The best recommendations rarely come from a list. They come from conversation. 

We asked one local business owner a simple question about their favourite summer spot. Each recommendation led to another, creating a word-of-mouth guide to some of Burlington and Oakville’s favourite destinations. 

In this relay-style chain of must-try patios, hidden gems, sweet treats, and experiences, two business owners just happened to name Greek restaurants! We thank our local businesses for gushing over one another, and for their genuine community spirit and goodwill.

The Starting Point: Nicetys
172 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
shop.nicetys.com 

For nearly a decade, Carol Lacher has owned Nicetys, though she has been part of Oakville’s Lakeshore community for more than 25 years. As the proprietor of a kitchen store, she knows that life’s biggest moments often happen around food. “The kitchen is the heart of the home,” she says of the sentiment that keeps customers coming in to chat about their milestones. This summer, she’s focusing on outdoor entertaining with unbreakable drinkware, seasonal tableware, and kitchen essentials.

Lacher’s favourite summer patio? Colossus Greek Taverna, and she doesn’t necessarily hit the patio for cocktail sipping. “Their salads are so tasty. You just want to capture all that sunshine on a plate!”

Recommended by Nicetys: Colossus Greek Taverna
221 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville
colossusgreektaverna.com

If you’ve ever strolled through downtown Oakville on a sunny afternoon, chances are you’ve noticed the lively patio at Colossus located across from Towne Square. General Manager Jane Hingston has been part of the restaurant for 22 years and says the patio’s checkered chairs, umbrellas and Greek music transport guests straight to vacation mode. With just 28 seats and no reservations, it’s one of the most sought-after streetside spots for lunch, dinner, and tzatziki.

As for a local hidden gem, Hingston recommends Zoey’s Consignment Collection in Burlington. “You can always find a treasure. Whenever I go there, I leave with something unique.”

Recommended by Colossus Greek Taverna: Zoey’s Consignment Collection
4155 Fairview Street, Burlington
zoeys.ca

Lesley Charest has built Zoey’s Consignment Collection around the thrill of discovery. Specializing in pre-owned, high-quality furniture and home décor accessories, the shop is constantly changing as clients downsize or move over the summer months. In fact, summer is their busiest time of year with the best selection of items. “You never know what’s going to show up,” says Charest. “We get fabulous pieces you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

When Charest is looking for a summer treat, her pick is Kawartha Dairy, located just down the street from her shop. She loves the rich ice cream with a wide variety of flavours and insists the best way to enjoy it is in a cone.

Recommended by Zoey’s Consignment Collection: Kawartha Dairy
3465 Fairview Street, Burlington
kawarthadairy.com

Everyone knows summer is peak ice cream season, and Kawartha Dairy is adding to the excitement this year. In collaboration with The Tragically Hip, they’re launching a new limited-edition flavour called “The Tragically Chip,” available by the scoop and in 1.5-litre tubs. The team at the Burlington location points out that the band’s song “Bobcaygeon” means a lot to the Canadian business, as that’s where Kawartha Dairy was founded in 1937. 

For a great lineup of live music, the Kawartha Dairy team recommends Canada’s Largest Ribfest at Spencer Smith Park, as they always drive by on their way to the ice cream shop.

Recommended by Kawartha Dairy: Canada’s Largest Ribfest
Spencer Smith Park, Burlington
canadaslargestribfest.com

For 30 years, Canada’s Largest Ribfest has brought crowds to Spencer Smith Park for a Labour Day weekend filled with good food, music, and family fun. Co-chair Brent Paszt says the event is always proud to showcase live music, giving local bands the opportunity to play on a bigger stage. Running from September 4th to7th , the festival is a fundraiser for Rotary Burlington Lakeshore, offering 16 rib teams serving sweet, spicy and everything in between.

When it comes to grabbing something other than ribs, Paszt recommends Nisi Greek Taverna. “Our office is just behind the restaurant, so we often have our team meetings there. The food is fantastic, and we love supporting local businesses.”

Recommended by Canada’s Largest Ribfest: Nisi Greek Taverna
1455 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
www.nisigreek.ca

The local recommendation relay concludes at Nisi Greek Taverna, where General Manager Ben Britton says the restaurant’s success comes down to its passion for food. This summer, guests can enjoy an expanded cocktail, beer, and wine menu on the restaurant’s 100-seat patio overlooking Spencer Smith Park. For warm-weather dining, Britton suggests starting with the grilled calamari before moving on to the restaurant’s signature Greek moussaka, a tried-and-true favourite.

For summer shopping, Britton points to SAIL, his go-to destination for camping, hiking, and outdoor gear. “If you’re going up north or planning a summer adventure, they have everything you need.”

By Nicole Hilton

Royal Botanical Gardens is pleased to share that the Canada Strong Pass will return this summer, made possible by the Government of Canada. From June 19 to September 7, 2026, children age 17 and under receive free admission, and young adults aged 18-24 receive half-price admission!

Canada Strong Pass applies to Garden Admission for all garden areas open on the day of visit, which includes daytime admission to RBG’s upcoming summer exhibit, ANCHORBALL: A Curious Art Journey! Pricing adjustments are automatically applied when purchasing online or in-person (no physical pass is required).

This offer does not apply to separately ticketed special events, programs, exhibits, group visits, or membership purchases. Canada Strong Pass continues until September 7^th, so be sure to checkrbg.ca/canada-strong-pass for details on what’s available during your visit!

“Summer in Ontario is one of the best times to enjoy the many unique cultural treasures and tourism experiences that make this province an exciting place to visit,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. “With free and discounted admission for youth and young adults at world-class museums and one-of-a-kind attractions like Royal Botanical Gardens, this pass offers an excellent opportunity to explore this beautiful province with your friends and family.”

“Museums allow us to discover what brings us together: our history, our creativity, our perspectives and the stories that shape Canada. With the Canada Strong Pass, even more Canadians will be able to enjoy cultural experiences across the country, while saving money.” —The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages.

Plan your visit:

• For hours of operation visit rbg.ca/hours 
• Purchase admission online at rbg.ca/tickets
• Learn more about Canada Strong Pass at RBG rbg.ca/canada-strong-pass
  

More information about the Canada Strong Pass is available from the Department of Canadian Heritage.

^{I’m really not so old – or so I tell myself – but when I was born, my father wasn’t in the hospital room. I had a stay-at-home mother who deprived the workforce of her many talents to lovingly spend her days with a babbling (and adorable!) toddler. Dad was a foreman at General Electric and provided for us financially, but I can pretty much guarantee that he never crawled on the floor in a toy store to play horsey with his kid like the dads I see today.} 

^{Fatherhood looks entirely different in 2026.}

^{Then and now}

^{In the 1970s, the breadwinner model still dominated family life. Statistics from the era show that just one percent of stay-at-home parents were fathers, and more than half of single-earner families relied solely on a father’s income.} 

^{By the 1980s, those expectations were beginning to shift. More women were entering the workforce, and family dynamics started to change. Fathers were still largely seen as providers, but they were becoming more present in everyday family life. Even so, a 1982 survey found that 43 percent of fathers reported never having changed a diaper — a statistic that now feels almost impossible to imagine.}

^{The 1990s marked another turning point. Fathers were increasingly present at births, and the definition of a “good dad” began expanding. Beyond financial support, fathers were expected to provide emotional involvement and nurturing. Over time, public policy also changed things. Parental leave programs gradually encouraged fathers to take time off with newborns, especially in Quebec, where dedicated paternity leave dramatically increased participation.}

^{By 2015, nearly half of Canadian fathers reported providing daily care for their children, compared with one in three in the mid-1980s. Fathers now account for at least 11 percent of stay-at-home parents, a sevenfold increase since the 1970s.} 

^{The involvement shift}

^{Juan Sarmiento, Founder & Owner of Vereda Central Coffee Roasters and a present-day dad, says that everything he does is for his family. As someone who takes his three “most wonderful and beautiful girls in the world” to school and picks them up every day, attends every recital or rehearsal and helps with homework, he doesn’t sound at all like the career men one might have encountered in the 1970s.} 

^{“Dad mode is 24/7 for me,” Sarmiento says. “I love hanging out with my family.”}

^{While the path toward equality in parenting is still evolving, one thing is clear: modern fatherhood is increasingly defined by being present.  For many fathers, this requires some careful juggling but is worth every second.}

^{Jon Root, Look Local magazine’s Creative Director, has two boys, ages five and 18 months, who “look identical but have vastly different personalities.” Like many working parents, Root’s day involves constant shifts between professional and family roles.}

^{“Mornings and late afternoons I try not to look at my phone so that I can focus on family,” he explains. “From six to nine in the morning and five to eight in the evening it’s usually full-on dad mode.”}

^{“The most challenging aspect of parenting while juggling a busy career is the lack of time,” Root says. “I constantly feel pulled in different directions, but ultimately the boys always come first. Nothing is as rewarding as spending time with them and watching them grow.”}

^{Jordan Zalter, a sales representative with RE/MAX Escarpment Realty, shares a similar perspective. He and his wife, Kim, are raising two children aged 11 and nine. “I try to keep work away from the kids as much as possible and set aside at least four days a week for school pickup,” he says. “I learned this lesson from my father, who is a retired physician, but I take pride in being able to be both a professional and a present father.”}

^{Thanks, Dad!}

^{Research shows that involved fathers make a measurable difference. Children with positively engaged fathers often demonstrate stronger cognitive development, improved emotional well-being, and better social outcomes.}

^{In other words, the quiet transformation of fatherhood over the past half-century has reshaped both family and community. Today, men with busy work lives have found ways to commit fully to their families. Even better, career and family can be mutually inspiring.} 

^{“My goal in life is to leave a legacy to my family primarily and to my community,” says Sarmiento. “The most rewarding thing is to see the pride and joy in my daughters’ faces when they go to any of our stores and see, first-hand, all that their parents have built from scratch.”}