Dublin’s best pancakes

Nestled in the contemporary city suburb of Portobello, ALMA. oozes the kind of modern, trendy brunch spot that Dublin prides itself on. The family-run restaurant serves unique brunches with a huge Argentinian influence on the seasonal menus, their brunch menu is of a high standard overall, but we’re here to talk about their pancakes. First up are the Smokey West Cork Buttermilk Pancakes, featuring smoked salmon fresh off Ireland’s southern Atlantic, and goat’s cheese cream, two poached eggs, fennel, radish, and pickled beets with mustard dill, topped off with agave syrup. ALMA. is undoubtedly going left of field, and this is a far cry from Nutella or bacon topped pancakes. However, the fresh and locally sourced ingredients used have allowed ALMA. to forge a unique pancake in Dublin City.

If you’re looking for something slightly more on the savoury side, the Dulce de Leche Pancakes are a delight. Brandy and orange mascarpone cheese are topped off with seasonal fruits, orange zest, and mint toasted almond nuts. Again, you’re not getting any traditional pancakes here, but the audaciousness of these combinations work a treat. The pancakes range from €14.70 – €17.30, so your stack might be more expensive than other spots. You are in for an unquestionably brilliant and one-of-a-kind experience at a contemporary location with ALMA.

Perched on one of Dublin’s liveliest streets, Metro Café is situated across from the iconic Grogan’s Castle Lounge pub, and George’s Street Arcade is a stone’s throw away from the café. There’s no doubt that Metro Café is in good company, and it has a very underrated breakfast menu which provides almost every opportunity to grab some fluffy golden pancakes in the heart of Dublin. You’ll find yourself sat inside a Parisian-esque café featuring large mirrors and a beautiful wall clock, only enhancing your experience. Their ‘Metro Special’ features scrambled eggs, cherry tomatoes, streaky rashers, all topped with insatiable relish from Ballymaloe. On the side of this delightful ‘mini fry’ you’ll find some fluffy pancakes dripping in golden syrup for just €12.75, which is a steal for a meal that would set you up for a whole day.

If you’re exclusively in for the pancakes, Metro Café will provide you with their delicious buttermilk pancakes, served with their honeyed butter and golden syrup. You can add bacon or berries for an extra euro, but a starting price of €9.50 for pancakes in Dublin is no mean feat. What’s more, Metro Café have somewhat of a ‘build your own breakfast’ option with bacon, eggs, pancakes, cheese, and avocado all available to add to an already beautiful breakfast!

Overlooking the stunning scene of the Dublin Docklands, herbstreet is a contemporary style restaurant with an all-day breakfast menu. Outdoor seating overlooks incoming barges, boats, and paddleboarders in the city’s summer sun. There’s no doubt herbstreet is one of the most idyllic breakfast spots in Dublin City. If you find yourself here at night, you’ll be basking in the red hue of the docklands stunning red lights.

Let’s get down to business. Herbstreet has a spectacular pancake stack menu. Whether you’re in for a big breakfast or just want a light treat, these guys offer small and large stacks of buttermilk pancakes. Your choices include chocolate chips and whipped cream or blueberries and orange honey butter. There’s a brilliant eco-conscious option too, featuring fresh fruit and organic maple syrup. The stacks range from €9.50 – €15.50, providing one of the most outstanding views over breakfast for a brilliant cost.

This pancake joint brings us to the north Dublin village of Drumcondra, where Andersons Creperie lies as a stalwart of the village. It’s a space that’s cherished by locals and is somewhat underrated within the food community in Dublin. Andersons is a beautiful wooden and stone interior built in a classic Irish café house. What’s brilliant about the place is that you’re getting high quality stacks without the Dublin City prices. There’s an American-style pancake, with options ranging from bananas, berries and bacon to add to those fluffy thick delicacies. This place is also rumoured to have some of the sweetest maple syrup in Dublin!

The pancakes range from €9.95 – €11.95, however the showpiece in Andersons are the Galettes – or savoury pancakes. These feature on an all-day breakfast menu and are made with buckwheat flour. You can top these savoury treats off with Emmental cheese, fried eggs, applewood cheddar, or pork sausage.

Taking inspiration from the delis of New York and Italian cafes, Juniors was born – a cosy, welcoming and fun restaurant located in Dublin 4. On its substantial (and very popular) breakfast menu, you’ll discover some amazing American pancakes that come with crispy bacon and maple syrup, which will only set you back €10,50. It’s a steal considering how good this dish is!

Casper & Giumbini’s, nestled in Dublin’s coastal suburb, Dún Laoghaire, is a stylish NYC-style brasserie with a contemporary vibe. Here, you can savour some of the city’s most refined pancakes – crafted with ricotta and blueberries for that perfect lightness, and topped with creamy crème fraîche, crisp pancetta, and a generous drizzle of maple syrup. The brunch menu extends to other sophisticated offerings like eggs Benedict, salmon and avocado on sourdough, and steak and eggs. The ambiance is chic and up-market, featuring white tablecloths, cosy ambient lighting, and top-notch service.

Loretta’s is a neighbourhood restaurant situated at Doyles Corner in Phibsborough, owned by Chef Jimmy Wiley and family. The dining room is spacious and relaxed, and the food is modern, tasty and bold — not least the pancakes! Made with buttermilk, they’re hot, fresh and light, and topped with a generous amount of maple syrup and smoked bacon. We recommend enjoying your brunch with one of Loretta’s special brunch cocktails — this place does one of the best Bloody Mary’s in town. The brunch menu doesn’t just include pancakes, there’s a range of other starry treats too, from a hearty full-Irish to homemade granola, there’s something for everyone.

The Cheeky Piglet, an award-winning café, charms with aromatic coffees, delightful loose teas, and a brilliant Irish breakfast/brunch menu featuring giant American pancakes. The pancake stack, generously topped with bacon, scrambled eggs, homemade jam, butter and quality maple syrup, isn’t for the faint hearted — make sure you arrive hungry! Quirky and cool, this spot offers live music on weekends, lively chatter and outdoor seating in warmer months.

Farmer Browns is a fantastic spot for families and large parties, offering spacious tables, a laid-back atmosphere, and ample room for buggies. During weekends, brunch is a day-long affair with an extensive menu. From hearty choices like the breakfast burrito with fries to lighter options like avocado and feta smash on brown bread, there’s something for everyone. The highlight? The generous pancake stack – four thick and fluffy American-style pancakes with delectable toppings such as Nutella, milk-chocolate ganache, berry compote, toasted pecans, spiced apple chunks, and streaky bacon. A delicious and satisfying indulgence!

Pog, boasting ‘exciting food, delicious coffee, and great vibes,’ has been serving some of Dublin’s best pancakes across three locations since 2014. The Howth branch, though small, is always buzzing with patrons in its light and airy space. Beyond inventive brunch dishes like gochujang beans and strawberry cheesecake French toast, there’s an entire menu dedicated to pancakes. From protein stacks with almond butter, berries and white chocolate to ‘design-your-own’ American pancakes, offering a range of toppings and sauces, including indulgent treats like Kinder Bueno sauce, crushed Oreos and marshmallows, or lighter options like fruit, honey and Greek yogurt. It’s a popular spot, especially on weekends, so booking ahead or arriving early is a wise move!