Who Makes the Best Pancakes in Raleigh? The locals have spoken!

Here in Raleigh and in the South, we take breakfast seriously. And there’s no shortage of places for some good old-fashioned Southern cooking like country ham with a pile of buttermilk biscuits. But what if you want something a bit sweeter and traditionally American? 

I’m talking about pancakes. Fluffy, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth pancakes some the size of dinner plates. Where can you find those? Well, fortunately, our Raleigh community has come through again with their recommendations for the best pancakes in Raleigh. These are pancakes topped with regional flavors, celebrate seasonal ingredients, and served in stacks piled high. 

Whether you’re looking for an old-school diner, a casual cafe, or a modern, playful restaurant with innovative creations, these are the best pancakes Raleigh has to offer (according to our trusted locals). Let me know what other places we should add to this list in the comments at the bottom?

Big Ed’s Restaurant

• Address: 220 Wolfe St, Raleigh
• Website: bigedsnc.com 

The restaurant that got the most shout-outs from our community was Big Ed’s. We’ve written about Big Ed’s many times, and they are one of the G.O.A.T restaurants here in Raleigh for a reason, and one of the best places for breakfast, period.

They have two locations, but we like the flagship store in Historic City Market in downtown Raleigh because of its quirky, old-school decor and consistently good hot cakes. They are fluffy, buttery, and topped with savory favorites such as spicy pork sausage, bacon, smoked sausage, turkey link sausage, fried fatback, city ham, or red hots. 

What makes Big Ed’s legendary is the hot cakes, which are dinner-plate-sized, thick, and stacked high enough to defeat even the hungriest of diners. The portions are so comically large, they even have a Hot Cake challenge – eat three hot cakes in 45 minutes and win a t-shirt (no sharing). We usually order a plate to share!

Brigs Restaurant

• Address: 8111 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh
• Website: brigs.com

The second-most recommended restaurant for pancakes from our Raleigh community is Brigs, a long-time staple restaurant since 1988 with locations in Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest and the RTP. The homemade fluffy pancakes are known for being generous in size and paired with a rotating lineup of seasonal flavors.

The batter is mixed fresh daily, and you can choose between seasonal toppings such as strawberry, pecan, and chocolate chip, blueberry, or keep it traditional with whipped cream. It’s recommended asking for a side of their own special syrup made with real New England maple syrup.

When Fall rolls around, their pumpkin pancakes are super popular! Whatever time of year you visit, be sure to check the monthly pancake specials, which have earned a loyal following for their playful twists. NOTE: Celebrate your birthday at Brigs with a 50% discount. And Veterans and active US Armed Forces and their spouses receive 10% off. For seniors age 65+ you are welcome to 7% discount 7 days a week!

Metro Diner

• Address: 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd Raleigh
• Website: metrodiner.com

Metro Diner serves breakfast all day, every day. It has a classic diner vibe, paired with a classic diner menu. Most notably, the pancakes. Here you can find a traditional plate of pancakes, aptly named the Metro Pancakes, which are light and fluffy and topped with maple syrup and butter. They also have Belgian waffles, croissant French toast, and cinnamon roll pancakes.

The buttermilk pancakes are a standout, though. Whether you go traditional or cinnamon roll, the griddle creations here are a game changer. They are also leaning on the sweet side and can feel more like a dessert than a breakfast. There are also seasonal offerings. In September 2026, the lemon blueberry pancakes are back on the menu and are simply divine! 

Flying Biscuit Cafe

• Address: 2016 Clark Ave, Raleigh
• Website: flyingbiscuit.com

The Flying Biscuit Cafe is another breakfast restaurant that has a hearty, classic Southern diner vibe. It doesn’t have a lot of pancake options; in fact, there are only two options on the menu, but where it lacks in quantity, it makes up for it in quality.

The Drop of Juniper pancakes are made with buttermilk and topped with butter and served with maple syrup. You can add chicken sage sausage patties if you prefer a savory option. Or, for an innovative way to eat pancakes, check out their pancake tacos. These are two buttermilk pancakes stuffed with four scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and a choice of sausage or bacon. This is a huge and particularly filling choice. And check out their famous biscuits and cranberry-apple butter when you visit. We like their Village District location.

First Watch

• Address: 621 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
• Website: firstwatch.com

We were recommended a few chain restaurants by our Raleigh community; the IHOP and Denny’s were frequently mentioned, but we’re not a huge fan of recommending chains over our independent, local restaurants…but we will make an exception here. First Watch is a health-conscious breakfast and lunch restaurant that serves both traditional and innovative dishes across the city. Their flagship store in Midtown Corner is where it all started, but we like the location on Hillsborough Street because it has tons of natural light and feels really inviting. 

As for the food, the lemon ricotta pancakes are the crowd favorite. They come with two multigrain pancakes enriched with whipped ricotta, topped with seasonal berries, creamy lemon curd, and a dusting of cinnamon sugar. The ricotta gives the cakes a rich, tender texture, while the lemon curd cuts through the sweetness with a bright, tangy edge.

The seasonal favorite we have our eyes on this Fall is the Pumpkin Pancake breakfast, which is a pumpkin-spiced pancake served with two cage-free eggs, Jones Dairy Farm all-natural chicken apple sausage patties, and maple syrup. The unique thing about these pancakes is they are multigrain rather than buttermilk, so even though they are still sweet and a little indulgent, they don’t feel quite so heavy. 

Eggs Up Grill

• Address: 6820 Davis Cir, Raleigh
• Website: eggsupgrill.com

For a classic breakfast with a side of fun and vibrancy, Eggs Up Grill delivers. Its buttermilk pancakes are fluffy and satisfying, and best enjoyed fresh off the griddle. The real draw is the lineup of sweet stacks. The strawberries and cream pancakes layer fluffy buttermilk cakes with house-made vanilla custard and fresh strawberries, and are served with sausage or bacon, while the caramel apple pancakes fold crisp apple-pie crumble into the batter before adding caramelized Fuji apples, caramel sauce, and powdered sugar.

For the full Southern-breakfast experience, order the Three Little Deuces, which comes with two pancakes alongside eggs and bacon or sausage. It’s unfussy and exactly the sort of breakfast that will fill you up for the whole day.

Pam’s Farmhouse

• Address: 5111 Western Blvd, Raleigh
• Website: pamsfarmhouserestaurant.shop

Another restaurant that’s unfussy and all about the quality of the food is Pam’s Farmhouse. The hotcakes are light, with fluffy centers and crisp, slightly crunchy edges, and have just enough sweetness that the pancakes barely need syrup. They are served with succulent meat offerings, such as bacon, link sausage, sausage patty or country ham, rather than sweet toppings.

The whole experience feels wonderfully Southern and charming. With friendly servers, unlimited coffee refills, and generous portions, we wouldn’t blame you if Pam’s became an extension of your home.

State Farmers Market Restaurant

• Address: 1240 Farmers Market Dr, Raleigh
• Website: realbiscuits.com

We’ve raved about the State Farmers Market Restaurant breakfast a few times, and we have to agree with our Raleigh community that their hot cakes are top-notch! They are huge, more than enough to fill the plate, and topped with traditional favs such as bananas, strawberries, pecans, chocolate chips, or blueberries. And like everything on the menu, they are all made to order and use fresh NC produce.

The hot cakes are delicious, but we also love this restaurant for the setting: it’s a proper country breakfast served beside one of North Carolina’s best-known farmers markets. The dining room is always bustling, has a rustic vibe, and feels uniquely Raleigh. You can also browse the farmers market after!

Little Rey at Raleigh Ironworks

• Address: 1101 E Whitaker Mill Rd, Raleigh
• Website: littlerey.com/raleigh 

Lastly, we have Little Rey, a Northern Mexican-inspired spot which is better known for wood-roasted chicken, tacos, and margaritas, but this is soon about to change. Come in on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and the cult-favorite Little Superica Hotcakes take over the griddle. These fluffy buttermilk creations are served with whipped butter and buttermilk syrup, and cost less than $6.

The cakes themselves are classic and fluffy, but the buttermilk syrup turns an otherwise familiar stack into something considerably more decadent. In fact, you might as well say you’re coming for buttermilk syrup with a side of hot cakes. The only downside is that breakfast runs on weekends only, but it’s well worth waiting the week for! 

More Raleigh restaurant tips:

• Where to eat breakfast in Raleigh (20 local spots
• Best brunch spots in Raleigh
• 24 coffee shops in Raleigh locals love
• Best hot dogs in Raleigh
• Where to find the best donuts in Raleigh