Pancake Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, 17 February, and in London it has evolved into a city-wide food moment rather than a purely domestic tradition. Rooted in Shrove Tuesday — the final day before the start of Lent — the occasion was historically marked by home cooking and the practical use of eggs, milk and butter before a period of restraint. Today, that domestic ritual has shifted decisively into the public sphere. While many households still make pancakes at home in the evening, restaurants and cafés now play a central role in how the day is observed. Over the past decade, London’s brunch culture has turned Pancake Day into an established urban fixture, with venues across the capital offering dedicated menus and extended service throughout the day.
From central neighbourhoods to riverside districts, Shrove Tuesday has become a marker of late winter in the city’s food calendar — informal, seasonal and locally defined. Below is an editorial guide to some of the most reliable places to eat pancakes in London, with clear details on location, pricing and the style each venue is known for, according to The WP Times editorial team.
The Breakfast Club
Address: Various locations including Soho, Spitalfields, London Bridge, St Pancras
Area: Central, East and South London
Typical price: £8–£14
The Breakfast Club is one of London’s most recognisable brunch names and a consistent Pancake Day favourite. Its pancakes follow a classic American style: thick, fluffy and generously portioned. The menu prioritises familiarity, with blueberry pancakes, bacon-and-maple combinations and syrup-heavy plates that appeal to both first-time visitors and regulars. On Pancake Day, queues are common across locations, but service is streamlined and the atmosphere remains deliberately informal.
Where The Pancakes Are
Address: 85a Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 0NQ; Battersea Power Station, SW11
Area: Southwark, Battersea
Typical price: £11–£15
Where The Pancakes Are places pancakes at the centre of its identity rather than treating them as a supporting brunch option. Both sweet and savoury dishes receive equal attention, from fruit-led stacks to combinations with bacon, eggs and slow-cooked fillings. The Southwark site draws a weekday city crowd, while Battersea Power Station sees heavier weekend traffic. For Pancake Day itself, this is one of the most purpose-built and dependable choices in London.
Granger & Co.
Address: Locations in Chelsea, Notting Hill, King’s Cross and Clerkenwell
Area: West and Central London
Typical price: £14–£18
Granger & Co. is closely associated with its ricotta hotcakes, which sit somewhere between a traditional pancake and a refined brunch dish. Light in texture and carefully plated, they appeal to diners looking for indulgence without heaviness. On Pancake Day, these hotcakes are frequently cited as a benchmark for quality, offering balance rather than excess.
My Old Dutch Pancake House
Address: High Holborn, WC1V 6PS; King’s Road, SW3
Area: Holborn, Chelsea
Typical price: £12–£18
Specialising in Dutch-style pancakes, My Old Dutch offers wider, thinner bases than American stacks, designed to carry substantial toppings. Options range from traditional sugar and lemon to more filling savoury combinations. The Holborn branch, in particular, is popular on Pancake Day thanks to its size, central location and relatively fast turnover.
Fuwa Fuwa Café
Address: 57A Dean Street, W1D 6AJ
Area: Soho
Typical price: £14–£18
Fuwa Fuwa represents the Japanese soufflé pancake trend that has gained ground in London over the past few years. These pancakes are tall, extremely light and dessert-like in texture. Preparation takes longer than traditional pancakes, making this a slower, sit-down experience rather than a quick Pancake Day stop, but one that appeals to those seeking something visually distinctive.
CA Japanese Pancakes
Address: 324 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1AA
Area: Victoria
Typical price: £12–£17
Another Japanese-style specialist, CA Japanese Pancakes focuses on consistency and presentation. Pancakes are softly set, mildly sweet and served with cream, fruit or chocolate-based toppings. Its Victoria location makes it a practical option for central London workers marking Pancake Day during a lunch break rather than an extended brunch.
Bill’s
Address: Multiple locations including Soho, Covent Garden, London Bridge and Baker Street
Area: Central London
Typical price: £12–£18
Bill’s offers a predictable and accessible Pancake Day option. Pancakes appear as part of a broader all-day brunch menu, making it suitable for mixed groups where not everyone wants a pancake-focused meal. While not a specialist, its familiarity and central locations keep it consistently busy on Shrove Tuesday.
Duck & Waffle
Address: 110 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4AY
Area: City of London
Typical price: £25–£40+
Duck & Waffle is less about Pancake Day tradition and more about experience. Its elevated views and high-end brunch menu attract diners looking to mark the day in a more theatrical way. Pancake-style dishes feature on the menu, but the primary draw is atmosphere rather than custom.
What Londoners typically order on Pancake Day
Despite the wide range of pancake styles now available across the capital, ordering patterns on Pancake Day in London remain remarkably consistent. Classic lemon and sugar pancakes continue to be the most traditional choice, particularly among British diners marking Shrove Tuesday in line with long-standing custom.
Among modern brunch menus, bacon and maple syrup pancakes dominate American-style offerings, especially in central London cafés and all-day brunch restaurants. Fruit-based pancakes, often topped with berries, yoghurt or honey, are most popular with brunch-focused crowds and those seeking lighter options earlier in the day. By contrast, chocolate spreads, Nutella-style toppings and dessert pancakes see a sharp spike in demand specifically on Shrove Tuesday, reflecting the day’s historic association with indulgence before Lent. According to restaurant operators, these richer combinations are ordered far more frequently on Pancake Day than during a typical February brunch service.
Pancake Day at home: a classic British pancake recipe
For those choosing to mark Pancake Day at home, this is the most widely used and historically accurate British pancake recipe, passed down through generations and still considered the standard for Shrove Tuesday pancakes in the UK. Unlike American-style stacks, traditional British pancakes are thin, lightly set and designed to be folded or rolled rather than piled.
Ingredients (serves 2–3)
- 100 g plain flour
- 2 large free-range eggs
- 300 ml whole milk
- A pinch of salt
- Butter or neutral oil, for frying
Method
Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl to remove any lumps. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs, followed by roughly half of the milk. Whisk steadily until the mixture forms a smooth batter, then gradually incorporate the remaining milk until the consistency is thin and pourable, similar to single cream. Heat a shallow frying pan over medium heat and lightly grease it with butter or oil. Pour in a small ladle of batter, immediately tilting the pan to coat the base evenly. Cook for 30–40 seconds, until the surface begins to set and the underside turns lightly golden. Flip carefully and cook for a further 20–30 seconds. Remove from the pan and keep warm while repeating with the remaining batter.
Traditional topping
Fresh lemon juice and caster sugar remain the definitive British Pancake Day serving, reflecting the dish’s origins as a simple, pre-Lent staple.
Modern variations
In recent years, many households have adopted lighter or brunch-inspired toppings, including fresh berries, Greek yoghurt, honey or maple syrup. Chocolate spreads and nut butters are increasingly popular on Shrove Tuesday itself, reflecting the day’s long-standing association with indulgence before Lent.
Calorie breakdown: how many calories are in a traditional British pancake
A single traditional British pancake made using flour, eggs and whole milk contains approximately 90–110 calories, depending on pan size and the amount of fat used for frying. When served in the classic way with lemon juice and caster sugar, the calorie count typically rises to 130–150 calories per pancake. Modern toppings increase this further: maple syrup or honey can add around 40–60 calories, while chocolate spreads or nut-based toppings may add 100 calories or more per serving. As a result, a standard Pancake Day portion of two to three pancakes usually falls within the 300–450 calorie range, placing it firmly in the category of an occasional seasonal treat rather than an everyday breakfast.
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