Best Pancakes in America (2024)

After a lifetime of working in another sector, Broken Egg founder Ron Green finally found his true calling. He opened the first of many successful Broken Egg establishments on Girod Street in Old Mandeville, Louisiana, in 1994. Since then, Green and his dedicated staff of breakfast enthusiasts have been turning out mind-boggingly addictive breakfasts in states around the country, including Alabama, where there are soon to be six beloved locations. We're a huge advocate of their pancakes, included but not limited to the Bananas Foster, which can be made with traditional buttermilk pancakes, Belgian waffles, or French toast. In a nod to New Orleans, these cakes are covered with bananas, pecans, and whipped cream.

Another Broken Egg, Multiple Locations; anotherbrokenegg.com

Homemade Version: Banana Pancakes

Sourdough's history in Alaska dates back to the great Klondike Gold Rush of 1896. The term was used as a nickname to describe miners, or prospectors, who had come from the West. Some say "sourdoughs" were those who had been through one of the state's cold winters and saw the ice "go out," while others believe it was used because prospectors always carried pots of sourdough on their backs. Miners often worked far from civilization, so they had to sustain themselves on local game, fish, and sourdough bread. Sourdough cultures, or starters, have been passed from generation to generation and are a staple in Alaskan cuisine. At Harley's Old Thyme Cafe, the Old Time Sourdough Griddle Cakes are made from Harley's starter every morning. As the menu says, "Sour cakes are thinner and not as fluffy as buttermilk cakes, but 'Oh, what flavor'"!

Harley's Old Thyme Cafe, 7550 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage; (907) 349-8878; harleysotcafe.com

Homemade Version: Emeril Lagasse's Blueberry Sourdough Pancakes

Pancakes are most often a sweet breakfast dish, but there's no reason you can't put a savory twist on the traditional morning treat. The Lodge at Sedona, a quaint bed and breakfast, serves a massive meal every morning from 8:00-9:30am, and much of the menu features ingredients native to the region. One of their delicious breakfast twists is a sweet baked pumpkin pecan pancake that is sure to take your breakfast to the next level.The Mission, a restaurant serving up modern takes on classic Latin dishes in Scottsdale, uses the more common yellow corn for the savory pancake on its brunch menu, but tops it with sweet dungeness crabmeat, cilantro, and a smoky crema.

The Lodge at Sedona, 125 Kallof Place, Sedona; (800) 619-4467; lodgeatsedona.com

The Mission, 3815 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale; (480) 636-5005; themissionaz.com

Homemade Version: Corn Cake Stacks

The Pancake Shop is a family-owned restaurant that has been serving breakfast, and only breakfast, since the 1940s. Employees take pride in giving their cutomers an experience they will remember. Waiting guests receive free coffee and snacks and everything is made fresh to order. They have all kinds of pancakes, but for a slightly different twist on the buttermilk classic, try the buckwheat version.

The Pancake Shop, 216 Central Ave., Downtown Hot Springs; (501) 624-5720; pancakeshop.com

Homemade Version: Buckwheat Pancake and Waffle Mix

Customers at The Griddle Café have a real problem on their hands — there are more than 15 stellar pancake creations on the menu. How does one choose? You might start with some of their most popular flavors: Banananana, Red Velvet, and Tis the Season (pictured, recipe below). Banananana has brown-sugar baked bananas folded into a buttermilk batter, infusing every bite with strong banana flavor. Red Velvet brings the flavors of pancakes and red velvet cupcakes into a happy marriage. And pumpkin is the special flavor that makes Tis the Season pancakes a hit.

The Griddle Café, 7916 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 874-0377; thegriddlecafe.com

Homemade Version: The Griddle Café's Tis the Season Pancakes

Toasty Goodness knows breakfast. And lunch. Okay, they know food in general. The trouble their customers face is making a decision about which great dish to order. There's a hefty section of the menu dedicated to pancakes, including Oreo Cookie, Strawberry Banana Cheesecake, and Peach Berry Crumble.

Toasty Goodness, 2700 W. Bowles Ave., Suite B,

Littleton; (303) 797-9543; toastygoodness.com

Homemade Version: Peach Pancakes

Who says you have to eat your dessert after dinner? Just as you might crave breakfast for dinner, other times you might wake up needing to satiate your sweet tooth. With three Connecticut locations and a fourth one coming, Chip's provides the perfect breakfast treats to satisfy your sweet tooth. While you can opt for the more savory options, like their potato pancakes, the true crowd favorites are the "Build Your Own Pancakes". You can add anything from peanut butter chips to chocolate chips and bananas, to all three! They're definitely worth a bite next time you're driving through Connecticut

Chip's Family Restaurant, Multiple Locations, Connecticut; (203) 332-3370; chipsrestaurants.com

Homemade Version: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Ever thought of turning your favorite bar snack into a breakfast dish? The folks at Smyrna Diner sure have. Their Pigs in a Blanket hot cakes — three sausage links wrapped in pancakes instead of the traditional biscuit or pastry dough — are a fun twist on a classic finger food. Served with two eggs and either home fries or grits, they're part of a hearty meal that's fun to enjoy at any time; and since the Smyrna Diner serves breakfast all day, you can!

Smyrna Diner, 99 South Cory Lane, Smyrna; (302) 653-9980; smyrnadiner.net

Homemade Version: Mason Jar Pigs in a Blanket with Maple Fried Apples

At Choices Vegan Cafe, guests really do get to make choices about their meal. In addition to gluten-free and vegan options, diners can customize their pancakes. Choose from Gluten-Free or Soy-Free batters. Next come the toppings, which range from sweet (fruits and chocolate) to savory (kale, spinach, onions, and more).

Multiple Locations, Miami; (786) 408-9122; mychoicescafe.com

Homemade Version: Mini Pea Pancakes

With four location in the city, this Atlanta-based establishment believes in wholesome, fresh preparation. The chefs even mill their own grains to make flour that's used in their spectacular eats. The traditional, southern-style Sweet Potato Pancakes get amazing flavor from the addition of sweet potatoes. They are served with a housemade brown sugar butter and toasted pecans.

Highland Bakery, 655 Highland Ave. NE, No. 10, Atlanta; (404) 586-0772; highlandbakery.com

Homemade Version: Charleston Sweet-Potato Pancake

Hawaiian cuisine is perhaps known as much for its savory dishes as it is for its sweet dishes. Chibo Restaurant in Honolulu combines the best of both worlds with its savory pancake: the Okonomiyaki. Here, Hawaiian food enthusiasts can savor a pancake made with flour, egg, cabbage, and mountain yams. May we suggest topping it with some tropical fruit? You are in paradise, afterall.

Okonomiyaki Chibo, Royal Hawaiian Center, 2201 Kalakaua Ave., Suite A-305, Honolulu; (808) 922-9722; chibohawaii.com

Homemade Version: Cranberry Cornmeal Pancakes

While Idaho and Sweden may not have an obvious connection, 3.5 percent of the state's population is actually made up of Americans of Swedish descent. Swedes are famous for their meatballs (Ikea sells them like hotcakes), their ability to smoke fish, and their thin, eggy, pancakes. The best Swedish-style version in the state can be found at Smitty's Pancake and Steakhouse, where they serve three delicate pancakes rolled with a choice of syrupy strawberries, blueberries, peaches, hot cinnamon-glazed apples, or lingonberries. The flapjacks are nicely finished with a dollop of whipped butter and a sprinkling of powdered sugar.

Smitty's Pancake and Steakhouse, 645 W Broadway St., Idaho Falls; (208) 523-6450; www.smittys-if.com/

Homemade Version: Blueberry Shortcakes

The crew at Orange Restaurant take their pancakes pretty seriously. Pancake flights — which allow diners to sample smaller portions of several different types of pancakes — are constantly changing. Much like a chef's tasting menu, the weekly flight is the chef's choice (no substitutions) and the selections are often made with seasonally available ingredients or around a particular theme. The pictured pancake flight was created in honor of Chicago's annual Pride Parade.

Orange Restaurant, Multiple Locations, Chicago; (773) 549-7833 and (773) 248-0999; orangerestaurantchicago.com

Homemade Version: Blueberry Pancakes with Warm Blueberry Sauce

Many restaurants offer some kind of breakfast special that includes eggs, ham or bacon, and pancakes, but at Flap-Jacks Pancakes House, they take it a step further by turning those ingredients into a sandwich. At any one of the four highly-rated Flap-Jacks locations, guests can order the Pancake Sandwich — "ham and two eggs any style nestled between hot fluffy pancakes." If it's a more traditional stack you're after, try the buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries or cinnamon-spiced apples.

Flap-Jacks Pancake House, Multiple Locations; flap-jacks.com

Homemade Version: Savory French-Toast BLT

The Grove Cafe is no stranger to recognition from adoring customers and food critics. The restaurant is regularly picked as a best spot for breakfast by residents of Story County. It even got recognition for its breakfast eats in Food Network Magazine. One of the menu items that keeps them coming back is Our Famous Pancake. For just $4.00, you get a "famously huge" pancake. No frills are needed when you can serve up a delicious pancake that could feed a family.

The Grove Café, 124 Main St., Ames; (515) 232-9784; grovecafe.com

Homemade Version: Skillet-Sized Pancake

The Chef, in Manhattan, Kansas, is no stranger to accolades. Food Network magazine recognized it as one of the best spots in the country to grab breakfast. While the extensive menu could overwhelm you, give the Pancakes Bananas Foster a try. It's two cakes topped with bananas cooked in a pecan-and-dark-rum syrup. Or, if you're feeling like a chef yourself, you can try The Macgyver. As the menu says, with this selection you get to "engineer the perfect pancake. (Sorry, no rubberbands or paper-clips.)" The master pancake makers will cook two of their fluffy pancakes with your choice of granola, berries, chocolate chips, sliced bananas, toasted pecans or walnuts, or fruity pebbles.

The Chef, 111 South Fourth St., Manhattan; (785) 537-6843; thechefcafe.com

Homemade Version: Banana Pancakes

At this quirky tea salon with a farmhouse motif, dishes are served on mis-matched plates and everything is made from scratch. One item to note is the lemon-skillet pancake with bright green butter.

Hillbilly Tea, 120 South 1st St., Louisville; (502) 587-7350; hillbillytea.com

Homemade Version: Lemon-Ricotta Pancakes with Caramelized Apples

This French Quarter restaurant took everything that was already amazing about pancakes and made them even better by adding vanilla ice cream.

Stanley's, 547 St. Ann St, New Orleans; (504) 587-0093; stanleyrestaurant.com

Homemade Version: Basic Buttermilk Pancakes

Why have regular pancakes when you can order flapjacks that lay across two plates? Extra-large, two-plate-sized pancakes are the norm at Mae's Cafe and Bakery in Maine. The eatery uses fresh and local ingredients from area farms and serves up breakfast and lunch as well as a plethora of scrumptious baked goods, all made in house. Luckily for pancake lovers, oversized plain or blueberry pancakes can be ordered all day.

Mae's Cafe and Bakery, 160 Centre St., Bath; (207) 442-8577; maescafeandbakery.com

Homemade Version: Basic Buttermilk Pancakes

Miss Shirley's Cafe was created in memory of Miss Shirley McDowell, who knew her way around a kitchen and helped many a cook learn how to skillfully prepare dishes using fresh ingredients. Miss Shirley would surely be proud of the dishes served at her namesake café, including an amazing plate of Blueberry Pancakes (pictured, recipe below), which are served with pure maple syrup and whipped butter. If blueberries aren't your favorite fruit, you can try one of the hotcakes prepared with banana, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, white chocolate, or chocolate chips. After you have had your fill of pancakes, try one of the other amazing house specialties, like Funky Monkey Bread or Coconut Cream Stuffed French Toast.

Miss Shirley's, Multiple Locations, Baltimore and Annapolis; missshirleys.com

Homemade Version: Miss Shirley's Blueberry Pancakes