
We love pancakes on a good day but there is something about mini pancakes that have us mesmerised. And drooling. Popular in the Netherlands, Dutch mini pancakes (better known as Poffertjes) are an absolute staple and it’s hard to not pass a shop selling them within a small radius. However, now Mancs can get a taste of these adorable sweet treats as the Altrincham Market trader known for serving Dutch-style mini pancakes, Papa Dutch, has opened a permanent location in Greater Manchester.
A business born over the first lockdown, Papa Dutch began its journey when Joshua Jorritsma was furloughed from his job in a restaurant kitchen. Joining forces with his father Sjoerd, who is Dutch, he came up with the idea of starting a street food business selling mini Dutch-style pancakes, which adapted to the Covid restrictions of the time.
Starting life from a mobile stall serving up delicious Poffertjes, the family-run business began trading outside their house on Shrove Tuesday 2021 and the rest is history. The pancakes, which are cooked to fluffy perfection on a traditional copper stove, were an absolute hit with locals leading to the business securing a spot at Altrincham Market.
Now stacked with a loyal following of sweet tooth fans Papa Dutch has now opened a permanent location called Papa Dutch The Little Dutch Cafe, which is tucked away within a quaint square in Altrincham. Housed in the former Bottle Shop unit on Goose Green, the cafe is run by Joshua and his sister Naomi, where they are serving up a range of Dutch treats.
Visitors to the cute cafe can indulge in Poffertjes (a sweeter pancake batter with a touch of cinnamon and vanilla) covered in toppings like fresh fruit, whipped cream, lemon, chocolate sauce, syrup and Lotus Biscoff, all of which are given a good dusting of icing sugar for a sweet finishing touch. Plus at Papa Dutch you can enjoy the Dutch classic of Stroopwafels (a wafer with warm caramel inside) and award-winning ice cream from Daresbury Dairy in Cheshire, all whilst admiring the quaintness of the Altrincham square.
In addition to the food, the Little Dutch Cafe also has an alcohol license and offers a range of imported Dutch specialty beers. And while the family will be closing their Altrincham Market stall, they plan to make occasional returns to the market and will also be available for private hire.
Papa Dutch is also getting ready for a huge celebration on Kings Day (April 27), that will see a fantastic showcase of Dutch bottle beers, gins, and liquors.
Find Papa Dutch at 3 Goose Green, Altrincham, WA14 1DW.