Australia's best jaffles, vanilla slices and hot chips named for 2021

Australian travel site Wotif.com has announced the winners of its annual Uniquely Aussie Awards, touted as the guide to Australia’s best local secrets, as nominated by Aussies. In its fourth year, the awards aim to encourage Aussies to explore their own backyard and support local businesses which is more relevant now than ever following the continued challenges faced by the tourism and hospitality industries over the past 18 months.

Celebrating quintessential Aussie travel experiences across several categories, the awards highlight the joys which are synonymous with local travel; hot chips on the beach, regional bakeries serving up nostalgic baked goods, and a jaffle for any occasion.

According to a 2021 Wotif.com YouGov survey, over four in 10 (42%) Aussies agree that taking your time and enjoying the underrated travel experiences allows you to get a better feel for the area, discover new things and connect with locals. While 40% of Aussies also say the laid-back, friendly nature of Australia makes travelling domestically a refreshing experience.

Raking in thousands of nominations from all over the country, it’s clear the little things in life often stir the greatest debate. Whether you prefer chicken salt or gravy on your chips, call it a snot block over a vanilla slice, or demand a savoury rather than sweet jaffle, this year’s awards continue to uncover some of Australia’s best kept local secrets.

Winner: Miss Jaffles, Cronulla, NSW

“With 15 different jaffles on the menu, there’s one for every occasion, like the Miss Pizzeria or the decadent dessert jaffle Miss Biscoff – think Caramilk, Biscoff, strawberries and ice cream with the crimped toasted bread we all know and love.”

2. Foxtrot Unicorn, Perth, WA
3. TINY of Beechworth, Beechworth, VIC
4. Union Kiosk, Melbourne, VIC
5. Bad Frankie, Fitzroy, VIC
6. Jaffle Shack, Geraldton, WA
7. Jaffelato, Rockingham, WA
8. Hendrik’s Cognac and Wine Bar, Crows Nest, NSW
9. Stairwell Coffee, Surfers Paradise, QLD
10. Waffles and Jaffles, Coonalpyn, SA

Winner: Bridgewater Bakehouse, Bridgewater on Loddon & Bendigo, VIC

“Melt in your mouth goodness can be found at Bridgewater Bakehouse, with their famous vanilla slice offering the perfect ratio of silky-smooth custard and crisp (never soggy) pastry, topped with a “can’t help yourself” layer of icing.”

2. Ross Bakery Inn, Ross, TAS
3. Banana Boogie Bakery, Belair, SA
4. Vanilla Slice Café, Sorrento, VIC
5. The French Lettuce, Carlton, VIC
6. Flinders Vanilla Slice, Cheltenham, VIC
7. Gumnut Patisserie, Mittagong, Bowral & Berrima, NSW
8. Preece’s at the Jetty, Redcliffe, QLD
9. Café Bear & Scoobs, Geelong, VIC
10. Bourkies Bake House, Woodend, VIC

Winner: Chicken Chef, Blair Athol, SA

“Said to have mastered the crispy on the outside, soft on the inside requirement of any good hot chip, Chicken Chef’s “mouthwatering” hot chips and famous salt are beloved by locals. The secret to their winning recipe? No shortcuts. Hand-made with the freshest potatoes and double-cooked for that signature crunch.”

2. Pelican Rocks Seafood Restaurant & Café, Greenwell Point, NSW
3. Kingsley’s Chicken, Canberra, ACT
4. Varsity Bar, WA
5. Cripps Bakehouse, Bellerive, TAS
6. Sotos Fish Shop, Semaphore, SA
7. Chicken Cave, Fulham Gardens, SA
8. Super Rooster, Toowoomba, QLD
9. The Yeeros Shop, Marrickville, NSW
10. Parkdale Free Range Charcoal Chicken, VIC

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