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Pancakes are for life and not just for Shrove Tuesday. Although, we do use this annual event to go on a pancake rampage across the West End. Whilst we are partial to a stack of sky‑high pancakes drenched in maple syrup, the eclectic nature of cuisine in our neck of the woods means there are different interpretations of pancakes from around the globe to sink your teeth into. And boy, have they come a long way since the ancient Greeks first conjured up this delectable dish back in the fifth century. So, here are some of our fave pancake joints to venture to ready for your next pancake pilgrimage.

The Breakfast Club

It would be rude not to do a pancake feature without celebrating the holy grail of traditional pancakes at Soho’s, @thebrekkyclub, with their epic weekend brunch menu.

Here pancakes come in various forms. The All American with sausage, egg and potatoes, a fruit option adorned with berries and cream, blueberry pancakes with crispy bacon and maple syrup or the Big Stack that will see you through to dinner time. No doubt that the pancake business is serious here.

33 D’Arblay St, W1F 8EU | thebreakfastclubcafes.com

Chinese Tapas House

Yeah, yeah, we know what you’re thinking, a Chinese haunt for a pancake fix? Well, just wait right there because pancakes don’t have to be all sugar and spice. This tiny takeaway spot in Chinatown serves jianbing, a popular Chinese street food considered the crepe of the East. Served folded up and often consumed as a breakfast dish in China, this savoury course has a real kick to it thanks to its BBQ sauce and chilli oil. Fillings range from pork belly to mushroom and are quite frankly, an assault on the senses making sniffing out Chinese Tapas House more than worth it.

15 Little Newport Street, WC2H 7JJ

Héfaure

After filling your belly with jianbing, pop around the corner to @hefaure_london for Japan’s take on a pancake. If you’re looking for a light and fluffy version that melts in your mouth, this freshly baked Japanese soufflé hits the spot and is far too delicate to consider flipping. Toppings are influenced from near and far, like a very British strawberries and cream, or an Asian style like matcha cream or tapioca pearls.

108 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 5EH | hefaure.co.uk

Crème de la Crêpe

Holy Crêpe, we nearly missed featuring a traditional French version of a pancake in this guide! @cremedelacrepe has perfected the authentic French Crêpe and brought them to the big smoke with their restaurant in prime position in the middle of the Covent Garden’s Piazza.

Here toppings are ingenious, like Love Hate Thing consisting of Marmite‑mayo, mature cheddar cheese, sun‑blushed tomatoes and rocket and Billy Goats Gruff of goat cheese, caramelised onion marmalade, sweet cherry bell peppers and rocket. But they haven’t forgotten their roots, as the menu also features classics like lemon and sugar, the only topping Will sees fit on his pancake.

29, The Market, The Piazza, WC2E 8RE | cremedelacrepe.co.uk

My Old Dutch

Dubbing itself the “original Pancake House”, My Old Dutch has sat in the same spot since 1958, and yes, you guessed it, is all about the pancakes. Although this trusted staple did not originate from the Netherlands but Germany, there is no doubt the Dutch know a thing or two about them given that in the 13th century, this small nation cultivated one of the original pancake ingredients: buckwheat.

Now, if you are on the quest for a pancake banquet, this is the place to go. Pancakes come in all flavours, savoury or sweet, vegan and even gluten-free. There is a kid’s menu, and some varieties to tickle all tastebuds, like chilli con carne or a stack of five butterscotch ones to choose from. There is even the chance to go off-piste and create your own pancake medley, so move over sugar and lemon, as we quite fancy topping ours with raspberries, Smarties and Lotus Biscoff sauce!

131-132 High Holborn, WC1V 6PS | myolddutch.com

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