The Eight Best Pancakes in Auckland

Pancakes are a bit like cousins really. You spent a lot of time with them when you were young, hung out with them on Sundays, squeezed lemons in their eyes, threw them in the air, stacked them on top of each other, stabbed them with a fork every now and then. You still have flippin great memories together but don't really see them more than once or twice a year nowadays.

Unfortunately we can't do much about your non existent relationships with your long lost cousins but we can help you out with the pancakes. Here are some of the best ones we have discovered in Auckland of late.

1. Domain & Ayr

Despite living halfway between Newmarket and Parnell, Domain & Ayr is quite the greenie - its coffee is fairtrade and its takeaway cups are biodegradable. More important to us on this particular occasion though, was the highly touted '20 Minute Pancake'. It was worth the wait. Softer and fluffier and probably better than anything else we tried anywhere, with berries, mascarpone, and maple syrup. Mmmmm.

492 Parnell Road, Parnell

2. Kokako

Nothing says Grey Lynn like a flat white, and not surprisingly Kokako are quite the experts at making those. The other thing they deserve credit for are their delicious pancakes. Like the soy buckwheat pancakes which come topped with vanilla, pear, yoghurt, and hazelnut spread and the organic quinoa, cocoa and coconut pancakes which come with red wine poached pear, creme fraiche and toasted pistachios (pictured above).

537 Great North Road, Grey Lynn

3. Cereal Killa

Sometimes you just want the classics, and despite the crepey name, Cereal Killa knows its pancakes. For the kids the pancakes here come with lemon and sugar, and for the adults they come with bacon and banana and are quite majestic on a rainy Sunday morn. The fresh juices are good too.

360 Dominion Road, Mount Eden

4. Jam Organic Cafe

Takapunas go to spot for organic brekky, Jam is hidden away underneath an office building on Hurstmere Road. Their protein hotcakes are bloody great and come underneath vanilla whey, spiced pear, maple syrup, berry coulis and yoghurt. And no, you don't have to be a member of Les Mills to order them.

33-45 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna

5. Dutch Delight

The owners here are awesome. And really Dutch. The whole focus of the restaurant is on pancakes, sweet pancakes, savoury pancakes, big ones, small ones. Our favorites so far are the poffertjes, they are mini pancakes, light and fluffy and cooked to perfection with your choice of sweet topping. If you are in the mood for a pancake, this place is a must go.

3 Birkenhead Avenue, Birkenhead

6. No 1 Pancake

A small kiosk just off Wellesley Street, No 1 Pancake makes sweet and savoury Korean pancakes. Possibly the best value quick snack in town. Try and avoid the crazy midweek lunch time lines though. Our pick would be the cinnamon and sugar option at the ridiculous price of $3.50.

Corner of Lorne Street and Wellesley Street, Auckland CBD

7. Soulshine

If you ever find yourself in Browns Bay around breakfast time, a stop off at Soulshine is needed. Its quirky and super cosy inside, the coffee is good and the bacon and banana pancakes are better than most.

3/3 Inverness Road, Browns Bay

8. Wang Wang Spring Pancake

This ones a little different. Looks rather uninviting from outside but the food is great. You get five or so thin pancakes each and choose from a range of savoury Chinese dishes to use as fillings and create your own little masterpieces.

704 Dominion Road, Balmoral