Looking for stacks (of fun) this Pancake Day and beyond? Put down the shopping list, step away from the whisk and feast your eyes on these pan-tastic places in Brighton offering all the pancake-y goodness you need. Think free stacks (scroll on down for those) and plenty of specials ready to make their way into your bellies on Tuesday and beyond.
Cafe des Couleurs
This Hanover gem (it’s at the bottom end of the hill, don’t worry) is well worth the short stroll out of the city centre. The French-style cafe ticks the style AND substance boxes, serving up excellent – and generous – breakfasts, brunches, lunches and mouthwatering cakes on the daily, not to mention the odd supper club. It’s just down the road from BOTI Towers so we’re regularly tempted in for a little treat that we can’t resist turning into a full-blown meal. And, for Pancake Day only, they’re back with a vast menu of savoury buckwheat galettes (six!) and American-style stacks (seven!) to feast on until 8pm. Including a Tiramisu stack that we’re looking forward to sinking our teeth into. It’s worth booking as this secret spot is very deservedly no longer quite so secret.
cafedescouleurs.co.uk
Starfish & Coffee
If you haven’t tried the fluffy American-style buttermilk pancakes at this BRAVO award-winning cafe yet, you’ve been missing out. And Pancake Day is when they go all out – the whole day is devoted to the not-so-humble pancake with an epic menu generously covering sweet and savoury bases. This year’s eclectic offerings include confit garlic pancakes with shakshuka sauce; a full breakfast-loaded stack, grilled pear, stilton and sticky toffee; and Bailey’s chocolate mousse, lemon ricotta and caramelised banana stacks for the sweet-toothed. You could always have them all, we won’t tell. If you want to eat in (they’re open 9am to 3pm on Tuesday), we’d recommend booking. They do keep a few tables for walk-ins, though, just don’t tell everyone.
starfishandcoffee.cafe
Oeuf
We’ve been big fans of Oeuf since they first opened the doors to their gorgeous pastel-hued cafe. We’ve tried everything on the menu and it’s safe to say there’s nothing we don’t like (the Frumpets have a special place in our hearts though). They serve pancakes all year round – bacon, blueberry and more – but they’ve also got a few decadent specials, just for the big day only. Think salmon and caviar, honey nut crunch and mini pancake bombs with salted caramel. And, as it’s also Lunar New Year, there’s a special menu for that too, featuring a pork belly-stuffed Chinese spring onion pancakes for starters. And don’t worry if you’re too late to book, the dog-friendly eatery always keeps a few tables for walk-ins.
oeuf.cafe
Oui Crêperie
If you’re looking for a little bit of je ne sais quoi with your pancake, then you need a crêpe and Oui Crêperie is your man (with a little blue van). Tossing thin, light and airy crêpes (as well as their savoury galette cousins) from various spots around the city and their bricks-and-mortar home on the Old Steine, you can pick from a variety of sweet and savoury toppings with something to suit all tastes (including gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options).
ouicreperie.co.uk
Nowhere Man
If you live in Brighton and you’re talking about great pancakes, there’s a 100 percent chance (based on the statistically significant survey of five of our colleagues) that someone will mention Nowhere Man. Whether you want to visit their lovely eclectic cafe (which quite rightly serves up their American-style pancakes all year round) in person or order via Deliveroo, you can be sure you’ll be getting some mighty fine stacks with plenty of sweet and savoury options (including vegan and gluten-free) to choose from. Our picks? The ones we drool over time and time again are the Chocolate Banana and the Intermediate Pancakes (a three-stack belter with smoked bacon and maple butter), so named because you’ve graduated from the Beginner’s plain stacks with maple butter. But they’ve got some exciting specials too: Tiramisu, peach cobbler, and new soon-to-be fave – raspberry jam and roasted pecan. They don’t take bookings, so just make sure you get there between 9am and 4pm. It’s dog-friendly, too! And don’t panic if you miss out on Tuesday, the specials are running until Sunday. Phew.
Nowhere Man
Moksha Caffe
Renowned for their freshly made hearty brunches, with queues regularly snaking down the road, Moksha also serves up some mighty fine pancakes. The family-run cafe always has stacked American-style pancakes on the menu – blueberry, forest fruit, streaky bacon and the all American – and Pancake Day is no exception. Shrove Tuesday also means specials, including some pistachio cream-loaded deliciousness. Turn up early to get your hands on these fluffy beauties.
mokshacaffe.co.uk
The Breakfast Club
Yes, it’s a chain, but The Breakfast Club is a great shout for Shrove Tuesday (or any other Tuesday, really) with tasty toppling stacks always on the menu. Plus, if you’ve get a pancake craving in the evening, you’re sorted as they’re open ’til 9pm. As well as all the OG classics, this year, they’ve got three specials on the menu – cinnamon buncake, bananarama split (a collab with baker Lily Vanilli) and Nutella and strawberry cheesecake. Yum. For the little ones, there’s pick ‘n’ mix sweetie pancakes and if you fancy yourself something of a speed eater, you can also take part in their pancake challenge – eat 12 pancakes in 12 minutes and enjoy worldwide glory* and the stacks for free (it’ll cost you £20 if you lose, so there’s an added incentive). Two minutes 41 seconds is the current time to beat.
Available in the restaurant and on Deliveroo from 4th March
*Ok, cafe-wide glory
thebreakfastclubcafes.com
Easy Tiger
We’re big fans of Easy Tiger’s tasty Indian street food and we’re rather partial to their Indian pancake dosas, too. It started off as a one-night only thing, but proved so popular, Chef Sabu now cooks them up on the first Monday of every month. There are typically three savoury dosas to choose from – our favourite (so far!) is the delicate Masala dosa, which is stuffed with a spiced potato filling and served with sambar and coconut chutney. Perfect if you’re looking for a change from the usual pancake fare.
Next available on Monday 2nd March from 5pm (and the first Monday of every month)
easytigerbrighton.com
Kernel Canteen
There’s a new kid on the block this year over on the Circus Street development and, excitingly, they’re serving up free, yes, free, pancakes this Shrove Tuesday. Kernel Canteen will be offering buttermilk pancakes with banana, candied pecans and chocolate sauce or lemon, honeyed almonds, blueberry and yoghurt. Get there between 4pm and 6pm and you can feast and drink for free, plus get stuck into some craft and games while you’re at it. You can’t go wrong with that!
kernelcanteen.com
