Vegan Chicken & Waffles in Raleigh: The Story Behind Our Cornbread Waffle

Element Gastropub serves the best vegan chicken and waffles in Raleigh. Our Chik'n & Waffles features a house-made cornbread-Belgian waffle, crispy plant-based chik'n, and seasonal apple-pear compote.

When people ask what dish best represents Element Gastropub, the answer is easy: our Chik'n & Waffles. It's the dish that stops first-timers mid-bite and makes regulars order it every single visit. And it's 100% plant-based. Why Plant-Based Chicken & Waffles? Chicken and waffles is a Southern classic — and it's a dish that translates beautifully to plant-based cooking when done with intention. At Element, we didn't want to simply swap ingredients. We wanted to build a version that stood on its own as a great dish, not just a compromise. The Cornbread Waffle Our signature waffle is a cornbread-Belgian hybrid — the structure and crispiness of a Belgian waffle with the subtle sweetness and texture of cornbread. We developed this in-house specifically for this dish, and it's unlike anything else you'll find in Raleigh. The edges are crisp, the interior is soft and fluffy, and that gentle sweetness provides the perfect contrast to savory toppings. The Crispy Chik'n The plant-based chik'n is golden-fried to order — with the crunch and seasoning of traditional Southern fried chicken. We've had countless guests tell us it's the most convincing plant-based fried chik'n they've tasted. The key is seasoning the breading deeply and frying at the right temperature for maximum crunch. The Apple-Pear Compote The seasonal apple-pear compote ties everything together — bright, sweet-tart, and made fresh with whatever apples and pears are at peak. It rotates slightly by season, which means the dish stays interesting even for regulars. When Is It Available? Chik'n & Waffles (1.50) is served during breakfast, Saturday from 8:00AM to 11:00AM. It also appears on our Sunday brunch menu (11am-3pm) as Elemental Chik'n n Waffles with bourbon maple syrup. Visit us at 421 Fayetteville St, City Plaza, downtown Raleigh. More Breakfast at Element If you love the Chik'n & Waffles, explore more of our breakfast menu: the Hot Hunee Chik'n Biscuit, OG Lox of Love Bagel, Element Avocado Toast, and our wild Huevos Rancheros Nachos. All 100% plant-based, all Saturday 8-11AM.