www.naclondon.com
6. Senzala Creperie, Brixton
Senzala Creperie is a small, independent creperie in the vibrant and bustling Brixton Village. They have a large menu of both sweet and savoury galettes and crepes so you’re sure to find something you’ll love. I’d recommend the cheese, asparagus and egg for dinner and the apple and cinnamon for dessert.
42 Coldharbour Ln, Brixton, London SW9 8PS www.senzalacreperie.co.uk
7. Fuwa Fuwa, Bloomsbury
Unlike anything else you’ve eaten before, Fuwa Fuwa makes Japanese Souffle pancakes. These pancakes have taken the internet by storm over the last few years with their fluffy appearance, signature wobble and melt in your mouth texture. These beauties are a labour of love and take 20 minutes to cook to pancake perfection. The first of their kind to arrive in London and what an experience they are.
Unit 18, Brunswick Centre, Marchmont St, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 1AE www.fuwafuwa.co.uk
8. Poffertjes, Camden Market.
Poffertjes, traditionally from the Netherlands, are basically tiny pancakes which come in perfect bite-size pieces. Watching them being freshly cooked in front of you is mesmerising … especially when they pile them high with Nutella and strawberries! Find them in Camden Market. They are the perfect sweet snack to explore the market with.
Camden Lock Pl, Camden Town, London NW1 8AF www.camdenmarket.com
9. Christopher’s, Covent Garden
Instead of being stuck with one topping, Christopher’s gives you the option to build your own pancakes. As part of their weekend brunch menu, each table comes with a pencil, a tick sheet and lots of choices for you to make your own creation. Set right in the heart of Covent Garden.
Covent Garden, 18 Wellington St, London WC2E 7DD www.christophersgrill.com
10. Crepes A La Carte, Kentish Town
Whoever said pancakes (or crepes) had to be unhealthy? Ran by French chef and health enthusiast Eva, she brought recipes over to London from her home town of Brittany and built a fantastic menu of inventive and good for you creations of sweet and savoury buckwheat galettes. Buckwheat has amazing health benefits including high levels of antioxidants and helping to aid blood sugar control. Dishes are made fresh to order and are suitable for gluten, wheat and dairy-free customers. Unhealthy options are also available. A great local gem in North London.
112 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 9PX www.crepesalacarte.co.uk
11. Flotsam & Jetsam, Wandsworth
Flotsam & Jetsam are a neighbourhood gem in the leafy suburb of Wandsworth. Most weekends you’ll find families and friends catching up over their menu of great brunch dishes like espresso eggs benedict or fluffy American style pancakes. Definitely worth the trip into a more residential area of London.
4 Bellevue Parade, Wandsworth Common, London SW17 7EQ flotsamandjetsamcafe.co.uk/
12. Proud Mary’s, Shephards Bush
Did someone say pancake or cake? Aussie brunch spot Proud Mary’s sits off the beaten track tucked away on a side street of West London’s, Shepherds Bush. Alongside their great brunch menu, they serve up the thickest, fluffiest pancakes you will ever lay eyes on. It’s seriously like eating three cakes. They are also gluten-free!
1C Oaklands Grove, Shepherd’s Bush, London W12 0JD www.proudmarys.co.uk
13. Granger & Co, Various Locations
Australian import Granger & Co are super famous for their hotcakes. You could even say they are possibly one of London’s most photographed brunch dishes. Their fluffy hotcakes are made with ricotta cheese and topped with honeycomb butter and caramelised banana. They are most certainly the reason you’ll never see them without a queue. It’s all about that honeycomb butter!
175 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2SB www.grangerandco.com
14. Where The Pancakes Are, London Bridge
Where The Pancakes Are does exactly what it says on the tin. They serve up a menu made entirely of pancakes and are set in a funky little place called Flat Iron Square in South East London. Their pancakes are made with a buttermilk batter but for those with intolerances, they also do a vegan, dairy and wheat free batter. If you want to be more adventurous they also serve ‘Dutch Babies’ (not the human kind) which are similar to a British Yorkshire pudding. Don’t go expecting huge portions as it’s more delicate than decadent.
Photo Credit: Where The Pancakes Are – Arch 35a, 85a Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 0NQ www.wherethepancakesare.com
15. Avobar, Covent Garden
Avobar is a California inspired brunch spot in Covent Garden dedicated to all things avocado. If you’re a fan of matcha (Japanese green tea) Avobars matcha pancakes are a must-try, paired alongside avocado butter and caramelised banana. Get their avocado toast for brunch and these for dessert for the full avocado experience.
24 Henrietta St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 8ND https://www.avobar.co.uk/
16. The Wolseley, Piccadilly
Eating pancakes at the famous Wolseley is the ultimate breakfast goal! Their indulgent stack of pancakes are served next to silver teapots and under opulent chandeliers, in a stunning art deco dining room. My tip is to get both berries and bacon on the pancakes. Seriously, that sticky bacon with the sweet fruit is the absolute dream.
160 Piccadilly, St. James’s, London W1J 9EB www.thewolseley.com
17. Burnt Toast Cafe, Brixton
Burnt Toast Cafe is a small, alfresco cafe in Brixton that does a FANTASTIC all-day breakfast and brunch which includes their homemade berry or banana pancakes. Pair that with a cup of tea and a sunny Sunday morning in bustling Brixton Village; it’s the perfect place for your next brunch.
88 Brixton Village Market, Brixton, London SW9 8PS
Coconut water is a serious superfood and Osu use it to make their vegan, gluten and guilt-free pancakes. Find them in East London’s Broadway Market.
Broadway Market, London, E84QJ, http://www.broadwaymarket.co.uk
19. La Creperie de Hampstead, Hampstead
In the very lovely (and very posh) village of Hampstead Heath, sits La Creperie de Hampstead who have been serving up their crepes from their small cart since 1980. They are takeaway only with no formal seating so an ideal snack to wander around Hampstead highstreet or Hampstead Heath park. This small but well-known creperie is an institution in the area and drives hoards of people to it every day
77a Hampstead High St, Hampstead, London NW3 1RE www.hampsteadvillage.com
20. Gunpowder, Tower Bridge
If you’re looking for a brunch that is so much more than avocado on toast, Gunpowder is where it’s at. They do a weekend brunch menu off Indian eggs, spiced granola and these epic cardamon and banana pancakes. Enjoy with a side of their lamb chops and venison doughnut for an unbelievable brunch.
4 Duchess Walk, London SE1 2SD, http://www.gunpowderlondon.com
Wait! Before you go…
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Ooh they all look so good. I can’t wait for pancake day tomorrow, going to stuff my face! Yum!
Hi!
Thanks for the tips on the best pancakes. 🙂
I was just wondering were you are eating in the top picture with those MASSIVE pancakes. They look so good.
Thanks