We headed into Cardiff’s foodie district on Church Street to visit The Botanist for a sweet treat.
With its unique botanical décor, rustic charm, and lively atmosphere, it’s a venue that always impresses. Set across multiple floors, the restaurant boasts a main bar and dining space, a charming bandstand for live music, and an upstairs area with a secondary bar and a stunning rooftop terrace—perfect for those long summer evenings.
With Valentine’s Day behind us, the real highlight of the season has arrived—Pancake Day! And what better way to celebrate than with the return of The Botanist’s famous Hanging Pancake Kebab? After a two-year hiatus, this viral, sell-out special is back for a limited time (3rd–6th March), and we thoroughly enjoyed trying the new Sharer Stack for the ultimate indulgence. and we couldn’t wait to see if it lived up to the hype. Spoiler alert—it absolutely did!
Thanks to Josh’s great recommendation, we opted for The Sharer Stack (£45), which includes a choice of three Hanging Pancake Kebabs alongside a generously filled sharing tray. The tray itself was a feast for the eyes, packed with fresh fruit, caramelised banana, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, raspberry coulis, and salted chocolate butterscotch sauce. It turned out to be the perfect option for two adults and a child, giving us plenty of variety while allowing us to customise our own pancakes exactly how we wanted—making it a truly fun and interactive experience.
Because let’s be honest, the best way to enjoy pancakes is definitely with family!
We chose both of the available flavours:
We went for both of the available flavours:
Strawberry Blondie – Mini American pancakes stacked with blondie bites, fresh strawberries, and (supposedly) toasted marshmallows, served with strawberry and vanilla ice cream and raspberry coulis. This was both my favourite and my sister-in-law’s—she especially loved the blondies, which were absolutely incredible. They were rich, buttery, and had the perfect balance of chewiness and softness. The ice cream was soft and creamy, complementing the fresh fruit perfectly. The only downside? Our stack was missing the toasted marshmallows, which was a little disappointing, these would have added an extra layer of texture and sweetness.
Chocolate Orange – Mini pancakes with chocolate brownie bites and fresh orange, served with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of salted chocolate butterscotch sauce. My niece really enjoyed the brownies, but for me, the “chocolate orange” concept didn’t quite land—it was good, but not quite as expected. That said, everything was still delicious in its own right! However, the salted chocolate butterscotch sauce was a real highlight, adding a deep caramelised richness to every bite.
One of the standout features of the Sharer Stack was the pancakes themselves. They weren’t too thick or heavy—ideal for my sister-in-law, who isn’t usually a fan of American-style pancakes. Instead, they were light and fluffy, making them the perfect base for all the indulgent toppings. With so much to enjoy, the portion sizes felt just right—not too overwhelming, but definitely enough to satisfy our pancake cravings.
Beyond the flavours, what really elevated the experience was the presentation. The Botanist has always been known for its eye-catching dishes, and this was no exception. The Hanging Pancake Kebabs arrived in dramatic fashion, suspended from their signature kebab stands, with a pot of sauce ready to drizzle down the stack. The colours, the layers, and the variety of textures made it a real showstopper—not just a meal, but an experience.
The atmosphere at The Botanist also deserves a mention. Even on a weekday afternoon, the restaurant had a lively and welcoming vibe, with friendly staff ensuring everything was just right. The setting, with its mix of rustic wood, greenery, and twinkling lights, made it feel like a special occasion.
With such a limited run, I’d highly recommend booking a table before this treat disappears again! The Hanging Pancake Kebab was a fun, indulgent, and delicious way to celebrate Pancake Day, and The Sharer Stack was a brilliant choice for those looking to enjoy a little bit of everything.
We’re already looking forward to returning next year and hoping the Hanging Pancake Kebabs make another well-deserved comeback. If they do, we’ll be first in line!
