Stuff Yourself With Pancakes This Shrove Tuesday at These Spots

Tomorrow (Mar 4) is Pancake Day, aka Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Lent in the Christian calendar. Dating back to the 16th century when British Christians would eat pancakes in order to use up eggs, butter, fat and other rich foodstuffs ahead of Lent, it has now basically become an excuse to stuff yourself silly with pancakes.

In honor of Pancake Day, we’ve put together a list of some of the best places around Beijing to satisfy your pancake needs. From traditional French crêpes to fluffy American pancakes or a good old jianbing, there are plenty of spots you can try. 

Panorama

When it comes to crêpes, nowhere beats Panorama in Sanlitun Courtyard No.4. This French restaurant serves up both savory and sweet crêpes and there are tons of different fillings to choose from. For savory crêpes, or galettes as they are called in French, they have numerous different variations on the menu! 

Our personal favorites are the Captain (RMB 82), which is stuffed with smoked salmon, red onion, dill, capers and cream with a slice of lemon on the side to drizzle over, and the Goat Father (RMB 82) which is stuffed with goat cheese, diced bacon, walnuts, honey mustars sauce and salad leaves. They also have no shortage of sweet crêpes, ten altogether, with traditional offerings like Lemon and Sugar (RMB 42) as well as more indulgent ones like Banana and Nutella (RMB 52).

They’ve also currently got a winter special, the Raclette (RMB 98) galette (pictured above), which features roasted potatoes, raclette cheese, bacon, onions and a drizzle of cream to finish it all off.

Panorama
81 Sanlitun Courtyard No. 4, Chaoyang District
朝阳区三里屯机电院81号
Hours: Sun-Thu, 10am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 10am-1am
Phone: 010 6506 1893

Hana Crepes

Another crêpe place, Hana Crepes only opened up last year in the 团结新里·Together (Tuánjié xīnlǐ·Together) complex near Sanlitun. They have a range of both sweet and savory buckwheat crêpes on offer. Savory options include things like Ham, Cheese and Egg (RMB 49) and Chicken, Oyster Mushroom and Red Onion (RMB 49, pictured above). For sweet options, they have things like Nutella, Chocolate, Hazelnut and Banana (RMB 39) or Oreo and Strawberry (RMB 39).

Hana Crepes
Donglang Tuanjie Xinli, 10, Tuanjie Hu Dongli, Chaoyang District
朝阳区团结湖东里10号东朗团结新里
Hours: noon-8pm
Phone: 138 1025 5635

Tigers

Tigers, formerly known as Tiger Pancake House, specializes in American-style pancakes. Their thick, fluffy pancakes are sure to satisfy anyone with a sweet tooth, coming loaded with a variety of ice cream, fruit and whipped cream. Their Special Strawberry Pancake (RMB 68, pictured above) topped with fresh strawberries, strawberry ice cream, whipped cream, pieces of freeze-dried strawberry and syrup is a must-try. 

If you’re looking for a more savory option, you can also order one of their numerous brunch dishes that include pancakes, such as the Metropolitan Brunch (RMB 78), which sees pancakes served up with French toast, scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon and sausage. 

Tigers (Sanyuanqiao Branch)
1, B1/F 1959 Shijianli, Fenghuang Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区凤凰环路1959时间里B1-1号
Hours: 10.30am-9.30pm
Phone: 010 5977 3017

Peiping Machine

This Chinese brewery takes the humble jianbing and brings it to a whole new level. At their Fangjia branch, they have a range of different fillings available, each with a unique twist. A number of them combine the jianbing with another popular Chinese dish such as their Shishan Roast Duck Jianbing (RMB 58, pictured above) or Braised Pork Belly Jianbing (RMB 48). To accompany one of their bings, why not also try one of their signature craft brews?

Peiping Machine (Fangjia branch)
E101, 46 Fangjia Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区方家胡同46号院E101
Hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-1.30am; Sat-Sun 3pm-1.30am
Phone: 132 4023 5240

Lily’s American Diner

Another purveyor of American-style pancakes, Lily’s American Diner keep things simple with their American Pancakes (RMB 59 for two; RMB 69 for three) that see buttermilk pancakes served up with two fried eggs and a side of bacon. You can also add blueberries for an extra RMB 10. Their pancakes are available all day, so you can even order them in the evening and treat yourself to some brinner. 

Lily’s American Diner (Sanlitun branch)
1-037, Bldg 5, Shoukai Bojun, 8 Xindong Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区新东路8号院手开铂郡小区底商5号楼1-037号
Hours: 7am-10pm
Phone: 010 8418 5497; 137 1838 9020

Lily's American Diner (Shuanjing branch)
Unit 2-18, Bldg 2, Tianzhi Jiaozi, 31 Guangqu Lu (northeast corner of Shuangjing Qiao), Chaoyang District
朝阳区双井桥东北角广渠路31号院天之骄子2号楼底商2-18
Hours: 10am-8pm
Phone: 010 6592 5548; 178 0103 0403

Bewaffle

At their Guomao and Pingan Xingfuhui Shopping Center branches, Bewaffle also offers up a variety of crêpes along with their signature waffles. They have sweet options available like Nutella (RMB 28) or Cinnamon Apple (RMB 35) and also a few savory options such as Roast Pepper, Ham and Cheese (RMB 42). (Please note that crêpes aren’t available at their Sanlitun store.)

Bewaffle (Guomao branch)
B126a, B1/F, Zhengda Center, 20, Jinhe Donglu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区金和东路20号正大中心B1层B126a
Hours: 8am-8pm
Phone: 131 6190 5239

Bewaffle (Pingan Xingfuhui branch)
111, L1, Pingan Xingfuhui, Lize Lu, Fengtai District
丰台区丽泽路平安幸福汇1层L111号
Hours: 8am-7.30pm
Phone: 186 1060 2911

READ: Celebrate Ramadan in Beijing: Where to Get Your Iftar Meal

Images: courtesy of the venues, Dianping, Meituan Waimai, Unsplash