When 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.
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