Best Pancakes in NYC and Happy Belated Pancake Day

I can't believe I only just realized today was Shrove Tuesday, aka Pancake Day. If I'd known, you can bet I would have simply made pancakes for dinner and called it a day (who said pancakes are only for breakfast?) As a pancake fiend, I've written on the Best Pancakes in Honolulu, Hawaii and I've also reviewed a number of breakfast and brunch places in NYC in search of the Best Pancakes in New York City. I haven't officially ranked them though, so here goes (and I'll keep adding to this list as well, as I try even more pancakes in NYC).

1. Zoe: Blueberry Pancakes with Lemon Curd

We've only been to Zoe for brunch, and the place gets somewhat mixed reviews for dinner. But if you go only once and get only one thing, make it brunch, for the blueberry pancakes with lemon curd. Crispy and browned on the outside, tender crumb inside with lots of blueberries and perfectly complemented by tangy, silky lemon curd and maple syrup. In fact, ask for a bit more lemon curd so you can have some on each bite. Divine!

Review: Zoe NYC Brunch Review: Best Pancakes in NYC?

2. Homemade Ricotta Pancakes with D'arbo Cherry Jam

While you may balk at making your own pancakes, especially ricotta pancakes, since they require a bit of extra work separating the egg whites and beating them to ensure lightness, these pancakes are the all-time favorite of my family, and my favorite apart from Zoe's blueberry pancakes with lemon curd above. They go well with cherry, raspberry or apricot jam, but make sure to serve high quality jam, such as d'arbo. Here's our family's Ricotta Pancakes Recipe

3. Maialino: Ricotta Pancakes with Market Fruit and Fresh Ricotta

I've tried ricotta pancakes all over the city, from Locanda Verde to Five Points (another favorite brunch spot) to Freeman's to Maialino, and in my view Maialino has the best ricotta pancakes in the city. They sometimes do get a tad dark, so you might want to request that they cook them golden and not overbrown them. Love that they come adorned with fresh seasonal fruit (in our case, blueberry compote) and fresh ricotta. Yum!

Review: Maialino NYC Brunch Review

4. Cafe Orlin: Sweet Corn Blueberry Pancakes (Seasonal)

Originally we intended to try Cafe Orlin's pumpkin pancake, which many seem to like, but we couldn't resist trying the seasonal special sweet corn blueberry pancakes. They were tender, full of plump sweet corn kernals and blueberries, and utterly delicious! If they're on the menu, just order them.

Review: Cafe Orlin Brunch Review

5. Prune: Dutch Style Pancake

We only enjoy this baked pancake once a year, due to the no reservations policy for weekend brunch, but it's my go-to place for a cakey baked pancake, especially as Traif in Williamsburg, Brooklyn no longer serves brunch 🙁

Review: Prune NYC Brunch Menu Review

6. The Shop at Andaz 5th Avenue: Lemon Souffle Pancake with Poppyseed Syrup

A lot of miles and points junkies who stay at the Andaz 5th Avenue swear by the lemon souffle pancake with poppyseed syrup, but while I give it points for a unique pancake flavor, I found execution was pretty poor, and my pancake arrived quite burnt. If you think this is NYC's best pancake, you should really get out more in NYC and try some of the pancakes above. Oh, and whatever you do, don't order the dutch pancake. Read my review to see why: Review: The Shop, Andaz 5th Avenue NYC Brunch Menu