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With Pancake day around the corner, I went out on a mission to find the best stack and one thing’s for sure, there’s no need to settle this pancake day
Pancake Day is a staple in the calendar for Brits across the country – but if you’ve forgotten to pick up the ingredients or simply don’t fancy making your own, there are plenty of eatieries offering up new and unusual takes on the humble crepe.
Pancakes have been a tradition for centuries, but now they are evolving with many different options. Whether you have a sweet tooth or prefer savoury, you will be sure to find something that hits the spot.
As a real pancake lover, I was on a mission to find the best pancake restaurants London has to offer to save you the trouble. Each of these restaurants brings something different whether its unique ingredients, bright atmosphere or bold flavours. While all of the combinations left a lasting impression, one stood out to me.
Plenty of restaurants do pancakes well, but Where The Pancakes Are takes it to another level. They use buckwheat flour, which is gluten free, making it great for those with intolerance. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels and supports heart health.
On top of that it is packed with essential minerals like magnesium and iron. As someone who’s low on iron, tucking into a stack of buckwheat pancakes is surely a nutritional necessity not a treat. Doctors orders right?
I tucked into a sweet option and a savoury option. For someone who associates pancakes with sweetness. I was intrigued, can a savoury pancake truly deliver? Spoiler, it did.
I started off strong with their new combination, BBQ chicken made with halal chicken and a house BBQ sauce with corn and onions on the side. As soon as I had my first bite I understood why it is a best-seller. The pancakes were cooked to perfection and every bite was a burst of flavour and had me wondering why I have never tried this before.
After the bold start, I was eager to try something sweet and the next pancake was magical. After scanning the menu, I was conflicted over which one to pick and I asked a staff member which is her favourite. She said Miso pear caramel, a dish comprised of buttermilk pancakes topped with lemon and thyme poached pear, house cream, miso caramel, almonds and lemon zest.
I was hesitant at first, because pear isn’t my favourite fruit but I proceeded and wow. Once I took a bite every single ingredient made sense. I could tell there was time and effort to construct these together, nothing overpowering. The perfect balance. Every bite made me more certain this was one of the best pancakes I’d ever tried.
As delicious as those were, my pancake journey was far from over. After all, we have a wide selection in London. Just as I thought I’d found the ultimate pancake spot, CA Japanese pancakes proved there’s more than one way to steal the show. The space felt like an aesthetic dream, it felt as if I was stepping into a pink tube station but what truly made it shine was the owner’s authentic bubbly personality and her woman-led team proving that it isn’t only about the food but the people behind it.
The first thing that caught my eye on the menu was that everything is gluten and dairy free. This is a place for everyone, pancakes make no exclusions. I was overwhelmed by the amount of selection on the menu, especially being my first time trying Japanese pancakes. I knew I couldn’t tie it down to two, I had to try more. What makes the menu even more impressive is how they incorporated flavours from all over the world.
While each pancake stood out, there was one that stole the show, ultimate Creme Brulee. It looked incredible and trust me it tasted the same. I could talk about the other ones I tried but one more deserves its flowers. Ube Filipino topped with all things purple yam, initially hearing a pancake combination with a vegetable I instantly wrote it off however my opinion quickly changed after my first bite and it got better with every one.
The combinations I tried expanded my idea of being creative with pancakes but I didn’t want to stop at the menu – I wanted to know more.
I spoke with Aaron, the director of My Old Dutch who understands the art inside and out. The establishment has been open since 1985 making it London’s oldest pancake dedicated restaurant. Aaron believes pancakes are identical to pizza, versatile and a canvas for endless creativity. He says that the chefs behind the combinations have a deep love for the craft, pushing them to experiment with bold flavours and unexpected pairings. After my early pancake day I understand, it truly is the best base.
Whether you fancy a savoury or sweet pancake day, each spot is worth visiting. The best spot is subjective depending on your preference, that’s why you should check them out and decide for yourself!