Waffles of wonder in Calgary

Of all the fattening breakfast pastries available, none has seen more recent growth in popularity than the humble waffle. Served with maple syrup, fried chicken and umpteen new twists, the beauty of the waffle lies in its versatility. These hearty cakes of sweet and savoury goodness are available everywhere lately. Here’s our shortlist of some the best spots. [Feature photo: The Brokin Yolk]

Waffles of wonder in Calgary
Colin Gallant By

Buttermilk Fine Waffles

Buttermilk is Calgary’s sole waffles-only restaurant. With a prime spot on 17th Avenue Southwest and its brightly modern interior, you’ll be invited in by the sights and stick around for the intoxicating flavours. Pick from sweet (blueberry compote with crème fraiche, for example) or savoury (ham, two cheeses, chives) selections, or build your own creation with toppings that include Village Ice Cream, crumbled goat cheese and sticky toffee.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Beltliner The

1
243 12 Ave Sw, Calgary, AB T2R 1H7

Amped-up diner comfort food is the star attraction at The Beltliner. Try a simple waffle with syrup at breakfast or traditional Southern chicken and waffles in the evening. This Beltline hotspot is always bustling during the day, but is becoming known as a haven for cheap brown liquor drinks and quiet meals as the day gets late.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Waffles & Chix

This food truck is always on the move with hungry customers in hot pursuit. It’s no wonder: the Waffles & Chix menu includes maple-syrup-slathered waffles with bacon baked right in, as well as their signature Cheezy Waffle Sandwich served with Southern-fried chicken and coleslaw.

Vendome Cafe

2
940 2 Ave NW, Calgary, AB T2N 0E6

Vendome Café transports patrons from Calgary to Europe. Its redbrick exterior, elegant white interior and large windows give the space a homey yet unfussy feel. Indulge in the flavours of Italy with mascarpone-topped waffles rounded out with market-fresh berries and maple syrup. Enjoy with a cup of coffee or three.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Roosevelt Food & Drinks

3
933 17 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2T 5R6

Roosevelt takes its waffles to an utterly opulent level, featuring white cheddar and rosemary on the inside, smoked bacon, relish, maple butter and gravy on the outside. The 17th Avenue Southwest restaurant and bar’s retro-casual vibe makes it a perfect choice for lunch or a night out.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

Manuel Latruwe Belgian Patisserie & Bread Shop

4
1333 1 Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 5L1

Straight outta Oostende, Belgian expat Manuel Latruwe knows waffles like doctors know medicine. His café’s storefront features a calmingly neutral colour scheme and a dazzlingly impressive pastry case. His signature Belgian waffles are available fresh at the table and frozen to be prepared at home.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

BroKin Yolk Creekside The

5
130-12580 Symons Valley Rd Nw, Calgary, AB T3P 0A3

The Bro’kin Yolk treats waffles like an irresistible science experiment. The star of the show at the family-owned restaurant is the baked apple pie waffle smothered in Chantilly cream, candied pecans, pie crumble and salted caramel. When these oh-so-sweet treats bring on a sugar buzz, the restaurant’s Zen black-and-white colour scheme helps calm the over-stimulated waffle addict.

Tavernetta

6
1002 Edmonton Trail NE, Calgary, AB T2E 3K2

When you think of Japanese tapas, you may not envision waffles. The kitchen creatives at Cerezo have dreamed up a guilt-free, whole-wheat and quinoa waffle that complements their contemporary Asian fare. The restaurant is situated within a converted home in Bridgeland, so feel free to get cozy and enjoy a relaxing meal.

Sweet Life Cafe

7
7-6449 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB T3E 5R7

Specializing in both waffles and crepes, Sweet Life’s breakfast menu is filled with indulgent yet affordable dishes. We suggest the punny Bacon’Eh’tor, a heavenly blend of sweet (vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche) and salty (maple-smoked bacon). Pop into the no-frills Lakeview Plaza location for food that speaks for itself.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:

OEB Breakfast

8
825 1 Ave Ne, Calgary, AB T2E 0C2

OEB is well known on the local breakfast circuit for its Soul in a Bowl breakfast poutine. There’s more to explore on the restaurant’s gargantuan menu, however, and we suggest the Quebecois reverence of the Lotsa Lox & Waffle for its tzatziki, Spanish capers and smoked salmon flair. Weekends at OEB mean lineups, but their use of the NoWait app makes the process more convenient.

This business is featured in the following Smart Lists:
More from Colin Gallant Colin Gallant
Colin is the music editor for BeatRoute Magazine, a reporter for the Calgary Journal and a freelance communications expert working with not-for-profits. He splits his free time between investigating Calgary's vibrant arts community, eating all the new food he can find and frequenting the dankest of dive bars.
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