Verace offers authentic, Neapolitan cuisine. Their house-made ingredients make for a genuine Italian experience.
Verace’s collection of light and savoury starters are sure to whet your appetite. We’d recommend the Polpo Alla Griglia, consisting of grilled octopus and vegetables. And the Branzino paired with asparagus.
Verace are also masterful purveyors of pasta. Seafood lovers should try the Spaghetti Vongole or the Squid Ink Tagliatelle.
Pair any dish with one of their signature cocktails or wines, like the refreshing Strawberry Fizz Cocktail, perfect for those warm summer days on the patio (see below).
Verace’s authenticity truly emerges in their pizza, which is baked in a custom-built Neapolitan wood oven and finished with high quality toppings. Try the Pizza Margherita and the Pizza Napoletana.
If you’re looking to bookend your meal with desert, Verace’s Panna Cotta is sure to finish things off on a high note!
Avani Rolls & Bowls is a great spot for fast and flavourful curry, bowls, naan and desserts in downtown Oakville.
Avani offers a variety of curry dishes with your choice of protein (Chicken, Lamb, and Seafood). We recommend ordering their Thali ($14) which allows you to sample a range of different items on offer. Thali combos can be arranged for vegetarians and carnivores alike.
Naturally, the most popular options at Avani are their made to order rolls ($13) and bowls (14). Rolls and bowls are customised to their customer’s preferences, including: the base, protein, type of curry, toppings, sauces, and garnishes.
For desert, we’d recommend the Gulab Jamun. If you’re new to Indian sweets, Gulab Jamun is a lightly fried ball of milk & cheese soaked in a special rosewater saffron syrup. It’s pure deliciousness.
Mercato Sociale is an authentic Sicilian market run by husband and wife team Heather Saunders and Enzo Campisi. You’ll find a mix of traditionally prepared Sicilian foods, sandwiches and salads, hand selected goods from Italy, meals to go and everything you need to make an amazing Italian meal at home.
Expect to find fresh pasta, pantry items, delicious lunches, meals to go, salads, gourmet Italian cheeses, antipasti, arancini, calzones, panini, pizza bar and more. We are particularly obsessed with their Sicilian Cannoli and custard filled Bombolonis.
Another specialty is their Charcuterie Boards. You can drop off your own empty board, and they’ll put together an incredible spread complete with delicious meats, cheeses, pickles and fruit.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, authentic Italian ingredients, or a sweet treat, Mercato Sociale is the place to go in Downtown Oakville.
Shanghai Alley is a gourmet Chinese restaurant that portrays the elegance of old Shanghai. A winner of AsiaStar TV’s “Best Shanghai Restaurant in Canada” award, Shanghai Alley offers authentic tastes that will teleport you overseas.
Classic Spring Rolls
Shanghai Alley’s menu consists of traditional Chinese foods with recipes as old as time. Their interior, with decorations on the wall and dim atmosphere, looks very similar to street restaurants in China.
Coconut Squid
Xiao Long Bao (aka Soup Dumplings) is probably Shanghai’s most famous food, and Shanghai Alley does their home country proud. Available with a delicious combination of ingredients inside these little bags of rice flour, they were one of the highlights of our meal.
Xiao Long Bao
There are plenty of baos available at Shanghai Alley, including the Sheng Jian Bao, which is a large pan-fried bao with delicious pork inside of a mantou (fluffy steamed bun). Another is the classic Jiaozi (Chinese dumpling) with a savoury dipping sauce.
Jiaozi
Another highlight is their fried rice, with several options available including the traditional Shanghai fried rice or the Yangzhou fried rice shown in the picture below. Yangzhou fried rice is made with egg, shrimp, sweet Chinese sausage, peas and carrots.
Yangzhou Fried Rice
If you’re looking to experience the wonderful flavours of Shanghai, Shanghai Alley has you covered with gourmet food straight from the Magic City.
Maverick’s Donut company is a charming donut shop in Downtown Oakville. Their donuts are made in-house and from scratch in their back kitchen. Donuts can be bought individually or in boxes of 6. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, this is a great place to check out.
Alongside classics like chocolate glaze and Boston cream, Maverick’s Donut company has several seasonal flavours on their menu. Check out their delicious Apple Cinnamon Spice donut below. This sweet treat is only available during the fall.
Below are some of their Halloween special donuts. The one highlighted in the photo is their Marshmallow Mummy, with each bite a creamy delight.
If you don’t quite feel like devouring an entire donut or two, they’ve also got Maverick’s Mini Mavs. These bit sized treats are great for a quick snack to carry around wherever you go. They come in four flavours – cinnamon sugar, powdered sugar, glazed and sprinkled.
Stop by and visit Maverick’s Donuts in Downtown Oakville!
The menu at Riyasat is split into lunch options (Only available from 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM) and dinner options (available throughout the day). Their lunch menu mostly consists of special Indian breads such as Amritsari Kulcha, Chana Bhatura and Keema Naan.
One of the specialties at Riyasat is their Tandoori menu. Tandoori is a traditional Indian method of cooking that involves marinating meat in yogurt and spices, and then cooking it in a clay oven called a Tandoor. Be sure to try their Delhi Style Tandoori Chicken and Tandoori Konkan Prawns.
Riyasat’s curries are another highlight. You have many choices that include Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken Tikka Masala, and Chicken or Lamb Palak.
If you’re looking for dinner at an Indian restaurant downtown Oakville, visit Riyasat!
Morgana was born in Mexico City in 2017, but recently opened their second location right in the heart Downtown Oakville. They have a fantastic selection of flavours that change regularly, offered in both gelato and sorbet form. They are a seasonal business, spending winters down in Mexico at their other location! Be sure to follow them on Instagram or Facebook to stay up to date on when they are open.
Obsessed with burgers? Try The Works (though you might have a hard time choosing a menu item). Claiming to offer the “world’s best burger,” The Works offers dozens of concoctions with super-fun names (usually tied to pop culture, occasionally with a local twist). For ultimate juiciness, their burgers are cooked to medium – although, they offer eight burger options to suit your needs (some are Elk, Kobe-Style Wagyu Beef, and vegan-friendly options like Beyond Meat or Portobello Mushroom). Customize their recipes with your own bun (gluten-free options available), burger, and side (like Bottomless Fresh-Cut Fries, Spicy Die Cut Chips, Mac N’ Cheese, Steamed Broccoli). Or, create your own unique mix with toppings like caramelized onions, blue cheese, olives, eggs, and so many more.
And if you’re hungry after all of that – there’s apps, desserts, and let’s not forget, bubbly beer.
Sugar Suite is a luxury retail bakery located in the heart of downtown Oakville. Voted the Best Bakery in Oakville through Visit Oakville, you’d never know our products are 100% gluten-free and nut-free. Their mission is to create a bakery where those with allergies not only feel normal but special! Their team brings luxury to a whole new level with beautiful and artistic treats that are both delicious and inclusive. Beyond being gluten-free and nut-free, Sugar Suite also caters to other allergies and preferences, including vegan and refined-sugar-free. Enjoy everything from baked goods (cake pops, brownies, specialty baked buns, cookies) , cupcakes, cakes, and seasonal treats. Their shop is pretty darn adorable, too!
There’s nothing simple about crafting high-quality, clean food – but The Simple Kitchen has perfected its craft. They strive to provide nutritious meals with pure ingredients so you can eat what you want and still live your best life. A fusion of café and market, you’ll find everything from coffee and wellness drinks (such as their Ginger Turmeric Latte) , Bone Broth, Keto Brisket Bowl, and Paleo/Keto-friendly desserts. Their grocery market carries everything from Keto Pizza to Keto Watermelon Slices, Nut Butters, Gluten-Free Breads, and so much more (seriously, there’s way too much to name). Discover gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, keto – simple – items at The Simple Kitchen.
