
The Pancake Pantry - Nashville
A Nashville breakfast institution since 1961, renowned for its scratch-made, fluffy pancakes and unique, indulgent syrups.

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Must-see attractions
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The Pancake Pantry - Nashville

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Nashville breakfast institution since 1961, renowned for its scratch-made, fluffy pancakes and unique, indulgent syrups.
"It's a Nashville tradition that I'll keep coming back to every chance I get."
Visit on Weekdays
Avoid longer wait times by visiting on weekdays if possible, especially during peak hours.
Try Signature Syrups
Don't miss the signature syrups, like cinnamon cream, that truly elevate the pancake experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Fluffy Pancakes with Signature Syrups
Indulge in a variety of fluffy pancakes with unique syrups like cinnamon cream or maple with vanilla.

Legendary Nashville Breakfast Spot
A beloved breakfast institution serving delicious pancakes, egg dishes, and sandwiches since 1961.

Exceptional Server Service
Enjoy attentive and friendly service from standout servers who make the dining experience memorable.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Visit on Weekdays
Avoid longer wait times by visiting on weekdays if possible, especially during peak hours.
Try Signature Syrups
Don't miss the signature syrups, like cinnamon cream, that truly elevate the pancake experience.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers like Ashley or Frank are happy to offer recommendations for top-notch meal choices.
Pancake Sampler
Consider the pancake sampler to taste as many delicious varieties as possible in one sitting.
Tips
from all over the internet
Visit on Weekdays
Avoid longer wait times by visiting on weekdays if possible, especially during peak hours.
Try Signature Syrups
Don't miss the signature syrups, like cinnamon cream, that truly elevate the pancake experience.
Ask for Server Recommendations
Servers like Ashley or Frank are happy to offer recommendations for top-notch meal choices.
Pancake Sampler
Consider the pancake sampler to taste as many delicious varieties as possible in one sitting.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Pancake Pantry is a highly-regarded Nashville breakfast institution, celebrated for its consistently delicious, fluffy pancakes and diverse flavor options, particularly its unique syrups. While the wait can be long, diners overwhelmingly find it worthwhile, praising the friendly service and classic diner atmosphere that makes it a beloved tradition for locals and tourists alike. Some minor complaints include the candied bacon being served at room temperature and the occasional overwhelming sweetness of certain toppings.
"Went to the Pancake Pantry in downtown Nashville. We got there really early as our flight got in at 630. We were lucky and we got there before the crowd. When we left there was a pretty long line to get into the restaurant. We got a few different kinds of pancakes and some Biscuits and Gravy. Everything was really good and as ordered. It was a bit of a wait to get our order put in and the food to come out. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience."
Steve Metz
"A quaint quiet breakfast spot.
Staff was friendly and food was great.
I ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice, the candied bacon, and the choice of 3 types of pancakes. I went with plain, chocolate chip, and the cinnamon.
The cinnamon was so light, I expected it to be heavy but it surprised me as my favorite.
The chocolate chip was covered in chocolate chips. A little too much for my liking but I was able to just scrape them off the top.
The plain unfortunately I saved for last but love the other 2 too much I didn't have any room left to try this one.
The candied bacon was good. However I did expect it to be hot and fresh and it was served room temperature. Im not sure if that was intended or not.
The orange juice was amazing. I could have drank a gallon of it.
Overall. Great stop! Would recommend."
Patricia Nielsen
"I can’t say enough good things about my visit to Pancake Pantry! The food was everything I hoped for fluffy pancakes cooked perfectly, rich syrup, and sides that hit the spot. But what really made the experience memorable was our server, Sarah. She went above and beyond to make sure everything was just right checking in often, anticipating what we might need before we even asked, and doing it all with the warmest smile. Sarah turned a great breakfast into an outstanding one. It’s service like hers that makes a place feel truly special. I’ll definitely be back, and I’ll be asking for Sarah next time!"
Ryan Holcroft
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The signature pancakes, especially varieties like sweet potato, cinnamon roll, and banana nut, are highly recommended. Don't forget to try their unique syrups like cinnamon cream.
Yes, there is often a line, especially on weekends. However, reviews suggest the line moves quickly and is generally considered worth the wait.
Yes, The Pancake Pantry offers gluten-free pancake options.
The restaurant typically opens early for breakfast and serves throughout the day. It's best to check their specific hours for the day you plan to visit.
The Pancake Pantry is known to be a spot where celebrities like Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber have been seen dining.
Visiting on weekdays, especially earlier in the morning, can help minimize wait times.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The Best Breakfasts And Brunches In Downtown Nashville, Tennessee
A serendipitous pancake house that’s been around and family-owned (passing from father to son) since 1961; the sort of place you’d like to go to ‘for no reason’ on a weekend morning other than to treat yourself, the Pancake Pantry’s a sweet breakfast spot in the heart of Hillsboro Village in Nashville, Tennessee. You can order an array of pancakes, from ‘Swedish Pancakes’ complete with lingonberry preserve, powdered sugar, and lemon wedges to ‘Georgia Peach Pancakes’ with a dollop of sweet Georgia peach compote. They also offer omelets you can create yourself, offering a variety of ingredients of meats, veggies, and cheeses to choose from.
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This Nashville institution often has a line out the door and wrapped around the building. (“It moves fast!” everyone will tell you.) Once inside, the scene is no-frills, but it’s not the atmosphere you’re here for—it’s the people, the tradition, and the pancakes, of course. You can choose from flavors like traditional buttermilk; Caribbean with shredded coconut, banana, and powdered sugar; Swiss chocolate chip; sweet potato; and many, many more.
Best Breakfast Spots in Nashville, TN
There are few things in this world more satisfying than a plate stacked high with hotcakes first thing in the morning. When you think breakfast food in Nashville, you should think of the Pancake Pantry – its namesake dish is the simply buttermilk pancake, but you can have yours any way you like at this homey but delicious establishment. Obviously, the Pancake Pantry's specialty is going to be in serving you the best pancakes you've ever had, but their breakfast menu extends into the realm of traditional breakfast foods as well, such as bacon and eggs, hash browns, muffins and more.
Nashville Breakfast Restaurants: 10Best Restaurant Reviews
This legendary breakfast joint near Vanderbilt University serves one of Nashville's tastiest morning meals, especially if you're in the mood for their signature pancakes. For a delicious initiation, smother an order with your topping of choice - old-fashioned maple syrup, cinnamon-cream, or even raspberry cream. If you're really hungry and flapjacks just won't do, a waitress may be able to talk you into the Grill Cook's Medley with fried potatoes smothered with eggs, cheese, peppers, and who knows what else!
The 8 Best Chain Restaurants in Nashville
The Pancake Pantry hasn’t quite made it to chain restaurant status as the opening of its second location isn’t for another month, but with pancakes this good, it is sure to keep on growing. You know a breakfast joint is going to be good when it has a line out the door first thing in the morning, and the line at the Pancake Pantry often ends up winding around the block. Hopefully, as the development of new locations helps to spread out the restaurant’s adoring fans, it will become easier to score a seat.
Where to find pancakes that suit your specific craving in Nashville
If you’ve been here a minute, Pancake Pantry isn’t new to you — at this point, telling you to go here is like telling someone in Philly to go to Pat’s and/or Geno’s. But hey, it’s a rite of passage, and they really are some pretty solid pancakes. Especially if you break from standard — the sweet potato pancakes with cinnamon cream syrup are worth waiting in line for, as are the sweet, cheesy and bacon-y Santa Fe cornmeal pancakes (pictured above).
Nashville Celebrity Hotspots: Where To Go To See Stars
Imagine going out for pancakes and spotting Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber sitting together at a nearby booth. The pop superstars are among the many famous folks who enjoy Pancake Pantry, a small breakfast spot in the Hillsboro Village neighborhood that has been serving up flapjacks and omelets since 1961. The food is affordable enough that just about anyone can enjoy a meal here, so it's a low-budget way to potentially see someone famous.
Good Start: The Best Nashville Breakfast Places
Pancake Pantry is a Nashville breakfast institution that has been serving their famous flapjacks to hungry patrons in Hillsboro Village since 1961. With 23 different varieties, from traditional buttermilk pancakes to unique flavors like sweet potato and buckwheat, there is a pancake option to suit every taste. It is rare to drive by Pancake Pantry and not see a line, so much so that their line is pretty much a Nashville landmark.
Best Breakfast Places in Nashville: A Foodie’s Guide
The Pancake Pantry, located in the Hillsboro Village neighborhood, has been a beloved Nashville institution since it opened its doors in 1961. Known for its long lines and even longer menu of pancake varieties, this breakfast spot is a must-visit for both locals and tourists. With over 2,600 reviews on TripAdvisor, it consistently maintains a high rating of 4.5 stars.
The Pancake Pantry to Open Second Nashville Location
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2021) – Nashville icon The Pancake Pantry is celebrating its 60th anniversary by offering downtown diners an additional opportunity to enjoy its famous fare. The eatery has announced a second location—outside Hillsboro Village—set to open in November 2021, at Third and Molloy in the newly opened Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville.
Nashville's Best Family Restaurants Spots [2025 Guide]
The Pancake Pantry - Hillsboro Village in Nashville is a must-visit spot for families craving delicious breakfast delights. The menu boasts an overwhelming selection of fluffy pancakes and tasty toppings that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. The delightful atmosphere and friendly staff make it the perfect place for a delightful family outing.
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Take a walk in Nashville's Hillsboro Village on any given morning and you'll likely see a line wrapped around a retro-looking building: That's The Pancake Pantry. One of the last surviving institutions in this particular neighborhood, The Pantry has been in business since 1961, serving famous made-from-scratch pancakes and sandwiches from 6 a.m.
Best Brunch In Nashville: The Definitive Guide
The Pancake Pantry is a breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot on 21st Avenue South in the Hillsboro Village district. It's the ideal place to go if you want a perfect pancake brunch before going shopping in Nashville. The Pancake Pantry has been cooking up batches of batter since 1961 and has a menu of over twenty different pancakes.
The Best Nashville Brunch Options!
The Hillsboro Village location typically boasts a line out the door and wrapping around the block. Now you have a second opportunity to snag a seat at the Pancake Pantry — in their new downtown location. Founded in 1961, the Pancake Pantry has filled up Nashville bellies with unforgettable pancake creations for decades.
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You may have surmised from the name The Pancake Pantry what you can expect to find on the menu, but you may not have guessed how many different forms a pancake breakfast in Nashville can appear. Rolled pancakes, specialty stacks and pancake meals all make this simple selection feel like a Nashville breakfast party.
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If you’ve ever driven past Pancake Pantry on the weekend and observed the insanely long line stretching down Hillsboro Village, you may have wondered, “Is it really worth it?!. ” Well, we’re here to tell you, “Yes, yes, it is.” Now, you may not want to brunch here every weekend but it’s definitely worth the wait..
The Best Waffles In Nashville
Pancake Pantry is a favorite of locals and tourists alike and, despite the name, serves up some of Music City's best waffles. Try the classic plain waffle with powdered sugar or mix it up with any choice of toppings like blueberry or peach compote. You can even add pecans, sugar and spice, sweet potato and more.
Discover the Top 10 Kid-Friendly Nashville Restaurants
The Pancake Pantry is a beloved breakfast spot in Nashville that is known for its kid-friendly menu. They have a variety of pancake options, including chocolate chip, blueberry, and banana. The restaurant also provides high chairs and changing tables, making it suitable for families with young children.
Nashville Breakfast Guide
Pancake Pantry is the ultimate go-to for pancakes in Nashville. If you’re heading over to the Hillsboro Village location make sure to be there early and wear comfortable shoes, the line can be very long!. Both locations serve delicious food and have wonderful service to keep people coming back.
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It’s true that the wait is longer than you’d normally expect for a place serving pancakes. But, the pancakes are delicious (especially the blueberry), and the atmosphere at the Hillsboro location just feels right. Pancake Pantry is one of the few Nashville restaurant lines worth waiting in.
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Why It’s Cool: If you love breakfast (and who doesn’t,) save room for this epic pancake spot with menu items like c ornmeal pancakes cooked with green chilis or sweet potato pancakes. What To Get: Classic or crazy pancakes as suits your taste/mood that day. Add bacon at your own risk.
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With an exceptional rating from customers, we surely cannot forget the Pancake pantry. This café is located in downtown Nashville, TN. Now you may think as to why I regard this café as exceptional. Let me clear your doubts because I am surely not baffled about any of my statements.
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For more than half a century customers have been coming in droves to partake of the Pancake Pantry's dizzying selection of pancakes. The sweet-potato pancakes are the undisputed stars of the menu, but the blueberry, chocolate-chip, and pecan flapjacks have their fans too.
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The line wrapped around the building each morning is a good indicator. Since 1961 this place has been serving made-to-order pancakes and has no less than 23 varieties to choose from. These include such items as old-fashioned buttermilk, sweet potatoes, and banana bread.
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1 day: Begin your Nashville Heritage Day at one of its institutions: The Pancake Pantry (1796 21st Ave S), which has 35 kinds of flapjacks in Hillsboro Village. The sweet potato pancakes are so delicious that you'll have to go during mid-week to avoid the long lines.
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Tourists flock to this Hillsboro Village spot when visiting Nashville, and it’s easy to see why—opened in 1961, Pancake Pantry is heaven for anyone looking for amazing flapjacks. Visit during the week to avoid the crowds, or risk the lines for a true weekend treat.
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Pancake Pantry started as a family-owned restaurant in the 1960s and passed on through generations for years before being recently taken over by a family friend. Every morning at Pancake Pantry, you will see regulars and new diners sure to come back craving more.
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This hot spot opened its doors in 1975 and has been feeding pancake fanatics ever since. If you visit Pancake Pantry on a weekend morning, you should expect to wait in line with all of the locals. But let’s be honest, what good thing isn’t worth waiting for?
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Pancake Pantry – As a visitor, you may have heard some hype around Pancake Pantry. The line will be wrapped along the block on weekends, and surprise, they make pancakes!. Nothing too special, except that you might spot a famous country artist eating.
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Pancake Pantry is a classic Nashville breakfast spot that first opened in Hillsboro Village in 1961. Based on the line that forms each weekend morning, it’s safe to say that Pancake Pantry is pretty popular. The line is usually shorter on weekdays.
Highest-rated Brunch Restaurants in Nashville, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,555 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Grill- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 1796 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212-3704- Read more on Tripadvisor
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This is a breakfast, brunch, and lunch establishment frequented by the locals. It is located near Vanderbilt University and is another popular spot to wait in line. I had read mixed reviews about this restaurant but we were pleasantly surprised.
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Since 1961, this Hillsboro Village hero has been flipping pancakes like Nashville strums guitars. With 23 varieties of scratch-made pancakes, they have something for every flapjack lover. And the Pancake Pantry is no one-trick pony.
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Pancake Pantry is one of the most popular places in Nashville for breakfast. For 60 years, they have served pancakes, hash browns, and egg dishes that people gladly wait for. Many mornings, the line stretches around the building.
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Most locals would stay far, far away from the midday lines down the sidewalk, but that's because we go early - when the great food comes out hot and fast and the lines are still hours away. You should try it sometime!
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Pancake Pantry has been serving up delicious breakfast dishes for over 60 years. Their pancakes come in a variety of flavors, from classic buttermilk to sweet potato. Each stack is fluffy and cooked to perfection.
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This had a line around the block every time I went by there. Get here early if you want to get in and out pretty quick. The food was excellent and well worth what we paid, but the wait was long and cold.
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If you or your significant other loves breakfast, the Pancake Pantry is an amazing little spot that locals and tourists line up for every morning. The chocolate chip pancakes aren’t one to be missed!
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1796 21st Ave SNashville, TN 37212(615) 383-9333 Visit Website See Menu Open in Google Maps. Since 1961, this joint in Hillsboro Village has been drawing pancake lovers from all over the country.
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1796 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212Phone: 615-383-9333 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by The Pancake Pantry (@pancakepantrynashville)
Best Places to Brunch in Nashville According to a Local
They make some of the best pancakes I’ve ever had, but everything on their menu is amazing. Don’t let the long line turn you away from this outstanding place.
An Epic Itinerary for 3 Days in Nashville
Pancake Pantry is one of my favorite breakfast spots in Nashville. They’re known for their quirky pancake dishes. Get there early to avoid a long wait.
The Pancake Pantry Is One Of The Best Breakfast Places In Nashville - See Why Pancake Pantry Nashville Is Where Local Celebrities Eat | The Franklin
Soon after we moved to Nashville in 2001, Jim made a point to take me to one of Nashville’s most popular places for breakfast: the Pancake Pantry!
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Pancake Pantry – Some say this Nashville icon is overrated, but the lines never end and the sweet potato pancakes are exceptional.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit