Where to Eat Pancakes in London

Billie Manning

On pancake day and on every other day of the year, this delicious breakfast food is always a winner. Here's where you can get hold of the best.

Where the Pancakes Are
We’ll start this off by answering the appropriate question: “Where are the pancakes?” It’s a question we’ve all asked ourselves, and the answer is, apparently, at this breezy joint near London Bridge. Follow the hanging signs into the maze of Flat Iron Square and you’ll find a light, bright café with hanging plants and pancakes aplenty. Sweet, savoury, vegan and meaty, you’ll find them all here, including some creative options like Welsh rarebit and banana praline marshamallow.
Where the Pancakes Are, Arch 35a, 85a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0NQ
 
 
Breakfast Club
Another delightfully ‘does-what-it-says-on-the-tin’ kind of place, Breakfast Club is named after the John Hughes film and indeed, the original Soho location is filled with a healthy number of 80s trinkets and the notes of a synth-heavy playlist. And, of course, they serve breakfast… including pancakes… all day! You’ll get the full range of pancake possibility before 5pm, however, when you can go all-American (eggs, bacon, maple syrup) or bloody British (blueberry and lemon compote).
The Breakfast Club, multiple locations in Soho, Angel, Battersea and more.
 

Le Merlin
The debate over what constitutes a pancake rages on: American-style, thick and fluffy, or French-style, thin and sophisticated? If you err on the side of Macaron – sorry, Macron – try Le Merlin, a proper French crêperie, found on that stretch of Lower Clapton Road home to a disproportionate number of great eateries: P Franco, Del 74 and Yard Sale. But Le Merlin is the only one to serve up delicious savoury galettes (try the mushrooms with grated gruyère and béchamel sauce) and sweet crêpes (nutella, obvs, or the homemade crème de citron with grilled almonds) for all your French breakfast desires. Charmant, n’est-ce pas?
Le Merlin, 78 Lower Clapton Road, London E5 0RN
 

Hash E8
Nestled snugly between Hackney Downs and Dalston like a blueberry amongst a stack of fluffy pancakes Hash E8 is something of a local cult. unless you’re one of those magical people who wakes up naturally at 8am sans hangover on a weekend you’ll be lucky if you turn up on a Saturday or Sunday without encountering a rather long queue. But it’s worth it! How do you know? We need only say three hushed, hallowed words: red… velvet… pancakes.
Hash E8, 170 Dalston Ln, London E8 1NG
 

MILK
Think you’re too posh to pancake? You want something fancy? Well, look no further. Your pretty, organic breakfast dreams can come true here at Milk in Balham. The pancake selection changes weekly, bringing seasonal tastes to South, but they’re always innovative and they always taste good. No reservations for brunch but you can book for dinner if you wish. Also, check out their website. It’s cool. It has pixel animations.
Milk, 18-20 Bedford Hill, London SW12 9RG