Welcome to Oakville! This past weekend I had the pleasure of taking over Downtown Oakville’s Instagram account, sharing my favourite places to eat, shop and hang in my beautiful city. Having grown up in the area I’ve always been partial to the vibrancy and European vibe of Oakville’s downtown core. Whether I need to pick up groceries and flowers for a dinner party, clear my head with a stroll or grab a latte for the road, the streets of Lakeshore don’t miss a beat with their offerings. Filled with so much history and heritage, it’s been incredible watching the growth of this cultural district over the years. Currently home to 6 city blocks, 18 annual events, 14 parking areas and over 400 shops, services and restaurants, it’s no wonder Downtown Oakville draws in crowds from near and far.

I’m excited to share with you guys a look into Downtown Oakville from my perspective. Wondering what there is it do? Curious about the best places to shop and dine? Look no further! Here is my complete guide to Downtown Oakville:

WHAT TO DO

Downtown Oakville has always been my little haven; an escape from the rest of the world. It’s not too big where I find myself overwhelmed, and not too small where I find myself bored after 30 minutes. Aside from shopping at my favourite boutiques and chowing down at one of the many dining options, there are so many other things to do in the area.

Farmers’ Market

I love myself a good ol’ farmers’ market. I head to the Oakville Farmers’ Market most Saturday mornings during the summer and fall to pick-up fresh, local produce, floral for my home and other delicious treats like baked goods, and wine of course! Located at 115 George St just north of the Towne Square, the market is open every Saturday from June 2^nd – October 28^th, 8:00am – 2:00pm. Make sure to get there early for the best flower selection as they tend to go quick!

Fitness

Whether you’re looking to take a kickboxing class with your friends, work out with a personal trainer or put your choreography skills to the test with a private dance lesson, click here for a list of Downtown Oakville’s finest fitness studios.

Strollin’

I’m in Downtown Oakville all the time, and surprisingly it’s not always for shopping and eating. Nitin and I love grabbing a coffee or ice cream (ok guilty, most of our visits do involve food) while we walk around enjoying the scenery. We’ll often end up by the lake where we’ll sit by the rocks chatting for hours. For those of you who have been here, I’m sure you’ll agreed it’s one of the most peaceful spots around.

WHERE TO EAT

I’m a huge foodie, so needless to say I get extremely excited when new restaurants pop up in my town. Join me on a culinary journey as I showcase some of Downtown Oakville’s finest food options, from restaurants to local grocers. And stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes look on what will surely be Oakville’s newest hit dining experience!

Restaurants

7 Enoteca – As I’m sure you saw from my takeover, this is hands down my favourite restaurant! Tucked away in the Towne Square with no visible signage apart from the brass door handle in the shape of the number 7, this spot is always buzzing with locals and food enthusiasts. Not only do they serve up the most delicious pizza from their traditional Neopolitan pizza oven which was built on site by a 3^rd generation artisan from Naples, but they offer an exclusive selection of wines imported from different regions of Italy. Kiki’s Pick: Lobster and black truffle pizza.

Ristorante Julia – Julia’s as I’ve been calling it for years, offers the best Sunday brunch in town. Dig into their delicious Eggs Benedict Marisco and sip on their too-good-to-be-true coffee while live music fills the air and creates a relaxing ambiance. Kiki’s Pick: Eggs benedit marisco & coffee.

Bru – While I’m not a huge beer drinker, I was excited to check out this place when it opened its doors a few years ago. Serving up the best selection of craft beers in the city, I was sold after just one sip of their Kissmeyer Nordic Pale Ale. Kiki’s Pick: Kissmeyer Nordic Pale Ale, crispy seasoned frites & buffalo hot chicken wings.

Maluca – I love coming here with my parents to grab a glass of wine and a quick bite. The food is uber delish, the wine selection is awesome and the atmosphere is perfect for any occasion. Kiki’s Pick: Fresh oysters & avocado fries.

Colossus Greek Taverna – This is hands down my favourite Greek restaurant in the city. Decorated with luscious bougainvillea flowers that make you feel like you’re eating in the heart of Mykonos or Santorini, I’ve been enjoying the food here for over 10 years. Kiki’s Picks: Saganaki, chicken souvlaki & spanakotiropita.

The Works – This restaurant chain has 27 locations throughout Ontario, and Downtown Oakville is lucky to be home to one of them. If you’re in the mood for a mouth-watering burger with an incredible topping selection, look no further. The only downfall is that they recently discontinued my favourite; their turkey burger! Kiki’s Pick: Son of a Beech with sweet potato fries.

Noble Bistro – This farm-to-fork dining focuses on using fresh and local products to create a fine dining experience in the heart of Downtown Oakville. Kiki’s Pick: Caesar salad and scallops.

Cafes/ Quick Bites

Goldstar Café – This two-storey café boasts the best coffee-shop décor on the block; modern, fresh and oh so cozy! Whether you’re looking to catch up with some friends, in the market for a new date spot or looking for a place to get some work done, Goldstar is perfect for everyone! Kiki’s Pick: Latte, apple & beet loaf, chicken panini and smoke salmon toast. Tip – Sign up for their card (it’s free) to get 10% off all food & drink purchases.

Tribeca Coffee Co – This New York inspired coffee shop makes the best lattes around and also serves up a wide selection of high quality teas and coffees. With a variety of brewing methods, Tribeca can surely satisfy even the most particular palette. Kiki’s Pick: Latte.

Green Press – A healthy alternative to regularly squeezed fruit juices, this organic juice and salad bar offers a good selection of delicious and nutritious drinks. Kiki’s Pick: Glow.

Just An Olde Fashion Butchery – If you’re in the downtown core on the weekends, don’t be surprised if you see a lineup outside this place as they grill up some seriously tasty street meat. Nitin can’t resist their sausages (ever!), and after one bite there’s no surprise why. Kiki’s Pick: Sausage (of course).

Marble Slab Creamery – Expect a lineup out the door during hot summer days! Cool down and treat yourself with a wide selection of ice creams and mixins. Kiki’s Pick: Chocolate ice cream with marshmallows, chocolate chips ..and more marshmallows. 

Speciality Foods

1. Black Forest Pastry Shop – Cupcakes and cookies and cakes, oh my! You can’t make a trip to Downtown Oakville without stopping by this old-fashioned bakery that serves up the freshest pastries around! Kiki’s Pick: Chocolate fudge cake (I could eat this every day!)
2. Cobs Bakery – I love hosting my family and friends, so whether it’s for brunch, lunch or dinner (breakfast doesn’t really exist in my world) I’m always picking up sweet and savoury finds to add to my spreads. Kiki’s Pick: Spinach and feta twister delight, banana chocolate chip scone, lemon danish & olive pane di case loaf.
3. British Grocer – My parents are British and grew up in England, so Yorkshire puddings, Galaxy bars and specialty teas are no stranger to the Khosla home. While I didn’t grow up in England myself, I’ve spend quite a bit of time there over the years so there’s always a wave of nostalgia that hits me when I step into this amazing little shop. Kiki’s Picks: Anything from the sweets section!
   
4. Just An Olde Fashion Butchery – This classic butchery isn’t just home to the best sausages around. They also carry a wide assortment of speciality meats and seafood, perfect for grilling up on the BBQ! Kiki’s Picks: Everything!

 

Coming Soon!

One of the favourite parts of my weekend was getting a sneak peak inside Oakville’s newest dining experience, Hexagon. Inspired by the French restaurant Angelina, this enchanted modern masterpiece left me with goosebumps. From the stunningly intimate decor to the open concept extending onto the patio to the exclusive take-out section that will offer the most lavish hot chocolate, espresso and gelato, your world is about to be rocked …you just have to hang on for another month or so while the finishing touch are being added. Stay tuned for a feature on Hexagon!

 

WHERE TO SHOP

Calling all fashion enthusiasts! If you’re in the mood for a little retail therapy, you’ve coming to the right spot. Downtown Oakville offers a wide selection of shops for the entire family, and I’ve put together a list of my favourite places to check out.

Black Caviar – You may recall this feature I did on Black Caviar back in May 2016. This lifestyle boutique is my one-stop shop for unique, hand-picked luxury finds from clothes and skincare to vintage jewelry and artwork. With an eye for beautiful, staple pieces this store is beaming with style. Kiki’s Picks: this, this & this.

Burrows Clothier – Carrying an amazing selection of designer menswear, it’s no wonder the gents in my life are always looking so dapper. Burrows’ assortment of suits, jeans, dress shirts and accessories are unparalleled, and if things couldn’t get any better they are currently undergoing a renovation as they make room for a Hugo Boss dedicated area of the store. Make sure to stop by next weekend to view the new Hugo Boss floor, and stay tuned on my Instagram for a peak inside!

Anthropologie – No stranger to the world of retail, this location is my go-to for fun house finds and quality clothing. I mean, where else can you pick-up bunny knobs, stunning dresses, beautiful bedwear and the cutest kitchen finds without scouring through floors of products. Kiki’s Picks: this, this & this.

Never Grow Up – If you’re shopping for kids, you can’t skip this store! Filled with the most adorable selection of infant and youth clothing from Canadian, European and American designers, I can’t resist this place when shopping for my nieces and nephew. They’re gearing up for back-to-school with a great selection of backpacks, clothes and accessories, but shop soon as their stuff goes quick! Kiki’s Picks: this, this & this.

Jacadi – This French brand carries elegant, timeless pieces for little ones. Not straying far from French tradition, you’ll find classic prints, soft colours and premium quality here. Kiki’s Picks: this, this and this.

Kit & Ace – Perfect for those with an on-the-go lifestyle, this technical apparel line offers breathable clothes to last you through your busy day. Kiki’s Picks: this, this and this.

Mendocino – Modern, playful and 100% Canadian (woot!), Mendocino pays close attention to emerging trends when selecting pieces from highly sought-after brands. They’ve got a great sale going on right now (head to the back of the store for the sale section) as they start making way for new fall pieces.

Roots –Downtown Oakville just wouldn’t be complete without Canada’s leading lifestyle brand. Kiki’s Picks: this, this and this.

A huge thanks to the Downtown Oakville team for having me takeover their Instagram this weekend. I hope you all had as much fun as I did.

xo, Kiki