Start Your Day Right With 15 Of Mumbai’s Best Pancakes

Judging by the response we received to our earlier piece on some of Mumbai’s best waffles, it’s safe to say that our readers love breakfast goods as much as we do. So we thought we’d keep up the momentum and bring you a piece on that other much-loved breakfast star: pancakes.

We know people who could eat pancakes every day of the week—if it wasn’t so much damn effort to make them, that is. But why slave over a hot stove attempting to get your batter just right (sans lumps, correct pouring consistency, not too eggy…you know the drill) when you can simply visit (by that, we actually mean frequent) some of these restaurants instead?

Yes, that’s right, this is Homegrown’s guide to Mumbai’s best pancakes. Whether you like them thick or thin, with chocolate or maple syrup, with fruit or whipped cream, we’ve got you covered.

I. Buttermilk pancakes at Aroma Cafe

This restaurant in Powai serves up some delicious buttermilk pancakes accompanied by mascarpone, berries and maple syrup. Everything on this plate is a generous helping: the pancakes are thick and plenty, the mascarpone is a delightfully sized blob resting on top, the berries are strewn all over the plate, and finally, everything is drowned in maple syrup.

Cost: A big chunk of love on your plate at Rs. 249

II. Buttermilk Pancakes at The Nutcracker

Sometimes, simplicity is key, and The Nutcracker understands this logic perfectly. Their light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes are drizzled with maple syrup, dusted with powdered sugar and topped with their tangy in-house jam.

Cost: Who said simple is a bad thing at Rs. 295

III. Caramel Nougat and White Chocolate Pancakes at Cafe Moshe’s

This is definitely very different from anything we’ve had before. Crunchy caramel nougat, the subtle hit of white chocolate and a fine dusting of banana cinnamon combine effortlessly to give you a rich, unique pancake experience. Sometimes it’s nice to try new things, isn’t it?

Cost: Off the beaten path at Rs. 285

IV. Chocolate Chip Pancakes at Ellipsis

Are you into food art? If so, this one’s going to be a treat for you. Plus, let’s not forget that they’re sinfully good. Flapjacks stuffed with chocolate chips that ooze molten chocolate when cut—what’s not to like? There’s also a generous handful of white and milk chocolate chips scattered over the top and whole strawberries to add a splash of colour.

Cost: Art doesn’t come cheap at Rs. 400

V. Classic Pancakes with Berry Coulis at Terttulia

If you like your pancakes with fruit, we suggest you try Terttulia’s classic pancakes with berry coulis. Mid-way between flapjacks and crepes, the pancakes are stacked on top of each other and doused with honey or maple syrup and topped with berry coulis. Try and keep the stack intact and cut your way through, letting the tartness of the berries and the sweetness of the honey or maple syrup send your taste buds into overdrive

Cost: Perfectly priced at Rs. 175

VI. Devil’s Delight at The Chocolate Heaven

Can you overdose on chocolate? It’s not a legit thing, right? Because if it was, these pancakes at Chocolate Heaven might just do it. Chocolate pancakes, fresh fruit, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips and whipped cream.

Cost: Chocolate chocolate everywhere at Rs. 199

VII. Nutella Banana Pancake at Jamjar Diner

Look at that picture. Just look at it. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? It’s almost like an architectural masterpiece—except that it’s made of food, which automatically makes it a thousand times better. Think flapjacks, the rich hazelnut goodness of Nutella and the sweetness of banana. Like Liz Lemon would say: I want to go to there.

Cost: This marvel belongs in a museum. In your mouth. At Rs. 280

VIII. Pancakes with Blueberry Compote at Le Pain Quotidien

Probably one of the only chain restaurants whose breakfast we’d vouch for (sorry, McDonalds’), Le Pain Quotidien hits the spot with their pancakes. And the best part? Since it’s a chain, you can have it anywhere in the world when a pancake craving hits. Also, blueberries go better with pancakes than any other berries. You’re welcome.

Cost: We’d eat these anytime, anywhere, at Rs. 380

IX. Pancakes at Café Zoe

This Lower Parel restaurant has always had us coming back time and time again for their incredible food. But recently, we discovered their breakfast menu, and let’s just say we weren’t looking for more reasons to visit, but we found one nonetheless: their pancakes. Served with whipped cream and maple syrup (you should really fork out Rs. 100 more and add bacon), Zoe’s pancakes had us in a sugar-induced state of Zen for hours afterwards.

Cost: Take our money, Zoe. Take all of it! At Rs. 250

X. Pancakes at Theobroma

Theo’s, as it’s affectionately called, doesn’t only make some of the best brownies in town. It also makes really good pancakes. And what’s more, these aren’t regular pancakes, but sort of a combination of two great breakfast dishes: pancakes and eggs. Maybe it’s because Theo’s is owned by Parsis and we all know parsis put eggs on everything, or maybe it’s because it just tastes so damn good. Anyway, nobody cares. Just go there and get a portion of this dish already. You won’t regret it.

Cost: Two breakfasts in one at 230

XII. PBJ Pancake at Salt Water Café

Available at both, the Bandra and Churchgate outlets, Salt Water Café’s PBJ pancake (that’s peanut butter and jelly, for the uninitiated), will bring out the little kid in you. We’ve been at way too many breakfasts when someone’s ordered this only to turn into a squealing, giggling adult-child hybrid when this has been placed in front of them. Don’t believe us? Give it a shot—but don’t say we didn’t warn you. Also, extra plus point: the top is coated with Nutella.

Cost: This dish should come with a sugar rush warning at Rs. 250

XIII. Saddlebags at Social

Two words: bacon pancakes. If you haven’t already grabbed your car keys and run out of the house after hearing that, hang around while we tell you what else is in this dish. First, there are the pancakes with chopped bacon and chicken sausages. These are then topped with a sunny-side up fried egg and lashings of maple syrup. Talk about Pancakes Version 2.0, eh?

Cost: This could be your last meal and you’d die happy at Rs. 190

XV. Tiramisu Pancakes at The Table

This is what happens when breakfast meets dessert—and the result is truly glorious. The Table’s tiramisu pancakes come with mascarpone bavarois, coffee meringue, cocoa and amaretto syrup. Weep copious tears of joy, dear gourmand. You’re going to want to eat this all by yourself, so we suggest using menu cards to build a little fort around your plate to shield it from the savage forks of your fellow diners.

Cost: Tight on the pocket, but worth every penny at Rs. 630