From classic crêpes to indulgent American-style pancakes dripping with syrup, Surrey and southwest London are home to some fantastic spots to satisfy your pancake cravings.
Pickle & Rye
You can’t beat Pickle and Rye in East Sheen for a proper American-style stack. This friendly and authentic US diner has been flipping its legendary pancakes for over 10 years. Choose between buttermilk or blueberry buttermilk and then go wild with toppings, which include banana, Nutella, whipped cream, streaky bacon, sprinkles, marshmallows, ice cream and more.
Explore more at pickleandrye.com
Megan's
This popular chain of dog-friendly cafés is known for its excellent Mediterranean-inspired brunches, and its pancake offering is no exception. Choose from hefty stacks of blueberry chia pancakes with maple syrup or bacon and maple pancakes with banana, both topped with pistachios.
Available at Megan’s in Weybridge, Farnham, Twickenham, Guildford, Richmond, Kingston; megans.co.uk
Chez Lindsay
This charming French bistro in Richmond is celebrated for its gourmet buckwheat pancakes. Take your pick of an array of traditional Breton fillings (you can’t go wrong with the classic egg, cheese and ham combo) as well as more extravagant options such king prawns and leeks, and smoked salmon with lemon and chive cream.
Explore more at chez-lindsay.co.uk
Fuwa Fuwa
FuwaFuwa means ‘fluffy’, ‘light and airy’ or ‘soft’ in Japanese, which is exactly how one might describe Fuwa Fuwa’s Japanese soufflé pancakes. Made using soufflé cooking techniques, egg whites are whipped up with sugar into a thick meringue and then mixed with a batter made with egg yolks. The result is light and wobbly pancake perfection. Toppings include Bischoff, chocolate and honeycomb, blueberry and yuzu cheesecake, and more. Fuwa Fuwa has branches in Soho, Westfield Stratford and Windsor, and has recently opened in Kingston’s Bentall Centre.
Explore more at fuwafuwa.co.uk
Orange Pekoe
This lovely, friendly tea shop and café on White Hart Lane in Barnes serves a hefty plate of American pancakes with homemade blueberry compôte, crème fraîche and maple syrup. For an extra treat, you can add pancetta.
Explore more at orangepekoeteas.com
Coppa Club
Coppa Club’s stylish collection of bars and restaurants are a popular spot for breakfast, and for good reason. Its elevated offering includes fluffy pancakes made with probiotic-filled kefir (as opposed to buttermilk), topped either with berry compôte, whipped mascarpone, pistachios and honey, or bacon with maple syrup and plenty of Netherend Farm butter.
Available at Coppa Club in Cobham, Maidenhead, Guildford, Putney, Streatley (The Swan), Sonning (The Great House), Haslemere (The Georgian) Twickenham, Guildford, Richmond and Kingston; coppaclub.co.uk
Oishi
In the heart of Guildford, Oishii is a small patisserie that serves multi-layered mille crepe cakes, bubble teas and freshly made, ever-so-delicious Japanese pancakes. Mouth-watering toppings include matcha ice cream, Oreo cookies, fresh mango and strawberries and cream.
Explore more at instagram.com/oishiiuk
RICHARD BROWN
Creams Cafe
This growing chain of sugar-powered American dessert parlours has branches all over the UK, as well as a few local spots. Its indulgent crepe menu includes the likes of the Bueno, which comes with white chocolate hazelnut spread, pieces of Kinder Bueno, gelato, and white chocolate shavings. There’s also the Royale – a similar Ferrero Rocher-filled extravaganza.
Available at Creams in Kingston, Putney, Guildford, Windsor, Epsom and Redhill; creamscafe.com
Hummings, Esher
This imaginative café and cocktail bar in the heart of Esher is famous for its fabulous pancakes. If you’re dining ‘a deux’, splash out and order The Ultimate Pancake Sharing Tower – it’s a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. On Pancake Day, Hummings will be flipping pancakes day and night with an assortment of its bestsellers and a few exclusive new flavours on offer.
Explore more at hummings.co.uk
The Ivy collection
The Ivy Collection’s sumptuous interiors are always a pleasure to behold as is its extensive breakfast menu, which features warm buttermilk pancakes served with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, Greek yoghurt, lemon balm and strawberry sauce. Yum.
Available at The Ivy Royal Windsor Brasserie, The Ivy Cobham Garden, The Ivy Castle View in Guildford and The Ivy Richmond Brasserie; ivycollection.com/locations
Go bottomless at Bill's
Head to Bill’s on a Friday and you can tuck into bottomless buttermilk pancakes all day for just £5 (or £9.50 Mon- Thurs, 3-5 pm). Choose between two delicious toppings: Biscoff or fresh fruit with Bill’s signature pancake syrup.
Available at Bill’s Farnham, Guildford, Kingston, Reigate, Richmond and Windsor; bills-website.co.uk
