Our Favorite Pancakes in NYC Rise Well Above the Rest

Skip to main contentThe Best Pancakes in New York City for Slow Weekend MorningsGriddled, extra puffy, or topped with blueberry compote—New York City's best pancakes rise well above the rest.Alex LauWhen most think of an indulgent, dessert-like breakfast, the obvious order is a fluffy stack of pancakes. French toast is great, as are the giant, warm cinnamon rolls running New York City at the moment, but there’s no denying the allure of a late Sunday morning flapjack. They are an enduring classic for a reason, pillowy and soft on the inside, golden on the exterior, drizzled with syrup for sweetness and moisture, and topped off with a pad or two of butter for that extra oomph.Not unlike the cinnamon roll, this classic diner staple is having something of a renaissance in the city—and it’s not the elevated evolutions that take things into waffle, crepe, or Dutch Baby territory that fetch lines around the block of cult-like fandom. There might be the option to add blueberries or chocolate chips to the mix, but what we are talking about is the simple vision of the pancake at its finest. Whether you prefer them just as you had them as a child, scarfed down in front of the Saturday morning cartoons, or a more immaculate adult version made with intention, there’s a stack for everybody. Below, find our favorite pancakes in NYC.Read our complete New York City guide here, which includes:The Best Restaurants in NYCThe Best New Restaurants in NYCThe Best Bars in NYCThe Best Bakeries in NYCAlex LauGolden Diner123 Madison St, Two Bridges, New York, NYA must stop on any breakfast lover’s tour of the city, this nouveau diner has become beloved for their two-cake-tall stacks, with over 300 orders a day. Chef-owner Sam Yoo took his childhood favorite recipe and combined it with the ever-popular Korean snack: honey butter chips. The secret to their height is in a yeasted buttermilk batter that is cooked in individual skillets, giving them their magical rise. They come topped with a maple honey butter and a hint of lemon zest, as well as the option for a fruit compote. A nice feature of this version is that you can order a single pancake or a stack of two depending on your hunger level. They are also available seven days a week and every hour the restaurant is open (from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily) so no need to snag a coveted brunch reservation, as it’s always a good time for pancakes here. Hot tip: You’ll also find them on the dessert menu at their newer midtown restaurant, Golden Hof, perfect before a Broadway show.Courtesy Chez Ma TanteChez Ma Tante90 Calyer St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NYAsk anyone for their list of the city’s best pancakes and this Greenpoint restaurant will be on it. As soon as they are placed down in front of you, you'll notice their height. It’s a stack of two cakes with a generous topping of butter. They also have a bit more color than many others on the list. That’s because chef Jake Leiber knew he wanted them extra crispy. He cooks them in a hotter-than-average cast iron skillet and adds an extra egg yolk to the batter that gives them their golden hue. They might look simple, but there’s a lot of thought in their exactitude and that’s why they make our list. They can only be enjoyed at brunch, which runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s a hot table to land, so be sure to book ahead. If for some reason you can’t get your hands on these, their sister restaurant at the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Le Crocodile, also has a stack topped with blueberries and mascarpone cream that are nearly as worthy.Kyle BeecheyThe Golden Swan314 W 11th St, the West Village, New York, NYThe city’s most sophisticated setting for a pancake breakfast might be in this West Village townhouse. The bi-level The Golden Swan is a treat any time of day for their market-forward, French-inspired food, but their weekend brunch might be the best kept secret, and the highlight of that menu is the pancakes. They are perfect, spongy, golden circles with crispy edges and nice rise, but it's more about the deep vanilla flavor that comes through and the rich cultured French butter they are topped with. They come with a carafe of maple syrup so you can pour exactly as much or as little as you’d like. A pro tip beyond the pancake: If you happen to be dining with a group, someone should add an omelette to the order. It’s prepared tableside and if you’re feeling festive can be topped with caviar.Courtesy HellbenderHellbender68-22 Forest Ave, Ridgewood, NYThe next stop on our pancake tour is in Ridgewood for a Mexican-American twist. Hellbender’s chef Yara Herrera has a deep love for heirloom corn, which she infused into the breakfast staple. The fresh masa gives them an extra-crispy texture and a nutty depth of flavor beyond your typical diner classic. She also adds yogurt to the batter giving them an extra tang and hint of moisture. They arrive on the table in two divinely perfect circles because, like at Golden Diner, they are cooked in individual skillets to guarantee that coveted rise. They are topped with a cinnamon-infused butter and classic maple syrup, and deliver on satisfying that nostalgic craving, but with an elevated, modern, and craveable twist.Courtesy Vinegar Hill HouseVinegar Hill House72 Hudson Ave, Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn, NYAt another Brooklyn restaurant, Vinegar Hill House, the approach to the beloved breakfast is a little different than you might expect. When placing your order you’ll notice that the menu reads “pancake” and not “pancakes" and that’s because it’s a single disc the size of a dinner plate that will arrive at your table. Again, only available for their weekend brunch, it's a must-order for every table. It’s of the sourdough variety, meaning it has that pleasant fermented funk and extra layer of complexity. The batter is also studded with seasonal fruit, like peaches or blueberries in the summer, and apple or pears in the fall. The edges are extra crispy thanks to the cast iron pan used for cooking and it comes succinctly topped with a perfect pat of butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. A common move is to order one for the table to split as dessert, since it presents much like a cake.Courtesy FrenchetteFrenchette241 W Broadway, Tribeca, New York, NYWhen most think of this Tribeca French restaurant, they think steak frites, duck confit, and an excellent wine list, but they also do brunch on Saturdays and Sundays that features one of the city’s most iconic pancakes. Like a few others on the list, it’s levain style, meaning naturally leavened with a sourdough starter that gives it that extra little hint of fermented savoriness. It’s also tall, very tall, on the more-well-done side, and fluffy as all get out. It comes soaked in Catskills-harvested maple syrup and topped with a generous, perfect circle of butter. The crispy exterior pleasantly contrasts the pillowy interior. You won’t feel cheated with only one to an order as it is easily among the largest on the list—you won’t need more than one of these to feel satisfied.Courtesy Breakfast by Salt’s CureBreakfast by Salt’s CureMultiple locations: The West Village, Carroll Gardens, and Prospect HeightsIn the few years that this LA import has been in New York, it has already expanded to three locations. Its original West Village iteration was so popular that it warranted two newer offshoots in Carroll Gardens and Prospect Heights. The pancakes here are different from most on the list in that they are griddle cakes, meaning they are a little more rustic, flatter with a lacy edge, and feature oatmeal in their batter for texture. At Salt’s Cure, they are also DIY in that you can add the mix-in of your choice, like apple, blueberry, chocolate chip, or banana, as well as make them gluten-free or vegan. They come in a stack of three and are topped with perfect pats of butter and a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar. If you like them, they sell their mix to go so you can attempt to recreate these pancakes at home.All of our best hotel, restaurant, and activity recommendations in one place.