Pancake Day is just around the corner. I’ve put together a tasty mix of pancake race events and family-friendly restaurants serving pancakes in London. Tuck in!
PANCAKE DAY EVENTS
Spitalfields
Pancake flippers from all over descend on the Old Truman Brewery for the Great Spitalfields Pancake Race, an annual showcase of tossers for charity, this year raising money for London Air Ambulance. 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL (Shoreditch High St overground) From 12.30pm, Tue. (Mar 4)
And you can sample boozy pancakes at the Water Poet in Spitalfields where crepes rolled in butterscotch schnapps cream or Prosecco are among the delights on offer. Served 12-9.30pm, at The Water Poet, 9-11 Folgate St, E1 6BX (Liverpool St tube) (Mar 4)
West End
For two days only Tefal Ingenio is running a John Lewis Pop-Up Pancake Restaurant in the department store’s shop windows! Savoury and gourmet pancakes by reservation only. 11.30am-8pm at John Lewis, 300 Oxford St, W1A 1EX (Mar 3 & 4)
City of London
There are FREE pancakes to the first 100 people at the Lamb Tavern on the day of the famous Leadenhall Market Pancake Race. Winner gets free dinner and frying pan trophy! From 11am, race starts 1pm at the Lamb Tavern, 10-12 Leadenhall Market St, EC3V 1LR (Mar 4)
Westminster
Possibly the most hotly contested is the Rehab Parliamentary Pancake Race with MPs, Lords and media vying to win. From 10am , outside Houses of Parliament, Victoria Tower Gardens, SW1P 3JA (Mar 4)
Barbican
There’s a free Pancake Festival with Lyles Golden Syrup and Urban Food Fest, with crepes, demos, food trucks and activities open for members of the public to gorge on. 11am-3pm on Phipp St, EC2A (Old St tube) (Mar 4)
Bankside
This year’s Better Bankside Pancake Race kicks off from Borough Market’s Jubilee Market, SE1 1TL with teams racing for charity. (London Bridge tube) Tue at 12.30pm (Mar 4)
Greenwich
Prizes are up for grabs for best fancy dress and winning teams including children at the Greenwich Market Pancake Race. Tasty treats supplied by Dutch Dippers. Heats from 1pm, kids race from 4pm at Greenwich Market, SE10 9HZ (Greenwich DLR) (Mar 4)
Shoreditch
Shutterbug London is throwing their second Pancake Day/Mardi Gras party, with delicious pancakes, Mardi Gras cocktails, live DJs and a Pancake Race on the cards. A bit crowded last year to be really kid-friendly, but great for a Date with Dads stop out. 6.30pm, 1 Rivington Place, EC1 (Old St tube). (Mar 4)
PANCAKE DAY MENUS
Kensington
Authentic galettes made with 100% buckwheat flour, as well as traditional crepes both soft and crispy are the order of the day at Kensington’s Cafe Creperie on 2-6 Exhibition Rd, SW7 (South Kensington tube).
Hoxton
Ultra hip hangout The Breakfast Club on 2-4 Rufus St, N1 6PE will serve up its annual Pancake Eating contest (Mar 4) and even if you miss it, you can enjoy All-American Pancakes with maple syrup on its regular all-day brunch menu. Branches also in Angel (Camden Passage), Soho and Spitalfields, This year, there are also Pancake Races planned for your evening entertainment. 8am until late, pancake races from 7.30pm (Old St tube)
Stratford City
Take a break from shopping at Crêpeaffaire in Westfield Stratford City and enter their competition to win free crepes for a whole year! (branches also in Westfield White City, Soho, Spitalfields and Stanstead Airport).
Islington
The Diner on 21 Essex Road, N1 (more branches in Shoreditch, Soho, Camden, Kensal Rise) features its Pancake Day menu, stacked high with buttermilk pancakes and a host of exotic toppings. (Angel tube)
Chelsea
The King’s Road staple, My Old Dutch has been flipping pancakes for the public for 53 years. Head to their Chelsea restaurant or branches in Kensington and Holborn for traditional pancakes with sugar and lemon or more exciting combos. 221 Kings Rd, SW7 (Sloane Square tube)
Image via Kensington Creperie