Eat Pancakes in Portland on Candelmas (February 2)

Did you know that February 2 is an apt time to eat pancakes in Portland? This is the date of of Candlemas, a Christian feast day, that coincides around the time of Imbolc (February 1, so good chance there was some borrowing going on), a cross-quarter day at the midpoint between the Solstice and Equinox. It marks “the first stirrings of spring.” It makes me think of crocuses, stretching toward the sunlight.

Now, if you’ve read this site over the years, you know of my penchant for the “ground hog” spoof on “Groundhog Day” (prediction duties belong to Stumptown Fil here in Portland). I still encourage you to eat some sausages on February 2.

Back to Candlemas and eating pancakes or crepes. These delicious food items resemble the sun—golden and round, ushering in spring (or, at least, hopes of it). And Portland has a number of places you can eat such things. This is by no means a perfect or comprehensive overview of pancakes/crepes available in the area, but is a list of interesting options in our fair city.

(Mostly) Classic American Pancakes in Portland

Cameo Cafe

“Home of the acre pancake,” their pancakes are quite large, taking over the dinner plate they are served on. I’ve read that they make them in quarter-acre increments, the smallest of which is that dinner-plate-sized pancake. Imagine the size of an acre pancake.

And if a traditional American pancake isn’t for you, give their Pindaettok a try, the Korean savory pancake on the menu. It, too, is quite large and is made with vegetables, beans, spices and ground rice. Get it with eggs and their Strong Bread toast.

8111 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland and 7703 NE 72nd Avenue, Vancouver, WA. Cameo Cafe website

Fuller’s Coffee Shop

Back open after being forced to close temporarily after a fire, you can get a classic stack of pancakes here—buttermilk or blueberry; one, two, or three pancakes; and the most expensive is $7.75 (three buttermilk) or $8.75 (three blueberry). In this day and age that is a deal.

136 NW 9th Avenue, Portland. Fuller’s Coffee Shop website

Javi’s Breakfast Cafe

After the 2024 ice storm, when we were finally able to dig ourselves out, I headed here and boy was it a popular spot! Though they are now well-known for their excellent Chilaquiles, they do offer a variety of pancakes. The one that sticks out to me is the Cajetosos Pancakes, topped with caramel (cajeta), powdered sugar, and whipped cream. And although it’s not round, it is golden: the Tres Leches french toast is loved by many. 6236 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland. Javi’s Breakfast Cafe website

Jam on Hawthorne

This is a really popular brunch place and they offer pancakes and more (most of the menu is “and more”). Their two main pancake offerings are Maddie Cakes (lemon-ricotta pancakes topped with housemade blueberry compote, and lemon curd) and Marshall Cakes (classic buttermilk pancakes topped with whipped butter and a side of maple syrup—add chocolate chips for an extra two bucks). Pancake orders come in threes normally but you can order just one, too.

2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland. Jam on Hawthorne website

Other Delicious Pancakes +More

Bing Mi

I love Bing Mi for their jianbings, It’s a savory crepe filled with eggs, scallions, sauces, and a crispy cracker, among other things. It’s full of flavor and one of the tastiest breakfasts you’ll find in Portland. Originally they were a cart in the Alder Street food cart pod displaced by the new Ritz-Carton Hotel, but now they are a brick & mortar shop offering, along with their various jainbings, dumplings and noodles.

2572 NW Vaughn Street E and 431 SW Harvey Milk Street, Portland. Bing Mi website

Broder

At the various locations of Broder (I like to eat at, Broder Soder, the location in the Nordic Northwest center in SW Portland) you can order aebelskivers, small pancake balls cooked in a special pan. They are served with lingonberry jam and lemon curd. They are cute—and delicious! Little balls of sunshine.

Various locations. Broder website

The Crepe Bear

Note: This business closed in 2024. In the Barley Pod food cart pod is a creperie offering sweet and savory crepes with bear themes. There’s the Teddy Bear: Strawberries, bananas, Nutella, sliced almonds, whipped cream and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Or if you want a savory bear go with the Grizzly Bear: Smoked Salmon, whipped cream cheese spread, capers, fresh dill, tomatoes, red onion, and lemon zest.

6035 NE Halsey Street, Portland. The Crepe Bear Instagram page

La Rose Patisserie

Do you like big puffy Japanese-style pancakes? This is the place for you. In my experience there can be a wait for the pancakes, but I thought it was worth it. They offer four flavors: vanilla, dark chocolate, caramel, and matcha.

17020 SW Whitley Way #102, Beaverton. La Rose Patisserie website

The Slide Inn

This quirky little spot in the Buckman neighborhood offers German and American food, including some pancakes you don’t see that often:

• Kaisershcmarrn: Austrian pancake oven baked with raisins, vanilla, cut into small pieces and caramelized with sugar.
• Apfelschmarrn: Austrian pancake oven baked then cut into small pieces caramelized with sugar and served with a warm, apple cinnamon compote.
• Speckpfannkuchen: Austrian pancake with bacon, parsley.

2348 SE Ankeny Street, Portland. The Slide Inn website

Pancakes in Portland: Closures To Note + Some Chains

I’ll take this time to lament the closing of two of the best crepe shops in Portland. That would be Frog & Snail (its space will be a Korean deli) and Suzette for crepes. I also miss Zell’s for their German pancake. And the aformentioned Dutch Baby at Beeswing.

Now, you might be a chain breakfast kind of person. Portland’s got you in the form of Pig N’ Pancake, Denny’s, Elmer’s, IHOP, and The Original Pancake House.

It’s likely I may have missed your favorite place. If you have a pancake or crepe spot you think I should know about, leave it in the comments or shoot me an email.