Where the Pancakes Are, London
In October 2016, a small square just below the railway arches off London’s Southwark Bridge Road was revitalised from essentially a barren space into a new food, music and retail hub. The regenerated Flat Iron Square brings together the city’s love of street food with a European-style open air bar, theatre and concert venue (run by Ben Lovatt of Mumford & Sons fame) and a flea market; in other words, it’s a curated, elevated version of the traditional market.
On the food side you’ll find a contemporary take on Portuguese cuisine at Bar Douro, stone baked pizzas at Baz & Fred and Eastern Mediterranean-inspired fare at Laffa, but you’ll find the most refined offering at Where the Pancakes Are.
The restaurant specialises in (you guessed it) pancakes – from sweet and savoury buttermilk pancakes topped with everything from fried egg and sausage to hazelnut chocolate ganache, to buckwheat blinis and Dutch Babies – alongside prosecco, ciders and coffee, all carefully selected to match each dish.
Where the Pancakes Are is the brainchild of Patricia Trijbits, the self-taught cook from Holland who wanted to celebrate the humble pancake while creating innovative dishes that the modern consumer has come to expect. Speaking of the restaurant she said: “Pancakes are simple, honest and universally loved - yet, where can we really go to experience the kind of dishes that fuse the ancient art of baking pancakes with modern food trends? That’s Where the pancakes are…”
The interior is suitably simple yet stylish. Blending the relaxed nature of Californian restaurants with the minimalism of Scandinavia and the age-old London setting, the space is natural and easy-going yet thoughtful – just like the menu.
Where the Pancakes Are can be found at Flat Iron Square Arch 35A, 85A Southwark Bridge Road London SE1 0NQ. Visit the website
