There’s some debate about the official date of National Pancake Day – although not for those of us for whom every day is a Pancake Day. The original seems to have been Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras), and the National Day people (yes, this is a thing) say it’s two different days each year. Pancakes are too fabulous to be limited to just one day like other foods, we suppose. Made famous with free pancakes on their designated day, IHOP celebrates a movable feast each spring, usually late Feb or early March, and theirs is 2/28 this year.
Whatevs. We searched the Queen City and surrounding area for the best pancakes, waffles, and breakfasts around and let’s just say — this list will have your mouth watering.
Napa on Providence & Napa at Kingsley
110 Perrin Place, 1310 Broadcloth St, Fort Mill, SC
Breakfast hours: Saturday and Sunday until 3 p.m.
The Scoop: An all-time favorite brunch includes options like chicken and waffles and indulgent french toast.
La Belle Helene
300 S Tryon St. Suite 100
Breakfast hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: La Belle Helene offers a variety of timeless French delicacies for brunch. If you’re in the mood for something on the sweeter side and similar to pancakes, order their banana fosters french toast with pure maple syrup and whipped french butter, or the Gaufre Au Sarrasin made with a Buckwheat Waffle, popped Sorghum, and vanilla maple syrup.
Church and Union
127 N Tryon St #8
Breakfast hours: Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Church and Union knows how to brunch. For National Pancake Day, order the Tempest Pancakes with local fermented honey and whipped butter.
Sweet Crunch Waffles
The Market at 7th St
Breakfast hours:
Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Scoop: If waffles are more your thing, head to Sweet Crunch located inside of The Market at 7th St where they serve liège waffles made-to-order, always fresh and hot off the iron. Some of our favorites include the Bacon, Bacon Waffle, Chocolate Stuffed Waffle, Maple Bacon, and Cookies N’ Cream. There are many delicious options to choose from, you’ll want to go back to try them all.
Fern, Flavors from the Garden
1419 East Blvd Suite A
Breakfast hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Scoop: A healthy alternative to pancakes is vegan cinnamon rolls from Fern, Flavors from the Garden. If you’re not in the mood for something sweet, they offer other vegan and vegetarian breakfast items such as their Chicken & Waffles and delicious Mac N Cheese.
Fahrenheit
222 S Caldwell St. 21st Floor
Breakfast hours: Sunday brunch served 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Scoop: With the Charlotte skyline in the background, enjoy these cap’n crunch pancakes during Sunday brunch made with vanilla milk reduction and sugar.
Snooze an A.M Eatery
1331 Central Ave Suite 100, 4425 Sharon Rd Suite S170, 2041 South Blvd Suite 106
Breakfast hours: Open 6:30 a.m. daily.
The Scoop: For National Pancake Day, Snooze will feature two of their top selling 2022 Pancake of the Week flavors: Cinnamon Toast Pancakes and Caramel Frappe Pancakes, from February 16 Р22. During those days, 100 percent of sales from those pancakes will benefit World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization founded by chef Jos̩ Andr̩s that provides fresh meals in response to crises around the globe.
Haberdish
3106 N Davidson St.
Breakfast hours: Served on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Enjoy Haberdish’s signature chicken and waffles with pearl sugar and liège wale each served with your choice of honey butter syrup or maple syrup. Another favorite is waffles with fruit, made with chef’s choice of house-made topping, and topped with whipped cream.
Ruby Sunshine
332 W Bland St.
Breakfast hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m – 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Choose from a pancake of the day, or choose a signature flavor like the cinnamon swirl pancakes or the white chocolate bread pudding pancakes.
Leroy Fox
South End & Cotswold
Breakfast hours: Available Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Southern inspired brunch can be found at this South End hot spot. A must have is their Chicken & Waffles with fried chicken breast, peach compote, over-easy egg, belgian waffle, and maple syrup. Yum.
Bistro La Bon
1322 Central Ave
Breakfast hours: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Scoop: Hungry? Head to Bistro La Bon for all you can eat brunch every Sunday. On Saturdays, brunch is a la carte and includes favorites such as Belgian Waffles and a Pork Chop Waffle, perfect to celebrate the holiday with.
Eddie’s Place
617 S Sharon Amity Road
Breakfast hours: Available all day, every day.
The Scoop: Order the large pancakes served with a choice of meat and side (pecans, almonds, cranberries, raisins, chocolate chips, peanut butter).
Famous Toastery
Various locations
Breakfast hours: All day, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Order your pancakes as banana nut, blueberry, raspberry walnut, chocolate chip, apple cinnamon, or coconut. Gluten-free batter is available, too.
Tupelo Honey
101 S Tryon St. #130
Breakfast hours: Saturday and Sunday until 4 p.m.
The Scoop: You can’t go wrong with their Mountain Blueberry Waffle ~ a scratch-made buttermilk waffle topped with scratch-made blueberry compote, fresh blueberries, whipped cream, and powdered sugar. Or try their famous “forever free” honey-dusted fried chicken* over buttermilk waffles. Delicious.
Flying Biscuit Cafe
Park Road & Rea Road
Breakfast hours: Breakfast served all day.
The Scoop: To celebrate National Pancake Month in February, Flying Biscuit Cafe is bringing back their Red Velvet Pancakes with topped with cream cheese frosting. Delicious.
First Watch
Concord, Huntersville, Matthews, Charlotte
Breakfast hours: Open daily at 7 a.m.
The Scoop: So many options from the griddle can be found at First Watch. Choose from lemon ricotta pancakes, multigrain banana granola crunch pancakes, Belgian waffles and french toast.
Easy Like Sunday
1600 E Woodlawn Road #100
Breakfast hours: Wednesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: A spot that boasts all-day breakfast and brunch items, including fried chicken and cornmeal pancakes, ricotta stuffed French toast, customizable fluffy pancakes and more.
Original Pancake House
Sharon Road, Charlottetowne Avenue
Breakfast hours: Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Pancake is in the name, so pancakes are their game. Get them just about any way you want; top your stack off with fresh fruit, bacon, whipped cream, chocolate chips, or even wrap them around sausage for Pigs in a Blanket.
The Egg Cafe
9525 Birkdale Crossing Dr., Huntersville
Breakfast hours: Open Monday – Saturday at 7 a.m., Sunday at 8 a.m.
The Scoop: Choose from full stacks of classic or specialty pancakes, plus waffle varieties including maple walnut, Nutella and banana, cinnamon roll, peanut butter and bacon, double chocolate and seasonal fruit.
Other Breakfast Options You Can’t Miss
The Waterman Fish Bar
2729 South Blvd suite d, Charlotte; 9615 Bailey Rd, Cornelius
Breakfast hours: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: A seafood lovers paradise. Head to The Waterman Fish Bar for Bon Voyage Brunch, with dishes featuring salmon, shrimp, and even lobster. Our favorites? The Lobster Bene (buttermilk biscuit, two poached eggs*, butter-poached lobster, Waterman Hollandaise) and the new Bourbon Berry French Toast (cream-filled & deep-fried Brioche, cinnamon, berry compote, whipped cream, powdered sugar).
Milkbread
1431 Central Ave, Charlotte; 624 Jetton St #110, Davidson
Breakfast hours: All day.
The Scoop: The masterminds behind Kindred and Hello, Sailor have created an all-day café that focuses on milk bread donuts, toasts, salads, bowls, crispy chicken, and coffee. A perfect spot to grab brunch with the girls or a morning pick-me-up on the way to work.
Mariposa
500 S Tryon St.
Breakfast hours: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Head Uptown for Mariposa’s weekend brunch that features dishes such as Smothered Fried Chicken Biscuit (fresh baked biscuits, fried chicken, sawmill gravy, hot sauce), Shakshuka (stewed tomatoes, barrel-aged feta, cilantro, toasted baguette) and a Pork Belly Bowl (sticky rice, kimchi, shaved cucumber, seaweed, poached egg).
While you’re there, trade in the traditional mimosa and order one of their brunch drinks instead. The Mariposa Espresso Martini will help keep you awake, with espresso, Vanilla Vodka, Espresso Liquer, Wake-Up Porter syrup, and dulce de leche whipped cream.
Que Fresca
1500 W Morehead St A
Breakfast hours:Â Served ALL DAY Saturday and Sunday.
The Scoop: Get excited Charlotte, there’s a new brunch option on the scene. Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar recently launched their all day weekend brunch with a Mexican twist, and it looks to be delicious. Pictured above is the Beef Machaca with braised beef and scrambled eggs, crispy cheese, Poblano crema poured on top with red onion and cilantro mixed crispy potatoes. A brunch drink menu will be available to accompany the food and classic favorites will still be available to order.
Rhino Market
Multiple locations in Charlotte
Breakfast hours: Until 11 a.m. M – F, until noon Saturday and Sunday.
The Scoop: If you’re looking for a quick and casual brunch, Rhino Market is your place. Take advantage of their build-your-own omelette option where the options seem endless, or try the classic breakfast burrito with scrambled egg, potato hash, sausage, Boar’s Head Sharp Wisconsin Cheddar cheese, and salsa.
Sunflour Baking Company
Various locations
Breakfast hours: Open daily until 4 p.m.
The Scoop: So many great breakfast options can be found at Sunflour, all small batch and made from scratch. Try one of their many breakfast sandwiches on your choice of bread; including the egg, cheddar, and avocado sandwich, and Sunny’s Special with egg, sausage, sundried tomato pesto, and arugula.
Haymaker
225 S Poplar St.
Breakfast hours: Saturday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Scoop: An Uptown go-to for weekend brunch. Try their breakfast sandwich made with jalapeño biscuits for the perfect pick-me-up.
Suffolk Punch
2911 Griffith St.
Breakfast hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Saturday and Sunday brunch 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Okay, pancakes might not be on the menu at this South End hotspot, but you’ll find other breakfast favorites including a breakfast sandwich, french toasted blueberry muffins, and the delicious chicken biscuit.
Cafe Monte French Bakery and Bistro
6700 Fairview Road #108
Breakfast hours: Tuesday through Sunday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: You can never go wrong brunching at this charming French bistro. French-country fares such as hot beignets, escargot and the Benedict Monte (croissant, smoked ham, two eggs, tomato, asparagus, hollandaise) lie on their Déjeuner Menu.
ROOTS Cafe
2135 Southend Dr #109
Breakfast hours: Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: A South End favorite, ROOTS Cafe serves breakfast and brunch all day, every day. A delicious option that can be a great replacement for pancakes is the Spiced Apple French Toast, with housemade pumpkin cornbread, spiced local apples, and maple cream.
300 East
300 East Blvd
Breakfast hours: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: Pizza for breakfast, anyone? At 300 East, order the Breakfast Pizza for the ultimate brunch dish. Made with house crust, chorizo, red sauce, cheddar-jack cheese, scallions, queso fresco, and fried eggs.
Eight + Sand
135 New Bern Street Retail A
Breakfast hours: Monday through Sunday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Scoop: At Eight + Sand, you can find breakfast toasts such as the Green Goddess Avacado with vegan Green Goddess Avacado spread, sliced avocado, arugula, pickled red onion, everything bagel season, fried egg, all on a sliced country sourdough. Another toast option is the Ricotta + Jam (pictured above) with fresh ricotta made in-house, strawberry house jam, on a thick-sliced wonder sourdough.
