Clinton St. Baking Company.

4 Clinton Street, Lower East Side. The pancakes here ($19 for a stack of three with warm maple butter) are the most famous pancakes in New York City and they deserve every bit of that reputation. They’re thick, fluffy, slightly crispy on the edges, and the maple butter melts into them in a way that borders on life-changing. I’m not exaggerating. People wait over an hour for these pancakes.

The eggs Benedict ($21) is also outstanding, made with homemade biscuits instead of English muffins. Come before 9am on a weekend or prepare to wait 45-90 minutes. No reservations for brunch. The wait is worth it. I promise.

The signature flapjacks are the biggest draw (topped with wild Maine blueberry compote, banana walnut, or chocolate chunk) these are easily some of the best pancakes in New York City.

Pancakes aside, the Latke eggs Benedict (poached eggs, house smoked salmon, classic hollandaise, trout roe caviar, over crispy potato pancakes) deserve a shout-out. If you’d like to stick with classics, you’ll find incredible smoked salmon scramble, fried chicken & waffles and toothsome brioche french toast, among others.

Clinton St. Baking Company was born in 2001 to prodigy chef Neil Kleinberg. A native New Yorker, Kleinberg honed his skills in the kitchen from a young age and opened his first restaurant. At 22 years old. First opened as a bakery, the establishment’s popularity gave them an opportunity to expand into the restaurant business.

The famous pancakes are the biggest draw, that dish alone earns Clinton St. Baking a place on our list. Topped with wild Maine blueberry compose, these are easily some of the best pancakes in New York City.

Founded in 2001 by chef Neil Kleinberg, a New York native and kitchen prodigy, Clinton St. Baking Company started as a small batch bakery. The restaurant’s popularity led to expansion, acquiring the neighboring property and transforming into one of the top restaurants in the Lower East Side.

Renowned for their pancakes, Clinton St. Baking Company lives up to the hype, offering fluffy and airy pancakes with options like wild Maine blueberries, banana walnut, or chocolate chunk.

With a menu highlighting traditional American breakfast dishes, it rightfully earns its place among the best brunch spots in the Lower East Side. Due to its popularity, reservations are recommended.