While you may be able to get free pancakes at IHOP for National Pancake Day, you can get much better pancakes at any of these places. Trust us, they’re worth your money and worth your valuable stomach space. If you’re looking to celebrate a day dedicated to one of the most iconic foods out there, try any of these places. From classic buttermilk pancakes to weird (ahem, unique) pancakes, we’ve got you covered.
1. Mike’s City Diner
Photo courtesy of @kateburt_ on Instagram
What you’re getting: chocolate chip pancakes
These pancakes are larger than your face. Not that it’s a bad thing, because they’re the perfect classic diner pancake — light, fluffy, and definitely a bang for your buck. Get the chocolate chip pancakes topped with strawberries because the addition of fruit makes it a bit more acceptable for breakfast… right?
2. The Paramount
Photo courtesy of @get_hangry on Instagram
What you’re getting: classic buttermilk pancakes
The lines are always long at this popular brunch spot, and for good reason. They’re known for their omelettes and banana French toast, but their pancakes are not to be overlooked. It’s simplicity at its finest — airy buttermilk pancakes topped with mounds of fresh fruit (we recommend strawberries) and whipped cream.
3. The Painted Burro
Photo courtesy of @thepaintedburro on Instagram
What you’re getting: chipotle chocolate chip pancakes
The best part of Mexican hot chocolate was always the spicy kick it had. The Painted Burro’s pancakes have that same spiciness from the chipotle they put in, giving your breakfast an extra oomph.
4. The Friendly Toast
Photo courtesy of @nomnomnycgirls on Instagram
What you’re getting: king cakes
You can never go wrong with Elvis’s classic combo: peanut butter, bacon, and bananas. The Friendly Toast adds these all to their chocolate chip pancakes, which makes it 100x better, because chocolate.
#SpoonTip: They recently opened another location in Back Bay, so you don’t have to go all the way to Cambridge.
5. Café Polonia
Photo courtesy of @aspiringkaro on Instagram
What you’re getting: potato pancakes
Every culture has pancakes, and Polish culture is no different. These potato pancakes are a staple of Eastern European food and can be eaten with a variety of sides. From goulash to applesauce, this is your chance to get creative.
6. The Pour House
Photo courtesy of Ivan R on yelp.com
What you’re getting: pumpkin pie pancakes
Why eat pie when you can eat it in pancake form? As the Pour House menu says, “Tastes like pie, eat it like pie.” So enjoy this hearty stack of pancakes with a healthy dose of whipped cream and feel some Thanksgiving nostalgia.
7. The Paris Creperie
Photo by Renzo De Jesus
What you’re getting: the Nutella cannoli crêpe
Even though this Brookline crêpe shop was featured on our Boston eats bucket list for their Nutella frozen hot chocolate, their crêpes are just as good. Their menu has an extensive list of crêpes, but their Nutella cannoli crêpe is the lovechild of Boston’s iconic dessert, the cannoli, and France’s version of the pancake. Plus it has Nutella, so everyone wins.
8. Alden & Harlow
Photo courtesy of @kteig on Instagram
What you’re getting: pickled corn pancakes
Yeah, we know it sounds weird. But it’s the optimal mix of sweet and savory — it has shishito peppers and maple syrup. Add a generous portion of popcorn heaped on top, and you’ll be enjoying the most interesting meal of your life.
9. Lulu’s Allston
Photo courtesy of @julie_salman on Instagram
What you’re getting: s’mores pancakes
Lulu’s s’more pancakes will leave you wanting s’more for sure. Bad puns aside, they take the best part of summer (and childhood) and make that into a breakfast food. Genius.
10. Deluxe Town Diner
Photo courtesy of @molliechen on Instagram
What you’re getting: deluxe pancakes
Though Deluxe Town is all the way in Watertown and not in the immediate Boston area, it’s worth the drive. Their secret pancake ingredient? Sour cream. Trust us, it makes a difference.
11. Café Luna
Photo courtesy of @scallopededge on Instagram
What you’re getting: lemon ricotta pancakes
These pancakes are a definite step up from your typical diner pancakes. The typical house pancakes are made with lemon and ricotta, layered with lemon mascarpone, and topped with lemon curd, fresh berries, and whipped cream.
12. Grasshopper Café
Photo courtesy of @jeanniehannigan on Instagram
What you’re getting: any pancakes with honey butter
These pancakes are giant and fluffy, but the real star is the honey butter that comes with all the pancakes. It gives the pancakes a whole new depth of flavor.
13. Max Brenner
Photo courtesy of Max Brenner on facebook.com
What you’re getting: illegal chocolate chocolate chocolate pancakes
Think the triple use of “chocolate” in the name is excessive? Well, in this case, it’s not. Like everything else at Max Brenner, these pancakes are decadent and loaded with chocolate. Eat at your own risk of developing a sugar hangover.