Are you craving a sweet treat? If the answer to this question is yes, then you should consider Nero. This Belgian waffle bar has two locations downtown. A couple of days ago, I was in need of a sugar boost so I went to their restaurant on Seymour street.
The Atmosphere
I went to Nero on a weekday for a late brunch and I did not have to wait long to be seated. However, I barely managed to beat the crowd because a line-up formed at around 1pm! It’s a first-come first-served basis so I recommend you to go early, especially on weekends.
The restaurant is quite small but it features a nice terrace. I was lucky enough to snatch one of their very comfortable booths. Overall, the vibe was nice, the atmosphere pretty laid back and the staff friendly. I think it’s a great spot for a very small gathering, an informal date or a solo treat.
The Food
For most dishes, you can choose between a Brussels or Liège waffle. The Brussels waffle is unsweetened, light and crispy. On the other hand, the Liège waffle is sweet, hearty, but soft. I made a point to try both, but I found the Liège waffle much more enjoyable with both sweet and savory options.
Banella Brûlée Liège Waffle ($11.5)
The Banella Brûlée was nothing short of amazing. The classic banana and nutella combo paired fantastically with the whipped cream and the nutella mousse. The contrast of all the different textures was also extremely interesting. The Liège waffle was soft and chewy, the caramelized banana was crispy, the nutella mousse was airy, and the vanilla ice cream was creamy. It was a perfect marriage and a blessing for the palate!
Brésilienne Brussels Waffle ($11)
If I were a waffle, I would not want to come after the Banella Brûlée because that clearly would not be an easy task. Although The Brésilienne was good, it did not even come close to the Banella. The Brussels waffle was topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. It was covered with caramel sauce for extra yumminess and sprinkled with roasted hazelnuts for additional crunchiness. This waffle was enjoyable, but it lacked a little je ne sais quoi. I believe fresh fruit would have been a great addition to this dish. The Brussels waffle itself was well done, but I regret not going for the sweet Liège instead. It was too crispy for my liking.
Liège aux Fromages ($11.5)
The Liège aux Fromages was another hit. The waffle was filled with 4 cheeses and served with a delicious homemade spicy tomato chutney. It was crispy, cheesy, warm and comforting. My only complaint is that it was a bit small. I could have easily handled an extra waffle. Visually, the salad was pretty and it tasted fresh, but it was not a notable side dish.
The Drinks
Milk Hot Chocolate ($4.7)
Since I was in a Belgian waffle bar, Belgian Hot Chocolate was an obvious choice. I chose the milk hot chocolate and I enjoyed every sip of it. I was afraid it might be too sweet, but it was not. It turned out to be an excellent beverage!
Overall
Nero did not disappoint. It is a great alternative to your standard brunch options. I highly recommend the Banella Brûlée and the Liège aux Fromages. I wish the portions were a bit bigger, but at the same time it was fun to have enough space to sample several waffles.
Now, if I have to be honest, I wish Nero was a little bit more adventurous with its menu. Although it was varied, I wish they had thought a bit more out of the box. Some sweet & savory options would have been welcome. Their waffles were excellent, but to this day Jam Café‘s Fat Elvis Waffle is the one that really stands out in my mind.
I would gladly go back to Nero. The question is not if I will go back, but when!
Nero
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 10am~9pm/ Fri: 10am~10pm/ Sat & Sun: 9am~10pm
Website: click here
Address: 1002 Seymour St, Vancouver, BC V6B 3M6
Telephone: (604) 428-9177
Note that prices and information featured in this article are subject to change.
