Waffle Frolic in Ithaca, New York is a solid bet for vegans in search of delicious breakfast food. When we visited Ithaca many years ago, this was the sole vegan option in the downtown core. While there are many vegan, vegetarian, and vegan-friendly restaurants nowadays, Waffle Frolic continues to serve delicious vegan waffles.
Waffle Frolic is located in Ithaca Commons, which is close to Cornell University so I am sure it is a popular place among the students. Opening in 2010 and founded by two Ithaca College students, it offers yummy and ethically sourced meals, including vegan and gluten-free options.
It's the best option for breakfast and brunch in Ithaca for every taste. Of course, waffles are the main feature at Waffle Frolic with all kinds of flavor combinations. There are other breakfast items on the menu, including waffle sandwiches, and non-waffle dishes. There are also sandwiches and burgers if you're dining for lunch.
Dining at Waffle Frolic
As this is a vegan blog and we only sampled the vegan fare, we will be focusing specifically on the plant-based meals at Waffle Frolic. Waffle Frolic serves single or double-sized waffles with your choice of toppings. The vegan waffle is also gluten-free, and it comes served with powdered sugar and Earth Balance vegan margarine. You can also choose to add the following vegan toppings:
- Apple butter
- Bananas
- Cinnamon Sugar
- Granola
- Peanut Butter
- Walnuts
- Shredded coconut
- Agave
- Almond Butter
- Compote of the day
- Fried banana
- Fresh strawberries
- Local maple syrup
- Vegan ice cream
Justin and I were absolutely starving after our hikes at Taughannock Falls and Robert H. Treman State Park, so we were drooling at the prospect of ordering all kinds of yummy dishes. In hindsight, yes, we ordered way too much food.
Vegan Waffles and Grilled Cheese at Waffle Frolic
We should have ordered single-sized waffles instead of the double-sized waffles that we did order because we were unable to finish all of our food. To be fair, the picture of the waffle didn't look that big on the wall, plus the server did admit afterwards that the vegan/gluten-free waffles are a bit thicker and heavier than the regular waffles there.
I ordered my waffle with maple syrup. They source real maple syrup locally from Schoolyard Sugarbush in Moravia, New York. You can also buy this maple syrup at the Ithaca Farmers Market. It's 100% local and organic. You do need to pay a little extra for this real maple syrup because it is expensive. Regular "table syrup" is free, but I suggest you splurge for the real thing (maybe it's the Canadian in me, but trust me on this one!).
Justin ordered his waffle with a big scoop of vanilla soy ice cream, which came dusted with powdered sugar. As you can see, these waffles are huge, bigger than the plate!
We also ordered two vegan grilled cheese sandwiches (made vegan by using Daiya brand vegan cheese): Roasted Garlic & Portobello and Mediterranean (Spinach, Artichoke, and Kalamata Olive Spread). Other vegan options at Waffle Frolic include a black bean burger on a waffle bun, or a waffle dog (a vegan hotdog dipped in vegan waffle batter and fried).
Explore Ithaca Commons
In downtown Ithaca, Ithaca Commons is a four-block pedestrian shopping area, home to over 100 stores, restaurants, cafes and pubs. After eating your waffles at Waffle Frolic, why not go for a wander around Ithaca Commons like we did?
We went to a really cute shop called Home Green Home, which focuses on sustainable living and organic housewares. Buffalo Street Books is another great shop for book lovers - it's Ithaca's community-owned independent bookstore. There are also popular downtown events at Ithaca Commons, like the Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival in the fall.
The legendary Moosewood Restaurant (of the famed vegetarian cookbooks) is right here in Ithaca. Back in 2014 when we visited Ithaca, we avoided Moosewood Restaurant because there weren't any vegan items on the menu, and they served a lot of fish surprisingly! Nowadays, it is a completely vegetarian and vegan restaurant (yay!), but there are likely some better vegan restaurants in town to check out. I'd likely still hit up Waffle Frolic over this one, actually!
More Things to Do in the Finger Lakes
If you're in Ithaca, be sure to dine at Waffle Frolic for breakfast or lunch. Here are all of the other great things to do in the region, including waterfalls, hiking trails and so much more.
- Best Craft Breweries in the Finger Lakes
- 1 Day in Watkins Glen Itinerary
- Watkins Glen State Park and Gorge
- The Best Wineries on Seneca Lake (Where to Find Vegan Wine)
- Glider Plane Ride in the Finger Lakes
- Why You Must Visit the Corning Museum of Glass
- Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen
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Joseff says
The reason why I love traveling is because the food on each place I visit are just so irresistible. Traveling gives me so much learnings on different places as well as learning different cuisines that suit my tummy.
Samantha Hussey says
Wow those waffles are huge!!! Thats me sorted if I visit New York!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
You could get them in a half size or full size...I probably should have gotten the half size bc they were so big!
Bianca @ItsAllBee says
I havent had waffles in a while, those look good!
Windy City: 48 Hours in Chicago
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
They were delicious!! :)
Sumit Surai says
Those waffles look really big. And delicious too.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
The waffles were so good...makes me want them right now!
Holly Rosen Fink says
I'm hungry - great post.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Thank you! :)
CarmensTravelTips says
I'm hungry just by looking at those delicious waffles. Those are some big waffles. I'm sure you enjoyed them. Looks like a great place to go for breakfast.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Yes and they served them all day long...so you can have your breakfast also for lunch or dinner :)
Jon @ Jonistravelling.com says
You can't go wrong with waffles - I've never tried the vegan version though!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
They really didn't taste any different than the regular version!
Hannah Logan says
Hope that was real maple syrup! ;)
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Oh it most definitely was! :) I paid the extra $ for the real deal.
Anu @ CountryHoppingCouple says
Those waffles are looking so great, and I already am drooling!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Yes, it is making me want to go back in time and eat them again... :)
Karisa Blake says
I adore the name Waffle Frolic!!! The waffles also look fantastic! <3
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
It is a really cute name, isn't it!
Milosz Zak says
Ithaca is a place I've only driven past on my way to NYC from the Buffalo border crossing, but it's nice to see that there are quaint, nice places up-state as well as the Big Apple.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
There are lots of places to visit in New York State that aren't NYC, and it's great being able to explore some of those spots! Not to say that I don't love NYC...I do!
Mindi Hirsch @ 2foodtrippers says
My friends just opened a waffle truck in Philadelphia. Waffles are awesome!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
That is so cool!!! What fun! :) Food trucks are really awesome.
Kate-Frankie Brennan says
YUM! This looks delicious, I want to eat grilled cheese and waffles now! Great vegan options and very generous size. This place sounds great
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
It was an awesome find and I'd love to go back there someday! Too bad it isn't closer to home :)
Amy says
Looks delicious! With as often as I'm in Ithaca (I only live an hour and a half away) I can't believe I've never been to this place. It's definitely going to be a stop on my next visit!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Oh awesome! Definitely stop and let me know what you think!
Emily says
As a dessert fanatic, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this (and drooling over the pictures). A waffely good read! Sorry.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
haha! Waffely! Love it! :)
Christina says
Waffles and vegan: I´m in. I think it´s so hard being vegan while traveling. That´s why most of the time I eat vegetarian while traveling.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
It's great when you can find these awesome vegan spots! Or at least places that offer some vegan stuff! Thankfully it is becoming more and more common these days, slowly spreading to spots that weren't so vegan-friendly.
Dave says
I hope they had take-away boxes at this place, because I could not imagine eating this much in one sitting! In addition to the waffles, that sandwich looked delicious. A just reward after those long hikes.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Oh, yes we ended up taking half of the waffles away with us to eat later and ended up being a snack once we got home! It was just way too much food!
Tracie Howe says
Never been to Ithaca, but those waffles make me want to go right now! Mmmm, waffles...
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Ithaca was a really awesome place, for the food and for the nature/scenery!
Els says
Gosh, these waffles look huge! Good that they think about vegans as well!!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
I'm glad they also offer gluten-free stuff too for all of those who can't eat wheat! Great options for all!
Brianna @ The Casual Travelist says
Yum, I am definitely a waffloholic! One of the best desserts I've had was a vegan carrot cake at a vegan cafe my sister used to work at. It was spectacular!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Oh yay! :) That sounds delicious. Vegan desserts can be so, so tasty. There's a vegan bakery near me and their desserts are far better than any non-vegan dessert I ever have tried!
charlesmccool says
Ithaca has some great food. I went to a deli there after some gorge hiking and remember the cozy town. Those waffles look epic!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
That sounds wonderful! There were lots of other yummy restaurants there I would have loved to have tried if we had been there for longer. So much food, too little time :)
Claudia Luxembourg says
I don't think I will ever become a vegan, but those did look good indeed!!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
They didn't taste any different than what I recall a non-vegan waffle tasting! :) They did have non-vegan waffles there as well - something for everyone!
Axelle Lot says
My home country is the origin of waffles yet we don't have vegan and gluten free ones :( Glad you could enjoy that delicious waffle!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Ahhhh maybe sometime they will come up with a tasty vegan or gluten-free alternative! I hope!
Bente Vold Klausen says
Never been to Ithaca, but if I do I will certainly try the waffles!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Oh yes, please do! :)
Tripper says
Great post and I'm drooling over the waffle pictures.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
I wish I could go back and time and eat them again, they were really yummy.
Bailey K. says
Vegan AND gluten-free?!?! I'm SO there!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
Yes! And you really couldn't even tell that they were vegan or gluten-free. Just tasted like a delicious waffle.
Outbound Adventurers says
Ooh, I'm drooling too, vegan or otherwise it looks super yummy.
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
It was delicious!
Annika -Live Laugh Explore says
Yummy! What a coincidence, I'm in Canada too and a vegan as well :) Looking forward to reading about your other vegan adventures!
Lauren | Justin Plus Lauren says
That's wonderful! Thanks for stopping by the blog. Whereabouts are you from in Canada? We are near Toronto! We'll be posting lots more about all of the food we eat!
Annika -Live Laugh Explore says
I'm from Ottawa! Let me know if you ever need vegan food tips for the capital ;)