From upscale urban cafés to country-style mom-and-pop diners, restaurants across Hudson County are using pancakes to showcase their culinary skills and unique spin on this delectable and traditional breakfast staple. Thankfully, for those who are aficionados of this fluffy treat, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to find out where to find pancakes in Hoboken and Jersey City.
Jersey City
Life Pancake Company | 426 Jersey Avenue
Previously the infamous Brownstone Diner, this revamped spot has taken the breakfast classic a step further by offering 25 variations on traditional pancakes. The extensive menu ranges from options like the Plain Jane Buttermilk pancakes to options like the Meat Lover Pancakes, served with ham, bacon, and sausage inside. The pancakes ingredients include M&Ms, Oreos, chocolate-covered strawberries, Greek yogurt, bananas, walnuts, fresh fruit, peanut butter, caramel sauce, whipped cream, apple compote, raisins, ice cream, Nutella, pretzels, avocado, and bacon {just to name a few!}. The innovation doesn’t stop there: the menu also offers six “pancake wraps” {think a super-sized stuffed pancake}, with options like their popular Guy Fieri’s Triple “D” pancake wrap, made with buffalo fried chicken, mozzarella cheese, roasted red peppers, and blue cheese dressing. All pancakes can be made gluten-free or with buckwheat.
Buddy’s JC | 247 Washington Street
Serving pancakes with maple syrup is a time-honored American tradition, but Buddy’s JC has taken the breakfast classic a step further by jazzing up its pancake menu with its well-known “Cereal Pancakes.” These cereal- stuffed pancakes are offered with five different kinds of cereal, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Captain Crunch, Fruity Pebbles, Trix, and Coco Pebbles.
Martha’s Jersey City | 308 Pacific Avenue
When you’re craving a home-style delicious breakfast, Martha’s is the go-to spot for pickup or delivery in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. This neighborhood staple serves up delicious fluffy pancakes, with the option to top them with strawberries, blueberries, powdered sugar, and maple syrup. At only $6.50, these pancakes are the perfect addition to any of Martha’s other hearty breakfast items.
Brightside Tavern | 141 Bright Street
This long-time Jersey City staple is serving up hearty pancakes on its weekend brunch menu. For $10, you get three large pancakes, a side of fresh fruit, a side of toast, and your choice of home fries or french fries. The pancakes can be topped with blueberries, and bonus, the brunch special includes an entrée with three mimosas or blood Mary’s for only $20!
Beechwood Cafe | 290 Grove Street
This cozy café is a staple in downtown Jersey City and serves up a delicious pancake menu seven days a week. It offers the popular Beachwood pancakes, served with homemade strawberry jam and warm maple syrup, and the mixed berry pancakes, topped with homemade blueberry compote, raspberry compote, and warm maple syrup. If you’re into Nutella {who isn’t?}, the Devil’s Nu Pancakes are made with Nutella and fresh strawberries and bananas. Beechwood’s sister café B18, located at 18 Park Avenue, also serves up fresh pancakes seven days a week.
Read More: 14 North Jersey Diners You *Must* Add to Your Bucket List
Mathew’s Food and Drink | 351 Grove Street
If you’re searching for an elevated spin on pancakes, this lively neighborhood restaurant is the spot to check out for brunch on the weekends. Matthew’s offers a lemon ricotta pancake, topped with berry compote, honey pecan butter, and Vermont maple syrup {yes, please!}.
Gia Gelato | 281 Newark Avenue
This hidden gem is a great little spot with delicious food and friendly staff. It serves breakfast all day and offers a few different light and fluffy buttermilk pancakes. Pancakes can be ordered with fresh fruit, Nutella, bananas, and walnuts. Added bonus, this spot is BYOB, so BYO mimosas are encouraged.
City Diner | 31 Montgomery Street
When you’re craving breakfast for lunch or dinner, City Diner is the downtown diner to check out. It serves up a selection of buttermilk pancakes, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with butter and warm syrup. You can choose from a wide selection of pancakes such as old-fashioned pancakes, chocolate chip, apple pie pancakes, and Nutella banana pancakes to name a few.
Lighthorse Tavern | 199 Washington Street
This modern American tavern is a popular neighborhood spot known for its delicious brunches on the weekends. The menu offers lemon ricotta pancakes with maple butter and blueberries, made with local and seasonal ingredients.
The Franklin | 159 New York Avenue
This Italian brunch and dinner spot in Jersey City Heights is open daily for brunch and dinner. Here you can find decadent ricotta pancakes topped with fresh seasonal berries and served with potatoes or salad and your choice of sourdough or whole-grain toast. This cozy brunch and dinner spot is also BYOB.
Short Grain | 183 Montgomery Street
This cute neighborhood café and eatery is located in the historic Van Vorst Park district of downtown Jersey City and is serving up brunch seven days a week. Here you find lemon ricotta hotcakes served both sweet and savory. Get these light and rich hotcakes with fresh berries and honey or with fried eggs, bacon, and maple syrup.
Vegan AF in the Heights | 291 Central Avenue
This new vegan hot-spot in Jersey City Heights is a vegan pancake lovers’ dream! Vegan AF is whipping up eight different pancake options on its delicious breakfast menu {served all day}. All ingredients are 100% plant-based, and pancakes range from a plain stack to options topped with fresh fruit, veggie tofu scramble, and vegan bacon and sausage. All pancakes are served with vegan butter, syrup, and whipped cream.
Kitchen Step | 500 Jersey Avenue
When you’re in the mood for an elevated brunch experience, check out weekend brunch at this downtown bistro. This popular brunch spot is serving up their Nutella swirl pancakes, made with Misunderstood Whiskey maple syrup and summer berry compote.
Battello | 502 Washington Street
If you’re looking for an elevated weekend brunch spot, look no further than Battello. This locale offers olive oil pancakes, made with summer berry compote and whipped butter. Enjoy these decadent pancakes with breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline.
Hoboken
Il Tavolo di Palmisano | 700 Clinton Street
This cozy Italian spot is offering a new brunch menu, taking authentic Italian family recipes, and adding a modern spin. Its new brunch menu offers lemon ricotta pancakes topped with whipped cream and fresh berries. We recommend pairing it with their limoncello spritzer for the full brunch experience.
See More: The Best Italian Delis in Hoboken
Turning Point | 1420 Frank Sinatra Drive
This Hoboken restaurant is serving up breakfast, brunch, and lunch seven days a week. It prides itself on offering the highest-quality and freshest meals. The menu has a creative and innovative selection of pancakes, too, as the flight of pancakes allows you to choose any three selections from the menu. Customer favorites include the cinnamon roll pancakes topped with cream cheese frosting and the bourbon walnut banana pancakes topped with banana slices, chopped walnuts, and a bourbon-infused caramel sauce. Turning Point also has an “I Can’t Believe They’re Vegan Pancakes” for those looking for a plant-based pancake option.
Zack’s Oak Bar + Restaurant | 232 Willow Avenue
This popular spot is known for its contemporary American cuisine and warm hospitality. It serves up brunch on the weekends, with ingredients all sourced from local vendors. The buttermilk pancakes are made fresh to order with brown butter apples and caramel sauce.
La Bouche | 207 Washington Street
This stylish French restaurant is serving up coffee, breakfast, brunch, and lunch Tuesday through Saturday. This European inspired café has a selection of crêpes {pancakes with a French twist}. Savory options include the mushroom crêpe, made with Swiss cheese, ham, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers and served with fresh greens. The sweet selection of crêpes includes their Nutella crêpe, made with Nutella, banana, and chocolate sauce, or the fruity crêpe, made with strawberries and bananas topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
La Isla | 104 Washington Street
This Hoboken institution is described as where “Havana meets Miami” but in Hoboken. With two locations, both spots are serving up brunch on the weekends. The menu includes traditional interpretations of Cuban cuisine. The brunch menu keeps it simple, offering buttermilk pancakes served with organic maple syrup and topped with fresh fruit.
