Toronto’s extensive pancake scene is bloated with participation trophies, but a true golden pancake is a rare and beautiful thing.
So, we’ve narrowed it down to the real winners. 13 spots that deliver true Toronto pancake excellence, from fluffy clouds to daring flavour mash-ups and Instagram-worthy towers.
Only the absolute best made the cut. Places that have elevated a simple griddle cake into a legitimate culinary statement.
The search for the best pancakes in Toronto has been a war, and these are the undisputed champions.
The Toronto Brunch Hit List: At a Glance
| Restaurant | Signature Dish | Vibe Check | Why It Made the Cut |
| Mildred’s Temple Kitchen | Mrs. Biederhof’s Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes | Industrial-chic elegance | A rite of passage for Toronto brunch fanatics. |
| Old School | Blueberry Hill Pancakes | Leave It to Beaver with a rock ‘n roll attitude | For proving that bacon belongs on pancakes. It’s a confident, delicious statement. |
| George Street Diner | The George Street Diner’s Buttermilk Pancakes | A cinematic relic | It’s a trip back in time and a reminder of what a real diner is supposed to be, pancakes included. |
| Fuwa Fuwa Dessert Cafe | Fuwa Fuwa Signature Soufflé Pancakes | A whimsical, cozy eggshell | For their textural revelation, these are unlike any other pancake on this list. |
| White Lily Diner | Buttermilk Griddle Cakes | Small-town, retro comfort | For proving that a pancake can be more than a sweet treat by focusing on quality and house-made ingredients. |
| The Good Fork | Blueberry Halva Pancakes | Unpretentious bistro with a playful edge | For its audacious, high-risk, high-reward take on brunch, a dish that demands attention. |
| Fran’s Restaurant | Classic Pancakes | A 24/7 Toronto institution | It’s a living piece of Toronto history, serving the same honest, comforting pancakes that have fueled generations. |
| School Restaurant | Black n’ Blue Flapjacks | A vibrant, no-homework classroom | It proves that a brilliant pancake recipe is a family business, focusing on the pure, classic berry pancake. |
| Stacked Pancake & Breakfast House | Cinnabun Pancakes | A sprawling, family-friendly chain | A monument to the simple, joyous gluttony that brunch was made for. |
| Almond Butterfly | Banana Nutella Pancakes | An accommodating, homey cafe | For showing that pancakes can be for everyone, a delicious one that happens to be gluten-free. |
| Eggstatic | Biscoff Lotus Pancakes | A trendy and vibrant chain restaurant | If you want pancakes that push boundaries, this is where to go. |
| Evviva | Fluffy Pancakes | Casual but polished brunch café | It has something for everyone without sacrificing quality. |
| Petit Dejeuner | Blueberry Pancakes with Scrambled Eggs | Part Belgian café, part downtown brunch hangout | The sweet-savoury pairing with eggs makes it one of the more complete, balanced pancake plates in the city. |
The 13 Best Pancake Spots in Toronto
Toronto’s pancake game is competitive. From jam-packed breakfast dens to hidden café gems, these thirteen spots deliver on all fronts. Expect innovation, indulgence, and unapologetic fluff.
1. Mildred’s Temple Kitchen
Signature Dish: Mrs. Biederhof’s Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes. Described as perfectly spongy with a lightly crispy exterior and an almost biscuit-like texture, the stack arrives with a wild blueberry compote, whipped cream, and organic maple syrup.
Vibe Check: Industrial-chic elegance with a bright, bustling, and open kitchen that feels both modern and comfortable
Address: 85 Hanna Ave
Why It Made the Cut: Mildred’s has had brunch enthusiasts flocking to Liberty Village for over a decade. The fact that the restaurant now sells its buttermilk pancake mix and wild blueberry compote in-house proves that this isn’t just a dish, it’s an institution.
2. Old School
Signature Dish: Blueberry Hill Pancakes. A towering stack of house-made buttermilk pancakes served with their signature blueberry compote, bacon, and a whipped brown sugar butter. The dish is a bold statement, celebrating the glorious union of sweet and savoury.
Vibe Check: A self-described throwback to the mid-twentieth century that feels like Leave It to Beaver with a little rock ‘n roll.
Address: 800 Dundas St W
Why It Made the Cut: Their decision to serve pancakes with bacon is the main event. They call theirs a “legendary” pancake, and the popularity and high ratings from over two thousand patrons suggest their claim isn’t just bravado.
3. George Street Diner
Signature Dish: George Street Diner’s Buttermilk Pancakes (pictured above). These are classic, no-fuss, fluffy buttermilk pancakes served with a fruit garnish. It’s an honest meal that has earned the loyalty of its customers.
Vibe Check: A cinematic relic. The diner has been featured in a Shawn Mendes music video and a Daniel Radcliffe film, giving it a nostalgic, 1950s-style movie-set quality with red vinyl booths and counter seating.
Address: 129 George St
Why It Made the Cut: While the pancakes themselves are exceptional, it’s the entire experience that solidifies its place on this list. Stepping into this diner is a trip back in time to an era of uncomplicated comfort food.
4. Fuwa Fuwa
Signature Dish: Fuwa Fuwa Signature Soufflé Pancakes. Unlike your typical pancakes, they are light, airy, and impossibly jiggly, dissolving in your mouth like a sweet cloud. The texture is often compared to a Japanese cheesecake: soft, thick, and sweet.
Vibe Check: Cute, cozy, and whimsical. The interior design is ingeniously crafted to mimic the concept of an egg with unique curved booth seating and plush yellow upholstery.
Address: Multiple locations, including 408 Bloor St W
Why It Made the Cut: This is a place for those who have grown tired of the standard breakfast disc. Fuwa Fuwa offers a dessert-forward pancake that is an entirely different food group altogether.
5. White Lily Diner
Signature Dish: Buttermilk Griddle Cakes. A back-to-basics approach to the pancake, focusing on the core ingredients. They are simple, classic griddle cakes, and diners can add blueberries, ricotta, or bacon on top. Ask for their house-made fermented hot sauce on the side, for a complex kick.
Vibe Check: A cozy, small-town spot in the middle of a bustling city. With retro mustard yellow and wood paneling, tight booths, and diner stools, the entire atmosphere feels genuine and welcoming.
Address: 678 Queen St E
Why It Made the Cut: This diner proves that the best pancakes don’t have to be a flashy spectacle. The focus here is on quality ingredients and house-made components, earning it a spot on Toronto’s Michelin Guide.
6. The Good Fork
Signature Dish: Blueberry Halva Pancakes. A buttermilk stack topped with a gloriously floral orange blossom ricotta, lemony blueberry, and crumbled halva. It is a complex, nutty, and sweet dish that is a prime example of the kind of audacious culinary thinking that makes Toronto’s food scene so vibrant.
Vibe Check: A casual bistro with a sophisticated menu. The atmosphere is cozy, cheerful, and unpretentious, with red and white decor that sets it apart from a standard greasy spoon.
Address: 1550 Dundas St W
Why It Made the Cut: The combination of Middle Eastern and North American flavors is a high-risk, high-reward gamble. The fact that this dish is a standout item on popular delivery apps speaks volumes about its success and unique appeal.
7. Fran’s Restaurant
Signature Dish: Classic, Banana, and Chocolate Chip Pancakes. Fran’s offers a trio of simple, fluffy, and soft pancakes. The classic pancake is a no-frills breakfast treat, while the banana and chocolate chip options add a sweet twist without overcomplicating the dish.
Vibe Check: A 24-hour Toronto institution. Since 1940, Fran’s has been a haven for classic comfort food as a traditional family-owned diner that eagerly welcomes guests into a warm atmosphere.
Address: 200 Victoria St and 20 College St
Why It Made the Cut: Fran’s is a living piece of Toronto history. While other spots chase the latest trends, Fran’s remains steadfast, serving the same honest, comforting pancakes that have fueled generations of late-night escapades and early-morning cravings.
8. School Restaurant
Signature Dish: Black n’ Blue Flapjacks. This classic pancake dish consists of a tall stack of buttermilk flapjacks with a black and blueberry sauce, real whipped cream, and maple syrup. The dish is a cornerstone of the restaurant’s reputation, known for its fluffy texture and sweet toppings.
Vibe Check: A vibrant, bustling atmosphere. Known for its “no homework” policy and a back-to-basics approach that focuses on simple ingredients and friendly service.
Address: 70 Fraser Ave
Why It Made the Cut: As the sister restaurant to Old School, this establishment proves that a brilliant pancake recipe is a family business. While Old School’s bacon-forward approach is a knockout, School’s focus on the pure, classic berry pancake is a beautiful and simple thing.
9. Stacked Pancake House
Signature Dish: Cinnabun Pancakes. This is a stack that is swirled with caramelized brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, served with whipped brown butter and real maple syrup. It’s a promise of a sweet experience bursting with flavour.
Vibe Check: A sprawling, family-friendly chain that has made its name by embracing abundance. You can find anything from a classic breakfast combo to a full-on “Pancake Party Pack” that feeds an army.
Address: Multiple locations, including 425 Danforth Ave and 394 Queen St W
Why It Made the Cut: It’s a monument to the simple, joyous gluttony that brunch was made for. It doesn’t pretend to be an upscale bistro or a cozy neighbourhood spot; it’s dedicated to making sure you leave with a food coma.
10. Almond butterfly
Signature Dish: Banana Nutella Pancakes. This unique dish is a triple stack with bananas, Nutella, hazelnuts, and whipped cream. What truly sets it apart is that it’s gluten-free, a rare and important option in a city that is growing more conscious of dietary restrictions.
Vibe Check: A cozy, accommodating cafe. Almond Butterfly is a gluten-free establishment with a warm, homey atmosphere.
Address: 792 Dundas St W
Why It Made the Cut: This place made a delicious pancake that happens to be gluten-free. This is a critical distinction, as it shows that flavour was not sacrificed in the pursuit of dietary compliance.
11. Eggstatic
Signature Dish: Biscoff Lotus Pancakes. These soft, pillowy pancakes are drenched in a creamy cookie-butter sauce, strewn with crushed Lotus biscuits, fresh berries, and vanilla ice cream. Take in the dreamy blend of textures and flavours from crunchy cookies, tart fruit, and ice cream against warm cake.
Vibe Check: A trendy and vibrant chain restaurant. Expect Instagram-worthy plating, lots of energy, and portions meant to impress.
Address: 1568 Bayview Ave
Why It Made the Cut: These pancakes go above and beyond, a spectacle of flavour mashups and textures. If you want pancakes that push boundaries, this is where to go.
12. Evviva
Signature Dish: Fluffy Pancakes. A stack of four pancakes crowned with bright berry compote, dollops of whipped cream, a drizzle of pure Canadian maple syrup, and a dusting of confectioner’s sugar. They make a vegan version, too.
Vibe Check: Casual but polished brunch café. It’s spacious and bright with friendly staff and both a classic and a vegan menu.
Address: Multiple locations, including 25 Lower Simcoe St and 56 Wellesley St W
Why It Made the Cut: For diners looking for diverse and accommodating options, Evviva is the place to go. It has something for everyone without sacrificing quality.
13. Petit Dejeuner
Signature Dish: Blueberry Pancakes with Scrambled Eggs. These fluffy pancakes are bursting with berries, served alongside gently scrambled eggs, so you get that sweet and savoury contrast.
Vibe Check: Part Belgian café, part downtown brunch hangout. The vintage-meets-European décor and friendly staff give it the feel of a neighbourhood institution rather than a trendy one-and-done brunch stop.
Address: 191 King St E
Why It Made the Cut: Petit Déjeuner treats pancakes with the same respect as their famous waffles: light, flavourful, and never soggy. The sweet-savoury pairing with eggs makes it one of the more complete, balanced pancake plates in the city.
Craving carbs yet?
Bookmark this list, your future self will thank you. Toronto pancakes wait for no one.
The Syrup-Soaked Truth: Questions, Answered Without the BS.
Pancakes vs. Waffles: Settle it. For real.
The batter may be similar, but the texture and experience are completely different. One side cherishes the smooth, even cook and superior stacking ability, while the other values the crispy edges and the ability to prevent syrup from contaminating the bacon. Ultimately, the quality of a pancake is far easier to get right, which makes it a more reliable bet than a waffle. We’ll take a good pancake over a bad waffle any day.
What about my allergies? Are there gluten-free or vegan options?
The scene has evolved. You’re no longer relegated to a limp side salad. Toronto has developed a number of spots that offer full, plant-based, or gluten-free menus. For pancakes, you’ve got dedicated havens like Almond Butterfly for the gluten-sensitive, while Evviva offers a full vegan menu.
Why is there always a line?
Because you’re not the only one who knows good food. Popularity is a double-edged sword. A wait signals that the restaurant is a destination, not just a place to eat. You can either go early, opt for a weekday visit, or be prepared to put in the time. The wait is part of the experience, a price to pay for a taste of greatness.
Can I get pancakes delivered?
A: Delivery exists, but pancakes rarely survive the trip without losing texture. Pick a brunch spot, sit down, eat immediately, and thank yourself.
Where do I go for over-the-top pancakes?
Toronto has plenty of classic stacks, but if you want something Instagram-worthy, hit Eggstatic for cookie-butter-drenched pancakes, or Stacked Pancake House for seasonal flavours and dessert-forward flapjacks.
Eat Like You Mean It
Seek perfection in simplicity, indulge without guilt, and experience a slice of Toronto culture one bite at a time.
These 13 spots guarantee a breakfast (or brunch, or even dinner) you’ll remember. And yes, they all pass the vibe check.
Bookmark this list, gather your crew, and go eat like you mean it. Then, argue over which spot reigns supreme, because half the fun is finding your favourite stack.
by Daisy Lankstead
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