While the simple combination of eggs, flour, and water for pancakes may seem straightforward, not all are created equal. San Francisco's breakfast and brunch scenes have mastered the most optimal ratios of such essential ingredients and even enhanced them, providing the most delectable pancakes that are equally inventive as they are comforting.
Here are the top restaurants around the city to receive the most deluxe pancakes, all which are either ingeniously reinvented, delightfully classic, or piled high with generous creative toppings.
See also: All The Coziest And Most Delightful Coffee Shops In San Francisco For a Rainy Day
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4007 24th St / (415) 647-7037 / Website
With a name like Pancake Boy, you know you're in for a sweet treat. Located in Noe Valley, this bright and cozy community favorite impressively dresses them up in bold flavors like Lemon Ricotta, Banana Marscapone, Red Velvet, and even inclusive gluten-free Coconut Brown Rice. Pair the sweet stack that speaks to you with their special Ube Latte for a brilliant start to your day.
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Stonestown Galleria, 3251 20th Ave, Ste. #172 / (628) 256-6013 / Website
Fluffy Japanese-style souffle pancakes are an exquisite alternative to the familiar American variation, and cute Gram Cafe has truly perfected them. Located within the Stonestown Galleria, their charming and trendy interior is always bustling with devoted patrons ready to indulge in their lusciously airy mouthfeel. Experience the melt-in-your-mouth sensations in either the original, Matcha, Oreo, or Salted Egg, and if you have the time, the short 30-minute wait is definitely worth it for their Premium Strawberry, Crème Brûlée, and Hazelnut Chocolate specials too.
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4001 Judah St / (415) 661-6140 / Website
First introduced in 2009, Outerlands' Dutch Pancakes were an overwhelmingly instant hit for this Sunset District cornerstone, and since then they have continued to serve them up hot and fast, in different seasonal variations as well! If you happen to be near Ocean Beach, sleek and cozy Outerlands is the ultimate choice for a comforting pancake served in the traditional Dutch style. You will also truly taste not only the love in its careful preparation, but also history in the enduring preservation of their Grandma Muller’s original recipe.
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1434 18th St / (415) 926-8645 / Website
Familial Cracked and Battered in Potrero Hill excels in being both halal and generous. Several of their plates come brimming with the crispiest fried chicken, though when it comes to hot cakes their light Ricotta Pancakes are the precisely perfect amounts of lemony and creamy.
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3499 16th St / (415) 525-4905 / Website
Castro District's Kitchen Story is the magic combination of being aesthetically cute, intensely flavorful, kind, and culturally-inspired. Their fluffy Ricotta Hotcakes are the superstar choice in this vibrant neighborhood, served with fresh berries, real Vermont maple syrup, and with the irresistable option to jazz it up even more with perfectly caramelized bananas and Maple-glazed walnuts.
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1299 18th St / (415) 821-7569 / Website
Modernly rustic Plow made our list for a gorgeous place for a solo brunch, perhaps because you may not want to share their hefty servings of pancakes in gluten-free almond flour or lemon ricotta with blueberry compote! Whether you come alone and sit at the bar to watch the master chefs, or arrive with friends, we guarantee their pancakes will transport you into a flavor wonderland.
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941 Cole St / (415) 564-5332 / Website
Lastly, Zazie cannot be overlooked. An absolute Cole Valley community anchor for many years, Zazie has several highly-acclaimed breakfast options, but perhaps none as coveted as their lengthy pancake offerings. They even courteously offer a famous pancake flight, so that you can comprehensively attain a sweet taste of their pancakes in buttermilk, popular gingerbread, and more.
With all of these wonderful pancake places around San Francisco, you are sure to start your day off right!
See also: The San Francisco Mother's Day Guide
Photography by: Sincerely Media/Unsplash
