Millbrae Pancake House

It’s such a lovely place! We went there twice, the first Saturday and the following Saturday in our 2 weeks Millbrae visit and will definitely go again next time. The food is delicious, pretty to look, and healthy. I especially love their pancakes with lots of fresh blueberries! The service is great. Our waitress (Debbi, if I remember her name correctly) is very friendly. We sat outside and enjoyed the environment. The only advice is to be there early! Or prepare to wait for a while 😄

Staying near the airport, we were on the hunt for a solid breakfast spot and stumbled upon Millbrae Pancake House, boasting over 3,000 Yelp reviews. The place was buzzing on a Saturday morning, clearly a favorite among locals for its pancakes and classic breakfast fare. Despite its old-school diner vibe, the atmosphere was lively, and the service was impressively quick, even with the crowd. I went for the morning special, a breakfast burrito, while my wife opted for the eggs Benedict. Unfortunately, both dishes were just okay. The burrito lacked the bold, vibrant flavors you’d expect from a Mexican-inspired dish, coming off a bit bland and underwhelming. My wife’s eggs Benedict were decent but didn’t stand out either. The service, while efficient, felt a bit impersonal—fast but not particularly warm or welcoming. Overall, Millbrae Pancake House is a reliable choice if you’re in the airport area and craving a quick breakfast. It’s not a culinary knockout, but it gets the job done for a classic diner experience. If you’re after pancakes or a no-frills meal, it’s worth a stop, but don’t expect to be blown away by the flavors or service.

Stopped here for breakfast. I ordered a sausage omelette with hash browns, rye toast l, and coffee. The food was all great! The service here is outstanding! I was seated and served within 3 minutes. My order was tabled in about 5 minutes. The atmosphere is great! The place is clean and well organized. This is a very well run operation.

Food is delicious every time we go. But it is a little bit pricey for the portion size, and they currently have a surcharge if you order anything with eggs, which is almost the entire menu. They also currently have a sign saying there is a surcharge to help pay employees more, so it’s like “do I need to tip still?” Service is a hit or miss. Depends who you get. The women are more attentive. The men only take your order, then never come back and hide behind the front counter. I had to flag a different staff just to get more water and to get the check. I enjoy the “black bear diner” feel of the dining room. But I wish they cleaned their tables better before sitting us down. Sometimes my hands touch mysterious sticky stuff and it’s annoying.

All I liked. Atmosphere Classic American Restaurant Great family time here. Great BF Recommended Pancake is the best. Great Orange juice. I will back again. Service great until busy time.

Was suggested by neaeby hotel if wanted a hearty breakfast...food was made from scratch excellent. I had 2 juicy pork chops and 2 egg breakfast wuth pancakes

Our go to whenever we want some steaks and diner stuff. High quality food, friendly staff and reasonable price. This play is the best!

We had a very cheerful Asian lady that served us our food she had good service and recommended the strawberry waffle which was my favorite. Enjoyed that more than the pancakes lol. The busser on the other hand didn’t look too happy. I don’t get people who work service industry and cannot keep a smile on their face .

We happened upon this pancake house when my husband's flight was delayed at SFO. Super glad we did! The restaurant is huge and decorated nicely with a wood cabin vibe. The staff are all friendly and they have a fair-sized parking lot, so we had no issues parking on a Saturday morning. I'll admit I didn't love the eggs or hash brown, but the pancakes really are as good as they say. Fluffy, much thicker than I was expecting, and tasted great. Next time we go I'd prefer trying out the different flavors of pancakes they have, rather than getting a breakfast meal.

A friend mentioned this spot so I had to try it. Tried calling first to grab a to go order bc I couldn't make modifications to my order online, I was told to come in and order. Kind of defeated my goal of ordering before hand so I wouldn't have to wait, but happy they could make the switch for me. I was able to sub out my eggs for hash browns, glory be! This location is totally a classic diner, and I do mean classic. From the sign outside to the vintage wallpaper in the back, it's like stepping into the 70s. The front of the restaurant was pretty tight as it was bustling with folks waiting to be seated. They conveniently have a waiting area outside but it was quite chilly on this am so most of us were huddled indoors. Plan for a wait, this is clearly a popular breakfast spot. At around 9a the parking lot was already packed. Now let's talk eats. I know this place is exceptionally good bc I didn't get to eat my food until I was back in my hotel and it had lost its freshness and was just above room temperature, and yall.... It was STILL delicious! I mean the waffle, hash browns and bacon still had crispness to it. The strawberries were fresh. And they conveniently gave me a package they had syrup and ketchup and hot sauce. I was able happy camper. I'd say I could've used an extra syrup but kinda happy they saved me from the extra calories. I'll def be back!

The worst restaurant ever! Here is what happened to me: 1. Two waiter showed me two different tables for my number. Super confusing 2. 4 different waiters then came, asking what do you want to drink 4 times. I told each of them I need a hot water since I was sick. But eventually they brought me 4 ice water. 3. They are super arrogant and impolite to their customers 4. They missed the juice for the kid meal we ordered 5. Waiter was trying to pour coffee to my hot water mug and I am allergic to caffeine Won't come back again, period

Stopped by w/ my daughter on our way to the airport. Easy to find, easy to find parking in lot. Staff was friendly from the time we walked in, and we were seated right away. Restaurant has a store in front for simple keepsakes, decorated nicely for the holidays. Food was amazing as other locations. I ordered my usual 49er flapjacks, eggs and hash browns. My daughter had the CA omelette. It was all so tasty! We finished every bite!

Tucked away in the town of millbrae lies a super cute and homey and famous pancake house. Once you enter the cute cabin like building you see all the celebs that have visited in the past! They are famous for their Swedish pancakes which are essentially fluffy crepes with this delicious light fluffy lingonberry butter (not sure if I spelled that berry right) the service was very fast as they are quite busy! Not a whole lot of parking in the lot so I think street parking is the way to go! Also I heard wait times can get pretty long! So be prepared! Overall I enjoyed the food and the environment a lot it had very local diner vibes.

Solid place to get brunch on the Peninsula! I would come back to try their other brunch items if ever in the area. Whether I would travel across counties to eat here is TBD. Ambiance: Huge interior with booth and table seating. It's mostly wooden inside and is reminiscent of kitchens built in the 1970s. A homey yet bustling interior! The outdoor seating is pretty standard, but it has a refreshing vibe and plenty of shade due to the red umbrellas. Food: Southern Omelet & Swedish Pancakes With omelets, the ingredients typically blend together and are complimentary in taste/texture. With the Southern Omelet, it was more of a fried egg with hot links and bell peppers tossed in. I suppose it's a good thing you can taste each ingredient, but it's like you taste each component one at a time. As for the hash browns, these weren't as crispy as I had hoped they would be - it leaned more towards the soft/moist side. Moreover, the portion size is pretty small. The Swedish Pancakes were nice and light! Having the lingonberry butter there is a good addition - it reminds me of a cream cheese. Service: Good service overall, but if you're sitting outdoors then it can be a little challenging getting the attention of the wait staff since they're mostly indoors. Parking: They do have a parking lot on the premises, but I would advise arriving early as it's small and gets filled quickly. Recommend parking just up the street going up towards the hill.

We ended up here for work based on a locals recommendation. Service was helpful with any questions that we had, water and coffee refills frequent. Food actually came out quite quickly as well though I think we had gotten there early enough to avoid some of that. I had gotten a veggie scramble, and a friend let me try some of his swedish pancakes for curiosities sake. The veggie scramble was nice and light, vegetables cooked through. It was served with a couple of slices of wheat and fruit which was nice. The swedish pancakes were pretty solid also. Not too heavy, and the lingonberry butter wasn't too sweet or too rich which was great.

LOVE this spot! I can't get enough of breakfast diners and am so shocked we've never come across Millbrae Pancake House! Ordered strawberry pancakes (as pictured) with an omelette and hot chocolate. The atmosphere is so nostalgic of restaurants that my family and I would eat at when we were younger! A very timeless ambiance and by the looks of the crowd, everyone enjoys coming here too! Our server was so friendly and welcoming and cannot get any better than that.

I cannot believe I haven't reviewed this place before. This place gets super crowded with a long wait and the parking lot gets filled up. Either come early or come between meal times. Everything on the menu is good, made to order and the way you like it. You cannot go wrong here. But it is a pancake house so you should at least try the pancakes. You can order them with a variety of toppings and there are different kinds of syrups on the table. My personal favorite is the lingonberry pancakes. These are thin pancakes, topped with a generous helping of lingonberry butter.

Classic diner with indoor and outdoor seating. Very attentive and quick staff Unlimited refills on coffee and drinks Mid food TBH but big portions Price is high, so don't be surprised on a $$ egg ticket Small parking lot in the front but can easily find street parking in the neighborhood

This is one of my favorite breakfast places when I'm over on this side of the hill. Was seated promptly with friendly service. I was pleased they gave me a booth on a crowded day. I live in Santa Cruz but had to take my car for service in Burlingame, so I took a Lyft over here for a leisurely breakfast while I waited. It's a few days before Christmas, so the atmosphere inside the restaurant is very bustling and jolly. Lots of happy people, smiling faces and lively conversation. The Holiday decorations look homespun and sweet. Everyone seems happy to be here, including the staff. I ordered the bacon and eggs with hashbrowns and buttermilk pancakes. The eggs were cooked perfectly, over easy, the pancakes and hashbrowns were delicious. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because the bacon was a bit over-cooked and chewy. Bacon should be tender! But it still was tasty. This is the kind of restaurant that locals drive by for years, but never go in. That was my situation when I used to live in Palo Alto. Now that I live in Santa Cruz I make a point of coming here once or twice a year. I recommend you give it a try... at least once!

This is a great spot for breakfast or brunch whether you dine in or take out. It is heavy and rich so you can't be eating this everyday! Nevertheless, this place hits the spot every time

One of my favorite spots for breakfast/brunch. I got the corn beef hash with swedish pancakes and it was perfect. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. I love the vibe inside too, very homy and old school.

Came for breakfast with my dad while he had a layover at SFO. Service was friendly, place was spacious and food came out quick. We had pancakes, veggie, omelet, bacon and sunny side up eggs with fruit. Everything tasted good. Seems like a solid breakfast place that's affordable and nothing fancy.

Good independent family run business. We tried the blueberry pancakes and the seasonal special pumpkin pancakes. They were very good! Service was ok they can get very busy. It feels like country type of diner inside. It's a good place for breakfast but I wouldn't wait too long personally.

Take a trip back to the 1960's. Fast, friendly service with a breakfast/brunch menu that will keep you full for the day. The breakfast choices are huge, from pancakes to waffles to French toast to eggs and sausage and ham and bacon..., but don't forget to get the Swedish pancakes with lingonberry butter. They are melt in your mouth pancakes. It is family friendly and a large venue. There is often a long wait on weekends, so come early or late or on a weekday. Check out all the stuffed animals and toys by the cash register.

Classic post-war California Pancake House. Nothing fancy: Basic pancake house fare served in large portions efficiently. If you looking for the classic pancake house experience, Millbrae Pancake House will not disappoint! Service was fast, friendly and efficient

I always see long lines for Millbrae Pancake House. The line today a Sunday morning around 8:45 am was minimal for 5 people. I wasn't impressed with the pork chops, no seasoning. The Swedish pancakes were kind of like crepe consistency and texture. The service was fine, not bad or great. Small parking lot

Great service here as always especially getting here early to beat the crowds. Decided to get the corned beef hash and it was delicious. The Swedish pancake is always great to get as that is their speciality since it's very thin pancakes. Always a favorite go to place in Millbrae's for breakfast and it's worth the wait if you need to wait

We love Millbrae Pancake House! Large portions of breakfast favorites, including pancakes, eggs, and hashbrowns. Yum! We love to take the dog and sit on their back patio for lunch during warm days. It's the kind of place that's hard to find in the Bay Area lately: unpretentious good food. Just be warned, there can be a relatively long wait on weekend mornings.

Great breakfast spot when you are in the area! It seems to be a popular pick amongst all the locals. Parking was a bit tough given the small parking lot. We ended up parking about a block away on the street. Thankfully we came at a good time and we were seated right away, but by the time we left there was a line! We got the Banana Pancakes and the Chicken Fried Steak. Both were really good! The pancakes were nice and thick, sopping up the butter and syrup super well. I love a good banana pancake and thankful that this place executed well! The chicken fried steak was also great, and seemed to be a local favorite as well. What a wonderful spot for the local area. I am so glad I was able to come try it and partake in the vibes.

Y'all.. the efficiency here can't be beat. After dropping off family at SFO for a morning flight, we were looking for a place to get breakfast with friends and Millbrae Pancake House is where we landed. The place was poppin' with crowds outside waiting for their seats. But everything moved quickly, our party of four couldn't have waited more than 15 minutes. We sat at a booth in the middle of the packed restaurant and was quickly helped by the service staff. Ordered our drinks and browsed all the many options on their menu. My friend said we had to go with the Swedish Pancakes so I got that with my corned beef. Everything came out so quickly - like I said, the efficiency! The corned beef was delicious and the portion size was huge. I had enough to share AND still take some home. & the swedish pancakes recommendation is now one I share with you... get them! Just the smell was already so great and of course the taste was even better. I also tried the country fried steak and I might just have to get that one for myself next time. All in all, a solid spot for brunch if you're in the area. Great portions, delicious food, decent pricing. The only thing is you might have to drive around a bit for some street parking, but you'll be glad to be getting those steps in after a filling meal!

Food is good. My husband loves the omelettes here. Food comes out fast which is great. Service is excellent and fast. This restaurant is big but has a lot of help. Check them out when you're in the area.

Good place to get brunch after a run in SF (sunset side)! Very crowded on Sundays but we were seated quickly and the food came out quickly as well. They have Swedish pancakes along with waffle offerings and I enjoyed the former a lot (comes with special berry sauce). Lots of their menu options come with corned hash which I don't see a lot of on menus in this area, so that was a nice surprise. I recommend getting it if you like the salty flavor. Portions were decently sized and we left full and happy despite the pouring rain. Parking can be a little challenging so you may need to park along the street and walk a bit to get to the restaurant.

I have to confess that I have an unhealthy relationship with Swedish pancakes. When I see them on a menu, I stop looking at any other options. (This is also the reason I stay away from Ikea!) Even the international chain famous for its pancakes, I get the Swedish version when available (though they are mediocre at best). Thankfully, the Millbrae Pancake House serves a proper version of this delectable dish, though the rest of the menu looks good. My usual order is the Bacon & Eggs breakfast with hash browns and Swedish pancakes (though you can get toast or buttermilk pancakes). My wife will get either the California Omelet (bacon, onions, tomato, avocado, jack and cheddar cheese) or the Hash Benedict (poached eggs and corned beef hash on an English muffin, with a side of hash browns). One of these days, I'll get the Fried Chicken and Waffle, as it always looks good when I see it at another table. Since I don't live in the area, I only come for lunch on the weekends, which is usually very busy. The parking lot is small, so I end up parking in the neighborhood. If you don't mind a bit of a hike, park a couple blocks away by Green Hills Park.

Been quite a while since I was last here. Busy for a Friday morning, but we were seated quickly. We decided on the pork chop and eggs, chicken fried steak and eggs, pancakes and Swedish pancakes. The pork chops were grilled and juicy. They piled on the hash browns. Eggs cooked perfectly over medium. Couldn't decide between the regular and Swedish pancakes, so we ordered one of each to share. The pancake was fluffy, but I preferred the Swedish pancake. That lingonberry butter with the Swedish pancake was soo good - light and not too sweet. As for service, they took our orders quickly, our orders arrived fast, and our coffee cups were kept full. Other than that, they left us alone. We enjoyed our breakfasts and would definitely return.

We came with a big group and had a great time. Everything looked so delicious so we shared a bunch of dishes. Everything we got was absolutely amazing. We got blueberry pancakes, the California omelette with Swedish pancakes on the side, apple waffles, and eggs with sausage and toast. They were attentive to refilling our coffees. Can't wait to come back to try more dishes

Perfect breakfast/brunch spot close to the airport! We had 2 hours of downtime so decided to come here for brunch. No wait and our party of 4 was seated immediately. Cool old style looking building perfect for a pancake house. Located at the edge of downtown Milbrae so close to other walking shops. Coffee was decent. Not really gourmet but definitely better than a Denny's. All our entrees were pretty good. Louisiana Hot Links & Eggs (4): The hot links were pretty good. Nice little kick to them and they cooked them to perfection. The eggs and hash browns it came with was pretty standard fare. All their entrees you can select their pancakes or swedish pancakes. I opted for the swedish pancakes and they were amazing! Swedish Pancakes (4): Chose this as part of one of the breakfasts. It was pretty good. The crepes were fairly thin. No crispy edges or anything but the batter they use was tasty. Got ours with strawberry and whipped cream which complimented the crepes well. Blueberry Pancakes (4): Nice light and fluffy pancakes. Blueberries were perfect with them. They were good. California Omelet (4): Bacon really added a nice crunch and saltiness to the omelet. Omelet was executed well. Overall we had a great brunch here. Seated quickly. Food was good. Service was friendly and attentive. And we were out in time to head back to the airport. May come back for our next extended layover or if we find ourselves in the area.

Service was fast and food was food! Nice pancake and my parents like it a lot The Swedish pancakes are the best

Today ordered the Ham&Cheese omelette. Sadly it tasted like green peppers. The outside was a little brown. Not the best food today. Service was quick. The "boys" came around often to refill drinks and clear plates.

Miss this place. I've been avoiding it for years since it's always crowded, but going back is nostalgic, as is the place itself with its decor and atmosphere (they used to have a really old working register). The food is still like how it has been for years, extensive breakfast choices on the menu, and the restaurant used to be open for evening hours too, but that was ages ago. There's very little parking (they did have a bigger lot before the condo building next door was built), so just park on the streets nearby as close as you can find and walk. It'll help the food digest. Like the place itself, the food too is still like it has been for many years - solid and delicious. It's a neighborhood gem. I'm sure they have their regulars, and I used to go with friends and family two or three times a year, but although it's a pretty big spot, now it gets too crowded for my patience level.

Always love coming to this place especially for breakfast foods. The ambiance inside really reminds me of old breakdast cafes & their menu has a variety of foods from omelets, sandwiches, salads, burgers, etc. Parking here can be hard since this place usually gets busy, but the wait time isn't that bad since the service is pretty efficient. The food is really good & made with quality, and the serving portions is actually pretty great! This is one of my top go-to breakfast spots!

Great service and food was delicious. We were able to be seated right away on a Sunday with 12 people.

Ordered a Supreme omelette with hash browns and buttermilk pancakes! hash browns could have been a little crispier but still a pretty good breakfast.

The food is good. The waiter provides good services and is very nice. Definitely I will come back. Highly recommend to everyone. The quality of this restaurant is way beyond 5 stars for both food and price.

First time at Millbrae Pancake House! The place gives me a Tahoe cabin vibe. Pretty spacious on the inside :) Ordered the Supreme Omelet with Swedish Pancakes (more like crepes) with berry butter and the Tuna Melt sandwich; both dishes came with hash browns. Service was pretty quick and decent. Love the atmosphere and food! Will definitely be back

Came on a Sunday morning for breakfast around 10 am and we were able to find parking in the small lot they have, there's also street parking. We were able to be seated inside immediately and ordered food fairly quick. Food came out fast and was nice and hot. We enjoyed the swedish pancakes, ambiance is family friendly, outdoor seating is available as well.

Delicious pancake house, perfect for brunch on the weekend! We came during Easter weekend and although there was a crowd, the restaurant is quite spacious with both inside and outside seating. We only waited around 15 min to be seated. Service was quick kind and efficient. Food wise -- we got the pigs in a blanket, blueberry waffle, and the corned beef hash plate to share. So filling and we had enough for leftovers!

Came here to get some brunch. We were seated right away and it looked a like it was just the end of the breakfast rush. The inside gave very rustic diner vibes which was nice bc I am a sucker for diners! I got the combo 1 with pancakes which includes eggs and bacon. It was decently priced and the food was good but nothing really stood out to me. The service was super slow. The waiters kept ignoring us, but I could see them off talking in the corner. I was trying to flag someone down and couldn't get anyones attention. Overally it was an okay experience.

We recently dined at Millbrae Pancake House and had a mixed experience. We ordered a variety of dishes including corned beef hash and eggs, Swedish Pancakes, and a hamburger patty with eggs and chocolate milk. Unfortunately, the hamburger patty was consistently overcooked despite our requests for medium doneness (three times), which was disappointing. The service was average, although the waitress didn't seem pleased with our returns. The hash browns were dry, the corned beef hash was overly salty, and the chocolate milk tasted odd. However, I must commend them on their Swedish pancakes; they were delicious, especially with the lingonberry butter. Given their long-standing reputation since 1959, I expected a better overall experience.

I don't know why it took me so long to finally eat here. And I liked it so much went 2 weekends in a row. And got the fried chicken and waffles both times. I love their efficiency, yummy food and friendly staff. It is a bit loud, but it's not a date place so it's fine. Sit down. Order. Eat and get out. Love it. Will go back again and again. No wonder there's always a line out the door. This place is an institution! Oh, and Tyra Banks are there. According to the picture on the wall.

Had breakfast this morning. No wait but they were bursting with happy customers. American breakfast place with lots of specials for every appetite. Fast, friendly, clean and yummy food in a charming old school type of diner decor with lots of old photos to show of being in business since 1959. I had a Denver Omelette with hash browns and 2 buttermilk pancakes. My hubby had breakfast special 2 eggs, 2 sausages, 2 pancakes. I was too hungry to take photos but the dishes were generous. It was yummy!

Portion sizes are smaller than I remember. Sign of the times. Sigh. I ordered the corned beef hash with hash browns extra crispy with the Swedish Pancakes. Food tastes the same (good) and pancakes were delicious. I'm glad I know how to cook and this is an occasional indulgence, as lately, it seems everywhere I eat out at the prices are high and portions considerably smaller. Service attentive here and much appreciated.

Great service and good food. The ambience is totally old school and the food was ready quickly. It was a good place for us to stop after an early drive to SFO.

Fan favorite. Millbrae pancake house. Can't go wrong. Food is good, ambiance is chill and nostalgic, and service is kind and friendly. We went on Super Bowl Sunday so there was little wait. Hostess and service staff were quick to seat us and offer help as needed a booster chair. Food was as we always expect. So, consistency is important in this case. Ambiance is nostalgic like a childhood basement, but not dusty and dingy but rather-- lively and delicious smelling of pancakes and bacon.

The pancakes here were phenomenal!! We chose to get 3 different kinds in order to try them. The traditional buttermilk pancakes were light & fluffy. The banana pancakes were like eating great-grandma's banana bread...but fluffy and added maple syrup...so good! The "Swedish" crepes with lingonberry butter; well, the tart from the butter married beautifully with the sweet of the crepe! It was such an old-fashioned place; fun atmosphere to enjoy your breakfast! I hate to not give 5 stars, but the service failed this morning. I'm hoping it was just a bad morning for management... after waiting 15 minutes we asked for manager, and then Vladimir saved the day as an amazing server who treated us like royalty! We will definitely try this place again if we are in the area!

Quick take: Good omelettes and Swedish pancakes Service is friendly and efficient. We showed up for brunch on a Saturday. Lots of people eating and waiting for a table. It goes by pretty fast. So don't let the crowd deter you from trying this place out. I liked my Southern omelette and Swedish pancakes. Large portions so I took some of it to go.

Great comfort food with a side of nostalgia thrown in! One of the best places on the Peninsula for breakfast.

I absolutely love their Swedish Pancakes; they're unique and downright delicious! Tried an omelette too, and the crispy bacon made it extra tasty. Keep in mind, this place gets pretty busy, especially on brunch-packed weekends. Quick tip: weekends get busy, so opt for off-peak times to dodge the crowds. We came in on a Saturday at 1pm, no wait at all.