This year, Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day falls on Tuesday 4th March 2025 and I’ve updated this blog the best I can on 10th February 2025. Whilst it’s traditional to make pancakes at home (originally to use up eggs and fats to eliminate any temptations over Lent), personally I like any excuse to eat out! Here are some of the best places for pancakes in Derby and Derbyshire.
Lots of cafes and restaurants will be running specials on Pancake Day itself and I’ll be sharing the best on my Facebook group, Derbyshire Food Lovers & Eating Out Enthusiasts so please join that to stay up to date with the best seasonal specials.
For a truly local spin on pancakes, read all about Derbyshire oatcakes.
Best places for Pancakes in Derby
Bear, Derby
Bear have stores on Iron Gate in the Cathedral Quarter and in the Derbion shopping centre and in 2024 opened a branch in Ashbourne (handily situated for The Lounge – but do be aware of Shrovetide, see below!) as well as nearby Uttoxeter and Stone. All the stores have fluffy American style pancakes on their regular brunch menu. Bear usually dish some impressive seasonal specials – head to their socials for all the flavours.
The Book Café in Derby or Belper
Quirky and pet friendly, The Book Café is a popular café with a real emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Both venues are based in really interesting buildings – the Derby one is particularly lovely Grade 2 listed building, originally built as a bank in 1879. Read more about the Belper venue here.
The Book Café promise a friendly, relaxing and inspiring setting whether you visit alone or with a group of friends and family.
American style pancakes are a regular feature on their brunch menu. A stack of five fluffy pancakes dusted in icing sugar and served with maple syrup and either fruit compote or back bacon and the option to add ice cream.
Breakfast menu at Seven at Pride Park
Seven is a beautifully contemporary restaurant on Derby’s Pride Park. American pancakes are a regular feature on their breakfast menu. Buttermilk pancakes are served with streaky bacon, blueberries, maple syrup.
Best Pancakes in the Chesterfield area
Qoozies, Chesterfield town centre
Qoozies have a full pancake menu as part of their all day menu. The regular menu includes lots of fruity options, along with options with Lotus spread, Nutella or peanut butter etc – and usually some epic seasonal specials.
Host, Clay Cross
In the short time it’s been open, Host Coffee has quickly become the place to go to in Clay Cross. They’ve just added pancakes to their brunch menu, and they are delicious! Expect stacks of fluffy, American style pancakes served with decadent toppings. No bookings, walk in only. Free parking nearby. Read my full review of Host.
Dunston Hall Bistro, near Chesterfield
There is always a pancake option on the breakfast menu at Dunston Hall Bistro which is served until midday. Last time I ordered them they came with a generous portion of Biscoff spread and the most wonderful caramelised bananas.
Vegan Pancakes at Figaro in Wingerworth
I’m not vegan myself, but I’d still seek out Figaro’s delectable plant based pancakes. Their beautifully presented pancakes and berries are a regular feature on their all day brunch menu. Read why this cute café is worth a visit.
Best Pancakes in Ashbourne
F’Coffee in Ashbourne
F’Coffee is a popular, family run coffee shop in Ashbourne. Homemade pancakes feature on their regular breakfast menu (served until midday). Three fluffy pancakes are served with your choice of topping. Seasonal specials for 2024 include passionfruit, raspberry and pistachio; and Lotus Biscoff, caramelised banana and honeycomb. There is also a pancake option on the children’s breakfast menu.
PS – Note that Ashbourne will be busy for Shrovetide on Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th when F’Coffee are running a special Shrovetide brunch. Limited slots so pre-book – apart from then, it’s walk ins only.
Beaumonts of Ashbourne
Beaumonts in Ashbourne serve pancakes all year round. In previous years they’ve run a a reduced menu for Shrovetide (without pancakes) but tables can be booked inside and outside with great views of The Croft car park where the ball is thrown up!
Best Pancakes in the Peak District
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop, Bakewell
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop has a lovely first floor restaurant with original wooden beams and exposed brickwork. They’ve traditionally done some very tempting Pancake Day specials.
The Scotsmans Pack Hathersage
Similarly, The Scotsmans Pack in Hathersage doesn’t normally sell pancakes but traditionally has a good offering of specials for Pancake Day including savoury options made using Derbyshire oatcakes. Also check out the Robin Hood in Baslow.
The rest of Derbyshire
Mad Hatter, Matlock
I’ve not actually tried here myself YET but Mad Hatter’s pancakes always look incredible and I hear nothing but good things.
Notsa, Aston on Trent
Notsa is a café-bar in the pretty village of Aston on Trent near Shardlow. Featured on their regular breakfast menu, the American style pancakes are delightfully fluffy and served with dry cured bacon and maple syrup. Wash down with freshly ground barista coffees from Nottingham based 200 degrees. Read my full review of Notsa.
Waffles at The Apple Tree Tea House, Ockbrook
The Apple Tree Tea House aren’t open on Tuesdays, but I think their waffles are worth mentioning… (they’re practically the same thing, right?!). Belgian waffles are freshly cooked on a waffle iron and then generously topped with your choice of decadence.
Seasonal specials for Shrove Tuesday
Fabulous independents are always welcome to share their seasonal specials in my Facebook group. Feel free to share the love about your favourite places to eat out. I’ll share posts about pancakes there as and when I see them.
If you’ve enjoyed this post, please check out my previous blog post about the best places for Derbyshire oatcakes.
Just outside Derbyshire
Just into the Staffordshire border, in Lichfield, The Pear Tree Creperie is the place for French style crepes and galettes.
Denstone Hall Farm Shop in Uttoxeter traditionally run a delicious menu of sweet and savoury options for ‘pancake week’.
One reply on “Best Places for Pancakes in Derbyshire”
So many options! Who doesn’t love pancakes?!?