Live, Work, Shop, Play… and Eat!
Summer is an adventurous time for families in the GHA. Whether you’re taking advantage of the warm weather by hiking local nature trails, or having unique experiences at a nearby farm or park, there’s going to come a point where your clan needs to wind down and refuel. Fortunately you don’t have to travel far to have a great meal the whole family can enjoy. Whether you stay close to the iConnect Community or take a short drive to one of the surrounding neighbourhoods, you have literally dozens of appetizing options. We did our best to narrow it down to ten, but it wasn’t easy!
Right in the heart of iConnect
1. For marking those special occasions: The Keg Steakhouse + Bar
No notes here. The Keg has been an icon of fine food and celebration across North America for over 50 years. The dishes are elevated enough to evoke a sense of fine dining, while the atmosphere is welcoming enough for family get-togethers. If you’re celebrating a birthday, be sure to get your complimentary Billy Miner Pie!
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, 36 Horseshoe Crescent
2. For making the kids feel like the real VIPs: Boston Pizza
While it seems to be an odd name for a Canadian restaurant chain, Boston Pizza prides itself on being Canada’s #1 casual dining brand. The iConnect location, like other Boston Pizzas, maintains both a sports bar vibe (with plenty of big screens and spacious patio) and a family-friendly environment. Their unique Kids Card program gives five free kids’ meals for a $5 donation, plus kids eat free in September!
Boston Pizza, 4 Horseshoe Crescent
3. For a hearty breakfast after practice: Stacked
Forced to get up early for soccer, gymnastics, swimming, or hockey? The perfect refueling spot to get on with your busy weekends is Stacked in iConnect. Their unique takes on breakfast classics are sure to satisfy the most voracious of young appetites!
Stacked, 16 Clappison Avenue, Unit D25
4. For burgers that might have them swearing off fast food forever: Real Burger
This independent family-owned restaurant might be the perfect remedy for big chain burger joints, with local market-fresh ingredients, a welcoming atmosphere, and gluten-free and vegan menu options. Just be sure to leave room for one of their absolutely decadent milkshakes.
Real Burger, 94 Dundas Street East
5. For scratch-made baked goods and a shop that smells like heaven: COBS Bread
Grab a loaf of bread baked that very morning, and the kids will probably swear off Wonder Bread forever. While you’re at it, be sure to pick up a box of scones for breakfast.
COBS Bread, 94 Dundas Street East
Just up the road in Waterdown
6. For true one-of-a-kind dishes: Kamoosh Bistro
You’re not going to find a lot of areas that offer Italian-Persian fusion cuisine. So take advantage of your good fortune and check out Kamoosh! Chef Koosh Kahnamoui hand-selects ingredients from local farms and butchers and cures meats in-house. He rotates his menu seasonally, so every visit can be new, fresh, and delicious.
Kamoosh Bistro, 34 Main Street North
7. For fritters so good, it might be a crime: Copper Kettle Cafe
If you’re going to invent a word to flex how good a certain in-house pastry is, you’d better deliver. Good thing this “frittery” absolutely nails it. Grab a delicious coffee (or a hot chocolate for the kids) and a fritter (that is in fact to die for), and enjoy one of the coziest spots to eat in all of Waterdown.
Copper Kettle Cafe, 312 Dundas Street East, Unit #4
8. For a delicious meal with a side of Victorian charm: The Royal Coachman
Those restaurants that have been around 50 years? 60 years? How cute. The Royal Coachman’s history dates back to the 1890s, serving great food since the Victorian Era. Their signature fish & chips dish is popular enough to account for 7 tons of fish and 35 tons of potatoes consumed annually! I think you know what we would recommend from the menu.
The Royal Coachman, 1 Main Street North
Grab and go for when you’re too tired and dirty from adventuring
9. For authentic European dishes you can prepare at home: stuffed.
“Team Perogy” makes its presence felt throughout the GHA. Chef Michael Schmidt prepares perogies, soups, gourmet meat pies, and more based on recipes that have been in his family for generations, and delivers them to festivals and events from his mobile kitchen. Their frozen dishes are available for pickup at the Brock Road Market in Dundas and the Waterdown Farmer’s Market, or delivered to you and your hungry family. Pro tip: if you order online, you can pick up some adorable perogy plushies too!
Order Online from stuffed at teamperogy.ca
10. For a proper finish to this list: Sweet Paradise Bakery & Delicatessen
Since 1986, the Mancini family has been running this authentic Italian bakery, serving fresh breads, cannoli, pastries, layers of lasagna, homemade sausage, arancini, and imported European cheeses and meats. Scratch-made family recipes and unwavering commitment to customer service have earned Sweet Paradise plenty of accolades and loyal clientele.
Sweet Paradise Bakery and Delicatessen, 419 Dundas Street East
No more “I don’t know, what do you want to eat?” conversations
Needless to say, this barely a glimpse into the dining scene in and around iConnect. Whether you’ve got to cater to a picky eater or accommodate an adventurous palate, you’re sure to find something the whole family will enjoy, right around the corner. If you have a favourite iConnect eatery, we’d love to know what makes it stand out! Keep the conversation going on our socials. Bon appétit!
