From ancient Romans to millennial brunchers, pancakes have long been a favorite breakfast-time tummy-warmer — and mimosa accomplice.
Read on below to see some of our Sonoma County favorites, and click through the above gallery for a sneak peak.
The Classic
Dierk’s Parkside Café, Santa Rosa: Simple, fluffy pancakes served up with eggs and bacon at one of Santa Rosa’s fave breakfast spots. 404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-573-5955, dierksparkside.com
Sleeper Hit
Fandee’s Restaurant, Sebastopol: Rich, fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes are one of my favorites, served with berries and vanilla crème anglaise. 7824 Covert Lane, Sebastopol, 707-829-2462, fandeesrestaurant.com
Best Newcomer
Acorn Cafe, Healdsburg: The new Acorn Cafe in Healdsburg’s former Oakville Grocery features a vegan lemon ricotta hotcake on its menu, served with house lemon curd, whipped ricotta, oat crumble and topped with a scoop of lemon lavender ice cream. 124 Matheson St., 707-955-7001, Healdsburg, acornhealdsburg.com
Big and Buttery
Jeffrey’s Hillside Cafe, Santa Rosa: Buttermilk pancakes as big as dinner plates, served with two eggs and choice of bacon, sausage or ham. 2901 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-546-6317, jeffreyshillsidecafe.com
Brunch Favorite
Verano Cafe, Sonoma: Plate-size lemon pancakes are fluffed up with cottage cheese, eggs and lemon for a unique take on the traditional stack at this favored Sonoma cafe. Grab a fresh mimosa (passion fruit is a favorite) or a well-made cup of coffee while you wait. 18976 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-931-6837, veranocafesonoma.com
Bavarian-Style
Brother’s Cafe, Santa Rosa: The owners behind Sebastopol’s popular Hole in the Wall opened twin restaurant Brother’s Cafe in 2022. The Santa Rosa cafe serves a similar breakfast menu to the Sebastopol outpost (all day). Don’t miss the Dutch Baby German pancake with caramelized sugar and apples. 3135 Cleveland Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-541-6345, brotherscafesr.com
Fill ’Er Up
Sax’s Joint, Petaluma: Open wide for a pancake the size of a pizza. Using a half-gallon of batter, it’s any child’s dream. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com
Farm-to-Table
Americana, Sebastopol and Santa Rosa: Pancakes hot from the griddle are top-notch. Choose from classic, blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes, served with housemade vanilla cider maple syrup, whipped cream and seasonal fruit. 162 N. Main St. Sebastopol, 707-827-3309; 205 Fifth St., Suite A, Santa Rosa, 707-755-1548, americanasonomacounty.com
Best with Your Dog
Howard Station Cafe, Occidental: This dog-friendly, locomotive-themed cafe offers stacks of buttermilk, blueberry and banana walnut pancakes. 3611 Bohemian Highway, Occidental, 707-874-2838, howardstationcafe.com
Maci Martell contributed to this article.