10 Pumpkin Pancakes And Grits Taking Over Georgia Brunch Spots
Fall has arrived in Georgia, and brunch menus across the state are celebrating with a delicious Southern twist. Local restaurants are combining two comfort food favorites – fluffy pumpkin pancakes and creamy grits – creating innovative dishes that have diners lining up around the block.
I’ve explored the best spots serving these seasonal specialties and compiled a mouthwatering list that’ll have you planning your weekend brunch adventure right away.
1. Maple Street’s Harvest Stack
My taste buds went wild for this magnificent creation in downtown Atlanta. The chef layers three golden pumpkin pancakes between whisper-thin sheets of buttered grits, creating a texture that’s simultaneously fluffy and creamy.
Each bite delivers warm cinnamon and nutmeg notes followed by the subtle corn flavor of the grits. They finish it with a bourbon-maple reduction that slowly cascades down the sides, making this a must-try fall indulgence.
2. Peachtree Pumpkin Perfection
Found this gem tucked away in Savannah’s historic district. Their signature dish combines pumpkin pancake batter with stone-ground grits for a uniquely textured base that’s both hearty and light.
The pancakes arrive topped with candied pecans and local honey. What makes this dish extraordinary is how they infuse the batter with warm chai spices, giving every mouthful a complex flavor profile that perfectly represents Georgia’s blend of traditional and innovative cuisine.
3. Farmhouse Fusion at Buttermilk Kitchen
The line starts forming early at this Atlanta hotspot! Their farm-to-table approach shines in their pumpkin-grits creation, where locally grown sugar pumpkins meet organic stone-ground grits.
The pancakes come as a trio, each topped with different seasonal accompaniments – my favorite features bourbon-soaked apples. The genius touch is the side of savory grits with sharp cheddar and crispy bacon bits, giving you the perfect sweet-savory balance in one incredible plate.
4. Southern Soul’s Spiced Pumpkin Griddle Cakes
This St. Simons Island treasure serves up a coastal interpretation that knocked my socks off. The chef blends pureed pumpkin with creamy grits and a hint of sea salt, creating pancakes with incredible depth of flavor.
Each griddle cake gets crisped to golden perfection on cast iron. The crowning glory is their pecan praline butter, which slowly melts into every crevice. A sprinkle of crumbled bacon on top adds that perfect savory note to balance the sweetness.
5. Rise & Dine’s Pumpkin Grits Soufflé Pancakes
Stumbled upon this Athens favorite near the university campus. The culinary team has created something truly magical – Japanese-style soufflé pancakes made with pumpkin puree and folded with whipped grits.
These cloud-like creations jiggle when served! They’re impossibly light yet satisfying, with a delicate pumpkin flavor. The maple-bourbon sauce gets poured tableside, and each order comes with a side of crispy grits cakes for textural contrast. College students and locals alike pack this place every weekend.
6. Grits & Grace’s Pumpkin Cornmeal Johnnycakes
Tucked in a Macon neighborhood, this family-owned spot blends traditions beautifully. Their johnnycakes combine cornmeal, grits, and pumpkin puree into thin, crispy-edged pancakes that honor both Appalachian and Southern cooking.
The stack arrives with sorghum butter melting between each layer. What really makes these special is the sprinkle of their house-made five-spice blend that adds unexpected warmth. They serve them alongside creamy cheese grits with a perfectly poached egg on top.
7. Pecan Hollow’s Pumpkin Spice Grits Waffles
Discovered this Augusta treasure during a weekend getaway. They’ve reimagined the classic by using a pumpkin-grits batter in a Belgian waffle iron, creating deep pockets that capture every drop of their bourbon caramel sauce.
The exterior develops an incredible crispness while maintaining a creamy interior. Fresh apple compote and candied pecans add seasonal flair. The genius move is serving it with a side of savory bacon-studded grits, creating the ultimate sweet-savory experience that keeps locals coming back weekly.
8. Coastal Harvest’s Pumpkin Grits Blinis
This Brunswick coastal eatery puts a sophisticated spin on breakfast with their miniature pumpkin-grits blinis. The silver dollar-sized pancakes have a delicate texture and subtle sweetness that’s absolutely irresistible.
Each plate comes with twelve blinis and three seasonal toppings – my favorite combination includes whipped maple cream cheese, spiced apple butter, and candied bacon crumbles. The chef incorporates local stone-ground grits that add just enough texture without sacrificing the pancakes’ delicate nature.
9. Magnolia Morning’s Pumpkin Grits Bread Pudding Pancakes
Couldn’t believe my eyes when I spotted this creation in Columbus. The innovative chef soaks day-old pumpkin pancakes in a custard infused with grits, then rebakes them into a pancake-bread pudding hybrid that’s mind-blowing.
The outside gets caramelized while the interior remains custardy and rich. A warm praline sauce cascades over the top, and they garnish it with toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch. This dish brilliantly transforms yesterday’s pancakes into today’s sensation – sustainable and scrumptious!
10. Heritage Table’s Pumpkin Pancake & Grits Breakfast Board
Nearly fainted when the server brought out this spectacular spread in Roswell. This shareable feast features miniature pumpkin pancakes, three varieties of grits (classic, cheese, and pumpkin-spiced), and an array of seasonal toppings.
The interactive experience lets you build custom bites – try the pumpkin pancake with bourbon-maple grits and candied bacon! Everything arrives on a gorgeous wooden board with small cast-iron vessels keeping each component hot. Perfect for friend gatherings or family brunches when everyone wants something slightly different.
