Bruno Pugh
Who doesn’t love a good stack of pancakes? Fluffy, warm, and dripping with syrup, they’re the ultimate comfort food. But where can you find the best flapjacks in America? Let’s take on a carb-loaded adventure as we explore the most delicious pancakes in 50 US states. These are not just your average breakfast fare, so get ready to drool!
Alabama: Over Easy, Birmingham
Over Easy’s trio breakfast is a pancake lover’s dream. You’ll get a fluffy buttermilk pancake, a hearty oatmeal pancake, and a slice of golden French toast. Each 6-inch pancake comes with warm maple syrup and whipped butter. It’s the perfect way to sample their delicious breakfast offerings.
Alaska: Kava’s Pancake House, Anchorage
If you’re looking for a calorie-worthy Alaskan treat, Kava’s Ono Pancakes is a must-try! Three buttermilk pancakes come topped with house-made peanut butter whipped cream, fresh banana slices, and a chocolate sauce drizzle. A side of warm coconut syrup adds a tropical twist to this indulgent stack.
Arizona: Hash Kitchen, Multiple Locations
Try the blue corn banana foster pancakes from Hash Kitchen for a taste of the Southwest. Made with blue corn flour, they are garnished with candied pecans, cinnamon whipped cream, and caramelized bananas. This dish is visually appealing, especially with the homemade vanilla bean syrup.
Arkansas: Preludes Breakfast Bar, Fayetteville
Preludes’ coffee cake pancakes are a morning game-changer. Three 6-inch pancakes feature a cinnamon-coffee swirl and crumbly streusel topping. Drizzled with almond butter syrup and dusted with sugar, they’re served with a side of espresso cream for an extra coffee kick!
California: Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, Manhattan Beach
These pancakes are made with mashed bananas in the batter and studded with chopped walnuts. Topped with sliced bananas and served with maple syrup, they’re the perfect fuel for a day of sun and surf. Uncle Bill’s pancakes taste like warm banana bread by the beach!
Colorado: The Patio Pancake Place, Salida
The Patio Pancake Place has been flipping perfection for 50 years. Their secret family recipe shines in stacks of two, three, or four 7-inch buttermilk pancakes. Choose from mix-ins like blueberries, chocolate chips, or pecans. Served with maple syrup, it’s a true Rockies breakfast tradition.
Connecticut: The Cottage, Westport
Up for some weekend brunch with homemade buttermilk pancakes? Here’s your stop. Three pancakes are topped with a house-made blueberry ginger jam featuring local berries and fresh ginger. Toasted sliced almonds add crunch, while warm maple syrup ties this sophisticated dish together.
Delaware: Drip Cafe, Hockessin
Drip Cafe turns pancakes into a seasonal celebration. Their rotating pancake menu might feature anything from apple cider pancakes in fall to lavender lemon in spring. But the real showstopper? The “Drip Pancake” is a giant pancake filled with bacon and topped with eggs. It’s breakfast, but make it extra.
Florida: The Pancakery, Multiple Locations
Health-conscious beachgoers flock to The Pancakery for whole-grain pancakes. Made with whole wheat and oat flour, these are topped with fresh strawberries or blueberries. Served with sugar-free syrup and Greek yogurt, it’s a guilt-free way to indulge while soaking up Florida’s sunshine.
Georgia: Oy! Atlanta
At Oy!, pancakes are larger than life. Their signature buttermilk pancake spans a whopping 14 inches in diameter. Available in classic, blueberry, or chocolate chip, the daily special often contains unique flavors like peach cobbler or red velvet. It’s a plate-sized breakfast adventure.
Hawaii: Koko Head Cafe, Honolulu
Three 7-inch buttermilk pancakes are infused with freshly ground black pepper and topped with a creamy black pepper maple sauce. Served with crispy bacon, this sweet and spicy combo captures Hawaii’s diverse flavors. This cafe’s black pepper pancakes are truly an unexpected delight.
Idaho: Hoot Owl Cafe, Ponderay
The Hoot Owl Cafe proves that simplicity reigns supreme. Select from stacks of traditional buttermilk pancakes, small, large, or short. With crispy borders and a golden brown color, they pair well with butter and syrup. Incorporate regional huckleberries to give it a truly Idaho feel!
Illinois: Wildberry Cafe, Multiple Locations
These Berry Bliss Pancakes are a fruit lover’s wish come true. Fresh strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are placed on four buttermilk pancakes filled with berry mascarpone. With each bite, these berry-filled treats are a fiesta of blackberries and vanilla crème anglaise.
Indiana: Le Peep, Valparaiso
Dusted with powdered sugar and paired with warm syrup, these treats are a sweet way to start your day. Le Peep’s cinnamon swirl pancakes blur the line between breakfast and dessert. Three 7-inch pancakes have a cinnamon sugar swirl throughout and are topped with cream cheese icing.
Iowa: Bluebird Diner, Iowa City
Bluebird Diner caters to all with their delicious gluten-free pancakes. A stack of three 6-inch pancakes, made with a rice and tapioca flour blend, can be customized with toppings like strawberries, griddled bananas, or walnuts. Served with pure maple syrup, they prove that gluten-free can be delicious.
Kansas: Hanover Pancake House, Topeka
A trio of 8-inch buttermilk pancakes are adorned with M&Ms that gently soften during the cooking process. It’s a fun, candy-filled breakfast excursion, especially when topped with extra M&Ms and whipped cream. With these sweet pancakes, Hanover Pancake House awakens your inner kid for real!
Kentucky: Wild Eggs, Louisville
Wild Eggs’ Sweet Home Apple Bourbon pancakes are a local favorite. Three buttermilk pancakes come topped with bourbon-poached apples, candied pecans, and bourbon-vanilla whipped cream. A drizzle of bourbon-sorghum syrup adds a distinctly Kentucky touch to this indulgent breakfast!
Louisiana: Brennan’s, New Orleans
Fluffy buttermilk pancakes are topped with caramelized bananas flambéed in Caribbean rum. The dish is finished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of foster sauce, adding a true New Orleans flair. Brennan’s Bananas Foster Pancakes pays homage to their famous dessert.
Maine: Becky’s Diner, Portland
Three hearty pancakes are studded with plump, locally picked blueberries. Becky’s wild Maine blueberry pancakes showcase the state’s famous fruit. Served with real maple syrup and a pat of butter, it’s like having summer for breakfast at any time of year.
Maryland: Miss Shirley’s Cafe, Baltimore
Here’s a tropical twist on Maryland’s breakfast scene that brings a taste of the islands to the Chesapeake Bay. Miss Shirley’s Coconut Cream Stuffed French Toast pancakes blend two breakfast favorites—three coconut pancake sandwiches with a rich coconut cream filling.
Massachusetts: The Paramount, Boston
The Paramount’s lemon ricotta pancakes are a Beacon Hill staple, with three fluffy pancakes made with creamy ricotta and fresh lemon zest. Topped with blueberry compote and served with warm maple syrup, they offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. A sophisticated start to any Boston morning!
Michigan: Anna’s House, Grand Rapids
Anna’s House caters to health-conscious diners with their innovative quinoa pancakes. These protein-packed pancakes are made with a blend of quinoa and traditional flour, offering a nutty flavor and satisfying texture. Topped with fresh fruit and agave syrup, they’re a guilt-free indulgence.
Minnesota: Al’s Breakfast, Minneapolis
Famous for its buttermilk pancakes, this place serves three plate-sized pancakes that come with your choice of blueberries, walnuts, or chocolate chips mixed in. Served in a cozy 14-seat diner, it provides an authentic Minnesota feel that’s been delighting locals and visitors since 1950.
Mississippi: Our Grandma’s House of Pancakes, Clarksdale
One of the top spots for pancakes in Mississippi is Our Grandma’s House of Pancakes in Clarksdale. This eatery is known for its light, fluffy pancakes that come in a variety of flavors, including classic buttermilk, blueberry, and chocolate chip. The warm atmosphere of the place stands true to its name!
Missouri: Half & Half, St. Louis
Slightly crisp on the outside and tender inside, these unique pancakes offer a delightful textural contrast. Often served with seasonal fruit compote and whipped cream, they’re a creative twist on the classic pancake that showcases Midwestern ingenuity. Half & Half in St. Louis is known for their cornmeal pancakes.
Montana: Catalyst Cafe, Missoula
Catalyst Cafe’s huckleberry pancakes showcase Montana’s favorite berry. The tart-sweet berries complement the fluffy pancakes perfectly, shadowing Montana’s wild beauty. These purple-studded flapjacks come with house-made huckleberry syrup, offering a true taste of Big Sky Country.
Nebraska: Early Bird, Omaha
Bringing a playful twist to the breakfast, three cinnamon-sugar-dusted pancakes are topped with cream cheese frosting, giving them the flavor of the beloved Spanish treat. Served with a little chocolate sauce for dipping, they’re a deliciously indulgent way to start your day in Omaha.
Nevada: Hash House A Go Go, Las Vegas
Las Vegas’s massive flapjacks at Hash House A Go Go are as outrageous as the city itself. Its famous Tractor Driver Combo consists of two enormous buttermilk pancakes that protrude from the plate. These pancakes are a great source of energy while exploring Sin City!
New Hampshire: Polly’s Pancake Parlor, Sugar Hill
Six batters and four house-made syrups are available every day at Polly’s Pancake Parlor, a New Hampshire staple since 1938. The essence of New England heritage is captured in their stone-ground whole-grain pancakes served with pure maple syrup. The experience is enhanced by the gorgeous mountain vistas.
New Jersey: Brownstone Pancake Factory, Edgewater
Their famous “Insane Pancakes” come piled high with toppings like entire slices of cheesecake or apple pie. It takes pancakes to extremes with their over-the-top creations. These Instagram-worthy stacks turn breakfast into an event, capturing New Jersey’s bold, go-big-or-go-home attitude.
New Mexico: Tia Sophia’s, Santa Fe
Tia Sophia’s in Santa Fe serves blue corn piñon pancakes, a southwestern specialty, offering a taste of the Land of Enchantment. These unique pancakes incorporate local blue corn and pine nuts for a distinctly New Mexican flavor. It is often presented with warm maple syrup and a side of crispy bacon.
New York: Clinton Street Baking Company, Manhattan
Light yet indulgent, they’ve earned numerous accolades and often draw long lines of eager breakfast enthusiasts. Clinton Street Baking Company’s blueberry pancakes are a Manhattan legend. These fluffy buttermilk pancakes come generously studded with wild Maine blueberries and are served with warm maple butter.
North Carolina: Famous Toastery, Charlotte
Famous Toastery in Charlotte is known for their red velvet pancakes. These rich, cocoa-infused pancakes are topped with a cream cheese drizzle and chocolate chips, turning the classic Southern cake into a decadent breakfast. It’s a sweet start to the day with North Carolina’s love for indulgent flavors.
North Dakota: Darcy’s Cafe, Grand Forks
Presented with a side of crispy hash browns, these pancakes offer a comforting and satisfying start to the day. Darcy’s Cafe serves hearty pancakes that are ideal for cold North Dakota mornings. Their cinnamon roll pancakes feature a cinnamon swirl and are topped with cream cheese frosting.
Ohio: Katalina’s, Columbus
For their pancake balls, Katalina’s in Columbus is well-known. Pumpkin-apple butter, dulce de leche, or Nutella fill these bite-sized confections. Offering a fresh, portable take on classic pancakes that is uniquely Ohioan, they come with sweet and spicy bacon and maple syrup aged in bourbon barrels.
Oklahoma: Hatch, Oklahoma City
Here, you can choose three different flavors, like birthday cake, lemon poppy seed, and bacon potato, as Hatch in Oklahoma City specializes in creative pancake flights. Each mini stack comes with its own complementary sauce, allowing diners to sample a variety of innovative pancake combinations.
Oregon: Slappy Cakes, Portland
Want a DIY pancake experience? Here’s the place for you. Guests cook their own pancakes right at the table using squeeze bottles filled with various batters. With toppings ranging from classic blueberries to lavender honey, it’s a fun, interactive breakfast highlighting Portland’s creative spirit.
Pennsylvania: Dor-Stop Restaurant, Pittsburgh
Oats provide a whole-grain flavor and texture to these dense, nutty pancakes. Well known for its oatmeal pancakes, the Dor-Stop Restaurant is a Pittsburgh tradition. A healthy yet decadent way to start any Steel City morning, they are topped with fresh fruit and a coating of powdered sugar.
Rhode Island: T’s Restaurant, Multiple Locations
In the Ocean State, these are a sugar lover’s paradise when topped with extra chocolate chips and whipped cream. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough pancakes are a specialty of T’s Restaurant, a beloved eatery in Rhode Island. Chopped cookie dough and chocolate chips adorn these decadent flapjacks.
South Carolina: Maple Street Biscuit Company, Multiple Locations
While known for biscuits, Maple Street Biscuit Company also serves incredible Sticky Maple pancakes. These fluffy pancakes are topped with their signature maple syrup glaze and candied bacon crumbles. It expresses South Carolina’s appreciation of hearty Southern flavors with its flawless balance of sweet and savory.
South Dakota: Phillips Avenue Diner, Sioux Falls
Whether it’s Fruity Pebbles or Cinnamon Toast Crunch, these nostalgic pancakes are a fun way to start your day in South Dakota. Phillips Avenue Diner in Sioux Falls offers playful cereal pancakes. Choose your favorite childhood cereal to be mixed into the batter and sprinkled on top.
Tennessee: Pancake Pantry, Nashville
Pancake Pantry, a Nashville institution since 1961, is famous for their sweet potato pancakes. It’s a Southern-inspired breakfast that’s been delighting locals and tourists alike for over half a century. These golden pancakes are spiced with cinnamon and topped with cinnamon cream syrup and whipped butter.
Texas: Magnolia Cafe, Austin
Magnolia Cafe in Austin, open 24/7, serves gingerbread pancakes that are a hit any time of day. As spicy-sweet pancakes, they are topped with lemon butter and candied ginger. It’s a unique flavor combination of Austin’s eclectic food scene, satisfying late-night cravings and breakfast lovers alike.
Utah: Penny Ann’s Cafe, Salt Lake City
A must-try breakfast experience in Utah, they live up to their heavenly moniker and are served in stacks of three, topped with warm syrup and whipped butter. Salt Lake City’s Penny Ann’s Cafe is well-known for its “Heavenly Hotcakes.” These treats with sour cream are incredibly fluffy and light.
Vermont: Penny Cluse Cafe, Burlington
These pancakes encapsulate Vermont’s dedication to using only the healthiest regional ingredients. Penny Cluse Cafe’s buckwheat pancakes are a local favorite in Burlington. Hearty and nutty, they’re served with Vermont maple syrup and cultured butter. Don’t miss their seasonal fruit compote topping!
Virginia: Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls, Virginia Beach
Who says you can’t have lobster for breakfast? Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls flips the script with their Lobster Benedict Pancakes. Buttermilk pancakes with chunks of tender lobster, poached eggs, and a rich hollandaise sauce—a fusion of breakfast and seafood that screams coastal luxury!
Washington: Portage Bay Cafe, Seattle
Sustainability never tasted so good! Portage Bay takes the concept of a ‘breakfast bar’ to a whole new level. Their pancakes come with access to a topping bar loaded with seasonal fruits, nuts, and whipped cream. It’s like a choose-your-own adventure book, but for breakfast.
West Virginia: Tudor’s Biscuit World, Multiple Locations
Don’t let the name fool you—Tudor’s isn’t just about biscuits. They make the best cornmeal pancakes in the Mountain State. These pancakes are the symbol of Appalachian comfort food—crisp on the outside, fluffy in the center, and served warm with apple butter.
Wisconsin: Mickies Dairy Bar, Madison
Mickies delivers superb dairy products in a state known for them. Their malt pancakes have a distinct flavor that goes well with a serving of frozen custard since they are laced with malted milk powder. Yes, breakfast would be custard. Enjoy the dairy; it’s Wisconsin.
Wyoming: Nora’s Fish Creek Inn, Wilson
Huckleberry compote pairs well with these zesty flapjacks, which are made from a 70-year-old beginning. Serve this fresh off the griddle with a taste of Wyoming history. The star of the menu may be Nora’s trout and eggs, but the unsung heroes are their sourdough pancakes.