The Ultimate Guide To The Best Pancakes In Los Angeles
(credit: Africa Studio/shutterstock)
Whether you like your pancakes plain or topped with whipped cream, bananas, strawberries, coconut flakes and chocolate chips, Los Angeles offers a variety of options from the beach to downtown L.A. Take a bite out of these unique pancake creations found across L.A. for a walk on the wild side of breakfast.
Messhall Kitchen
4500 Los Feliz Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 660-6377
www.messhallkitchen.com
Los Feliz' Messhall Kitchen serves up some pretty delicious options on their menu, so it could be tough to pick just one dish. But, if you're in the mood for some unique pancakes, Messhall offers up their Huckleberry Griddle Cakes topped off with salted cajeta (a traditional house made Mexican caramel sauce), fresh key lime icing, and huckleberries. They are a great alternative to regular blueberry pancakes, as the huckleberries add a hint of tartness.
Cafe Gratitude
639 N Larchmont Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 580-6383
www.cafegratitude.com
Cafe Gratitude is known for their organic plant-based restaurants and health kick. With gluten-free options becoming more and more popular, Cafe Gratitude is a great eatery to visit. On deck here are the "Open-Hearted" pancakes. These gluten free buckwheat flax pancakes give you the option to add fruit, extra maple syrup or add cashew whipped cream. And, while they are gluten-free, after one bite, you'll ignore the fact they are gluten-free.
Square One Dining
854 Fountain Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 661-1109
www.squareonedining.com
Everything is great at Square One Dining. Their brunch menu offers delicious options including brioche French toast (out of this world), a fresh fruit bowl, egg dishes, breakfast burritos, huevos rancheros and a chorizo baked egg dish. But, the pancakes here are not to be missed. Order up their buttermilk pancakes which come in a stack of three and are served with butter and grade A maple syrup. Add bacon enriched caramel sauce for an extra fee to really take it to the next level. This is one spot that also offers a gluten-free pancake option. Other options include their silver dollar pancakes and lemon ricotta pancakes.
Salt's Cure
1155 N Highland Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 465-7258
www.saltscure.com
Aside from serving up other delicious weekend brunch menu items ranging from eggs to pastries, at Salt's Cure, you'll certainly want to try the Oatmeal Griddle Cakes, better known as the oatmeal pancakes. Made with oat batter, and slathered with maple cinnamon butter, they're certainly not your typical pancakes. Each bite is as decadent as the next, making for a truly enjoyable brunch experience.
Jon & Vinny's
412 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 334-3369
www.jonandvinnys.com
Part of the restaurant group associated with other top LA eateries like Son of A Gun, Animal, Trois Mec, Petit Trois, and others, Jon & Vinny's has made quite the impact on the L.A. dining scene for more than just great pizza, pasta and Italian inspired desserts. The pancakes here may seem somewhat straightforward, but they are anything but. The buttermilk pancakes here are served up with salted butter, berries on top and a rich maple syrup to go on top.
Sycamore Kitchen
143 South La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-0151
www.thesycamorekitchen.com
There's so many great options on the menu at Sycamore Kitchen that it can be tough to choose just one. But, the pancakes here are certainly a winning choice. Order up their always delicious buttermilk rye pancakes with maple syrup and salted butter.
A-Frame
12565 W Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 398-7700
www.aframela.com
Brunch at A-Frame is one you won't want to miss. Especially if you love pancakes. On offer here is something you won't want to pass up: all you can eat stacks of pancakes! Yes, it's true. This Culver City eatery offers two stacks at a time until you can't eat anymore. From buttermilk to lilikoi butter pancakes, banana mac nut pancakes with whipped cream to pineapple, orange and guava pancakes, you won't have to wish for more. And, if those offerings weren't enough, they also offer extra tasty buttermilk chicken pancakes!
Du-par's
6333 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-8446
Additional Locations: Pasadena, Studio City
www.dupars.net
Du-par's is practically an L.A. institution. Opened in 1938, this eatery is a diner-style restaurant chain serving a variety of food. One of the most beloved sections of the menu here are the breakfast and brunch offerings though. These old-school pancakes come out just right: crispy and fluffy with tons of syrup to go along with them. Add butter and you'll be coming back again in no time. Their buttermilk hot cakes are served with grade AA melted butter and boysenberry or maple hot cake syrup. Opt for a full or half stack.
The Griddle Cafe
7916 Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 874-0377
www.thegriddlecafe.com
With a wide variety of unique pancake creations, The Griddle Cafe is a sure bet if you are looking for one-of-a-kind pancakes. Try the "Hear Me Roar" pancakes with baked with frosted flakes and strawberries, the "Black Magic" cakes with crushed Oreos baked inside, or the "Saturday Morning Fever" pancakes livened up with Baily's and Kahlua. The Griddle Cafe also offers seasonal favorites, too. So, make sure to stop by during the holidays, or on Easter for some specials!
Jinky's
14120 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 981-2250
Multiple Locations
www.jinkys.com
With multiple locations throughout the city, including Sherman Oaks, Studoo City, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Santa Monica and elsewhere, Jinky's is famous for offering more than dozens of pancakes options, including their traditional buttermilk pancakes, pumpkin pancakes, whole wheat pancakes, and oaty oaty cakes!
More Than Waffles
17200 Ventura Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
(818) 789-5937
www.morethanwaffles.com
Although many visitors swear by the wide variety of waffles at this Encino eatery, More than Waffles actually serves up some extremely tasty and unique pancake creations as well. From a wide variety of healthy options (including pancakes made from numerous grains, granola, and gluten-free buckwheat) to chocolate chip and pumpkin pecan pancakes, the tasty cakes and diverse selection make More than Waffles a must visit. Must try's include The Hot Apple, which is sprinkled inside and on top with cinnamon, as well as the Almond Joy, with coconut, nutella, and almonds.
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
1305 Highland Ave
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-5177
www.unclebills.net
Uncle Bill's Pancake House makes for a strong case that some of the best pancakes around are right in Manhattan Beach. This cafe, which serves breakfast and lunch in a quaint space with a patio, has been around since 1961. Make sure not to miss their pancakes topped with everything from chocolate chips to banana. Oh, and don't forget the syrup and butter!
Jacks N Joe
2498 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 748-4565
www.jacksnjoe.com
Located near the USC campus, Jacks N Joe, a breakfast all day kinda place, serves up warm pancakes to guests. Known as 'Flapjacks' here, there are so many great options, it can almost be overwhelming. While everything on the menu is great, make sure not to miss out on their "Tree Huggers" pancakes. Made up of 3 buckwheat pancakes with house-made granola, they are topped with seasonal berries, sweet orange butter, and then sprinkled with powdered sugar. Or show some school spirit with the "Fight On!" flapjacks. Made with bacon, it provides an extra dose of protein cooked right in the batter. Other notables include the "Jack's Banana" flapjacks, with banana puree. Topped with butter, fresh bananas, and walnuts, they are then sprinkled with powdered sugar and served.
John O'Groats
10516 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 204-0692
www.johnogroats.us
John O'Groats near Rancho Park may offer tons of hearty offerings, but you can't make a pit stop here without trying their pancakes. Pancakes here don't mean just one offering, either. You have plenty to choose from. From their renowned buttermilk pancakes, to high fiber buckwheat pancakes, spiced pumpkin pancakes, lemon pancakes, applesauce pancakes and chocolate chip pancakes, this is the perfect place to go if you just have to have your fill of pancakes! Other options include mango macadamia nut pancakes, 7 grain granola pancakes and a short stack of buttermilk pancakes. Add some sides like whipped cream, chocolate chips, pecans, caramel sauce, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, or other fruit, and you've set yourself up for the best stacks in town.
Joan's On Third
8350 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-2285
www.joansonthird.com
When it comes to Joan's On Third, it might be better to ask yourself 'What Don't They Offer?' as you can find everything from delicious salads, and sandwiches to brunch items like egg dishes and of course, pancakes. Stop by their 3rd Street location or their Studio City spot and order up a stack of no-nonsense pancakes. Their buttermilk pancakes come with delicious Vermont maple syrup.
Poppy + Rose
765 Wall St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 995-7799
www.poppyandrosela.com
While this eatery is well known for their chicken and waffles, if you're a pancake fan, you won't want to miss out on these. From the Lumberjack breakfast (pictured) with fluffy pancakes and syrup, bacon, hash browns and eggs served the way you want it, to other options, Poppy + Rose is a great breakfast and brunch eatery in the heart of downtown L.A.
Food
10571 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 441-7770
www.food-la.com
There's only one offering of pancakes on the menu, but it's certainly enough. Order up their pancakes with ricotta, berries and bananas, and you'll be in heaven. It's one unique recipe that has to be tried. The restaurant is situated right off of Rancho Park on Pico Blvd.
Kitchen Mouse
5904 N Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90042
(323) 259-9555
www.kitchenmousela.com
This DTLA eatery offers several pancake options, including their house pancakes made with oat, buckwheat, and corn flour with seasonal fruit, toasted coconut and Vermont maple syrup. Or, opt for their snickerdoodle pancakes made with cinnamon coconut sugar and topped with a scoop of cinnamon coconut sugar butter! Kids will love the Silver Dollar Kids Special, which comes with silver dollar pancakes and other brunch items like eggs, avocado, and toast.
Cafe Vida
9755 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 287-0140
www.cafevida.net
Grab a smoothie, and order up options like their 'real' buttermilk pancakes served with fresh berries, bananas, organic maple syrup and powdered sugar. Or, opt for their blueberry corn cakes with fresh berries, organic maple syrup and powdered sugar. Are you gluten-free? They offer something just for you, with their organic brown rice pancakes. Served with flax and chia seeds, almonds, fresh berries, organic maple syrup and powdered sugar, it's simply delicious.
