International Waffle Day is March 25, celebrating the worldwide love of the sweet breakfast food. But the annual foodie holiday reportedly began as a misunderstanding.
First, the origin of the waffle
According to Smithsonian Magazine, the waffle dates back to ancient Greece, where Athenians roasted flat cakes called obelios between two hot metal plates.
Later adapted to the French oublies during the Middle Ages, the edible discs typically depicted Biblical scenes and religious iconography, as they served as a sort of communion wafer, eaten after meals as a symbolic blessing. Made of simple grain flour and water, the food was commonplace among all walks of society throughout Europe by the 13th century.
As cooks gained access to different ingredients and spices, the recipe of the wafer changed over time, transforming into a delicacy called a gaufre or wafel. Eventually, the treat traveled around the world, picking up new names, flavors and designs.
So how did Waffle Day start?
While the first iterations of the waffle gained popularity as a communion wafer, Waffle Day began with a Christian holiday, the Feast of Annunciation or the Day of Our Lady. Typically held on March 25, it commemorates the moment archangel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to God’s son.
Waffle – the food – has little to do with this celebration but its name, in Swedish, apparently made March 25 the designated day for waffles, all due to a misunderstanding, according to tourism website Visit Sweden. In Sweden, the Feast of Annunciation is called “Vårfrudagen” (the Day of Our Lady), which sounds very similar to “våffeldagen,” which means the waffle day.
Over time, it became tradition to eat waffles on March 25, and soon Waffle Day was celebrated all across Europe. And while the U.S. has its own National Waffle Day on Aug. 24 — coinciding with the patenting of the first American waffle iron in 1869, invented by Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York — it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the treat at least twice a year.
A variety of waffles from around the world include the fluffy Brussels-style Belgian waffle; Sweden’s crispy, heart-shaped waffles; the thin, cookie-like Dutch stroopwafels; the fish-shaped Japanese taiyaki waffles; the green Vietnamese pandan waffle; the savory, U.K.-based potato waffles and many more.
No need to travel the world to find a hot plate of delicious waffles. Here’s the best of the sweet breakfast treat in Sonoma County to celebrate International Waffle Day on March 25, or any day of the year.
Sunflower Caffe
The rotating seasonal menu currently offers a passionfruit coconut waffle — a buttermilk waffle topped with passionfruit curd, Chantilly cream, toasted coconut and organic Vermont maple syrup. A gluten-free oat waffle can be subbed for $2. 421 First St. West, Sonoma, 707-996-6645, sonomasunflower.com
Verano Cafe
The Sonoma cafe offers a Belgian buttermilk waffle topped with seasonal fruit, whipped cream and syrup. Or, spring for a classic waffle and fried chicken. 18976 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma, 707-931-6837, veranocafesonoma.com
Sax’s Joint
This 1950s-style diner has an extensive breakfast menu, including a handful of waffle dishes. Go for the classic chicken and waffles or take it next level with the spicy bacon cheddar waffle. Prefer a sweeter take on the morning treat? Delight your inner child with Baily Shay’s Crazy Cereal Waffle. 317 Petaluma Blvd. S., Petaluma, 707-559-3021, saxsjoint.com
River Front Cafe
The riverside cafe’s Belgian waffle is topped with fresh strawberries, powdered sugar and whipped cream. 224 B St., Petaluma, 707-347-5147, riverfront.cafe
Mr. Stroopwafel
The Netherlands stroopwafel shop has a variety of the Dutch cookie-like waffle treat on its menu. The Original Stroop is a classic stroopwafel filled with caramel. Or go for one of the tantalizing signature stroopwafels, such as the chocowafel, strawberry drizzle and coconut crisp. 441 N. McDowell Blvd., Suite 24, Petaluma, mrstroopwafelusa.com
Cafe Mimosa
Cafe Mimosa serves waffles at all three of its locations — topped with berries, powdered sugar and mascarpone. 417 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, 707-658-2795; 451 Rohnert Park Expressway, Rohnert Park, 707-595-3764; 456 College Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-293-9450, cafemimosaaa.com
Beer Baron Bar & Kitchen
Take your bar bites to the next level with Beer Baron’s fried chicken and waffles, served with Fresno chili slaw, maple syrup and bacon butter. For dessert, try a churro waffle, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. 614 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-757-9294, beerbaronsr.com
Americana
A waffle, which can be made gluten-free, is served with housemade vanilla cider maple syrup, whipped cream and seasonal fruit. Available at both Santa Rosa and Sebastopol locations. 205 Fifth St., Suite A, Santa Rosa, 707-755-1548; 162 N. Main St., Sebastopol, 707-827-3309, americanasonomacounty.com
Howard Station Cafe
The locomotive-themed cafe in Occidental includes a variety of waffles dishes on its menu, from a simple Belgian waffle to more decadent versions like the chocolate chip and cream waffle. A favorite is the peaches and cream waffle. 3611 Bohemian Hwy., Occidental, 707-874-2838, howardstationcafe.com
Fandee’s Restaurant
Fandee’s waffle is served with chocolate sauce and fresh berries. Make it a meal (for an extra $6) with two eggs any style and two pieces of bacon or sausage. Waffle add-ons ($2 each) include banana, blueberries and chocolate chips. 7824 Covert Lane, Sebastopol, 707-829-2642, fandeesrestaurant.com
The Madrona
The restaurant at The Madrona hotel in Healdsburg currently offers a shareable Table Waffle on its weekend brunch menu. 1001 Westside Road, Healdsburg, 707-395-6700, themadronahotel.com
Saucy Mama’s Jook Joint
The cornbread waffle is the perfect accompaniment to the buttermilk fried chicken or spicy hot link. 16632 Highway 116, Guerneville, 707-604-7184, saucymamasjookjoint.com