The East Neuk is known for its abundance of eateries and markets, with plenty of options for sustainable eating choices. Farm shops, street food, and eateries use locally sourced produce to create unique dishes. With food provenance being so important, it is no surprise that these restaurants rival even the finest restaurants in the region. Enjoy Scotland’s best pancakes with fresh and local ingredients, not to mention delicious produce from the local shops.

Pancake Day

There’s nothing like a stack of warm, fluffy pancakes lathered in maple syrup or loaded with delicious sweet or savoury toppings. In our humble opinion, pancakes are the dish for a decadent weekend brunch enjoyed with your nearest and dearest, washed down, of course, with a cafetière of freshly brewed coffee. 

Shrove Tuesday, also known as Pancake Day, is, therefore, the dream. It’s the only day of the year when pancakes can be legitimately enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and supper! This fantastic feast stems from the traditional observance of Shrove Tuesday, the day in the liturgical calendar when stores of rich foods were used up ahead of the Lenten fast. If you’re holidaying with us over Shrove Tuesday (which, this year, falls on 21 February), or indeed are just a self-confessed pancake enthusiast travelling to the East Neuk in a different season, here’s our guide to the best places to enjoy pancakes in St Andrews and the East Neuk! 

Year-round, Northpoint is the café in town that is known for its delicious, American-style buttermilk pancakes. You can order a half stack or a full stack with classic toppings, including Canadian maple syrup, blueberries and bacon, and more indulgent combinations for those with a sweet tooth, such as fudge bites, toffee sauce, and whipped cream. Kids can enjoy mini pancakes with butter and jam, syrup, chocolate sauce, ice cream, or bacon. Northpoint typically hosts a pancake night on Shrove Tuesday with a fantastic range of flavours, including classic and adventurous toppings… keep your eyes peeled for details! 

If you’re looking to enjoy pancakes as part of a bigger feast, head to Forgan’s. Their Brunch Board is a delight! It features a pancake stack with bacon, maple syrup, fresh banana, a mini granola bowl, and seasonal fruit. What a great way to start the day! 

For those with a really sweet tooth, the famous gelateria, Jannettas, has two fantastic pancake options. The ‘Sacco’ is served with fresh strawberries and banana, crushed shortbread, and hot chocolate fudge sauce, whilst the ‘Navaro’ comes with grilled pancetta, maple syrup, and blueberry compote. Are you drooling yet? For those who prefer the crispy outside and chewy inside of a waffle to the soft texture of a pancake and who’d like to try the delicious ice cream at Jannettas, there are some excellent options, too! You can build your own stack and select two scoops of gelato, two toppings, and one sauce, or plump for one of their tried-and-tested combinations. 

On the topic of waffles, we also love the sound of the buttermilk waffles with raspberries, yoghurt, honey, and a raspberry crumb at Mitchell’s. 

One of Scotland’s most exquisite restaurants is the Peat Inn, a charming little restaurant in a small hamlet 6 miles from St. Andrews. This inn restaurant has been awarded a Michelin Guide star, an outstanding achievement for any restaurant. The Peat Inn offers fine-quality dining with its food and wine selection and unique atmosphere. 

If you’re travelling further up the coast, we’d recommend the Cocoa Tree Café in Pittenweem. Their Belgian waffles are served with a choice of toppings — sugared, chocolate sauce, chocolate and ice cream, mixed berries and ice cream, or bacon and maple syrup — and are best enjoyed with one of their fabulous hot chocolates! An excellent place for an indulgent brunch or a substantial mid-afternoon treat! 

Located in the East Neuk, Fife Food Market hosts multiple foodie markets offering the best local food from Fife. You will find something for everyone, from smoked dishes to aged luring beef. Anstruther is a must-visit for its yolk-filled pancakes and most magical kingdom ingredients. Bowhouse offers an amuse-bouche of dishes and drinks businesses, and if you take a shorter walk along the walk sands, you can even get your fix of pancakes with friends or family. Explore East Neuk’s best eateries this Pancake Day to find your ideal pancake dish.

Famous Fife and Fife Coastal Path are the perfect places to take a trip for Pancake Day. Old St Andrews and Andrews Harbour are two of the area’s hidden gems, and the East Sands is a popular route for those who want to follow a beautiful section of the coastline. A food trail is a great way to explore this stunning location while indulging in a gastronomical adventure.

 Are you feeling inspired? Check out our properties and book a February getaway and somewhere to enjoy brunch in the East Neuk — perfect pancakes, perfect properties, and a perfect location… what more do you need? If you’re unsure which property would be the best fit for you, contact our friendly team, who would be delighted to talk you through the different options!