Flippin' heck, it's that time of year again. Shrove Tuesday falls on 21 February 2023. Here are some of the best Pancake Day 2023 events we've spotted around London this year.
Where to eat pancakes in London
First things first. Pancakes are for life, not just for Pancake Day, so whether you like yours stacked with fruit or smothered with Nutella, take a look at the best places to eat pancakes in London, all year round. We've got vegan and gluten-free pancake fans covered too. Bear in mind that crepe-centric restaurants are likely to be very busy on Pancake Day itself, and may be offering limited or special menus rather than their usual selection.
Pancake race at Greenwich Market
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In Greenwich, the Pancake Day celebrations take place early — on Sunday 19 February — to allow as many people as possible to take part in, or watch, the Greenwich Market pancake race. You can join in as a team or on your own, and spectators are welcome too. Keep an eye on the Greenwich Market website for details on how to sign up when it's announced.
The event raises money for social and health care charity Social Interest Group.
Pancake race (and free pancakes!) at Leadenhall Market
The Leadenhall Market pancake race is much of a Shrove Tuesday staple as lemon and sugar, with local workers and visitors going head-to-head on a 20-metre cobbled course, flipping their pancakes as they go. It's free to enter, with up to four people per team, and you'll need to register in advance (email [email protected]). Bowler hats are very much encouraged as a hat tip to the market's City location, and the winning team will have their name inscribed on the legendary golden frying pan trophy.
The Lamb Tavern, which organises the whole shebang (and proudly displays the trophy for the rest of the year), is giving away 100 free pancakes to spectators on a first come, first served basis, so it's worth going along, even if you're not much of a tosser yourself. The event begins at 1pm.
Inter Livery Pancake Race at Guildhall Yard
Every Shrove Tuesday, dozens of livery members — plus City workers, Guildhall employees and others — split into teams, don colourful chef's hats and race around Guildhall Yard, for the Inter Livery Pancake Race aka the Poulters' Pancake Race (well, after all they're the folks with the eggs). The winning team gets a commemorative frying pan, and money raised is donated to the Lord Mayor's Charity. It's made all the more fun/ridiculous because many participants are in their ceremonial robes, lending proceedings a Harry-Potter-teachers-race vibe. No details on times yet, but it's always free for the public to go along and watch (with donations encouraged).
Bankside Pancake Day race near Borough
Anyone working around Bankside is invited to get a team together to take part in the Better Bankside Pancake Day race at Marlborough Sports Garden (just off Borough High Street). It's £25 per team, with money raised going to Plan Zheroes, a charity which gives food which would otherwise be wasted to those who need it.
Anyone can watch the race, and cheer on teams while making full use of the on-site pancake van.
Matilda the Musical at Where The Pancakes Are
Pancake-centric restaurant Where The Pancakes Are has teamed up with Matilda the Musical for a special Pancake Day dish this year, designed to bring out the inner child in all of us. The Popping Forest pancakes are piled high with blackberry compote, drizzled chocolate, vanilla ice cream, marble shards and chocolate coated popping candy. It's available 18-24 February 2023 at all three locations (Fitzrovia, London Bridge and Battersea). Bookings are taken for every day except Pancake Day itself.
Pancake Day at Dalloway Terrace
The Bloomsbury Hotel offers a pop-up pancake trolley where you can build your own pancakes to your personal preferences. choose from a base of fluffy buttermilk stack, thin crepes or poffertjes with a selection of toppings inlcuding smoked salmon, fresh fruits, maple butter, spreads and local jams and compotes. £16, available 21 February 2023. Book a table.
Pancake Day at 108 Brasserie
108 Brasserie at The Marylebone Hotel adds an “American Stack Special” to its dessert meny this Shrove Tuesday. Tuck into a buttermilk blueberry pancake stack with caramelised banana, honeycomb, whipped Chantilly cream and chocolate sauce. Available 21 February 2023. Book a table.