Brunch in NYC is a favorite weekend meal for couples, families, friends and visitors. And while it’s possible to eat everything from Chinese dim sum to lobster eggs benedict or even carbonara pizza for brunch in NYC, a great plate of pancakes is one of our all time favorite brunch comfort foods. Here are our picks for some of the best pancakes in NYC right now:
Maialino: Ricotta pancakes
Maialino at the Gramercy Hotel may be best known for its namesake Maialino al Forno (Roast Suckling Pig), Porchetta Sandwich and Tonnarelli a Cacio e Pepe, but it also serves our favorite ricotta pancakes in the city. The fruit accompaniment changes seasonally; currently it comes with rhubarb and maple syrup. A bonus is that Maialino has great espresso and cappuccino, courtesy of Counter Culture coffee.
Prune: Baked pancakes
Prune Restaurant is a stones throw from Clinton Street Baking Company, which is supposed to have some of the citys best pancakes, but Ive never found that to be the case. Prune can also have a long wait, so get there early on weekends to enjoy the Dutch Style Pancake, which is huge and cake-like, served with blueberries sour cream and powdered sugar as well as Candian bacon. Yum!
Fishtag: Ricotta pancakes
New Yorks Upper West Side is surprisingly lacking when it comes to good, reasonably priced restaurants, but Fishtag is a hidden gem and convenient for a pre or post visit to the Museum of Natural History. This upscale wine bar restaurant from Chef Michael Psilakis offers some nice Greek inflected twists on traditional brunch fare, such as Eggs a la Kosta with poached eggs, brioche, wilted spinach and lobster avgolemono; a tasty Lamb Burger with whipped feta cheese; and one of the best pancake deals in town, Ricotta Pancakes with honey butter, fruit compote and maple syrup.
Cafe Katja: Cheese blintzes
Cafe Katja is best known for its hearty Austrian fare, such as Wiener Schnitzel, Beef Goulash with Spaetzle, and and Emmenthaler Sausage with Quark Dumplings. But brunch is fantastic as well, especially ever since the cafe expanded and offers more space with plenty of natural light. Cheese blintzes are the best weve sampled in the city, and served with a generous dollop of sour cream as well as homemade jam.
The Spotted Pig: Dutch Baby with bacon and maple syrup
The Spotted Pig, NYCs take on a gastropub, is notoriously popular and doesnt take reservations, so if you dont like crowds and cant stand to wait in line this isnt your placeyou have been warned. If you go, try to get there early, before it opens at 11am on weekends, to minimize the wait. The Spotted Pig is, however, one of the few places in the city to get a true Dutch Baby puffed oven baked pancakesomething like a cross between a Yorkshire Pudding and a crepe. Its the perfect brunch choice when you want something sweet but with a savory touch, since it comes with bacon and maple syrup.
What are your favorite places for pancakes in NYC?
