Glance at the menu of any restaurant and you should be able to tell how serious they are about waffles. If there's an iron in the house there's a waffle on the menu, and that turns out to be the case for over 80 restaurants in the metro area. But with so many places in the Twin Cities serving waffles how do you begin to make a short list?
Done well, a waffle provides the perfect canvas for almost any combination of ingredients. These are waffles worth going out of your way for. Waffles that can't walk into a room without being noticed.
Honorable mentions go to the waffles at: The Fremont, Al’s Breakfast, Saguaro, Bulldog Northeast, French Meadow MPLS & Bluestem Bar, Barbette, Lake & Irving, Eggy’s, and The Longfellow Grill.
Did we miss your favorite? Take to the comments and let us know where to indulge in a great waffle next.
This sunlit north Minneapolis gem starts by nailing the basics. While the waffle doesn’t need more than the housemade butter and real maple syrup that it comes with, you can opt to get it topped with whatever sweet or savory combination of ingredients local farmers have brought in. Add that you can turn any sandwich on the menu into a waffle-wich, and Serendripity Spot is a farm-to-table eater’s dream.
Bright, airy Midtown cafe meets waffles cooked to a delicate golden crisp and served with real maple syrup or local honey. Groundswell’s most awarded waffle is notable for what’s baked into it: jet-black ribbons of Earl Grey tea, topped with house-made lemon curd. And while weekend brunch is almost always packed, the savory sweet potato poutine waffle is worth the wait. Sweet, salty and filling, relish the savory curds melted into all those nooks and crannies.
Home to what might be the most photographed waffle in the city, Birchwood starts their waffle with local, seasonally available ingredients baked into the batter and finishes with the fattest chunks of bacon you’ve ever seen. Dip a bacon lardon in syrup, chase it with your waffle, or eat it all in a single sweet-savory bite for a waffle that's earned its reputation.
This pop-up eatery specializes in traditional Liège waffles, conveniently hand-held and good enough to eat naked. Rachel Thompson's inspired creations feature a buttery, crispy-dense waffle paired with whimsical toppings, from sugar cookie frosting and sprinkles to carrot cake cream cheese. Find them Wednesdays at the Northeast Farmers Market.
Step into the cozy interior and surround yourself with bizarre decor. This neighborhood gem's inspired diner food is impeccable, particularly the pumpkin buckwheat waffle served with house made whipped cream and a generous handful of toasted pecans. It's a breakfast experience that's equal parts charmingly weird, delicious, and worth going back for seconds.
It's all about the toppings at Black Coffee & Waffle Bar. Expect imaginative sweet and savory waffle combinations at their two locations. The build-your-own is the star of the show here, with at least 16 ingredients you can add on, or in, your personalized creation.
This iconic Cuban diner has long been a Minneapolis staple, famous for its sharpie-covered walls, candid staff, and stellar breakfast. Their mango waffle, topped with fresh mango slices and mango puree, is sweet, tangy, and just the right balance of crispy corners and cakey interior.
The cheery, personable staff at L'Etoile du Nord know their way around a waffle iron, and the housemade Nutella on the menu is enough to confirm that you're in for a treat. Charmingly asymmetrical Liège waffles are cooked to a delicate golden crisp and topped with local, organic, seasonally available ingredients. If you’re just passing through, step up to the short service counter and get your fix with a hand-held waffle to go.
If you're on the hunt for creative waffle toppings, you have over 30 options to choose from at The Buzz, from cookies & cream (Oreo cookies baked inside, topped with Oreo & whipped cream) to meat lover's (bacon & ham baked inside, topped with a scrambled egg & sausage).
The thanksgiving-style waffle at Northbound Smokehouse doesn't start with batter. Instead, it's made with sage-seasoned stuffing that turns into a bonafide waffle in the iron. Topped with house-smoked turkey, cranberry-horseradish sauce and a generous helping of mashed potatoes, this is a waffle to be reckoned with.
Come hungry for the churro waffle that’s ironed, deep-fried, rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with a mountain of whipped cream. Their uniquely rosette-shaped waffles take up the entire plate and are exactly as you'd expect: crispy golden brown on the outside, chewy and faintly sweet interior, and the perfect backdrop for sweet or savory topping combinations.
This cozy cafe just off Lake Nokomis is the place to go for a casual cup of coffee and great waffles. Standout options on the menu include the all-day breakfast nordic waffle (crepe-style waffle wrapped around bacon, eggs and melted cheddar) or the sweet and simple Belgian-style build-your-own.
Best known for its whiskey selection and insanely good happy hour food, The Lowry also makes a masterful waffle. Crispy exterior. Warm, caky interior. Peanut butter waffles are topped with crunchy peanut butter, then drizzled with sweet vanilla custard and finished with candied peanuts. The chicken and waffles are just as decadent: crispy fried chicken drenched in southern-style sausage gravy and garnished with fresh herbs for a splash of color.
This sunlit north Minneapolis gem starts by nailing the basics. While the waffle doesn’t need more than the housemade butter and real maple syrup that it comes with, you can opt to get it topped with whatever sweet or savory combination of ingredients local farmers have brought in. Add that you can turn any sandwich on the menu into a waffle-wich, and Serendripity Spot is a farm-to-table eater’s dream.
Bright, airy Midtown cafe meets waffles cooked to a delicate golden crisp and served with real maple syrup or local honey. Groundswell’s most awarded waffle is notable for what’s baked into it: jet-black ribbons of Earl Grey tea, topped with house-made lemon curd. And while weekend brunch is almost always packed, the savory sweet potato poutine waffle is worth the wait. Sweet, salty and filling, relish the savory curds melted into all those nooks and crannies.
Home to what might be the most photographed waffle in the city, Birchwood starts their waffle with local, seasonally available ingredients baked into the batter and finishes with the fattest chunks of bacon you’ve ever seen. Dip a bacon lardon in syrup, chase it with your waffle, or eat it all in a single sweet-savory bite for a waffle that's earned its reputation.
This pop-up eatery specializes in traditional Liège waffles, conveniently hand-held and good enough to eat naked. Rachel Thompson's inspired creations feature a buttery, crispy-dense waffle paired with whimsical toppings, from sugar cookie frosting and sprinkles to carrot cake cream cheese. Find them Wednesdays at the Northeast Farmers Market.
Step into the cozy interior and surround yourself with bizarre decor. This neighborhood gem's inspired diner food is impeccable, particularly the pumpkin buckwheat waffle served with house made whipped cream and a generous handful of toasted pecans. It's a breakfast experience that's equal parts charmingly weird, delicious, and worth going back for seconds.
It's all about the toppings at Black Coffee & Waffle Bar. Expect imaginative sweet and savory waffle combinations at their two locations. The build-your-own is the star of the show here, with at least 16 ingredients you can add on, or in, your personalized creation.
This iconic Cuban diner has long been a Minneapolis staple, famous for its sharpie-covered walls, candid staff, and stellar breakfast. Their mango waffle, topped with fresh mango slices and mango puree, is sweet, tangy, and just the right balance of crispy corners and cakey interior.
The cheery, personable staff at L'Etoile du Nord know their way around a waffle iron, and the housemade Nutella on the menu is enough to confirm that you're in for a treat. Charmingly asymmetrical Liège waffles are cooked to a delicate golden crisp and topped with local, organic, seasonally available ingredients. If you’re just passing through, step up to the short service counter and get your fix with a hand-held waffle to go.
If you're on the hunt for creative waffle toppings, you have over 30 options to choose from at The Buzz, from cookies & cream (Oreo cookies baked inside, topped with Oreo & whipped cream) to meat lover's (bacon & ham baked inside, topped with a scrambled egg & sausage).
The thanksgiving-style waffle at Northbound Smokehouse doesn't start with batter. Instead, it's made with sage-seasoned stuffing that turns into a bonafide waffle in the iron. Topped with house-smoked turkey, cranberry-horseradish sauce and a generous helping of mashed potatoes, this is a waffle to be reckoned with.
Come hungry for the churro waffle that’s ironed, deep-fried, rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with a mountain of whipped cream. Their uniquely rosette-shaped waffles take up the entire plate and are exactly as you'd expect: crispy golden brown on the outside, chewy and faintly sweet interior, and the perfect backdrop for sweet or savory topping combinations.
This cozy cafe just off Lake Nokomis is the place to go for a casual cup of coffee and great waffles. Standout options on the menu include the all-day breakfast nordic waffle (crepe-style waffle wrapped around bacon, eggs and melted cheddar) or the sweet and simple Belgian-style build-your-own.
Best known for its whiskey selection and insanely good happy hour food, The Lowry also makes a masterful waffle. Crispy exterior. Warm, caky interior. Peanut butter waffles are topped with crunchy peanut butter, then drizzled with sweet vanilla custard and finished with candied peanuts. The chicken and waffles are just as decadent: crispy fried chicken drenched in southern-style sausage gravy and garnished with fresh herbs for a splash of color.
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