When it comes to the best pancakes in Sydney, one cafe stands at the top of the pile. Happyfield in Haberfield had earned a cult following for its sky-high stacks of fluffy Canadian-style pancakes. Behind the frying pan is chef Jesse Orleans and co-owner Chris Theodosi, who opened Happyfield together in 2020. The corner cafe has been drawing crowds ever since, with customers waiting an hour (or more!) for a table on the weekends. There’s no faulting their flapjack recipe. Each golden round reveals a soft, spongy texture and sweet cakey taste – they’re perfection on a plate. 96 Ramsay St, 72 Dalhousie St, Haberfield; happyfield.com.au.

The team behind the ever-popular, oft-photographed Grounds of Alexandria, and its smaller sibling The Grounds of the City, has finally opened its grandiose third location in South Eveleigh. Dig in to the likes of sourdough crumpets with macadamia butter, eggs Florentine croissants, sausage and egg muffins or fluffy pancakes with maple syrup (and bacon, if that’s your vibe), which are available all day. 4a/2 Locomotive St, Eveleigh; thegrounds.com.au/dine-in/the-coffee-factory.

Osaka-based pancake chain, Gram Cafe & Pancakes, has taken the Australian market by storm and we’re flipping out. The world-famous cafe is known for its puffy, pillowy pancake stacks topped with cascades of maple syrup and melted butter. Various locations; gramaustralia.com.au.

Since the burger boom of 2015, our appetite for US foods has risen almost as high as our cholesterol levels. Our latest obsession is for the feel-good foods of the ‘50s: stacks of flapjacks, waffles with bacon and crispy potato home fries, all served by an apron-clad waitress named Shelley who calls you “hon”. Valentinas boasts a slick fit-out of terrazzo counters and red stools, where you could easily sit and sip the bottomless filter coffee all day. Breakfast runs until 3pm – our pick is the Tina Classic: scrambled eggs, home fries and pancakes. 132 Livingstone Rd, Marrickville; valentinassyd.com.

Bill Granger’s buttermilk pancakes are one of his most famous dishes and are a favourite on his menus. The pancakes also starred on our very first cover way back in 2001. Originally served with a chocolate sauce, the pancakes have been updated, made with ricotta and served here with banana and a honeycomb butter. Various locations; bills.com.au.

Competition around Bondi Beach is fierce when it comes to killer breakkies but Porch and Parlour have earned their stripes, thanks in part to the stacks of pancakes cranking out. You won’t even undo your big morning walk when you see the fresh seasonal fruit piled high. 17-18/110 Ramsgate Ave, North Bondi; porchandparlour.com.

Sure, you could go to any old cafe and hope there’s pancakes on the menu… or you could go the safe (and delicious) bet of a dedicated crêperie liek Krêpe in Chippendale. Sweet, savoury, and totally addictive, this is the Frenchy addition to breakfast that we’re craving. 28 Kensington St, Chippendale; krepe-au.square.site.