Sweet Stay in Southwestern Ontario
The sweetest things in life are… sweet! Are you ready to join us for our sweet escape? We have an insatiable sweet tooth, so it makes sense that no trip to Southwestern Ontario would be complete without a sweet ending. Want to see our favourites? Sweet dreams are made of these:
Sweet Retreat Ice Cream and More
It’s hard to miss this adorable, candy-coloured ice cream parlour in downtown Leamington, which was the perfect place to start our sweet escape. We were greeted by owners Pat & Bob Vance, whose hospitality makes you feel like fast friends, and taken on a tour of the beautiful gardens, by their lovely granddaughter. Sit and enjoy your delicious treats in beautiful grounds, where it’s not uncommon to find multiple generations of the family pitching in to help run the store.
There is something for every sweet tooth! From ice cream cakes to fruit bars, FlavourBurst soft serve and 32 flavours of rotating ice cream from Kawartha and London Ice Cream, you’ll have plenty of options. What truly sets them apart is that they are licensed. You heard it, licensed. If sugar just won’t cut it, try one of many unique and adult friendly creations. Can’t decide which one? Try the Get Spiked ice cream flight. We tasted The Perfect Storm, (Black Raspberry Thunder with Amaretto), No Cubs Allowed (Bear Claw with Forty Creek), and a custom creation featuring St. Jacobs Apple Pie with Butter Ripple Schnapps.
This may just be the perfect place for children and adults that want to let their inner child run free.
Bad Witch Bakery
What do you do when the board game café you opened has to close due to Covid? You level up and turn your location into a delicious bakery on Erie Street, Windsor. With an extensive sweets menu including brownies, milkshakes, soft serve, ice cream, and a cookie skillet (just to name a few) there is something for everyone.
When it comes to our sweet of choice, cheesecake and ice cream sandwiches battle for top of our list, and Bad Witch Bakery does both very well.
We tried a delicious campfire brulé cheesecake – perfectly smooth cheesecake topped with marshmallows, chocolate, cookies, and chocolate sauce.
When it comes to ice cream sandwiches, you can choose from their classics or create your own. Each sandwich features their signature Monster Cookie, cut in half, and stuffed with your favourite ice cream. We tried the Cinnamon French Toast (salted caramel ice cream, cinnamon toast crumble, dehydrated marshmallows, salted caramel), with a snickerdoodle cookie. You may want to take a friend to help you eat this giant ice cream sandwich!
Speaking of friends, they have the cutest cupcakes for your four-legged bestie, so bring Fluffy with you!
The Parlour Ice Cream Co.
Located in LaSalle, the Parlour Ice Cream Co is another family run shop that does not lack in creativity. Opened by Deputy Mayor and local real estate agent Crystal Meloche and her husband, they wanted to create somewhere beautiful where family and friends could get together for a sweet treat. It’s not uncommon to find the entire family working at the parlour.
With one of the most modern and Instagrammable interiors we experienced on our sweet escape, we wouldn’t blame you if you took a few minutes to take it in. Their expansive menu includes Belgian chocolate dip soft serve, milkshakes, floats, banana splits, and sundaes. We always love to try the signature dishes, and Turtle Club and Suggarito, did not disappoint. What are these creations, you ask? Read on sweeties.
One of their most popular treats is The Turtle Club, an homage to their hometown baseball team of the same name. It is also very similar to the classic Turtle, featuring vanilla soft serve, topped with milk chocolate with pecan pieces and caramel. It is one of the most popular sundaes and is sure to please.
On to the Suggarito. We thought this mix of flattened cotton candy, three scoops of ice cream and a topping of your choice would be overly sweet but were pleasantly surprised. It was nicely balanced, full of flavour, and can easily be shared between at least 2-3 people. We had it with the Birthday Cake, Orange Creamsicle, and Vanilla ice creams, topped with Nerds. We squealed inside with excitement and childhood joy as we indulged in this nostalgic creation!
You’ll want to put The Parlour Ice Cream Co. on your sweet escape list!
Little House of Cupcakes & More
What is about cupcakes that endures the test of time? While working as a manager at Tim Horton’s over 8 years ago, Heather began making cupcakes for family and friends before pursuing her dreams and launching her business in Essex.
The star here is the cupcakes. They vary daily and have over 180 flavours on rotation, with frostings to please every palate, including original buttercream, cream cheese, meringue, and whip cream.
Other fan favourites are the butter tarts, also sold at various fruit stands in the area, and the cheesecake, which tends to sell out, so get there early! The shop also has a great collection of classic candy that you won’t want to miss (and can’t forget!). What’s that saying about a kid in a candy store??
Legends Sports Bar at Caesar’s Windsor
Who says you can’t get your sweet fix while catching some entertainment at the casino? Legends Sports Bar, located centrally in Caesars Windsor, is where to go when you’re craving sweets. The “Drinks & Bites” menu features two treats that combine your favourite poolside (adult) drink and dessert in one.
You’ll have the option of Dessert a la Strawberry Daiquiri or Dessert a la Pina Colada. These kicked up dessert in a glass feature a brownie pop, a cake pop, and half a cookie nestled in ice cold delicious Captain Morgan White Rum Strawberry Daiquiri or Pina Colada, topped with whipped cream.
Come hungry or split it with a friend, as these are decadent desserts.
Walker’s Fine Candies
No Windsor Essex sweet list would be complete mentioning Walker’s Fine Candies. A tour of the facility brought us back in time. First opened in 1922, Walker’s was taken over 33 years ago by the Obeid family, and Raymond, Josephine, and son Roy have kept the tradition alive. All the chocolates are from original Walker family recipes and produced in a classic method including marble countertops, copper pots, and lots of made from hand love.
Truffles are the most popular item, but they also carry a signature peanut toffee in a jar, used as a sundae topping and carried at various ice cream shops throughout the region, including Parlour.
The Obeid family are the cutest and most welcoming hosts. You will immediately feel like part of the family when you visit their shop. You have to ask Raymond about “Lucy”….trust us. We tried an endless assortment of truffles, peanut clusters, and caramels. With everything roasted and make in house, all the products are as fresh as can be. The family is heartwarmingly hospitable, and it is no surprise that they have been active members of their community for decades, proudly keeping their chocolate making traditions alive.
You’re sure to have a sweet stay in Southwestern Ontario!
LEARN MORE
Want to learn more about what to do and see while you are in Windsor Essex? Make sure to visit the Tourism Windsor Essex Peele Island website for additional inspiration.