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Best Pancakes in Edinburgh

Tuesday 28 January 2025

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Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is a Christian festival that occurs each year, the day before Lent begins. Traditionally for Christians in the UK, Lent was a time of praying and fasting from meat and dairy. As a result, pancakes were eaten the day before in order to use up any eggs, butter, and fat before the fasting began. 

Today, people across the UK still enjoy pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, as well as all year round, and there is an exciting array of restaurants across the UK dedicated to perfecting this golden, fluffy delicacy. At CrossCountry, we’re looking for the very best pancake restaurants in Edinburgh.  

Whether you prefer American pancakes, French Crêpes, or Scottish drop scones, hop on a train and discover delicious options for Pancake Tuesday, and beyond. 

The City Cafe

The City Café has been a real favourite in Edinburgh since the 80s. It’s got everything an American Diner should: extravagant milkshakes with whipped cream, a neon 1950s jukebox, a life-size statue of Elvis, and, of course, stacks upon stacks of syrup-covered pancakes.  

Alongside their savoury breakfast options, you can tuck into various combinations of pancakes and toppings. Choose maple syrup, strawberries and cream, crispy bacon, or tuck into their totally vegan-friendly pancakes with dairy-free cream. It’s a must-visit location for a satisfying treat and the authentic American Diner experience. 

The City Café is a short six-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley, taking you through some of the city’s most atmospheric alleyways. 

Person cutting a poached egg over some pancakes and bacon.

MUMS Great Comfort Food

MUMS Great Comfort Food can be found on Forrest Road, close to the National Museum of Scotland, making it ideal for a spot of breakfast before embarking upon one of Edinburgh’s best free attractions. MUMs pancake stack is a must-try, available with streaky bacon or bananas and cream, and covered in glistening maple syrup. With everything they deliver to your table, MUMS are big on making affordable grub that doesn’t skimp on high-quality ingredients and amazing flavour. 

Tani Modi

Tani Modi is a family-run café famous for its out-of-this-world brunch. You can tuck into a full Scottish breakfast (complete with tattie scones and haggis), flavourful shakshuka, eggs on sourdough, and an exciting selection of pancakes.. You can tuck into a full Scottish breakfast (complete with tattie scones and haggis), flavourful shakshuka, eggs on sourdough, and an exciting selection of pancakes. 

Tani Modi are particularly adventurous when it comes to pancakes. You’ve got classics like bacon and maple syrup and some more interesting offerings, like spiced pineapple and coconut and Sicilian lemon sauce with meringue and raspberry crumb. A visit here is sure to unlock some unique and memorable flavour combinations that will leave an impression long after you’ve finished eating.  

There’s a reason this café is so beloved in Edinburgh and it’s because they aren’t afraid to deliver high-quality food while getting creative. Tani Modi is just over ten-minutes walking distance from Edinburgh Waverley on Hanover Street. The route will take you past the famous Scott Monument and the idyllic St Andrew Square. 

A view of Edinburgh’s Scott Monument from behind a tree in Autumn.

Treehouse Cafe

According to Treehouse Café, they’re serving up the best pancakes in Edinburgh. With an incredible choice of toppings, both savoury and sweet, this charming eatery is one of our favourite spots for enjoying fluffy pancakes in the Scottish capital. 

Sporting a baby blue exterior, Treehouse does well to stand out on busy Leven Street and has enjoyed success, with many happy customers leaving positive reviews. The pancakes, in particular, have received the most praise for their generous portion sizes, perfectly golden appearance, and fresh and tasty toppings. And, if you don’t go for the pancakes, you must try their sourdough toast. 

You can find the Treehouse on the corner of Leven Street and Glengyle Terrace; it’s just under half an hour's walking distance from Edinburgh Waverley. Alternatively, there are bus services from the station which will get you there in roughly twenty minutes. 

Em's Kitchen

Em’s Kitchen is big on high-quality ingredients and beautifully presented plates that keep customers coming back. Their breakfast menu is filled with a medley of vegan delights, traditional fry-ups, Mediterranean staples, and, of course, pancakes. Ems’s pancake selection wows their diners with classics like maple syrup and streaky bacon, as well as more creative concoctions like southern fried chicken or Biscoff, blueberries, strawberries, and mascarpone. 

Em’s Kitchen is tucked away roughly halfway down St Mary’s Street. Just look for the gold sign framed by a burst of pink. You can reach the café on foot in eight minutes from Edinburgh Waverley. 

Loudons 

Loudons is an award-winning breakfast, brunch, and lunch café in Edinburgh. There are two locations; Loudons Fountainbridge and Loudons New Waverley, and both offer an outstanding pancake selection. We’re talking coffee and walnuts, apple crumble, and even superfood beetroot pancakes, with caramelised red onion chutney and whipped goat cheese. This is definitely the place to visit if you’re looking for exciting flavour combinations and quality ingredients.  

The closest branch to Edinburgh Waverley station is Loudons New Waverley on Sibbald Walk. It’s just seven minutes on foot. If you’re looking to visit the other site, catch a bus from Princes Street, and you’ll be there in under fifteen minutes. 

If you’re planning a visit to Edinburgh on Pancake Day, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here

Written by Abby

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