The Pancake Pantry - Hillsboro Village

"Yes, this Hillsboro breakfast icon from 1961 is packed with tourists at most hours, but Pancake Pantry is still worth the pilgrimage for candied bacon and buttermilk pancakes stuffed with chocolate chips, blueberries, pecans, and an assortment of other fillings. Go for breakfast during the week and you may avoid the seemingly endless lines that snake around the block on weekends. If you care less about visiting the hallowed grounds of the original, you could also try your luck at the large modern expansion in the Hyatt Centric Nashville hotel downtown." - Jackie Gutierrez-Jones

"Despite opening at 6 a.m., Pancake Pantry’s flagship Hillsboro Village restaurant always seems to have a line down the sidewalk — it can’t hurt the appeal that Nashville’s own Taylor Swift is a fan. Since 1961 the diner has drawn fans with a variety of fat flapjacks from traditional buttermilk to banana bread, sweet potato (Swift’s favorite), and rolled cakes stuffed with fruit compote. Egg dishes, sandwiches, and candied bacon round out the menu. If you’re more concerned with finding a seat than basking in the homey original surroundings, Pancake Pantry also has a massive, modern location in the Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville hotel, complete with additional menu items like a flight of brunch cocktails." - Kellie Walton

"Then have breakfast at the longstanding Pancake Pantry just a block away." - Kellie Walton

"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. Everything is made from scratch, including non-pancake dishes like omelets, sandwiches, and salads."

"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. Everything is made from scratch, including non-pancake dishes like omelets, sandwiches, and salads."