Weekend brunch is a significant event in Houston, Texas and no weekend brunch is quite the same without a large serving of tasty pancakes. Think about it. You can’t beat that melting butter mixing with the thick, warm maple syrup, can you?
We haven’t even touched on the variety you’re afforded when deciding which pancakes to savor. From buttermilk pancakes to red velvet pancakes to gluten-free varieties, there is enough choice with pancakes to make your mouth water.
What follows is a list of spots where you’ll find the best pancakes in Houston. They’ll be perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch or a Sunday morning outing for the family. And if you’re a visitor to the city, prepare to treat your tastebuds!
Dish Society
Dish Society is a relaxed family restaurant that offers farm-to-table fare. Locally-sourced ingredients are the order of the day at The “Dish.” It’s located in the Memorial area of Houston and adds a contemporary southern twist to longstanding favorite meals. It also serves some of the best red velvet pancakes in the Houston area.
The diner has three different pancake menu items. There are buttermilk pancakes, house-made and a perfect option for the traditionalist. Gluten-free pancake options cater perfectly to the health-conscious. On the other end of the scale, the decadence of the red velvet pancakes offers pure delight to those of us with an insatiable sweet tooth.
Topped with thick cream cheese, these plate-sized, fluffy pancakes offer guests a few minutes in heaven. Powdered sugar and fresh fruit make a fine supporting cast, and you can further supplement these velvety pancakes with extras. Candied pecans and white chocolate chips immediately spring to mind.
Your visit to Dish Society will be memorable, even if only to sample its Nutella french toast and candied pecans!
Le Peep
Le Peep isn’t specifically a pancake spot, but you wouldn’t believe it. It has some of the best breakfast options in Houston, including tasty skillets and benedicts. Despite these, it should be a primary destination for any pancake person. There are cinnamon pecan nut pancakes, strawberry pancakes, granola almond pancakes, and many more.
Health-conscious customers can choose whole wheat pancakes that don’t limit pancake flavors. It’s only the batter that differs. La Peep has been operating for 45 years, with locations in thirteen states and five outlets in Houston alone. And if you’re looking for convenience on top of a prime quality, you can also order your pancakes to go!
Le Peep prepares all of its food daily. You’ll always receive fresh and delicious pancakes when enjoying breakfast in a Le Peep establishment. Whether you’re a Houston native or a visitor to the city, Le Peep is certainly worth calling on for some of the best pancakes in Houston.
Black Walnut Cafe
Black Walnut Cafes are spread around Houston, with six locations within the city. The Black Walnut’s menu is massive and its newest addition is the delectable lemon blueberry pancake stack. This special consists of three buttermilk pancakes, blueberry preserves, lemon zest, and lemon-flavored cream cheese icing. Powdered sugar is added, and it’s topped with real maple syrup.
Pancake batters are available in traditional, multigrain, or chocolate chips. They’re available until 11 am on weekdays and 4 pm over weekends, with gluten-friendly options available. Oatmeal griddle cakes are also on the menu. A regular pancake stack comprises two buttermilk cakes, sugar powder, and honey-whipped butter, all coated with pure maple syrup.
Besides pancakes, Black Walnut Cafe offers other incredible food options. It runs specials like Taco Tuesdays and offers gift cards to its patrons. There is a wholesome family ambiance, and it truly does deliver some of the best pancakes in Houston and Texas as a whole.
Dot Coffee Shop
Dot Coffee Shop is a true Houston institution, having faithfully served the community since 1967! It fills your regular breakfast fare, often including pancakes as part of its breakfast combos. Of course, you can order the delicious pancakes on their own too.
There’s no specific time to serve breakfast at Dot, and breakfast and pancakes are available 24 hours per day, seven days per week. For the sweet tooth, a wide variety of options complement the buttermilk batter. These include caramel, bananas, candied pecans, and whipped cream. If you prefer a savory breakfast, there’s bacon, patty sausage, and ham on the menu.
You won’t only find your standard buttermilk cakes. Some featured items on the menu include unique pancakes like pecan nuts and banana nuts. Experience is a good thing, and Dot has oodles of it, while the coffee shop has also succeeded in evolving for the better through the decades. Call on this pancake standard for some of the best pancakes in Houston.
Baby Barnaby’s
Baby Barnaby’s is only one of several members of the local Barnaby’s chain scattered around Houston. Still, it deserves a separate mention due to the size and quality of its pancakes. Yes, the selection is limited, but their quality truly makes them some of Houston’s best pancake offerings.
You may struggle to finish a single pancake at Baby Barnaby’s – they’re bigger than the plate on average! You can choose from apple pecan, banana walnut, and blueberry options. Remember to check beforehand, though, as all these fruit pancakes are seasonal. If they aren’t in season, remember to schedule your next Houston trip when they are!
You still have options if you’ve chosen an unseasonal time to visit. Try french toast or a buttermilk waffle, or go for the corned beef hash and eggs. They’re not pancakes, but they won’t disappoint.
Snooze A.M. Eatery
Snooze has arrived in Houston, and along with it comes the chain’s renowned specialty blueberry danish pancakes. This signature house-made buttermilk pancake features a sweet cream, blueberry coulis, and almond streusel topping enveloping a lemon creamed cheese center. For this pancake alone, Snooze A.M. Eatery makes our list.
That’s not to say the other pancakes they sell aren’t worth their weight in the batter. Snooze’s full menu range is now in Houston. This means you can order the pineapple upside-down cakes, the strawberry shortcake ones, and the delicious chocolate chip pancake as well.
On the fall menu, pumpkin pecan pie pancakes become available, as does the signature pancake flight. For those who don’t know, the pancake flight includes a combination of three flight-sized pancakes. Included are the famous pineapple upside down, blueberry danish, and pumpkin pecan pie pancake itself.
You can also enjoy the famous seasonal cranberry orange pancakes during the holiday season. Snooze A.M. Eatery is long overdue in the Houston area. Now that it has arrived, customers can enjoy breakfast with some of the best pancakes in Houston.
Buffalo Grille
The Buffalo Grille has been in Houston since 1984, and it’s all Texan! Owned by a seventh-generation Texan family, you’ll never go short on a portion when you enter its doors. Buffalo Grille’s pancakes are enormous, and they’re delicious too! With three Houston locations, it’s not hard to find but be prepared with an empty belly when you arrive.
Breakfast at the Buffalo can be a long affair. Navigating the menu for pancakes on offer is easy. You’ll pay a certain price for regular, another fee for including one fruit or nut, and a third price for an additional topping. The Grille’s short stack option gives you three small hotcakes. Whole wheat pancakes are also available, but they’ll cost you a little more for the batter.
A pancake person can go to town at the Buffalo Grille. The breakfast pancakes are the size of the plate they’re served on, and the prices are really affordable. The owners’ Texan heritage means you’ll get your money’s worth in true Lone Star State tradition, and the pancakes are some of Houston’s best too.
FAQs
Where do I get the best chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast in Houston?
The Black Walnut Cafe serves up some of Houston’s best chocolate chip pancakes, and most people who’ve tasted them will agree. The Walnut Cafe puts its chocolate chips inside its batter, making unique pancakes.
Who has the most unique pancakes in Houston?
Snooze makes unique breakfast pancakes, including its original pineapple upside-down and pumpkin pecan pie offerings. If you’re looking for a unique pancake flavor, they could be the ones to try.
Which Houston eateries serve bacon with pancakes?
The Buffalo Grille serves pancakes with a side of bacon, perfect for a hearty breakfast.
Which pancake spots in Houston have the best fresh fruit pancakes?
Baby Barnaby’s has sublime seasonal fruit pancakes with a choice of blueberry, banana walnut, and apple pecan. Just remember to check what’s available, especially if you’re only visiting the city.