Donuts, or ‘doughnuts’ depending where you hail from, have been enjoyed for centuries – but it’s really within the past decade that we’ve started seeing artisanal doughnut shops pop up throughout southern Ontario. These aren’t your ordinary doughnuts, either – these are elevated confectionaries that are re-defining their doughy, deep-fried predecessors.

Whether you’re craving a traditionally glazed ring of goodness, or a jelly filled lavender dipped treat, you can’t go wrong with a donut from one of these local shops.

Aveiro Bakery

2530 Sixth Line Unit 12, Oakville | Website

This Portuguese bakery has a wide variety of Artisan breads, pastries, cakes, and tarts made fresh daily. Most importantly, the bakery has an array of different Malassadas, otherwise known as Portuguese Doughnuts. The pastries range in flavours from classic glazed, to cannoli.

Sunshine Doughnuts Co.

439 Brock Ave, Burlington | Website

Sunshine Doughnut Co. lives up to its name of being a warm ray of light. This specialty doughnut bakery was born from the same culinary geniuses behind Son of a Peach Pizzeria. Each doughnut is made in house, fresh daily. The bakery is full of exciting, colourful flavours that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe

401 Brant St, Burlington | Website

If you are from, or have been to the Burlington area, you have heard of Kelly’s Bake Shoppe. This Burlington staple is an award-winning bakery that is completely plant-based, gluten free, and peanut free. The mom and daughter run shop prides itself on their fresh made, sustainably sourced goods. Kelly’s menu includes a variety of decadent doughnuts, and regularly introduced seasonal flavours.

Donut Monster

246 Locke Street South, Hamilton | Website

Donut Monster started as a fresh made doughnut supplier for independent coffee shops and grocery stores in 2015. They now have their own shop located in downtown Hamilton, where they make doughnuts seven days a week, fresh. They serve yeast-risen doughnuts that are pillowey soft, and come with numerous glazes and toppings, and introduce seasonal flavours regularly. The shop offers both vegan and traditional options along with different coffees and milkshakes. Donut Monster has also partnered with a number of different small businesses, and provide them with delicious fresh made doughnuts every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Daddy O Doughnuts

589 North Service Road, Mississauga | Website

Daddy O Doughnuts is a colourful, old fashioned bakery that serves fresh artisanal doughnuts baked in a traditional British style. The bake shop thrives on their family recipes that have been passed down for generations, that are made with only high-quality ingredients. Daddy O Doughnuts does their best to provide their customers with eccentric old fashion doughnut flavours that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else, with both regular and vegan options. The bakery has a rotating menu that changes on the daily, but they keep their fan favourites in good supply.

Don’t see your favourite doughnut shop? Contact us and let us know!

Article written by Ashley Stefureak

“Herb” your enthusiasm for healthy eating this month and “turnip” the flavour at Best Vegan Menu Talk of the Town Award-winner, Dar Nabati! 

Make your own meal at this Downtown Oakville cafe by pairing a pita, greens, quinoa or rice and lentils with options like the Halloumi Cheeze Sandwich, Tofu Souvlaki or the Cauliflower Wings Bowl. 

You can eat hearty flatbreads, pastas, curries and sandwiches guilt-free, as their entire menu is rid of dairy, eggs, preservatives and refined sugars. Ninety-eight per cent of these offerings are also gluten-free. 

You won’t regret picking up pastries, bopping in for brunch or stopping by for a sandwich at this beloved vegan, organic and locally-sourced standout. 

Feeling that summer barbecue vibe? Pick up one of the best burgers in town at Best Vegan Menu runner-up Boon Burger Cafe! 

This Best Kid’s Menu Talk of the Town Award-winner serves up heart-warming fresh-made plant-based patties with fantastic flavours like Sriracha Ranch, Jalapeno Chedda, South West Crunch and Sweet Chili Falafull. 

Dive into fine dining at Community, Best Vegan Menu second runner-up! 

Indulge in decadence with their soul-soothing Truffle Poutine with Mushroom Gravy and Cashew Mozzarella, or test your tastebuds with amazing creations like Sweet & Spicy Lettuce Cups, Truffle Gnocchi, Zucchini Mint Blinis and sensational superfood smoothies.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted! We will be announcing our next category on Aug. 1, 2019 over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

2019 Talk of the Town Awards: Best Vegan Menu

1. Dar Nabati
2. Boon Burger Cafe
3. Community
4. Maro’s
5. Lettuce Love Cafe

This post is provided by Visit Oakville. For more information about the Visit Oakville 2019 Talk of the Town Awards, visit visitoakville.com.

This year marks the 9^th Annual International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) in Niagara and this three-day weekend celebration will be taking place July 19-21. From an idea hatched by a handful of winemakers around a summer bonfire back in 2010, the i4C has evolved into a world-class wine and culinary celebration. Over the past decade, the i4C has been instrumental in raising the profile of this noble grape by showcasing hundreds of exceptional cool climate Chardonnays from renowned Ontario and International producers. These elegant and complex wines have awakened a renewed interest and appreciation for this often misunderstood grape.

Chardonnays presented at the i4C must pass the “cool” test, meaning they must meet at least one of the following criteria – cool by coastal effect, cool by continental effect, cool by altitude, or cool by latitude. This year 53 producers from nine countries will come together to celebrate in the heart of Niagara wine country, showcasing over 95 Chardonnays and sparkling wines. Among the 29 Ontario producers, you will find the following Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake members – Château des Charmes, Inniskillin Wines, Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate, Peller Estates Winery, Queenston Mile Vineyard, Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, Southbrook Organic Vineyards, Stratus, Strewn Winery and Trius Winery. Each will feature outstanding cool climate chardonnays from the Niagara-on-the-Lake appellation.

During the three-day weekend, guests can attend one or more of the i4C Signature Events held in various locations across Niagara-on-the-Lake. The weekend will kick-off with The School of Cool on Friday, July 19, at White Oaks Resort where some of the brightest talents in the world of Cool Climate viniculture and winemaking will explore three provocative topics with accompanying tastings. The keynote speaker this year will be Julia Harding, a U.K. based author, journalist and Master of Wine. This is a must-do event if you want to expand your knowledge of Chardonnay and network with some of the industry’s finest. On Friday evening, you can sip your way through Chardonnays from all corners of the globe, poured by their winemakers, at the Flights of Chardonnay. This event is held at the Niagara District Airport, a truly unique setting to mix and mingle while sipping on Chardonnay and enjoying mouth-watering offerings from some top Niagara chefs.

On Saturday, July 20, the Cool Chardonnay World Tour Tasting & Dinner will showcase the world’s best Chardonnays and Ontario’s best cuisine. This signature event will be held at Niagara College and this year guests have the option to purchase tickets to the Tasting portion (6pm to 8pm) of the evening only. This is the only public tasting event that showcases all the International and VQA Ontario Chardonnays and Blanc de Blancs of the i4C. The dinner portion of the evening sold out quickly earlier this year.

The weekend will conclude with the Moveable Feast Brunch on Sunday, July 21. This perennial favourite will be held at Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery, one of our member wineries. Ravine’s culinary team, led by Chef Matt Payne, in partnership with local artisan producers, will present a classic brunch menu highlighting regional flavours that pair harmoniously with cool climate Chardonnays. For more information about this premium wine and culinary celebration and to purchase tickets, visit coolchardonnay.org.

In addition to the signature events, there are also several Explore Wine Country Ontario Program events to choose from. Five of our member wineries are hosting Explore Wine Country events, click on the links below to learn more and to purchase tickets:

• Peller Estates Winery – The Ultimate Chardonnay Lunch
• Southbrook Organic Vineyards – Judgement of London 2010
• Stratus – The Continental Personalities of Cool Chardonnay
• Strewn Winery – Niagara/Australia: Side by Side Chardonnay Tasting & Lunch
• Trius Winery – i4C Sparkling Brunch

While in Niagara-on-the-Lake for the i4C weekend, take advantage of the free time in between signature events to visit some of our member wineries. They all have something special to offer this time of year. Download the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake map to plan your personalized itinerary.

by Laura Vertucci, Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake

Visit our website at wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com

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