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A stack of dark brown pancakes - made with hot chocolate - is topped with marshmallows. A person whose face isn’t visible in the photo pours a metal container of chocolate sauce over the stack. — Hot chocolate pancakes at Lincoln Tavern. (They’ve been making regular appearances on the “Brunch Test Kitchen” menu on Fridays and might make the jump to menu permanence soon.)

18 Irresistible Pancakes Around Boston

Stacks upon stacks of syrup-drenched, elaborate pancakes

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal@blumie Dec 6, 2019, 4:26pm EST

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Hot chocolate pancakes at Lincoln Tavern. (They’ve been making regular appearances on the “Brunch Test Kitchen” menu on Fridays and might make the jump to menu permanence soon.)

| Lincoln Tavern [Official Photo]

by Rachel Leah Blumenthal@blumie Dec 6, 2019, 4:26pm EST

When the morning calls for a stack of thick, fluffy pancakes — perhaps topped with candy or cereal or chocolate sauce — these 18 Boston-area restaurants deliver the goods. A few jiggly souffle pancakes and bowl-like Dutch babies are included here, but this map is no place for thin crepes. Bring on the carbs.

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Ball Square Cafe

Somerville’s Ball Square neighborhood is brunch central (see also: Sound Bites, listed below.) Open since 2007, Ball Square Cafe serves breakfast and lunch all day, every day (except on Christmas Day, the one time it’s closed all year). The pancake selection includes chocolate chip and banana; blueberry; strawberry; and more. Gluten-free and whole-wheat options are available, too.

708 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

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Three large chocolate chip pancakes are spread against a white plate on a white background, topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream, and an orange slice — Chocolate chip pancakes at Ball Square Cafe

Sound Bites

Another Ball Square pancake option, Sound Bites, features pancakes made with a cornbread batter and topped with strawberries, pecan, and ricotta. There are also standard pancakes with chocolate chips, coconut, or several other options. Whole-wheat pancakes are available.

704 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

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Closeup of pancakes topped with fresh blueberries — Blueberry pancakes at Sound Bites

The Neighborhood Restaurant

Somerville’s Neighborhood is brunch royalty, filling Union Square residents with gigantic meals since 1983. The restaurant is known, of all things, for its Cream of Wheat, which is available as one of the appetizer choices with virtually any breakfast option — which means that you can try that and also pancakes. And also pastries, eggs, and meat, because there are combos that include pretty much everything and will fill you up for days. (Be sure to get linguica.) Venture onto the handwritten specials menu for the most interesting pancake options, topped and/or filled with fruit, whipped cream, and more. Cash only.

25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

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A blue outdoor table is covered with large plates of breakfast food. Two pink plates in the foreground hold chocolate chip pancakes, hashbrowns, egg, and sausage. — The two pink plates in the foreground are all one meal — and not even the whole thing — at Neighborhood

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Alden & Harlow

Alden & Harlow’s pickled Verrill Farm corn pancakes, the perfect balance between savory and sweet, have been a staple since the restaurant opened back in 2014. The classic version appears on the dinner menu — buttermilk, maple, shishito, and popcorn garnish — while the brunch version has changed over time, with the current incarnation including roasted cherry syrup and vanilla and black pepper cream cheese.

40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

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A plate of small yellowish-brown pancakes, embellished with shishitos, popcorn, and urfa — Pickled corn pancakes at Alden & Harlow

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In a Pickle Restaurant

This Waltham breakfast-and-lunch joint is known for its extreme pancake stacks. The regular menu is packed with options, such as chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes (filled with cookie dough) and candy-filled varieties (Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and more), but there are also rotating specials, such as the Bam Bam Fruity Pebbles Extreme Cakes (a triple stack of Fruity Pebbles pancakes stuffed with Fruity Pebbles sweet cream cheese and topped with cereal milk buttercream icing, Fruity Pebbles garnish, and powdered sugar).

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265 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453

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Stack of three pancakes with a variety of toppings and fillings, including caramel sauce, a giant block of toasted marshmallow, and chocolate fish — Phish Food Extreme Pancakes have appeared as a special at In a Pickle

The Friendly Toast

This Portsmouth-based mini chain now has half a dozen locations around New England, including this longstanding Kendall Square one and a newer one in Boston’s Back Bay. Pancakes are a key component of the breakfast menu. Options include pancakes with a cinnamon sugar swirl and cheesecake glaze; banana and chocolate chip pancakes with bacon (or turkey or veggie bacon), a peanut butter drizzle, and whipped cream; and more.

1 Kendall Square B3101, Cambridge, MA 02139

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A stack of pancakes sit on a red plate on a red table, topped with bacon and whipped cream — Bacon-topped pancakes at the Friendly Toast

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Brookline Lunch

Located on Brookline Street in Cambridge’s Central Square, Brookline Lunch dates back to 1937, under the current ownership since 1989. “Lunch” may be in the name, but there’s breakfast available all day, including the baklava pancakes, which have developed a bit of a cult following since their debut on the menu a couple years back, originally meant to be a Mother’s Day special. Cash only.

9 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA 02139

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A stack of pancakes topped with baklava and pistachio crumble — Baklava pancakes

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North Street Grille

North End restaurant North Street Grille, around since 2004, confidently declares its brunch to be the best in town on its website and social media; it even secured the URL bestbrunchboston.com, probably a smart SEO move. Fortunately, it’s not all talk, and diners are enthusiastic as well. The pancake selection is daunting, with options including Boston cream (with Bavarian cream and chocolate ganache), cannoli (with crushed cannoli shells and ricotta cream), and more.

229 North St, Boston, MA 02113

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A stack of thin pancakes are covered with a thick, shiny, dripping layer of chocolate ganache — Boston cream pancakes at North Street Grille

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The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club, a throwback ’80s diner, has an appropriately huge diner-style menu. Pancakes — as well as French toast and Belgian waffles — come with a choice of about 10 toppings, such as chunky monkey (bananas, chocolate chips, walnuts, and caramel sauce) and strawberry pecan. For an additional charge, diners can sub in gluten-free or whole-wheat pancakes.

270 Western Ave, Allston, MA 02134

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A stack of pancakes sits on a white plate with a black and white checkered border on the edge of a marble table. — Pancakes at the Breakfast Club

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Lone Star Taco Bar

More often than not, your visits to Lone Star Taco Bar are probably late at night and filled with tacos. But there’s daily brunch, too, and it features some outstanding sweet and spicy jalapeno corn cakes with maple syrup. (Lone Star also has an East Cambridge location.)

479 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

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Three browned pancakes sit on a plate, each with a pat of butter on top. A beer is visible in the background. — Jalapeno corn cakes at Lone Star Taco Bar

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Whole Heart Provisions

Whole Heart Provisions — which has locations in Allston and Cambridge — serves Sunday brunch at the original Allston location, including pancakes that change seasonally. The restaurant’s menu is entirely vegan.

487 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

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A stack of three pancakes in a paper container, topped with pumpkin seeds. A glass of orange juice is visible on the side. — Pancakes at Whole Heart Provisions

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15 Excellent Boston-Area Vegan Restaurants

Committee

At swanky Greek restaurant Committee, located in the Seaport District, brunch includes pancakes made with Greek yogurt and topped with sour cherry vyssino, honey, toasted almonds, and berries. It’s available in a full or half portion; the latter might come in handy if you also want to try, say, the spanakopita grilled cheese or baklava oatmeal.

50 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

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Four golden brown pancakes are spread across a long plate, topped with almonds and berries — Greek yogurt pancakes at Committee

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Taiyaki NYC

This New York-based ice cream shop is full of Instagram bait, from its pastel swirls of soft serve in fish-shaped cones to its fluffy Japanese-inspired souffle pancakes. The pancakes are only available on the weekend menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and there are two options: The classic pancake comes with maple syrup, butter, whipped cream, and powdered sugar, while the matcha pancake comes with whipped cream and matcha cream. Both are topped with a mini taiyaki.

119 Seaport Blvd Suite B, Boston, MA 02210

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Thick, fluffy pancakes and a pressed fish-shaped dough form plated with a green matcha sauce and white whipped cream — Matcha souffle pancakes from Taiyaki NYC

Double Chin

Double Chin takes “a la mode” to the next level by sticking a whole ice cream cone on top of its green tea pancakes, available during weekend brunch. Dubbed “Matcha Made in Heaven,” the pancakes are also topped with mochi, adzuki red bean, cereal, and black sesame butter.

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86 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

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A stack of green pancakes are topped with an upside down ice cream cone. — Matcha Made in Heaven at Double Chin

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Bootleg Special

Taiyaki NYC (see above) caused a stir when it brought its souffle pancakes to town, but the South End’s Bootleg Special has been serving its own fluffy souffle-style pancakes for a couple years now. Available at weekend brunch, there are several options, including bananas Foster and chocolate hazelnut.

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400 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

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A stack of very thick souffle-style pancakes sit on a plate with a garnish of blueberries, strawberries, and powdered sugar — A tall stack of fluffy souffle pancakes at Bootleg Special

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Mike's City Diner

Sometimes you don’t want giant stacks of pancakes topped with cereal and candy and chocolate sauce; sometimes you just want a simple stack of buttermilk pancakes with butter and syrup. Maybe a little fruit. South End institution Mike’s City Diner delivers on that front.

1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

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A stack of simple buttermilk pancakes with butter and syrup — Pancakes at Mike’s City Diner

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Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant

South Boston brunch hot spot Lincoln Tavern serves brunch all week long, including a Friday service called “Brunch Test Kitchen” that features a rotating array of new dishes. While the menus differ slightly among weekday, weekend, and Friday brunch, there are always over-the-top pancakes available. The restaurant’s popular Fruity Pebbles pancakes, topped with cereal milk anglaise, are a mainstay, but keep an eye out for specials like s’mores pancakes, apple pancakes with cinnamon bourbon apples, and lots more.

425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

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A stack of pancakes topped with Fruity Pebbles cereal and a white sauce — Fruity Pebbles pancakes topped with cereal milk anglaise at Lincoln Tavern

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Milkweed

This cozy Mission Hill spot from the Blarney Stone team is a popular brunch destination. The shakshuka may get top billing, but don’t miss the pancakes; there are several options, including Lucky Charms pancakes and a Dutch baby with lemon ricotta, blueberry compote, and strawberries.

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

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A stack of pancakes topped with pieces of Lucky Charms cereal, butter, and powdered sugar — Lucky Charms pancakes at Milkweed

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Ball Square Cafe

708 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

Somerville’s Ball Square neighborhood is brunch central (see also: Sound Bites, listed below.) Open since 2007, Ball Square Cafe serves breakfast and lunch all day, every day (except on Christmas Day, the one time it’s closed all year). The pancake selection includes chocolate chip and banana; blueberry; strawberry; and more. Gluten-free and whole-wheat options are available, too.

708 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

Three large chocolate chip pancakes are spread against a white plate on a white background, topped with powdered sugar, whipped cream, and an orange slice — Chocolate chip pancakes at Ball Square Cafe

Sound Bites

704 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

Another Ball Square pancake option, Sound Bites, features pancakes made with a cornbread batter and topped with strawberries, pecan, and ricotta. There are also standard pancakes with chocolate chips, coconut, or several other options. Whole-wheat pancakes are available.

704 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144

Visit Website

Closeup of pancakes topped with fresh blueberries — Blueberry pancakes at Sound Bites

The Neighborhood Restaurant

25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Somerville’s Neighborhood is brunch royalty, filling Union Square residents with gigantic meals since 1983. The restaurant is known, of all things, for its Cream of Wheat, which is available as one of the appetizer choices with virtually any breakfast option — which means that you can try that and also pancakes. And also pastries, eggs, and meat, because there are combos that include pretty much everything and will fill you up for days. (Be sure to get linguica.) Venture onto the handwritten specials menu for the most interesting pancake options, topped and/or filled with fruit, whipped cream, and more. Cash only.

25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143

Visit Website

A blue outdoor table is covered with large plates of breakfast food. Two pink plates in the foreground hold chocolate chip pancakes, hashbrowns, egg, and sausage. — The two pink plates in the foreground are all one meal — and not even the whole thing — at Neighborhood

Alden & Harlow

40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Alden & Harlow’s pickled Verrill Farm corn pancakes, the perfect balance between savory and sweet, have been a staple since the restaurant opened back in 2014. The classic version appears on the dinner menu — buttermilk, maple, shishito, and popcorn garnish — while the brunch version has changed over time, with the current incarnation including roasted cherry syrup and vanilla and black pepper cream cheese.

40 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138

Visit Website

A plate of small yellowish-brown pancakes, embellished with shishitos, popcorn, and urfa — Pickled corn pancakes at Alden & Harlow

In a Pickle Restaurant

265 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453

This Waltham breakfast-and-lunch joint is known for its extreme pancake stacks. The regular menu is packed with options, such as chocolate chip cookie dough pancakes (filled with cookie dough) and candy-filled varieties (Snickers, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and more), but there are also rotating specials, such as the Bam Bam Fruity Pebbles Extreme Cakes (a triple stack of Fruity Pebbles pancakes stuffed with Fruity Pebbles sweet cream cheese and topped with cereal milk buttercream icing, Fruity Pebbles garnish, and powdered sugar).

Open in Google Maps

265 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453

Visit Website

Stack of three pancakes with a variety of toppings and fillings, including caramel sauce, a giant block of toasted marshmallow, and chocolate fish — Phish Food Extreme Pancakes have appeared as a special at In a Pickle

The Friendly Toast

1 Kendall Square B3101, Cambridge, MA 02139

This Portsmouth-based mini chain now has half a dozen locations around New England, including this longstanding Kendall Square one and a newer one in Boston’s Back Bay. Pancakes are a key component of the breakfast menu. Options include pancakes with a cinnamon sugar swirl and cheesecake glaze; banana and chocolate chip pancakes with bacon (or turkey or veggie bacon), a peanut butter drizzle, and whipped cream; and more.

1 Kendall Square B3101, Cambridge, MA 02139

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A stack of pancakes sit on a red plate on a red table, topped with bacon and whipped cream — Bacon-topped pancakes at the Friendly Toast

Brookline Lunch

9 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Located on Brookline Street in Cambridge’s Central Square, Brookline Lunch dates back to 1937, under the current ownership since 1989. “Lunch” may be in the name, but there’s breakfast available all day, including the baklava pancakes, which have developed a bit of a cult following since their debut on the menu a couple years back, originally meant to be a Mother’s Day special. Cash only.

9 Brookline St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Visit Website

A stack of pancakes topped with baklava and pistachio crumble — Baklava pancakes

North Street Grille

229 North St, Boston, MA 02113

North End restaurant North Street Grille, around since 2004, confidently declares its brunch to be the best in town on its website and social media; it even secured the URL bestbrunchboston.com, probably a smart SEO move. Fortunately, it’s not all talk, and diners are enthusiastic as well. The pancake selection is daunting, with options including Boston cream (with Bavarian cream and chocolate ganache), cannoli (with crushed cannoli shells and ricotta cream), and more.

229 North St, Boston, MA 02113

Visit Website

A stack of thin pancakes are covered with a thick, shiny, dripping layer of chocolate ganache — Boston cream pancakes at North Street Grille

The Breakfast Club

270 Western Ave, Allston, MA 02134

The Breakfast Club, a throwback ’80s diner, has an appropriately huge diner-style menu. Pancakes — as well as French toast and Belgian waffles — come with a choice of about 10 toppings, such as chunky monkey (bananas, chocolate chips, walnuts, and caramel sauce) and strawberry pecan. For an additional charge, diners can sub in gluten-free or whole-wheat pancakes.

270 Western Ave, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

A stack of pancakes sits on a white plate with a black and white checkered border on the edge of a marble table. — Pancakes at the Breakfast Club

Lone Star Taco Bar

479 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

More often than not, your visits to Lone Star Taco Bar are probably late at night and filled with tacos. But there’s daily brunch, too, and it features some outstanding sweet and spicy jalapeno corn cakes with maple syrup. (Lone Star also has an East Cambridge location.)

479 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

Three browned pancakes sit on a plate, each with a pat of butter on top. A beer is visible in the background. — Jalapeno corn cakes at Lone Star Taco Bar

Whole Heart Provisions

487 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Whole Heart Provisions — which has locations in Allston and Cambridge — serves Sunday brunch at the original Allston location, including pancakes that change seasonally. The restaurant’s menu is entirely vegan.

487 Cambridge St, Allston, MA 02134

Visit Website

A stack of three pancakes in a paper container, topped with pumpkin seeds. A glass of orange juice is visible on the side. — Pancakes at Whole Heart Provisions

Committee

50 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

At swanky Greek restaurant Committee, located in the Seaport District, brunch includes pancakes made with Greek yogurt and topped with sour cherry vyssino, honey, toasted almonds, and berries. It’s available in a full or half portion; the latter might come in handy if you also want to try, say, the spanakopita grilled cheese or baklava oatmeal.

50 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210

Visit Website

Four golden brown pancakes are spread across a long plate, topped with almonds and berries — Greek yogurt pancakes at Committee

Taiyaki NYC

119 Seaport Blvd Suite B, Boston, MA 02210

This New York-based ice cream shop is full of Instagram bait, from its pastel swirls of soft serve in fish-shaped cones to its fluffy Japanese-inspired souffle pancakes. The pancakes are only available on the weekend menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and there are two options: The classic pancake comes with maple syrup, butter, whipped cream, and powdered sugar, while the matcha pancake comes with whipped cream and matcha cream. Both are topped with a mini taiyaki.

119 Seaport Blvd Suite B, Boston, MA 02210

Visit Website

Thick, fluffy pancakes and a pressed fish-shaped dough form plated with a green matcha sauce and white whipped cream — Matcha souffle pancakes from Taiyaki NYC

Double Chin

86 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

Double Chin takes “a la mode” to the next level by sticking a whole ice cream cone on top of its green tea pancakes, available during weekend brunch. Dubbed “Matcha Made in Heaven,” the pancakes are also topped with mochi, adzuki red bean, cereal, and black sesame butter.

Open in Google Maps

86 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02111

Visit Website

A stack of green pancakes are topped with an upside down ice cream cone. — Matcha Made in Heaven at Double Chin

Bootleg Special

400 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Taiyaki NYC (see above) caused a stir when it brought its souffle pancakes to town, but the South End’s Bootleg Special has been serving its own fluffy souffle-style pancakes for a couple years now. Available at weekend brunch, there are several options, including bananas Foster and chocolate hazelnut.

Open in Google Maps

400 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Visit Website

A stack of very thick souffle-style pancakes sit on a plate with a garnish of blueberries, strawberries, and powdered sugar — A tall stack of fluffy souffle pancakes at Bootleg Special

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Mike's City Diner

1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Sometimes you don’t want giant stacks of pancakes topped with cereal and candy and chocolate sauce; sometimes you just want a simple stack of buttermilk pancakes with butter and syrup. Maybe a little fruit. South End institution Mike’s City Diner delivers on that front.

1714 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118

Visit Website

A stack of simple buttermilk pancakes with butter and syrup — Pancakes at Mike’s City Diner

Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant

425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

South Boston brunch hot spot Lincoln Tavern serves brunch all week long, including a Friday service called “Brunch Test Kitchen” that features a rotating array of new dishes. While the menus differ slightly among weekday, weekend, and Friday brunch, there are always over-the-top pancakes available. The restaurant’s popular Fruity Pebbles pancakes, topped with cereal milk anglaise, are a mainstay, but keep an eye out for specials like s’mores pancakes, apple pancakes with cinnamon bourbon apples, and lots more.

425 W Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127

Visit Website

A stack of pancakes topped with Fruity Pebbles cereal and a white sauce — Fruity Pebbles pancakes topped with cereal milk anglaise at Lincoln Tavern

Milkweed

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

This cozy Mission Hill spot from the Blarney Stone team is a popular brunch destination. The shakshuka may get top billing, but don’t miss the pancakes; there are several options, including Lucky Charms pancakes and a Dutch baby with lemon ricotta, blueberry compote, and strawberries.

1508 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

Visit Website