The best places for pancakes in Glasgow

No Glasgow-based pancake guide is complete without reference to Stack & Still!  Self-confessed pancake pioneers, this restaurant boasts 200 hundred seats, a menu that offers thousands of different combinations of pancakes, and a fun and relaxed atmosphere to boot.  Located centrally on West George Street, Stack & Still is perfect for large groups, families or intimate dates. There are large booths and tables, plenty of floor space for kids to enjoy, and the staff are super friendly and accommodating. Pancake-wise, there’s truly something for everyone. Choose from one of the signatures (like the Big Breakfast Stack or Biscoff S’mores), or create your own.  Select buttermilk, buckwheat, protein, gluten-free, or low fat pancakes as your base — then go crazy with your toppings! From granola and flamed peaches, spicy BBQ pork and onion rings, to toasted marshmallow and Oreo, no one will feel left out.

This beloved Glasgow institution sure knows a thing or two about great brunch. It’s one of the city’s oldest family-run restaurants, and probably one of the friendliest too. All of the menus are created with sustainability at the forefront of all decisions, and they change according to the seasons. Nonetheless, pancakes are always a staple (though the toppings do vary). Real highlights have included the American-style caramelised banana and candied walnut number, as well as the maple syrup and bacon option, which never fails to hit the spot. Wash your stack down with a brunch-time cocktail, like the Bloody Gandolfi, and thank us later.

If you’re in the mood for a pancake with a difference, we can’t recommend the Hanoi Bike Shop enough! This unique Vietnamese restaurant serves a savoury type of pancake called “banh xeo” made with a rice flour and coconut milk batter. Served with a variety of ingredients, including prawns, pork and vegetables, this Vietnamese delicacy is fresh and vibrant — a perfect way to inject some sunshine into the Scottish winter! If you’d like to make your pancake-based meal more substantial, order a couple of street food plates to go alongside them (we like the Vietnamese fish cakes and black pepper and soy glazed tofu). Yum!

The Hidden Lane Tearoom is found tucked in a sunny corner of the Hidden Lane, officially know as Argyle Court. This cute little spot serves up a varied menu, from breakfast to homemade soups and sandwiches for lunch, as well as the infamous afternoon tea. The interiors are quirky – with mismatched tableware, vintage chairs and a brightly painted exterior – and the service is second to none. You can’t go wrong with the fluffy American-style pancakes. Options are limited to two topping choices (fresh fruit and yoghurt, and bacon and maple syrup), but both are so tasty that it’s not a problem. Go all out and enjoy your pancakes with The Hidden Tea Room’s deluxe hot chocolate (complete with cream and marshmallows).

KoKo House is Scotland’s first Japanese soufflé pancake café based in Glasgow’s West End. Serving fluffy pancakes that are irresistibly light, as well as savoury crepes and speciality bubble teas, it’s a great spot to indulge. All of the soufflé pancakes are made fresh to order — the batter is made from scratch and the cooking process takes longer than usual to ensure they’re perfectly fluffy when served! Toppings include cream cheese sauce and strawberries, matcha sauce and honeyed red beans, and lotus biscuit soufflé pancakes with vanilla ice cream. The hot savoury crepes are equally delicious, and make for the perfect light meal. There’s everything from chicken and beef crepes, to soy-glazed tofu. Prices are extremely reasonable (all the dishes come in at under £10), and the portion sizes are generous. A must visit!

While The Brunch Club delivers the mainstream crowd-pleasing ingredients like Nutella and bacon, it also offers plenty of opportunity to pack in your five a day. We’ve spotted lemon and blueberry drizzle pancakes, with grated citrus zest and edible flowers on the specials. And grilled peaches, Greek yoghurt and cinnamon sugar on the main menu. Order one of the nutritious smoothies to get even more fruit and veg into your life before noon. Perched on a corner in Finnieston, recognisable by its bright and bold exterior, this cosy venue is always very busy. The Brunch Club doesn’t accept bookings, so arrive prepared to wait a while or go for a stroll in the nearby Kelvingrove Park while you wait for a table to become available. Outdoor and indoor seating is provided.

From Japanese and Vietnamese pancakes to Canadian ones, Times  Square is the home of all things North American, named as it is after one of the USA’s most famous landmarks. Have yours with streaky bacon and maple syrup, or strawberries, blueberries, banana and maple syrup. With the latter priced at £5.95, it’s a fantastic way to enjoy an affordable brunch with friends. On a nice day, you can take a seat outside and add some cocktails or mocktails to your food order. Times Square’s pancakes are part of the breakfast menu, served from 10am each day.

The signature pancakes here take us to another continent again and the Nordic lands. Ocho serves pancakes with caramel apple lapper, spiced apple, caramel sauce, cinnamon sugar and natural yoghurt, a combo just made for some hygge on a chilly winter’s day. And everything is freshly made onsite, using local ingredients wherever possible. Ocho is a little out of the way, on Spier’s Wharf, a charming canalside neighbourhood. Set in the corner of an original 1851 heritage building, it offers a quaint outlook and a lovely walk right on the doorstep. Be sure to book a table as seating is limited. Bring the dog and the kids and you can all walk off your carbs post-brunch, with an amble along the water’s edge.

Those who’ve previously had a night out at Wild Cabaret will recognise this independently owned venue, which now transforms into an eatery by day. Build your own at 18 Candleriggs Cafe. Beginning at £7 for a buttermilk stack, you can customise your morning meal, with a selection from the options of: banana £1, mixed berries, £2, Nutella spread £1.50, peanut butter £1.50, bacon £3, maple syrup, £1.50, or simply butter for £1. This way you can go as simple or as fancy as you like. It’s a dog and kid-friendly space, and the menu caters for veggie and vegan diners, too. So pop along from Wednesday to Sunday, 9am until 4pm. 

A departure from the thick fluffy pancakes of the West, Chinese-style pancakes are wafer-thin, delicate and served as part of a savoury dish. This is one of Glasgow’s favourite eateries — Tam Cowan, food critic at the Scottish Sun, described it as “one of Scotland’s best Chinese restaurants.” So the Lychee Oriental is a fantastic place to try Asian pancakes. Here they come with a generous serving of pulled aromatic duck, garnish and hoisin sauce. You’re provided with these ingredients and invited to fill to your liking, with as much meat and sauce as you like. Order it as a full-sized main all to yourself, or to share with others.