Happy Pancake Day: 15 places in Riyadh for flipping good pancakes
It’s time to get stacking…
Pancake Day has once again crêped upon us. Although we feel the joy of a stack of carbs doused in liquid gold should not be confined to just 24 hours a year, Pancake Day on February 21 does make for a perfect excuse to indulge.
Whether you’re in the mood for feather-light ricotta hotcakes, American-style pancakes crowned with maple syrup, or vegan, gluten-free alternatives, these are some of the best places in Riyadh to fill your face with some flipping good pancakes.
A.O.K. Kitchen
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Those gluten-free pancakes from A.O.K Kitchen ooze sophistication and are absolutely delicious. The interesting bit? They are cooked in the oven instead of the frying pan and come served with organic maple syrup, coconut chantilly and fresh berries.
A.O.K. Kitchen, KAFD, Al Aqiq, Riyadh 13519, daily 7am to 10.30pm. Tel: 9200 25304. @aokkitchensaudi
Angelina
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That elegant stack of pancakes is no doubt the key to a start of a perfect day.
Angelina, Bujairi Terrace, Ad Diriyah, daily 10am to 2am. Tel: 050 955 3788. @angelinaparisksa
Brunch & Cake
If you want pancakes that not only look and taste good but will keep you full all day, then look no further for your fix than Brunch & Cake. The Bujairi Terrace eatery opened its door last December, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Not only can we not get over the restaurant’s New York cheesecake pancake with caramel sauce and pistachio nuts, but we adore its fluffy peaches and cream pancakes, which are served with digestive biscuit, coconut flake soil, fresh fruit, vanilla cream, and maple syrup.
Brunch & Cake, Bujairi Terrace, Ad Diriyah, Sat to Wed 10am to midnight, Thurs & Fri 10am to 1am. Tel: 0592657843. @brunchandcakeksa
Buttermilk
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Buttermilk pancakes served with berries, crème Fraiche, and drizzled with maple syrup – this is heaven on a plate. If you are looking for more pancakes for your riyal, Buttermilk is your best bet. They serve five scrumptious stacks of buttermilk options: from Nutella and mixed berries and caramelised bananas with crunchy walnuts to the decadent original buttermilk batter and pumpkin-spiced pancakes with caramelised apple. While you may spend the next few hours in a food coma, it’s totally worth it.
Buttermilk, 2154 Abdulwahid Ibn Ahmad, An Nakheel, Riyadh 12385, daily 7am to midnight. Tel: 055 627 9170. @buttermilk.sa
Hustle n’ Flow Eatery
Hustle n’ Flow is a great brunch suggestion to have up your sleeve. Fancy something super sweet yet healthy (well, kind of)? Try Sweet Dreams Are Made of This, vegan protein pancakes doused with homemade hazelnut spread and topped with vegan salted caramel whipped cream and fresh berries, for a sugar rush like never before.
Hustle n’ Flow Eatery, An Nafal, Riyadh 13312, daily 8am to 5pm. @hustlenflowriyadh
Madeleine
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At Madeleine, there are three varieties of pancakes on offer, which pack a punch in terms of both size and flavour. Order the classic stack with maple syrup, whipped cream and butter; the berries pancakes with Italian mascarpone cheese, or – a What’s On favourite – the cinnamon-flavoured pancakes with caramelised apples and hazelnuts, and vanilla cream.
Madeleine, The Boulevard Riyadh, daily 7.30am to midnight & Riyadh Front, daily 8am to midnight. Tel: 9200 10330. @madeleineksa
Moonshell
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Who says those with dietary requirements should have to miss out on the pancake fun? If you’re looking for a vegan version, stop by Moonshell for a stack of savoury lentil pancakes.
Moonshell, King Abdullah Dt, Riyadh 12233, daily 7am to midnight. Tel: 053 630 0962. @moonshell_sa
NOOA
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If you do one thing today (or this week), it should be to make your way down to Laysen Valley to sample the delights of NOOA. But, for us, it’s the pancakes that have us salivating. This pancake haven caters to all culinary desires with a menu that includes caramelised banana pancakes, light and fat pancakes coated in maple syrup and bacon, and one dubbed the ‘Nutella Berry’ topped with fresh berries, crisp shards of Nutella, and dollops of chocolate sauce.
NOOA, Laysen Valley, daily 8.30am to midnight. Tel: 9200 07612. @nooasaudi
Ohayou
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Ohayou does two types of pancakes: pistachio pancakes and the old fashioned pancakes. Go for the latter, because boy, is it a pancake to contend with – buttery, golden griddle cakes that you can (and should) smother liberally with luscious syrup.
Ohayou, Prince Turki Bin Abdulaziz Althani St, Hittin, Riyadh 11564, Sun to Thurs 7.30am to 3pm, Fri & Sat 9am to 4.30pm. Tel: 011 207 7220. @ohayou_sa
Opla
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Serving up delicious brunch grub, Opla does decadent all-day breakfast. And if you want to shake up your Pancake Day experience, try their Dutch Baby, an American take on a German pancake that somewhat resembles a Yorkshire pudding. Opla’s Dutch baby pancakes have earned themselves a loyal fan following. It’s easy to see why: a puffed-up beauty topped with seasonal berries and a finishing drizzle of syrup. It’s the stuff of dreams.
Opla, 3692 Prince Mohammed Ibn Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Ar Rabi, Riyadh 13315, Weekdays 7am to 4pm & Weekends 7am to 5pm. Tel: 055 299 9126. @opla_sa
Sadelle’s
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Do you like to eat only the finer things in life? Then the bright and airy Sadelle’s is the brunch place for you. Here, its blueberry pancakes come fluffy and pretty perfect.
Sadelle’s Riyadh, Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel, daily 7am to midnight. @sadellesriyadh
Terra’s Table
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Everything served at Terra’s Table is plant-based, and that includes the gluten-free oat pancakes doused with maple tahini syrup and topped with sumac roasted strawberries. Yes, please.
Terra’s Table, 4823 King Abdul Aziz Rd, Ar Rabi, 7018, Riyadh 13315, daily 8.30am to 11.30pm. @terrastablesa
Urth Caffe
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This hotspot holds a strong reputation for a mean all-day breakfast, with some seriously good pancakes on offer, including gluten-free ones. Our go-to? Buttermilk pancakes griddled to a golden brown and served with whipped cream, Sidr honey butter and maple syrup. With a flat white on the side, this is one way to start your morning right.
Urth Caffe, various locations, including KAFD, daily 7am to 12.30am and Oud Square, Diplomatic Quarter, daily 7am to 1am. @urthcaffesaudi
Zeila
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Come for breakfast and stay for the Russian pancakes stuffed with cream cheese and served with maple syrup and mixed berries. They are light, delectably moist, and so easy to finish.
Zeila, Imam Abdullah Ibn Saud Ibn Abdulaziz Rd, Al Hamra, Riyadh 13217, Sat to Thurs 6.30am to 1am & Fri 2pm to 1am. Tel: 011 488 8880. @zeilalounge
Marks & Spencer
Prefer to flip your own pancakes at home? Get delicious fluffy pancakes in minutes with the American Pancake Mix or the Pancake Shaker Mix from Marks & Spencer Food. Just add water shake and cook to make six fluffy pancakes for the family. Then, add tasty treats with toppings such as the delightful new Banoffee sauce with sliced banana and whipped cream, cupboard heroes like the Organic Canadian Maple or zesty Sicilian Lemon Juice for the classic and favourite-for-a-reason lemon and sugar combination. For a lighter option, stock up with sweet and fruity Acacia Honey, Ground Cinnamon, and finish with a sprinkling of 4 Nut Granola. Those following a vegan diet mustn’t miss out on the Plant Kitchen Vegan Pancake Shaker for the ultimate in plant-based convenience.
Marks & Spencer, various locations. @marksandspencerksa
Images: Provided / Instagram