Whether you’re looking for something sweet, savoury, vegan or even boozy, we’ve rounded up the seven best places to get your pancake fix in Hackney. Some are offering a one-day-only pancake extravaganza, while others are extending the celebrations all week. Check out our recommendations and let the pancake eating commence.
The Breakfast Club
Boasting two branches in Hackney alone, The Breakfast Club is bound to be popular with pancake-seekers. Never one afraid to mix sweet and savoury, its year-round menu offers a range of options including traditional pancakes and bacon, an “All American” with eggs, sausage, bacon, fried potatoes and maple syrup, and mouth-watering salted caramel banoffee pancakes. For the big day itself they’re upping their game, serving up a “spicy stack of pancakes that honours a Kentucky fried wonder”, a vegan option inspired by traditional Chinese crispy duck pancakes, and a deep-fried apple pancake pie with custard. They’ll also be hosting their annual Pancake Challenge: eat 12 pancakes in 12 minutes and you get them for free. You’ve got from Tuesday until Friday to try out their Pancake Day specials.
Details for Hackney Wick: 29 East Bay Lane, E15 2GW. Open 8am-7pm Monday to Thursday and 8am-9pm on Friday.
Details for Hoxton: 2-4 Rufus Street, N1 DPE. Open 8am-10pm Monday to Wednesday and 8am-10:30pm on Thursday.
The Diner
Another one with two Hackney branches, The Diner is offering six exclusive pancake dishes today and tomorrow. Definitely one for those with a sweet tooth, they’ll be serving boozy black forest pancakes and vegan mint-chocolate-chip pancakes. Alternatively, you can choose strawberry and chocolate or blueberry pancakes from their regular menu.
Details for Shoreditch: 128-130 Curtain Road, EC2A 3AQ. Open 9am-11:30pm Monday and Tuesday.
Details for Dalston: 600 Kingsland Road, E8 4AH. Open 10am-11pm Monday and Tuesday.
The Book Club
This lunch-spot-come-cocktail-bar in Shoreditch is celebrating Pancake Day by raising money for a good cause. They’ll be serving red velvet “period pancakes” with tampon macaroons in support of the period poverty charity Bloody Big Brunch. The pancakes are being served from today and will stay on the menu until 10 March. Fifteen per cent of the profit from each dish goes to the charity, which aims to raise awareness of, and funds for, period poverty and to destigmatise conversations around periods.
Details: 100 Leonard Street, EC2A 4RH. Serving pancakes 10am-6pm Monday to Sunday.
Queen of Hoxton
Another Shoreditch option, this time at a local bar and club which is promising “Pancake Day on the rooftop”. They’ll be serving up red velvet pancakes on the roof overlooking Hackney, and will have a make-your-own-pancake station on the ground floor where you can choose your toppings for regular buttermilk pancakes. You can enjoy your pancakes round the giant fire pit with a hot buttered rum or mulled port.
Details: 1-5 Curtain Road, EC2A 3JX. Serving pancakes 4pm-9:30pm.
Le Merlin
This traditional crêperie in Clapton is the place to go for the classic French crêpe. They serve pancakes all day every day, but what better time to try out this French wonder than Pancake Day itself? Go all out with two courses, beginning with a savoury crêpe – or galette as it’s traditionally known – with toppings including sausage, potato and mustard sauce, or bacon, seared pears, goats cheese and maple syrup. Then move onto a sweet second course with choices including homemade salted-butter caramel, and pear, chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream.
Details: 78 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0RN. Open 9am-10pm on Tuesday.
Hash E8
This popular all-day-breakfast and brunch spot in Dalston is also serving up the goods for Pancake Day with both sweet and savoury options on the menu. Choose from white chocolate, blueberry or oreo and cream if you’ve got a sweet tooth. If you feel like something savoury, then there’s chorizo, salmon and cheese or Mexican. They’re only open until 4pm on Pancake Day though, so make sure you get down there early to enjoy these one-day-only specials.
Details: 170 Dalston Lane, E8 1NG. Open 8:30am-4pm on Tuesday.
La Petite Bretagne
Another traditional crêperie, this time in Dalston, La Petite Bretagne proves that just about anything can go on a crêpe, from a classic English breakfast to a trendy millennial alternative of smashed avocado and poached egg. They serve their breakfast menu until 12pm and then offer a lunch menu of cheese and ham crêpes with a range of toppings, including egg, spinach, mushroom and pesto, as well as a vegan option. They also have sweet crêpes with all your favourite toppings, including a tempting combination of fresh raspberries, white chocolate and raspberry coulis.
Details: 12 Kingsland High Street, E8 2JP. Open 8am-10pm on Tuesday.
