Where to Get the Best Pancakes in Sonoma County

From classic fluffy ones served up with eggs and bacon to lemon ricotta and supersize versions, here are some of our favorite pancakes right now.


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

Acorn Cafe
Lemon ricotta pancake at Acorn Cafe in Healdsburg. (Acorn Cafe)

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

Dutch Baby German-style pancake from Brothers Cafe in Santa Rosa
Dutch Baby, a German-style pancake with caramelized sugar, apples and a hint of nutmeg. Surrounded by, from left, the Sunshine with carrot, orange, ginger and turmeric; Prickly Pear Margarita; the Beet with carrot, celery, apple and ginger; and a Cafe Mocha on the menu at Brothers Cafe in Santa Rosa. Photo taken Thursday, April 27, 2023. (John Burgess / The Press Democrat)

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.