Top 5 Unique Summer Desserts in Halton

Published August 4, 2017 at 12:38 am

You can find an array of sweets in Oakville, Burlington, and Milton — there’s a multitude of options but one trait they all have in common (besides oodles of sugar, of course) is an ability to innovate. We went looking for the usual lineup of beloved treats, quickly realizing there are some fun, quirky, out-of-the-box goodies we must share with our readers! Here are our top 5 unique summer desserts in Halton.


5. TriBeCa

Oakville

They had us at cookie dough. And it can be turned into a milkshake. You can get it in a cup, waffle cone, with ice cream, sprinkles, candy, and more sundae options … so head to Tribeca when you’re in the mood to hashtag treat yo’self. You can choose from three options: Peanut Butter (it’s gluten-free), Confetti, or Signature Chocolate Chunk. This hip Lakeshore Rd. E. coffee house channels Manhattan and rouses me to get some serious work done on my laptop each time I’m downtown (but make sure the batteries for your devices are at 100 per cent — there are no visible outlets to plug into, although they now have a charging station set up near the washrooms!). Suppliers are local and the menu includes house batch brews, specialty steamed drinks, and cold brew. If you’re there for professional purposes, a small meeting room can be booked (two-hour minimum for $100). But if fun is up your alley, Tribeca hosts (board) games night and open mic events. Plus, there are brew school classes, such as Coffee Boot Camp and Tea 101. This beautiful old coffee house opened in 2016 and offers unique treats such as Affogato featuring French vanilla ice cream with a double shot of espresso!

What to order: Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough in a waffle cone.


4. Walker’s Chocolate

Burlington and Oakville

So I told my colleague, Ashley, about trying out Walker’s chocolate-dipped frozen banana. She immediately busted out an Arrested Development/banana stand reference and my woman-crush, largely based on veneration for her quick wit, immediately deepened. (If you have to Google it, sorry, boo. We’re just not meant to be). Burlington’s famous chocolate shop offers a fun summer treat using their very own milk chocolate and, you guessed it, a frozen banana, made to order. Should you (when you) decide to splurge some more, keep in mind that Walker’s has the most incredible dark chocolate almond bark I’ve ever tasted. Then there are the Mint Meltaways, their signature minty-filled chocolate treat, available in milk or dark, that’s perfect as an after-dinner treat. I dare you to eat just one. This candy shop opened in 1983 and has everything you could ever imagine: chocolate-covered popcorn, jubes, licorice, and even Irish Oreos. In addition to the flagship store on Fairview, there are three more locations: one in Oakville and two in Hamilton … sweet! It’s also a great place to pick up edible gifts — chocolate camera, anyone?

What to order: Chocolate-Dipped Frozen Banana.


3. Piazza Bistro

Oakville

This adorable resto offers up a variety of unconventional gelato flavours such as avocado, charcoal, and blueberry basil sorbet. (Get a large and try all three flavours!). This cute bistro is a hidden gem when it comes to dessert and pizza alike. Located in downtown Oakville’s Towne Square, the restaurant is inspired by piazza culture. With everything from cappuccino to handmade pizza, to wine, there’s something or everyone. They’ve got plenty of seating, plus two patios (one for dining, and the red seats for gelato and other cafe items) Service is friendly.

What to order: Charcoal, Avocado, and Blueberry Basil Sorbet.


2. Kelly’s Bake Shoppe

Burlington 

It’s nutrient-dense food that’ll satisfy those cravings when you’re supposed to be eating clean. Guilt-free ingredients – which happen to be vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free – are the premise behind the offerings at this charming little shoppe by the mom-and-daughter duo who opened Kindfood, now named Lettuce Love (where they still serve a few dessert options). Kelly Childs and Erinn Weatherbie serve up incredible treats – using ingredients such as organic cocoa, applesauce, lemons, peppermint oil, espresso beans, agave and coconut – which you can split with your friends from Pilates. This chocolate-vanilla twist soft-serve is guaranteed to hit the spot. If you’re not into hybrids, you can get either flavour on its own and jazz it up with a few toppings.

What to order: Chocolate-Vanilla Twist 


1. La Dolce Vita

Oakville

Never, ever have I seen a gelato shop with soooo many vegan options. And it tastes absolutely amazing. La Dolce Vita (named after Fellini’s classic 1960 flick? It’s one of my all-time favourites!) offers up a taste of the sweet life for regular, dairy-loving folks and those on that plant-based lifestyle. The menu includes high-quality artisanal gelato, specialty coffees, freshly made paninis and decadent Italian deserts. Each time I go in, there are different vegan offerings, such as  soup using Nonna’s recipe (created using substitutions, of course). The lineup at this Lakeshore Rd. shop is always out the door, even when it’s cold outside. Get down there and try some delicious vegan gelato!

What to order: Blood Orange, Lime Mint, Chocolate, or Creamy Coconut.


  1. La Dolce Vita
  2. Kelly’s Bake Shoppe
  3. Piazza Bistro
  4. Walker’s Chocolates
  5. Tribeca Coffee Co.
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