Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and from elegant bistros to no-frills diners, Atlanta offers plenty of options for indulging. And what's a quality breakfast without a heaping stack of pancakes slathered in butter and syrup? So whether you're craving buttermilk or buckwheat, savory or sweet, plain or with all the fixings, here are the ten best pancakes in Atlanta.
Buttermilk Kitchen
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Henri Hollis
Fresh butter from a Georgia dairy farm provides the base for this charming spot's namesake ingredient as well as its made-from-scratch pancakes, available in full (three) and short (two) stacks. Sure, you could top them with maple syrup or butter, but try the whiskey syrup from local ASW Distillery. You can also opt to add vanilla cream, fruit compote, or caramelized banana instead.
Pancake Social
Located inside the bustling Ponce City Market on Atlanta Beltline's Eastside Trail, Anne Quatrano's Pancake Social offers all-day breakfast, including sweet and savory pancakes. We suggest ordering the big pecan praline stack, three fluffy flapjacks served with—you guessed it—pecan praline syrup.
Ria's Bluebird
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Andrew Thomas Lee
Be prepared to wait at this Grant Park institution, located across the street from historic Oakland Cemetery. Their hand-sifted, buttermilk pancakes are a crowd-favorite, so go ahead and order the fat stack. Feeling fancy? Add toasted Georgia pecans, caramelized bananas, or chocolate chips to round it all out. Or, spring for one of the seasonal specials, like pumpkin pancakes with pistachio Chantilly cream in the fall.
The Original Pancake House
In the mood for classic diner vibes and over two dozen varieties of pancakes? Look no further than this Cheshire Bridge landmark, which has been serving breakfast all day for more than 30 years. From buttermilk and buckwheat to even potato flapjacks, this restaurant has it all. Go for the classic blueberry, dusted with powdered sugar, or the Dutch baby, a German classic served with lemons and whipped butter.
Oy!
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Courtesy of Oy!
Bring your appetite and your stretchy pants, because the pancakes are as big as pizza pies at this popular Vinings brunch spot. From wild blueberry to triple chocolate chunk and bacon-stuffed, these delicious and super-sized flapjacks are available in two sizes: seven and 14 inches.
Bread & Butterfly
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Andrew Thomas Lee
Yes, this European-inspired bistro in Inman Park has amazing pastries and tartines, but don't sleep on the pancakes. They're thick but fluffy, served with Vermont maple syrup and unsalted European butter that pair perfectly with an espresso or cappuccino.
West Egg Cafe
Topping many local lists for the city's best breakfast, the Westside's West Egg Cafe has more than earned its accolades. The long lines on weekends are a testament to the restaurant's consistency and longevity—and trust us when we say that the sour cream pancakes with syrup and spiced honey butter are well worth the wait.
Rise-n-Dine
This cozy breakfast spot near Emory University is a go-to for students, nearby office workers, and neighborhood families alike. Come for the bottomless Counter Culture coffee and stay for the Nutella pancakes: two generous buttermilk pancakes sandwiching a healthy portion of the hazelnut spread and sliced bananas. It's all topped with whipped cream, of course.
Home grown
While this laid-back and always packed Cabbagetown spot is known for its iconic Comfy Chicken Biscuit, its pancakes are worth the trip, too. Try the $3 plain pancake; larger than the plate its delivered on, this simple pancake is easily shareable and a bargain in a town filled with overpriced brunch.
Highland Bakery
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Courtesy of Highland Bakery
With seven Atlanta locations—including the original Old Fourth Ward restaurant—you're never far from one of the city's best savory cakes. Layered with black beans, Highland Bakery's cilantro corn pancakes come topped with two over medium eggs, sour cream, salsa, cilantro, and a very generous portion of shredded Vermont white cheddar cheese.