Waffle Haus Akaroa

About Waffle Haus Akaroa

Waffle Haus Akaroa is a Garden Centre Cafe at 58 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa, tucked behind Arkwright's Emporium. After 8 years operating from what the owners call "the tiniest kitchen in the world," pumping out thousands of waffles, the business recently expanded into a new food trailer on site, bringing a bigger offering alongside its signature fresh Belgian waffles.

That expansion added Vivace Espresso coffee, French crepes (both savoury and sweet), Bacon & Egg Butties, and plenty more outdoor seating, on top of the freshly cooked waffles the cafe is known for. Waffle Haus Akaroa was named Best Desserts in Restaurant Guru's 2023 awards, and is also home to the Waffle Haus Food Challenge — finish 18 waffles as a guy, or 14 as a gal, within an hour, and the meal is free, plus you take home a $50 voucher. The current one-hour record stands at 17 waffles.

The waffle menu itself leans into indulgence, from the bestselling Death by Chocolate to towering stacks like The Big Chief, alongside an All You Can Eat option for dine-in guests. SuperGold card holders save 20%, and gift vouchers are available, valid across all three Waffle Haus locations.

Waffle Haus Akaroa: Belgian Waffles, Crepes and a Food Challenge

Waffle Haus Akaroa operates as a Garden Centre Cafe at 58 Rue Lavaud, tucked behind Arkwright's Emporium in the heart of Akaroa. For 8 years, the business ran from what its owners describe as "the tiniest kitchen in the world," turning out thousands of fresh Belgian waffles for locals and visitors alike.

A Recent Expansion

That tiny kitchen has now grown into a purpose-built food trailer on site, bringing a much bigger offering to the cafe. Alongside the waffles that built its reputation, Waffle Haus Akaroa now serves Vivace Espresso coffee, French crepes in both savoury and sweet varieties, and Bacon & Egg Butties, along with plenty more outdoor seating for guests to settle into.

Indulgent Waffles at the Core

The waffle menu remains the heart of the business, and it doesn't hold back. Death by Chocolate — a Belgian waffle topped with Hershey's chocolate sauce, flake, Whittaker's chocolate pips and whipped cream — is the biggest seller, while The Big Chief stacks three waffles with two layers of banana and streaky bacon for those after something more substantial. Other standouts include Berrylicious, Chocolate Salted Caramel, Waffle Monkey, Banoffle, Oreo Cookie Crumble, Lemon Berry and Kit Kat, most of which can be supersized with an added scoop of ice cream in a flavour that changes weekly. A newer addition, the Lemon Cheesecake Waffle, has also joined the lineup.

The Waffle Haus Food Challenge

Waffle Haus Akaroa is one of the locations hosting the brand's famous Food Challenge: finish 18 waffles as a guy, or 14 as a gal, within one hour, and the meal is free, plus you walk away with a $50 voucher. The current one-hour record across the Waffle Haus locations stands at 17 waffles. For those not chasing the record, an All You Can Eat option is also available for dine-in guests, served four waffles at a time with maple syrup and icing sugar — just no sharing and no doggie bags.

Recognised for Dessert

The cafe's reputation has been recognised beyond its own customers, with Waffle Haus Akaroa named Best Desserts in Restaurant Guru's 2023 awards — a nod to the consistency of a menu built almost entirely around indulgent, freshly made waffles.

Discounts and Gift Vouchers

SuperGold card holders save 20% at Waffle Haus simply by presenting their card (not combinable with other offers), and gift vouchers are available in a range of amounts, valid across all three Waffle Haus locations with a 12-month expiry — a straightforward gift option for anyone who loves a good waffle.

Visiting Waffle Haus Akaroa

Waffle Haus Akaroa is open daily from 9am to 5pm, with winter hours reduced to 10am to 4pm. It's worth calling ahead on 03 304 7007, particularly if you're planning to attempt the Food Challenge, since bookings are required for that even though All You Can Eat is available at any time.

Signature items

• Death by Chocolate
• New Lemon Cheesecake Waffle
• The Big Chief
• Bacon & Egg Butties
• French Crepes
• Waffle Haus Food Challenge

Menu

Waffles

• New Lemon Cheesecake Waffle — A new addition to the menu
• Death by Chocolate — Fresh Belgian waffle with Hershey's chocolate sauce, flake, Whittaker's chocolate pips, whipped cream and icing sugar; the biggest seller, supersize option with a weekly-changing ice cream flavour available
• The Big Chief — A three-stack of Belgian waffles with two layers of banana and streaky bacon, served with maple syrup, whipped cream and icing sugar
• Berrylicious — Fresh Belgian waffle topped with strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, whipped cream and berry sauce, dusted with icing sugar; supersize option available
• Chocolate Salted Caramel — Fresh Belgian waffle with Hershey's chocolate and salted caramel sauce, whipped cream and icing sugar; supersize option available
• Waffle Monkey — Fresh Belgian waffle with sliced banana, Hershey's chocolate and salted caramel sauce, coconut, whipped cream and icing sugar; supersize option available
• Banoffle — Fresh Belgian waffle with sliced banana, caramel sauce, flake and caramel-infused cream; supersize option available
• Bacon & Banana Waffle Stack — Two-stack of Belgian waffles with fresh banana and streaky bacon, served with maple syrup, whipped cream and icing sugar
• Oreo Cookie Crumble — Fresh Belgian waffle with crushed Oreo biscuits, Hershey's chocolate and salted caramel sauce, whipped cream and icing sugar; supersize option available
• Lemon Berry — Fresh Belgian waffle with Barker's lemon curd and a sweet berry sauce, whipped cream and icing sugar; supersize option available
• Kit Kat — Fresh Belgian waffle with crushed Kit Kat, Hershey's chocolate and salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, more Kit Kat and icing sugar; supersize option available
• Plain Belgian Waffle (Single) — With maple syrup and icing sugar
• Plain Belgian Waffle (Two Stack) — With maple syrup and icing sugar
• Plain Belgian Waffle (Four Stack) — With maple syrup and icing sugar
• All You Can Eat Waffles — Fresh Belgian waffles with maple syrup and icing sugar; dine-in only, no sharing, no doggie bags, 1 hour time limit

Challenges & Vouchers

• Waffle Haus Food Challenge — Finish 18 waffles (guys) or 14 (gals) within 1 hour to eat free plus a $50 voucher; current 1-hour record is 17
• Gift Voucher — Valid at all three Waffle Haus locations, 12 month expiry

Cafe & Trailer Additions

• Vivace Espresso — Espresso coffee, added as part of the recent site expansion
• French Crepes — Savoury and sweet crepes, added as part of the recent site expansion
• Bacon & Egg Butties — Added as part of the recent site expansion

Frequently asked questions

What is Waffle Haus Akaroa known for?

Fresh Belgian waffles, plus recently added Vivace Espresso, French crepes and Bacon & Egg Butties.

What are the opening hours?

Open daily 9am to 5pm; winter hours are 10am to 4pm.

Is there a Food Challenge?

Yes — finish 18 waffles (guys) or 14 (gals) within 1 hour to eat free plus a $50 voucher. The current record is 17.

Is All You Can Eat available?

Yes, dine-in only, no sharing or doggie bags, with a 1 hour time limit.

Do SuperGold card holders get a discount?

Yes, 20% off, though it can't be combined with other current offers.

Are gift vouchers available?

Yes, valid at all three Waffle Haus locations, with a 12 month expiry.

Has Waffle Haus Akaroa won any awards?

Yes, Best Desserts in Restaurant Guru's 2023 awards.

Tips

• {"body":"The menu's biggest seller.","title":"Try the Death by Chocolate"}
• {"body":"A recent addition to the menu.","title":"Ask about the new Lemon Cheesecake Waffle"}
• {"body":"Beat the record and eat free, or just come hungry.","title":"Consider the Food Challenge or All You Can Eat"}
• {"body":"Hours reduce to 10am-4pm in winter, versus the standard 9am-5pm.","title":"Check winter hours before visiting"}

Good to know

• {"payments":"SuperGold card holders receive a 20% discount (not combinable with other offers)"}