Pancake Day in London is coming up and that means it’s time to figure out where you can spend the day indulging on deliciousness. Make the most out of the flipping awesome day (pun intended) by finding out where you can dine ahead of time. Here’s a guide to Pancake Day in London so that you can celebrate at the best places around the city.
What Is Pancake Day?
Pancake Day is also known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday in other parts of the world. It’s celebrated by Christians and Catholics and it’s the day before Lent begins, which is a period of 40 days and nights, when you give up something you love or frequently indulge in. This is because it marks the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert.
On Shrove Tuesday, many people clean out their cupboards and get rid of eggs, butter, and fat, which are the perfect ingredients for the tasty treat, which has left us with Pancake Day in London and across the UK.
When Is Pancake Day?
Pancake Day will be taking place on March 5, 2019 and February 25, 2020. The date changes each year because it takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday. And since the date for Easter changes, Pancake Day can range from the beginning of February to mid March.
Easter Sunday usually falls on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon around the time of the Spring Equinox. It may sound a bit confusing, but these guidelines are used to determine the date each year because according to the Bible, Jesus’s death and resurrection took place around the time of Passover, which is celebrated by the Jews. Passover always falls on the evening of the first full moon following the spring equinox. Since the cycle of the moon changes, Easter falls on a different date each year, causing holidays like Pancake Day, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Palm Sunday, and more to change too.
What To Do On Pancake Day in London
Now that you’re caught up on the history of Pancake Day, you’re probably wondering where you can dine on some when in London. Thankfully there are a ton of great restaurants that are serving them up all over the city. And if you’re interested in celebrating Pancake Day in a more unique way, there are a ton of great events going on too.
Best Places To Get Pancakes On Pancake Day in London
Photo Credit: The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club
The Breakfast Club has several locations for you to indulge yourself on Pancake Day at. Every year The Breakfast Club always has a Pancake Day special (at the time of publishing, it’s not been announced quite yet, but keep checking their website for specifics) and last year they raised over £2000 for charity. They have a Pancake Challenge to make things even more fun. Can you try your hand at a stack of 12 pancakes in 12 minutes?
The Breakfast Club | Multiple Locations | Website
Where The Pancakes Are
The count down to Pancake Day in London is on for Where The Pancakes Are. They’ll be flipping pancakes in their restaurant in Southwark, and at their pop-up at Flat Iron Square’s Apres Chalet. Make a booking there, or head into the restaurant before the pancakes run out (it’s first-come-first serve).
Where The Pancakes Are | Flat Iron Square | Website
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Farmacy
If you’re vegan, don’t worry, you don’t have to miss out on Pancake Day in London. Farmacy, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Notting Hill, is the perfect place for you to celebrate. Their pancakes are made with buckwheat flour and served with a selection of seasonal fruits, coconut yoghurt, and caramelized pecans. All of that is topped off with delicious maple syrup.
Farmacy | Notting Hill | Website
Photo Credit: Brew
Brew
Those of you who are South of the river have several options when it comes to celebrating Pancake Day in London. And that includes Brew, which you can find in Clapham, Wimbledon, and Wandsworth (there’s also a location in Chiswick). Enjoy fresh blueberry pancakes here, topped with caramelized banana, creme fraiche, and maple syrup.
Brew | Multiple locations | Website
Photo Credit: Jackson + Rye
Jackson + Rye
If you’re heading out to celebrate Pancake Day in London and you’re near Bank, Soho or Richmond, head to Jackson + Rye. Jackson + Rye has lots of pancakes options, so choose from a variety of toppings like caramelised banana, bacon and maple, or berries, to finish off your pancakes.
Jackson + Rye | Multiple Locations | Website
Photo Credit: My Old Dutch
My Old Dutch
Some would say that the Dutch are the masters behind the pancakes, so why not spend your Pancake Day treating yourself at My Old Dutch. This pancake house can be found in Holborn, Chelsea, and Kensington and has an incredible selection of sweet and savory pancakes. Choose between a classic sweet sugar and lemon pancake, a butterscotch pancake served with crispy bacon and eggs, a chicken curry pancake, or the classic My Old Dutch Pancake which is topped with smoked bacon, cheese, peppers, chicken, and ham.
My Old Dutch | Multiple Locations | Website
Photo Credit: The Diner
The Diner
Take your stack of pancakes to the next level at The Diner in Camden, Dalston, Shoreditch, Spitalfields, the Strand, or Soho. Treat yourself to a sweet stack of chocolate chip pancakes, banana pancakes, blueberry pancakes, strawberry and chocolate pancakes, or your traditional buttermilk. They’re all served in stacks of three, so you’ll finish off your Pancake Day in London feeling super full!
The Diner | Multiple Locations | Website
Pancake Day Activities in London
If you’re interested in doing something other than eating on Pancake Day, there are some fun events happening around the city that you can take part in. Enter your team of friends into the Flippin’ Good Pancake races, which will be taking place at Greenwich Market. When you enter, you even get a free pancake to eat.
If you want to watch your MPs, Lords, and members of the press go up against each other, then head to the annual Parliamentary Pancake Race. Other races often take place in Spitalfields and Leadenhall Market. Find out more about where to find these Pancake Day races.
So now you know where to spend your Pancake Day in London. Whether you’re indulging on a snack or running down the street, flipping pancakes in a race for charity, you’re going to have a great time celebrating this long standing tradition and holiday in the UK. All that’s left to do now is choose between chocolate chips or bananas for your toppings.
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