For an authentic pancake house experience, count on these New England eateries to deliver — deliciously.
Best Pancake Houses in New England | Polly’s Pancake Parlor
Photo Credit : Chris BurnettThere’s something so warm and homey about a New England pancake house, especially when that stack of fluffy cakes comes with a side of genuine (and maybe even freshly made) New England maple syrup. We love these northern New England pancake houses for their inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and high-quality syrup. All are especially good destinations during New England’s maple season (approximately late February to early April), either as a much-needed respite from a long, cold winter or as a hearty fuel-up for warmer-weather activities.
An iconic restaurant in the White Mountains town of Sugar Hill, Polly’s has been serving up homemade pancakes for more than 75 years. So it’s safe to say they’ve figured out the formula for the thickest, fluffiest pancakes — the kind that can make an instant flapjack convert out of anyone. In fact, the folks at Polly’s are so confident in their recipe that they actually sell pancake mixes so that their fans can enjoy a delicious stack of cakes at home. In addition to the vaunted pancakes (all of which are served with New Hampshire maple syrup, Polly’s maple spread, and granulated maple sugar), look for a wide selection of other breakfast options, as well as soups, salads, and sandwiches.
See More: Polly’s Pancake Parlor | Best Breakfast in the White Mountains
For more than 25 years, Intervale Farm has been serving up top-notch pancakes at its rustic restaurant on Flanders Road. The property also doubles as a maple sugaring operation in the spring, meaning your stack of pancakes comes with a generous drizzle of authentic maple syrup made on-site. The pancakes can be prepared plain or with blueberries, cranberries, apples, or chocolate chips. Intervale Farm also offers other breakfast staples, like the “Hungry Man” (three eggs with toast, home fries, bacon, sausage, and pancakes) and the lighter “Not-So-Hungry Man” (for those without time for an afternoon nap).
Johnny Boy’s Pancake House guarantees that you’ll never leave hungry, and — given the wide selection of not only pancakes but also breakfast staples here — we’d say that’s an accurate statement. Choose from pancake varieties including buttermilk, blueberry, strawberry, chocolate chip, banana, silver dollar, and multigrain, all served with Vermont maple syrup. Or try the hearty “House Omelet” or one of the rotating specials, such as fresh blueberry cream cheese French toast. Lunch is served, too, making Johnny Boy’s a great stop before or after you hit the slopes.
It perhaps does not get any more quintessentially New England than at the famous Parker’s Maple Barn Restaurant, with its unique dining room in an 1800s wooden dairy barn and silo, plus handmade tables, decorative antique farm items adorning the walls, and a wood stove with a burning fire when it’s cold. Parker’s is located in the rural woods of Mason, NH, and is also the home to a maple sugaring operation, where all the maple products and syrup served with breakfast are produced. Before or after your meal, be sure to take a full tour of the operation during maple season. Try the 6-inch buttermilk, blueberry, buckwheat, pumpkin, or special flavor of the month pancakes to soak up that delicious homemade syrup, or make it a full Parker’s special by adding eggs, bacon, ham, and sausage.
See More: A Visit to Parker’s Maple Barn Restaurant in Mason, NH
Situated in a c. 1660 white colonial home and outfitted with charming country farm decor, Stephanie’s offers an ideal setting for a delicious meal — especially a stack of pancakes selected from a wide range of flavors, from classic buttermilk to banana dot, cinnamon, peach, and potato (served with sour cream and hot apples). Bottomless coffee accompanies those tasty pancakes — or waffles, omelets with all the fixings, sandwiches, or entrees. And thanks to its North Shore location, Stephanie’s provides the perfect excuse for a quick, tasty trip out of Boston.
Located in the heart of the White Mountains, Flapjack’s is a cozy farmhouse-style restaurant where the thick, fluffy pancakes are always made from scratch. There are plenty of inventive flavors to choose from (even fluffernutter!), along with classics such as buttermilk, blueberry, chocolate chip. Look for hearty breakfast options, too, such as three-egg omelets and thick Texas toast with maple butter, to top off your tank before a day of fun in the mountains.
Do you have a favorite New England pancake house? Let us know!
This post was first published in 2018 and has been updated.
As Digital Assistant Editor, Cathryn writes, manages, and promotes content for NewEngland.com and its social media channels. Prior to this role, she lived and worked on Martha’s Vineyard as a newspaper reporter, covering everything from environmental issues and education to crime and politics. Originally from New Hampshire, Cathryn spends most of her time out of the office on the trails, slopes, or by the water.
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