Shrove Tuesday, informally known as Pancake Day, is traditionally the last day of indulging in your favourite sweet treats before Lent – or fat eating, hence the phrase “Mardi Gras” in French.
We’ve searched out the best eateries for pancakes in the UK to visit before closing the door on sugary snacks for a whole 40 days.
Breakfast Club, London
Image: Instagram @thebrekkyclub
There are seven branches in the city you could visit, including Soho, Islington, and Shoreditch.
You may have your heart set on traditional pancakes, topped with berries and maple syrup, and why not add a scoop of vanilla ice cream just for good measure?
Or perhaps you favour savoury over sweet and have an appetite for the all-American style pancakes that feature eggs, sausages, streaky bacon, and home-style fried potatoes.
Breakfast Club’s multiple locations are easy to access from all London stations including King’s Cross and Liverpool Street.
Penelope’s Kitchen, Manchester
Photograph copyright of Marco Verch under the Creative Commons licence.
This café is inspired by owner Carla Tomlinson’s time in the Big Apple. She has even named the establishment after her favourite coffee shop.
It’s only £5 for a stack of fluffy pancakes topped with the fruit of your choice and finished with an icing sugar dusting. The Danny Radmanny pancake, a ‘full-on’ American pancake, is a customer favourite. If you find yourself in Penelope’s Kitchen, for Pancake Day or otherwise, go order one – you might even be served by Danny Radman!
The nearest train station is Salford Crescent.
Crêpeaffaire, Birmingham
Enjoy a little taste of France without stepping foot on the Eurostar. Book your train tickets to Birmingham New Street station and you’re already at the café. Crêpeaffaire is actually inside the station.
Bite into the Brittany batter pocket filled with whatever you choose. Perhaps some chicken, tomatoes, and mushrooms, or satisfy your sweet tooth with bananas and Belgian chocolate. The choice is yours.
Fun fact: the biggest pancake made was in Rochdale, Manchester back in 1994 and still holds the record. It measured 49 in 3ft in diameter, an inch thick and weighed 3 tonnes!
We hope you’ll be enjoying some pancakes wherever you are.
