5 OF THE BEST WAFFLES

Permission to eat dessert for breakfast? Here it is!

ELK ESPRESSO

OASIS SHOPPING CENTRE, BROADBEACH

The Broadbeach cafe’s waffle wizardry began with an infamous fried chicken-topped treat, but its latest dark magic dish is just as likely to tantalise tastebuds. Fresh off the new autumn menu is the black forest waffle, a sweet treat where ash grey-coloured waffles are juxtaposed by pink and red trimmings. “Our black forest waffle is the latest sweet addition to our autumn menu and it’s available all day,” Elk Espresso owner Andrew Whiting says. “It has activated charcoal waffles, raspberry ice cream, berries, strawberry gel, chocolate soil, violet white chocolate and marshmallow. We used the charcoal as an ingredient to bring an earthiness to the dish. The overall inspiration and flavour profile of the dish comes from the classic black forest cake.” Andrew says the plate is quickly becoming Insta-famous. “So many are ordered and photographed.”

OH MY WAFFLE

6/1837 GOLD COAST HWY, BURLEIGH HEADS

As the Coast’s first waffle dessert bar, coowner Jessica Hannagan says they’re constantly upping the ante with monthly specials. The Straight Outta Burleigh is the bestseller. “That’s got strawberries, brownie pieces, melted Whittaker’s chocolate and ice cream,” she says. The recent launch of weekend breakfasts introduced a host of new creations, including a waffle/French toast hybrid.

NEIGHBOURHOOD ESPRESSO

4/9 STATION ST, CURRUMBIN WATERS

It’s all things nice at Neighbourhood Espresso, where they serve their waffles infused with sugar and spice. The pumpkin spice buckwheat waffle comes with sweet and savoury elements added to the toppings of mascarpone, house-made praline and banana curd. “We serve it with fresh banana and it goes really nice with bacon,” owner Cleo Watterson says. “Everyone has absolutely loved it.”

THE LOOSE MOOSE

OASIS SHOPPING CENTRE, BROADBEACH

Our second contender from the waffle wonderland that is Oasis Shopping Centre, The Loose Moose is luring fans of a cult Aussie ice cream. The Golden Gaytime recreates its role model with salted caramel sauce, Gaytime ice cream and flavoured labneh, white chocolate “soil” and shortbread. The crispy buttermilk waffle is presented on an icecream stick for your eating pleasure.

CARDAMOM POD BRICKWORKS

3/3 BROLGA AVENUE, SOUTHPORT

Sweet or savoury? Why not both! Cardamom Pod has two waffles on its photogenic menu. Get saucy with the double choc option, which comes with salted caramel ice cream, raspberry compote, strawberries, Oreo crumbs, meringue crumble and heaps of chocolate sauce. The Indian street food waffle is just as elaborate, but the spinach pakora base makes for a savoury sensation.