Head to these eateries to celebrate Pancake Day in the UAE

Mitchelle D'Souza, Sub-editor/Reporter

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love pillowy soft pancakes?

Well, Pancake Day is just around the corner — this year it falls on Feb.25 — and it’s the perfect excuse for you to indulge in them comfort sweet treats.

But if you’ve been wondering why is a whole day dedicated to these circular stacks of decadence (not that you would ever mind), here’s some trivia.

Pancake Day aka Shrove Tuesday immediately precedes the first day of Lent i.e. Ash Wednesday, the beginning of 40 days of abstinence and fasting for Christians around the world.

In the early days, followers would traditionally give up meat, eggs, sugar, fats and other indulgences and pleasures during the Lenten period that leads up to the festival of Easter.

Hence, in keeping with this age-old tradition, many countries around the world celebrate Pancake Tuesday as the last opportunity to use up eggs and fats before the commencement of lent.

To mark the occasion, a slew of eateries in the UAE have gone flipping crazy whipping up buttery, moist pancakes smothered with syrups and toppings of all sorts.

Here is our round-up of the best spots to dig into these much-loved treats on the occasion of Pancake Tuesday.

Pancake Trio at Eggspectation for only Dhs30
Popular all-day breakfast spot Eggspectation is going all out to celebrate Pancake Day.

A one day only offer, the restaurant will be dishing out a special pancake at just Dhs30 on Tuesday, Feb.25.

The exclusive creation will be a combination of two of their limited-edition pancakes, together with a signature one.

To whet your appetite, here’s a description of this beauty: a rich syrupy stack composed of red velvet, hot chocolate and original pancakes, topped with whipped cream, fresh strawberries and blueberries, and finished with a drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce and chocolate syrup. 

Now that’s what we call a triple treat!

Locations: Matajer Mall, Sharjah; The Beach, JBR, Dubai; and City Walk, Dubai

Clinton Street Baking Company has dedicated all of February to pancakes, with 13 different flavours to choose from.

Month-long celebration at Clinton Street Baking Company
Pancake Day is almost upon us!

But at New York-born bakery and restaurant Clinton Street Baking Company, its one whole Pancake Month, for all of February is dedicated to these fluffy favourites.

As part of their month-long celebration, the restaurant will be offering 13 special flavours of pancakes, including creations such as maple pecan, passion fruit and chocolate, Bavarian apple and strawberry shortbread, all available on rotation.

Diners can stuff their faces with these limited-edition stacks (Dhs59) for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Locations: City Walk, Dubai; and The Dubai Mall

Pancake eating challenge at 49er’s Steakhouse & Club
Coinciding with Shrove Tuesday, 49er’s Steakhouse & Club in Abu Dhabi will now be adding pancakes to their menu.

To make the occasion extra special, the watering hole has added a fun dimension to the epicurean feast — a pancake eating challenge.

On Feb.25, patrons can enjoy a stack of 25 pancakes for just Dhs25, provided they participate in the challenge.

Those who finish the towering stack in a single sitting can enjoy the meal on the house.

Attention pancake lovers! This is the time to prove your mighty love for these irresistible goodies.

Location: Le Meridien, Tourist Club Area, Abu Dhabi

The pancakes at Fuchsia Urban Thai come with a coconut flavoured spin.

Coconut Pancakes at Fuchsia Urban Thai
If you’re all for a little spin on the traditional pancake, make a dash for Fuchsia Urban Thai.

The restaurant offering contemporary Thai cuisine will be adding a far-eastern twist to their pancakes; they will come sprinkled with coconut shavings and accompanied with a dollop of pandan custard.

We reckon this sweet stack is a perfect way to quell the heat after a deliciously spicy Thai meal.

The Thai pancakes will be available throughout the day on Feb.25 for only Dhs25.

Locations: Business Bay, Dubai; Barsha Heights, Dubai

International Pancake Day at Mediterranean Kitchen
How about diving into sweet and supple pancakes along with a side of fresh sea breeze?

On Pancake Day, the beach-fronted Mediterranean Kitchen located on the bustling shores of La Mer will be offering up pancakes all-day long starting at Dhs50.

Customers are in luck, as with every plate of pancakes purchased, they stand to receive a freshly brewed hot cup of complimentary coffee.

You can enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee with every pancake purchased at Mediterranean Kitchen on Shrove Tuesday.

You can choose from a whole medley of flavoured pancakes such as toffee and banana, peanut butter, brownie, lemon and sugar crepes and of course, classic style.