Pancakes might be synonymous with Shrove Tuesday, but the team here at SquareMeal HQ are of the firm opinion that pancakes should be a more-than-once-a-year occurrence. While we may never fully understand how the simple trio of flour, eggs and milk can produce something so delicious, we do know a thing or two about where to eat the best pancakes in London. Our superior knowledge (if we do say so ourselves) of the city’s breakfast and brunch menus has served us well once again, and allowed us to create this comprehensive list of the best places to eat pancakes in the capital.
Depending on who you talk to, the consensus as to what makes the best pancake in London varies from person to person. For some, it doesn’t get much better than a traditional, wafer-thin crepe, finished with a squeeze of lemon juice and lashings of sugar. While some prefer the bite of a fluffy American-style pancake, stacked to the rafters and drenched in maple syrup.
For connoisseurs of fried food, the list doesn’t stop there. A French galette is a popular choice for those who prefer their pancakes of the savoury sort, and let’s not forget the impossibly-fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes which have made a name for themselves on social media in the last few years. Toppings are another major talking point. From butter and praline, to syrup and bacon, you’ll find flavours for everyone in this list.
If your flipping skills aren’t up to scratch, you need not worry. You’ll find the best pancakes in London restaurants all year round. No matter your personal tastes, we consider it our duty to recommend more brunch restaurants in London offering the best of each kind, from the souffle-like to the thin and crispy, we’ve rounded up all the spots to find the best pancakes London has to offer.
Drunch, Fitzrovia and St John's Wood
![table with coffees, and pancakes]()
What: A mash-up of brunch, lunch and dinner, Drunch serves relaxed all-day menus, with a focus on the best meal out of the three: brunch. Naturally, pancakes feature heavily, with a dedicated section to the staple. Options here include toppings like crispy turkey bacon and maple syrup, berries and ricotta with a berry compote, banana and dulce de leche, or heart-shaped pancakes filled with Nutella and hazelnut. For the traditionalists, however, crepe pancakes are also on offer, including the timeless favourite with lemon and sugar.
What to order: Banana pancakes with dulce de leche
Where: 71 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 6RB; 38 St John's Wood Terrace, NW8 6LS
Book now: Drunch Fitzrovia; Drunch Regent’s Park
Mallow, Canary Wharf
![close up of american pancakes with cream and cocoa]()
What: There’s only one type of pancake on the Mallow brunch menu, but we don’t see ourselves craving anything else. The only restaurant (that we know of) to combine one of the best desserts in the world with the best breakfast food, Mallow offers up tiramisu pancakes. That’s right, gorgeous, fluffy buttermilk pancakes drizzled with espresso syrup, covered in white chocolate Chantilly cream and dusted with cacao. It also happens to be totally plant-based, and you can add a third layer!
What to order: Tiramisu pancakes with espresso syrup and white chocolate Chantilly.
Where: 12 Park Drive, E14 9ZW
Book now: Mallow Canary Wharf
Sunday in Brooklyn, Notting Hill
![two stack pancakes so thick it looks like cake]()
What: When we think of Sunday In Brooklyn, we think of pancakes. And can you blame us when its offering is so outrageously in your face, you’d probably be able to see a stack of its signature Sunday pancakes from space?! One pancake would be more than enough, but we'd recommend ordering two if not three - seriously, you'll thank us for it. Thick, fluffy and cake-like, Sunday in Brooklyn’s pancake offering arrives dripping in hazelnut maple praline with a cube of brown butter on top. You won’t forget your first pancake experience here.
What to order: Hazelnut maple praline pancakes with brown butter
Where: 98 Westbourne Grove, W2 5RU; 10-12 James Street, W1U 1EE
Book now: Sunday in Brooklyn Notting Hill; Sunday in Brooklyn Marylebone
The Wolseley, Mayfair and City
![neat plate of pancakes with blackberries and raspberries]()
What: The Wolseley's two restaurants boast a dining rooms that is so arrestingly gorgeous, that we’re half tempted to move in and make it our permanent home. The food is just as pretty as the surroundings. When it comes to pancakes, expect a pillowy stack which can be adorned with your choice of toppings. Stick with the classic maple syrup, or kick it up a little with crispy bacon or seasonal berries. Whatever you're preferences, the service and atmosphere here is part of the package, offering a feel of grandeur and indulgence.
What to order: Pancakes with maple syrup and bacon
Where: 160 Piccadilly, W1J 9EB; King William Street, EC4N 7HR
Book now: The Wolseley; The Wolseley Mayfair
The Colony Grill, Mayfair
![Classic american pancakes with butter and syrup]()
What: Where better to go for classic American pancakes than a restaurant specialising classy New York style dining? The menu here is all about transatlantic favourites given glamorous facelifts and the dining room is just as attractive. There’s French toast on the table here too, but who could say no to perfectly bronzed pancakes in a place like this? There are several options for toppings, including the classic maple syrup and cured bacon, but one with apple cinnamon and clotted cream has caught our eye.
What to order: pancakes with apple, cinnamon and cream
Where: 8 Balderton Street, W1K 6TF
Book now: The Colony Grill
Mildreds, Camden and Victoria
![colourful pancake plates with glasses of fizz]()
What: Known for its fun and relaxed atmosphere and colourful menu of inventive international vegan dishes, Mildreds is a favourite for breakfast and brunch. There are loads of options here, from classic berries and cream with whipped Chantilly, and a banana and biscoff number, to a deliciously rich Black Forest gateau inspired stack with morello cherry compote, chocolate stout sauce, and whipped Chantilly cream. Why not add a scoop of ice cream too?
What to order: Black Forest pancakes with morello cherry, chocolate stout, and Chantilly.
Where: 9 Jamestown Road, NW1 7BW; 128 Wilton Road, SW1V 1JZ
Book now: Mildreds Camden; Mildreds Victoria
The Little Scarlet Door, Soho
![two stacks of pancakes, one with fried chicken]()
What: The Little Door group are responsible for a cohort of restaurants and bars across London (including The Little Blue Door, and The Little Violet Door) designed in the style of a student flat share. When you step inside this Soho edition, you’ll be greeted by a trendy living room and kitchen diner, which functions as a restaurant and bar. The brunch menu is killer. Don’t miss its house pancakes, which include one sweet and savoury option, from fried chicken with bacon and chilli maple butter honey to pancakes with caramelised banana, maple, chocolate and glazed nuts.
What to order: House pancakes with fried chicken, bacon and chilli maple butter honey
Where: 871-873 Fulham Road, SW6 5HP
Book now: The Little Scarlet Door
The Delaunay, Covent Garden
![Pancakes with soft cream, syrup and berries]()
What: The Delaunay’s sumptuous interiors are modelled on the grand cafes of Mittel-Europe, a suitable backdrop for a decadent pancake-filled breakfast, we think. And the pancake offering is just as classic, with similar attention to detail. Available toppings here include maple syrup, crispy bacon or a mixed berry compote which can be added to pancakes or French toast. Though it must be said, we highly recommend you opt for the former of course. You can also expect a great selection of juices, including grapefruit, tomato, pineapple, and carrot juice.
What to order: Pancakes with maple syrup and bacon
Where: 55 Aldwych, WC2B 4BB
Book now: The Delaunay
Riding House Café, Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury
![stack of two pancakes with syrup being poured over]()
What: This bright and buzzy all-day restaurant is best known for its brunch menu, which includes a trio of malted deep-dish pancakes topped with all kinds of outrageous flavours. A combination of toasted marshmallows, coconut clotted cream, white chocolate and banana-infused maple syrup is bound to be a sweet-lovers dream. But the menu here also offers a sweet and savoury option with streaky bacon, blueberry compote, sour cream and maple syrup. You can also stick to the classics with toppings like berries, clotted cream, and berry compote.
What to order: Malt deep dish pancakes with marshmallows, coconut cream, white chocolate and banana-infused maple syrup
Where: 43-51 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7PQ; 1 Brunswick Centre, Bernard Street, WC1N 1AF
Book now: Riding House Café Fitzrovia; Riding House Cafe Bloomsbury
Balans, Various locations
![pancake topped with crispy fried chicken and sesame]()
What: Balans is a reliable option for any pancake enthusiast, with multiple restaurants all over London (Soho, Kensington, and Stratford) serving its signature stacks all day. Choose between classic American fluffy pancakes with a choice of bacon, banana or fresh berries, or fried chicken pancakes with kimchi salas, oat fried chicken and a fiery Korean hot honey. There's also the chance to go vegan, with stacks of plant-based pancakes topped with berries or banana. Balans also serves some brilliant coffee, offering a premium Arabica blend sourced from quality farms.
What to order: Fried chicken pancakes with kimchi salad, oat fried chicken and spicy Korean honey
Where: 123 The Street Westfield, E20 1EN; 187 Kensington High Street, W8 6SH; 60-62 Old Compton Street, W1D 4UG
Book now: Balans Stratford; Balans Kensington; Balans Soho
Where the Pancakes Are, Southwark
![stack of pancakes with crispy bacon and blueberries]()
What: Just in case it wasn’t clear, Where The Pancakes Are is an all-day restaurant specialising in pancakes, and pancakes only. It’s a pretty comprehensive experience, with guests given the option to choose their batter (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free) if required. Classic savoury and sweet fluffy pancakes are the main affair, but you can opt for one of its Dutch Babies for something a bit different, which are a bit like a loaded Yorkshire pudding. Our favourites include the 'Royal' topped with poached eggs and hollandaise, and the 'Miso Pear Caramel'.
What to order: Buttermilk pancakes with poached pear, miso caramel, house cream, lemon zest and toasted almonds
Where: 85a Southwark Bridge Road, SE1 0NQ
Book now: Where The Pancakes Are
No 29 Power Station West, Battersea
![pancake with streaky bacon, fried egg, and chives]()
What: An all-day restaurant and bar known as a reliable spot for casual gatherings, lunches and brunches, No 29 Power Station West has quickly become a favourite in the area. In part, this is because of its pancake offering. Toppings might include caramelised banana with salted caramel ice cream and toffee, zesty lemon curd labneh with blueberry, and classic streaky bacon with the option to add a fried egg. The restaurant is also one of the few actively working towards reducing food waste, sourcing ‘wonky’ vegetables that would otherwise end up in refuse.
What to order: Pancake stack with lemon curd labneh and blueberry compote
Where: 29 Circus West Village, SW11 8NN
Book now: No. 29 Power Station West
Fuwa Fuwa, Soho
![Blue box container with souffle pancakes]()
What: An import from Toyko, Fuwa Fuwa serves up super fluffy Japanese soufflé pancakes, and as far as we’re aware, is one of the few places in London where you can get your hands on them. Understandably, the pancakes from Fuwa Fuwa have garnered cult status as one of the best pancakes London has to offer. They’re extraordinarily fluffy thanks to the addition of whipped egg whites, with the cloud-like creations offering a whole new pancake experience. There are plenty of delicious toppings, and for anyone concerned, the centres are cooked through!
What to order: Blueberry and yuzu cheesecake pancakes
Where: 57A Dean Street, W1D 6AJ
Book now: Fuwa Fuwa
Langan's Brasserie, Mayfair
![plate with two pancakes topped with cream]()
What: No one would ever doubt Langan's Brasserie's pancakes to be anything less than fabulously indulgent. The interiors of the restaurant set the tone, featuring muted natural colours, soft lighting, and pops of floral colour. The restaurant and bar which has retained its iconic status as a hangout for the rich and famous since the 70s offers a signature stack of pancakes on its breakfast menu, filled with whipped cream and drowned in maple syrup. Be warned, you might need a lie down afterwards, but fortunately, there's a great selection if tea and coffee to pep you up again.
What to order: Langan’s Pancakes with whipped cream, maple syrup and berries
Where: Stratton Street, W1J 8LB
Book now: Langan's Brasserie
No. 32 The Old Town, Clapham
![bowl with pancakes topped with caramelised banana]()
What: Located in charming Clapham Old Town, No 32 is an all-day restaurant and bar that’s become popular amongst locals as a casual catch-up spot. One of the best things about it is that it serves brunch from 9am-4pm, which means you can order yourself a plate of its buttermilk pancakes whenever the mood strikes you. Choose from a selection of three sweet and savoury toppings. We're talking stacks topped with streaky smoked bacon and maple syrup, zesty lemon curd labneh and blueberry compote and a caramelised banana number with toffee.
What to order: Buttermilk pancakes with caramelised banana, salted caramel ice cream and toffee sauce.
Where: 32 The Pavement, SW4 0JE
Book now: No. 32 The Old Town
Milk, Balham
![two pancakes with meringue, grapefruit and chocolate]()
What: Aussie-owned Milk in Balham serves some of the best brunch plates in South West London. Fact. One look at its pancake offering will prove that we’re not making wild claims. Pancake specials change week-by-week, but have been known to include the likes of buckwheat pancakes with green care cara, sweet potato meringue tart, cranberry jelly, corn cob syrup, and pecan pie crumble. Buckwheat pancakes arrive with an artistic adornment of various shards and splodges, the combination of which varies seasonally. Phew.
What to order: Any of the seasonal specials!
Where: 18-20 Bedford Hill, SW12 9RG
Book now: Milk
Senzala Creperie, Brixton
![crepe topped with chocolate chips and banana]()
What: This unique spot located in Brixton Village has been serving French-style crepes with Brazilian flair since 2013. Choose from a menu of sweet and savoury galettes (made with buckwheat flour) and crepes (made with white flour) for a pancake-centric meal! Favourites include Rosa Squash (tomato chutney, roasted squash, courgette and red pepper confit, rocket, toasted almonds), Senzala (Gorgonzola cheese, rocket, caramelised onions, sundried tomatoes) and Coco Loco (Belgian chocolate, coconut, rum, ice cream).
What to order: A classic crepe with cheese, ham and a fried egg
Where: 41-42 Coldharbour Lane, SW9 8PS
Book now: Senzala Creperie
Soutine, St John's Wood
![pancakes with orange juice and coffeee]()
What: Parisian-style restaurant and café Soutine in St John’s Wood is styled on the grand boulevard cafes of Paris, its stunning vintage interiors designed to transport guests to another, more glamorous time. Naturally, breakfast is an indulgent affair here, with one of the highlights on the menu being its buttermilk pancakes topped with either seasonal compote or creme fraiche. We advise you take your time over these beauties while taking in the luxurious surroundings.
What to order: Pancakes with seasonal fruit compote and crème fraîche
Where: 60 St John's Wood High Street, NW8 7SH
Book now: Soutine
Chez Lindsay, Richmond
![savoury pancake with ham and fried egg]()
What: Although the menu at Chez Lindsay stretches further than just pancakes, its galette section is particularly comprehensive. Pancakes on offer range from classics such as ham and cheese, all the way through to a pancake filled with pork, apple sausage, onion sauce and red cabbage. For those with a sweet tooth, there is of course a separate menu for dessert pancakes, too. From here we'd recommend the house speciality, crepe Suzette or a creme brulee number. That being said, the French do savoury pancakes best.
What to order: A 'Super Complete' galette with egg, cheese, ham, onions, mushrooms and tomato
Where: 11 Hill Rise, TW10 6UQ
Book now: Chez Lindsay
Polo Bar, City
![Giant pancake stack and tray of oreo pancakes]()
What: In case you haven’t checked Polo Bar’s Instagram recently, we feel obliged to inform you that its mega pancake stacks are not for the faint-hearted. This 24-hour bar opposite Liverpool Street station is well-known for its Pancake Tower Challenges, which sees hungry diners attempt to demolish a stack of 12 fluffy pancakes topped with a choice of berries, cookies and cream, banoffee or biscoff. Do it in under 15 minutes and the meal is yours for free. Don't worry, the restaurant offers standard portion sizes as well.
What to order: Lotus banoffee pancakes with vanilla cream, lotus biscuit spread and banana
Where: 176 Bishopsgate, EC2M 4NQ
Book now: Polo Bar
My Old Dutch, Holborn
![Kinder bueno pancakes and biscoff pancakes]()
What: You’ll never be short of choice at My Old Dutch. In fact, this pancake palace offers more than 40 types of sweet and savoury pancakes, including plenty of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. With classic options found alongside the likes of full English, tricolore, chicken curry, and meat feast inspired toppings. Torn between two choices? Just combine them and build your own. We like the looks of the signature, but they've also got a great selection of butterscotch pancakes topped with Biscoff, bacon and egg, banana and caramel, or fresh berries.
What to order: 'My Old Dutch' with crispy bacon, chicken, ham, peppers, mushrooms, sweet corn and cheese
Where: 131-132 High Holborn, WC1V 6PS
Book now: My Old Dutch Holborn
Farm Girl, Notting Hill
![healthy pancakes with oat and fruit compote]()
What: If beautifully crafted, colourful plates laden with edible flowers and cacao nibs is your thing, then Farm Girl will be right up your street. This health-focused restaurant and café knows a thing or two about aesthetically pleasing plates, and won’t make you feel like you need rolling out the door afterwards. Its pancakes are vegan and gluten-free, and finished with a choice of toppings. Think vanilla-baked apples and pears with toasted cinnamon, oat crunch, maple syrup and coconut yoghurt, or sour cherry compote with cacao nibs, coconut shavings, coconut yoghurt and maple syrup.
What to order: Pancakes with apples, pears and toasted oat crunch
Where: 59a Portobello Road, W11 3DB
Book now: Farm Girl
The Breakfast Club, Various London locations
![two large stacks of pancakes, one sweet one savoury]()
What: The Breakfast Club specialises in American-style classics and its pancake selection is no different. Opt for the All American which sees fluffy pancakes paired with bacon, sausages, potatoes, fried eggs and maple syrup, while the Big Stack includes a triple pancake stack with crispy bacon, hash browns, sausage patty, cheese, caramelised onions and fried eggs. Our advice? Arrive hungry. Alternatively, the menu offers a pancake plates option where you can go for two fluffy pancakes with whipped butter and maple syrup and simply add on two toppings of your choice.
What to order: 'Big Stack' with crispy bacon, hash browns, sausage patty, cheese, caramelised onions and a fried egg
Where: 33 D’Arblay Street, W1F 8EU
Book now: The Breakfast Club
No 35 Mackenzie Walk, Canary Wharf
![pancakes with fried egg on top]()
What: Known for its brilliant bottomless brunch offering, social atmosphere and south-facing terrace, No 35 Mackenzie Walk is a lively all-day hangout spot with a delicious menu of burgers, plant-based plates, brunch dishes, and (most importantly) pancakes. Specialising in thick fluffy pancakes similar to the American kind, toppings here include smoked streaky bacon with maple syrup, lemon labneh with blueberries, and caramelised banana with toffee sauce. We know which one we’d go for.
What to order: Pancakes with caramelised banana, salted caramel ice cream, and toffee.
Where: 29-35 Mackenzie Walk, E14 4PH
Book now: No 35 Mackenzie Walk
If you're obsessed with breakfast, brunch, sweet treats, and coffee like we are, just head on over and check our pick of the best coffee shops and cafes in London - we've rounded up the coolest, and cosiest in the city.