Flip, flip hooray! Around the world in six pancakes

The shriving bell chimes this Tuesday to mark forty days of Lent in the christian calendar. Whether you’re off to church, or your worship comes in the form of communal brunch, we’ve got a sneak preview of the menus celebrating their versions of the beloved pancake in Leeds.

If

If flings out pancakes like they’re going out of fashion. Except they're not, because everyone who has ever photographed its breakfast has tucked in to a fluffy stack on Call Lane the morning after stacking it on Call Lane. Choose from: Biscoff, berry compote and vanilla ice cream; Yorkshire fudge, toffee sauce and banana; or Blueberry, peanut butter cream and pistachios. Delish. Bookings are now available at its York Place café too.

If 43 Call Ln, Leeds LS1 7BT / 18 York Pl, Leeds LS1 2EX

House of Koko 

If you don’t like people telling you how you like your pancakes, head to House of Koko. You can literally go nuts with the toppings. Toasted nuts? Far superior to raw nuts. Like a bit of old-school nostalgia? Go for Bueno. Feeling like a fancy pants? Masticate on some macerated strawberries. Three plain American-style pancakes, three toppings, what more could you want? 

House of Koko 62 Harrogate Rd, Chapel Allerton, Leeds LS7 4LA / 466 Roundhay Rd, Roundhay, Oakwood, Leeds LS8 2HU

Bento Japanese Street Food & Izakaya 

Okonomiyaki - the Japanese answer to the pancake literally translates as ‘cooked as you like it’. This all-in-one omelette-come-fritter is often flavoured with dashi and topped with shredded cabbage, a drizzle of Kewpie mayonnaise and a flourish of dried bonito flakes. At Bento on Merrion street, you can opt for a classic or a seafood-topped option. 

Bento Japanese Street Food & Izakaya 10 Merrion St, Leeds LS1 6PQ

Archive 

If you haven’t managed to get the day off to eat your way around the city, why not grab your laptop for a little working refreshment at Archive? Between 20 February and the 26 February, Archive is offering a French-inspired savoury pancake special stuffed with spinach and goat cheese, baked in a pepper and tomato sauce, topped with melting mozzarella and a sprinkle of parsley. There’s a sweet stack too, featuring bananas, blueberries and maple syrup. Classic. 

Archive 94 Kirkstall Rd, Leeds LS3 1HD

Olive & Rye

Tucked away in the beautiful Queens Arcade, Olive & Rye is a wee gem of a café where you can watch the world go by from the wooden seating out front. We’re already fans of their Buttermilk pancakes slathered in whipped mascarpone and poached mixed berries with a white chocolate and pistachio crumb. And the bacon on the other option is always smoked, streaky, and crisped up wonderfully. Rumour has it that the Chef will be flipping a few surprises on the specials board around Shrove Tuesday too.

Olive & Rye Queens Arcade, 18-20 Briggate, Leeds LS1 6LF

Manjit's Kitchen & Bar

Feeling a little sickly from all that sweet syrup? A healthy dose of Dosa might just be what the doctor ordered. Manjit’s has been pouring pancake batter since starting up an Indian takeaway from the back of his Ford Fiesta in 2010. This Southern Indian staple consists of a fermented rice and lentil batter filled with spiced mashed potato and served with a zingy coconut chutney and a hot dahl soup. One of the best market lunches around we reckon.

Manjit's Kitchen Leeds Kirkgate Market, LS2 7HY / 333 Kirkstall Road, Burley, LS4 2HD 

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