Life is always batter with pancakes in it, and Shrove or Pancake Tuesday is the best excuse to stack them up!
What do berries, bananas, and granola have in common? Alongside syrups and whipped cream, they make for perfect pancake toppings!
With Lent looming large for those practising, Shrove or Pancake Tuesday serves not just as a 24-hour period to get rid of pantry leftovers, but also a last chance to cram in as many calories as possible.
While it might have started out as a predominantly Christian tradition, it’s now a largely observed tradition, given the delicious pancakes involved.
Of course, this calls for identifying the 10 best spots in the UAE capital to indulge.
Luckily, Team Yalla has you covered!
Denny’s Diner and Breakfast
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One of the top diners in the capital, Denny’s Diner is the perfect spot for all things pancakes and breakfast. Located in Abu Dhabi Mall, the place has locals and tourists clamouring for more. Given the unrestricted toppings, it’s hardly surprising.
The Choconana pancake is definitely one of their showstoppers, made with their signature buttermilk batter and bursting with chocolate chips. You could also opt for the pancake breakfast consisting of two fluffy pancakes stuffed with chocolate and white chocolate chips, drenched with hot fudge and trickled with peanut butter. Yum yum!
For reservations and more information, call 050 752 3066.
Pancake House
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If you see a horde of happy Filipinos, they’re probably exiting Pancake House in World Trade Center. The menu boasts a wide range of items from traditional breakfast options to a great selection of pancakes and waffles. Some of the variants you can’t miss are the classic pancake, caramel banana walnut pancake, cheese pancake, and chocolate marble pancakes to name a few!
For reservations and more information, call 02 546 7573.
Cafe 302
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Looking for vegan options? Cafe 302 is just the spot, featuring an array of all-day breakfast dishes that’ll have you coming back for more. If you’re in the capital looking for the softest and fluffiest buttermilk pancakes, this place is perfect.
If you’re looking for something special, give the blueberry rice pancakes a whirl! The plate comes with a stack of four large pancakes, tangy wild berry sauce, a jug of maple syrup and a pot of vegan cream. Add a sprinkling of pistachio nuts and a few fresh berries, and we have an irresistible plate perfect for Pancake Tuesday.
For reservations and more information, call 02 610 6688.
Circle Cafe
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While Circle Cafe outlets are often touted for deliciously healthy food, there’s nothing unhealthy about some good old pancakes!
When it comes to pancakes, good presentation goes a long way, and this is where Circle comes out with flying colours. The Blueberry Mini Pancakes are definitely worth a spot on your Instagram grid, consisting of five adorable little pancakes and some sugar on top. Keep an eye out for special offers including all-you-can-eat weekends and an array of selections for every occasion.
For reservations and more information, visit circle-cafe.com or call 02 448 4255.
Keki Bakery
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Every day can be Pancake Tuesday, and a different one than the usual too.
This Japanese bakery and speciality coffee shop in Abu Dhabi offers a jiggly and fluffy alternative to the usual pancakes. The original offering for puritans is accompanied by the classic side of salted butter and maple syrup. However, if you’re feeling like a more dessert pancake, opt for the salted caramel, tiramisu or strawberry pancakes.
For reservations and more information, call 02 309 3999.
Yamanote Atelier
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With two locations at Abu Dhabi Mall and Khalifa Park, this Japanese bakery is famous for making some of the best pancakes in the capital. One of the most amazing places for all sweet and savoury baked goodies, you can’t skip this spot on a Pancake Tuesday hunt.
For the adventurous gourmand, don’t skip the matcha pancakes. They’re thick, soft, smothered in generous amounts of the matcha creamy sauce and accompanied by a dark chocolate mousse. Yummy in your tummy indeed!
For reservations and more information, visit yamanoteatelier.com or call 056 544 8399.
The Third Place Café
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This community cafe in Abu Dhabi offers everyone a chance to meet, work out of, or even casually hang out. Coming with both indoor and alfresco seating, The Third Place Café has pancakes that are perfect to soothe your soul.
Simple, delicious, and fluffy, a trio of pancakes come with raspberry cream and maple syrup. The simplicity is perhaps what makes it a lot more delicious. And if you want something else to accompany those pancakes, their extensive menu offers treats from Italy, Vienna, Germany and Arabia.
For reservations and more information, call 02 622 0036.
No. FiftySeven Boutique Café
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Looking for something different this Pancake Day? These ricotta pancakes are perfect.
Drizzled in lip-smackingly good honeycomb butter and adorned with banana slices, these pancakes are as delicious as it gets. The modern supper club aesthetic definitely helps, making this boutique spot a special location.
For reservations and more information, call 02 441 6100.
Jones The Grocer
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With over six branches spread across Abu Dhabi, you know this is one restaurant everyone loves. Given that it’s covered all your cafe-related cravings with goodies suitable for dine-in or takeaways, why should their pancake offerings be any different?
The homemade coconut flour pancakes come in threes and will have you going coco-nuts with each bite. The pancake plate comes with blueberry compote, pecan crumbles and whipped Greek yoghurt, and you need to get your hands on these right away!
For reservations and more information, call 02 443 8762.
Shakespeare & Co.
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Once again, you cannot have just one option for the vegans out there! Shakespeare & Co offers some of the best gluten-free pancakes you’ll find in the capital, and use almond milk for a light batter.
Add to that a generous serving of strawberries, bananas, blueberries, maple syrup, and roasted almonds, and you have a breakfast for champions!
For reservations and more information, visit shakespeare-and-co.com and call 02 491 7673.
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