This roundup of the best pancakes in New York City was written by Antonina Pattiz, a NYC local and co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
As an avid explorer of the Big Apple’s culinary delights, I’ve scoured high and low in search of the best pancakes in New York City. From fluffy stacks to unique twists, the Big Apple didn’t disappoint, my sweet tooth met its match. In this article I’ll tell you about all the best pancakes NYC has to offer, including what makes each breakfast joint special. Are you ready to jump right in?
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Best Pancakes in New York City
Table of Contents: Fluffiest Pancakes in NYC
Table of Contents: New York City Pancakes Guide
Bubby’s
Website: Bubby’s
Neighborhood: Tribeca
Address: 120 Hudson St, New York, NY 10013
Named after the Yiddish word for grandmother, Bubby’s provides a mouthwatering journey through the land of American comfort food. The restaurant is famous for making some of the best pancakes in New York City for nearly 30 years, and the constant lines prove locals are just as hooked as ever.
There are two different styles available. The first are the 1890 sourdough, which are thin and tangy. They’re about as thick as a small stack of crepes, and soft enough to easily to cut with a fork. The second are James Beard pancakes, which follow the legendary chef’s recipe but instead of milk the restaurant opts for sour cream, to make the pancakes softer and more fluffy.
Clinton Street Baking Co.
Website: Clinton Street Baking Co.
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 4 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002
Founded in 2001 by Chef Neil Kleinberg, a New York native, Clinton St. Baking Company started as a small batch bakery. Kleinberg eventually expanded to a full-fledged restaurant due to the bakery’s booming popularity. The restaurant became a go-to spot for brunch in New York City, thanks in large part to their appetizing pancakes. Consequently, the menu offers a few options.
The maple butter pancakes are available with either wild Maine blueberries, banana walnut, or chocolate chunks. Another choice is the crispy potato pancakes served with caramelized applesauce and sour cream. These are some of the best pancakes New York City has to offer, and Clinton Street Baking Company has become a household name because of them.
Chez Ma Tante
Website: Chez Ma Tante
Neighborhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Address: 90 Calyer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
When it opened in 2018, Chez Ma Tante was named one of the best new restaurants in the country by GQ. In fact, the press on the Greenpoint restaurant has been consistent. The New York Times and The New Yorker wrote reviews of the restaurant with Canadian-roots, including how it’s serving up the most sought-after pancakes in New York City.
In the years since, Chez Ma Tante has become one of the top pancake spots in NYC. The pancakes coming out of their kitchen are fried in a skillet and offer a crisp outer crust unlike any other pancake on this list. There’s a tangible crispiness on the edge, but the middle is warm, buttery and soft.
Word to the wise: Chez Ma Tante only offers their pancakes during their weekend brunch, and reservations are frequently more than two weeks out. Book accordingly!
Rule of Thirds
Website: Rule of Thirds
Neighborhood: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Address: 171 Banker St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Nestled in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Rule of Thirds is a Japanese comfort food restaurant that’s become a local favorite, and for good reason. Their menu boasts creative takes on classic dishes, but the star of their brunch menu is undoubtedly their soufflé pancakes, the best in New York City.
Made with fluffy Japanese soufflé batter, these light-as-air cakes are unlike any other pancakes you’ll find in NYC. Each one is delicately cooked until golden brown and topped with honey maple butter and sesame seeds for a touch of sweetness and nuttiness. But the real magic lies in the texture – each bite is like sinking into a cloud, with a perfectly balanced soft and airy interior.
Carnegie Diner
Website: Carnegie Diner
Neighborhood: Midtown
Addresses: 828 8th Ave & 205 W 57th St
Getting its name from the iconic Carnegie Hall, Carnegie Diner & Cafe is a New York City institution beloved for its classic diner fare with a modern twist. But among all their delicious dishes, their pancakes are the undisputed stars of the show. Made with fluffy buttermilk batter and cooked to golden perfection, these must-try NYC pancakes perfectly balance richness with a touch of sweetness.
What truly sets Carnegie Diner’s pancakes apart from most others in New York City is the variety and quality of their toppings. From classic blueberries and whipped cream to decadent Belgian chocolate chips and strawberries, there’s a flavor combination to satisfy every craving. They even offer unique options like Greek yogurt with walnuts and honey, or apple pie pancakes with cinnamon sauce – all made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Sunday in Brooklyn
Website: Sunday in Brooklyn
Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address: 348 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Brunch dreams take flight at Sunday in Brooklyn, where sky-high Sunday Pancakes reign supreme. Made with a secret-recipe buttermilk batter, these pillowy stacks boast a delicate golden crust and an unreal soft interior. To cap it off, the unique NYC pancakes are drizzled with the thick house-made hazelnut maple praline and brown butter for pure bliss.
Note: Sunday in Brooklyn is also one of the most charming restaurants on this list. In the summer they have a rooftop garden, and in winter, the restaurant has wood-burning ovens in the dining area.
Breakfast by Salt’s Cure
Website: Breakfast by Salt’s Cure
Neighborhood: West Village & Carroll Gardens
Address: 27 1/2 Morton St, New York & 368 Court St, Brooklyn
Breakfast by Salt’s Cure redefines pancakes in New York City with their Oatmeal Griddle Cakes. Unlike traditional stacks, these thin, golden cakes boast a unique texture. Made from oats and whole wheat flour, the pancakes boast a crispy exterior and a creamy, fried-oatmeal center. Each bite offers a delightful blend of chewiness and smoothness, with subtle sweetness and nutty depth.
Skipping syrup, the pancakes are paired with house-made cinnamon molasses butter, adding warm, spiced sweetness. The “OG” flavor is a favorite, but options like mutsu apple, banana nut, blueberry, or chocolate chip are also available. Impressively, the affordable NYC pancakes cost $12 or less for a stack of three.
Cafe LULUc
Website: Cafe LULUc
Neighborhood: Cobble Hill, Brooklyn
Address: 214 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
A charming French bistro in Cobble Hill, Cafe LULUc offers a bustling and lively atmosphere without ever feeling overwhelming. Local’s can’t get enough of the bistro’s brunch, namely some of the best pancakes in New York City.
There isn’t anything necessarily unique, they’re just everything you want a pancake to be. Soft, airy, buttery, and light the pancakes are topped with fresh fruit and warm maple syrup. Guests are also given the option to add a side of nutella.
Good Enough to Eat
Website: Good Enough to Eat
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Address: 520 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10024
Founded in 1981, Good Enough to Eat has become a staple of the Upper West Side. Back then, Chef Carrie Levin set out to create good, old fashioned American style cooking. Their commitment to using fresh ingredients and homestyle cooking has never wavered and each flavor-filled bite of the best pancakes in New York City is a testament to that.
The pancakes are made with oats, cornmeal and whole flour. The real ingredients combine to make a hearty flapjack, and if you order them with walnuts and bananas you’re basically eating healthy (wink wink). Add in Good Enough to Eat’s famous strawberry butter and you’ll agree that sometimes the key to a great meal isn’t over the top innovation, just simple, quality ingredients.
Baby Blue
Website: Baby Blues Luncheonette
Neighborhood: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Address: 97 Montrose Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
Picture yourself in Williamsburg’s newest brunch haven: Baby Blues Luncheonette. Think retro vibes, checkered floors, and those vintage booths perfect for Instagram (but trust me, the food steals the show). Their claim to fame? Some of the most unforgettable pancakes in New York City.
We’re talking fluffy clouds of buttermilk batter, with a golden-brown, slightly crispy edge that gives way to pure, pillowy-soft sweetness. The flavors range from classic butter and maple to baklava banana bread (yes, you read that right). They even have daily specials that keep the TikTok crowd buzzing (those Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes were next-level good).
L’Amico
Website: L’Amico
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 849 6th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Those of you looking for the best lemon ricotta pancakes in New York City need look no further. L’Amico is an Italian restaurant that’s perfected their tangy pancake batter and serves them to ever-growing crowds of eager locals.
Crowned with blueberry marmaletta and maple crema, these lemon ricotta pancakes reign over all others in NYC. They even look pretty, so don’t forget to snap a photo before diving in.
Best Pancakes in New York City (Post Summary)
- Bubby’s
- Clinton St. Baking Company
- Chez Ma Tante
- Rule of Thirds
- Carnegie Diner
- Beauty & Essex
- Sunday in Brooklyn
- Breakfast by Salt’s Cure
- Cafe LULUc
- Good Enough to Eat
- Baby Blue
- L’Amico
Map of the Best Pancakes in New York City
More Helpful Related Links
If reading about the best pancakes in New York City made you hungry, here’s a few more brunch-related articles.
Best Brunch in NYC: 18 Prime Brunch Spots in New York City Worth the (Inevitable) Wait
Boozy Brunch: 25 Best Bottomless Brunches in New York City (Worth Every Penny!)
Breakfast Near Central Park: 20 Epic Spots to Grab Brunch Near Central Park (For ALL Budgets)
Best in Brooklyn: 15 Delicious Brunch Spots in Brooklyn (Worth Seeking Out)
SoHo Brunch: 15 Satisfying Brunch Spots in SoHo (Worth the Wait)
West Village Brunch: 15 Satisfying Spots For Brunch in Greenwich Village (You’ll LOVE!)
And there you have it folks! My list of the best pancakes in New York City! Let me know what’s your favorite!
Cheers!
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