Where to eat and drink in Hamilton
Quatrefoil Restaurant
Nestled between Toronto and Niagara Falls on the shores of Lake Ontario, Hamilton has transformed from its industrial roots into a vibrant culinary and culturally rich city—thanks to its diverse population and bold, innovative restaurateurs.
As the birthplace of the first Tim Hortons in 1964, the city proudly carries a legacy of great coffee and iconic donuts.
From morning fuel to celebratory evenings, Hamilton’s dining scene offers something unforgettable for every occasion. Whether you’re craving brunch before a Tiger Cats football game or an elegant dinner after a night with the Philharmonic Orchestra, here are some of the best places to eat in Hamilton.
Breakfast and brunch
Electric Diner
This popular 80s-inspired diner serves creative twists on classic brunch dishes. Try the Crab Cake Benny, eggs Benedict served on hefty crab cakes. Or indulge in the chicken and waffles made with a Korean twist. If the strawberry cheesecake pancakes don’t satisfy your sweet tooth, opt for one of the Electric Diner’s indulgent milkshakes.
Location: 28 James Street North, Hamilton
Saint James
This beloved cafe has consistently served great food and coffee for over a decade. All the dishes are made in-house using high-quality ingredients, including a delicious assortment of pastries. Don’t miss the cinnamon roll scone.
Location: 170 James Street North, Hamilton
Synonym
Featuring an all-day brunch menu, a variety of sandwiches, as well as flavourful hot dishes, this cafe-bistro is a must-visit. While enjoying your meal, be sure to try an expertly crafted coffee, a glass of natural wine, a small-batch beer or an inventive cocktail.
On the second Friday of every month, partake in Art Crawl, an event designed to promote Hamilton artists.
Location: 328 James Street North, Hamilton
The Cannon
The Cannon serves high-quality coffee alongside a creative waffle-themed brunch menu. Try your eggs Benedict on a delicious cheese waffle or indulge in an egg, tomato and spicy mayo waffle sandwich. Gluten-free and vegan waffles are available.
Location: 180 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton
Joshy’s Good Eats
A great stop for bagel lovers. Joshy’s Good Eats was so popular at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market that the owner opened a bricks-and-mortar location. Stop by for handmade bagels, a variety of cream cheeses, house-made cured fish and Joshy’s signature sandwiches.
Location: 1111 Cannon Street East, Hamilton
Lunch and dinner
The Burnt Tongue
With three locations across Hamilton, this soup-focused restaurant is the perfect place for a hearty lunch or an early dinner.
Enjoy classics like chicken noodle soup, butternut squash bisque and cream of mushroom alongside sandwiches, burgers and salads. Save room for dessert—the carrot cake ice cream sandwich is as good as it sounds.
Locations:
Bardo
Since 2010, Bardo’s flagship restaurant in Hamilton has been serving delicious Italian-inspired fare.
Stop by for stone-baked pizzas, vibrant salads and hearty entrees in a lively atmosphere. Sip on a craft beer or a signature cocktail as you enjoy your meal, designed to pair perfectly with the menu.
Location: 258 Locke Street South, Hamilton
MaiPai
For some of the best pizza in Hamilton, look no further than MaiPai. Serving delicious Detroit-style pizza alongside classic tiki cocktails, this restaurant offers bold and innovative flavours.
Pizzas are made in deep, rectangular steel pans imported from Detroit. The crust is thick, but airy and crisp, and toppings range from traditional to inventive. Most pies can be modified to suit vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets.
Visit MaiPai on Instagram, and be sure to make reservations in advance, as this is a popular spot.
Location: 631 Barton Street East, Hamilton
Sagarmatha Curry Palace
Specializing in authentic northern Indian and Nepalese cuisine, Sagarmatha Curry Palace is a staple in the Hamilton area.
The dinner menu features samosas, pakoras, a variety of dishes from the Tandoor oven, and vegetarian and meat-focused curries. The vegetarian or meat thali is a great option for first-time diners as it offers small portions of several dishes.
Location: 43 King William Street North, Hamilton
The Mule
The Mule is a Mexican-inspired restaurant and a great place to explore chef-inspired tacos and tequila-based cocktails. From the sweet potato and halloumi tacos and queso fundito to the strawberry Paloma sangria, your taste buds are in for a treat.
Location: 41 King William Street, Hamilton
Maisy’s Pearl Oyster Bar
Maisy’s Pearl Oyster Bar is a must-visit, with a selection of high-quality and sustainably sourced oysters. There are also plenty of other seafood-focused menu items available.
For a unique and tasty experience, sign up for an oyster shucking class. Learn almost everything there is to know about these beloved bivalves from owner and shucking champion David Burns.
Location: 342 Barton Street East, Hamilton
Menya Kyu
Menya Kyu is a farm-to-bowl ramen restaurant run by chef Yoshiyuki Aiba, a native of Tochigi, Japan.
Chef Aiba creates traditional Japanese ramen for lunch and dinner using local ingredients. His signature Jidori ramen features locally raised chickens from Fenwood Farm in neighbouring Ancaster. In addition to creamy and clear chicken broths, a plant-based option is also available.
Location: 154 James Street South, Hamilton
Le Tambour Tavern
Located in downtown Hamilton, Le Tambour Tavern is a Parisian-inspired bistro.
Chef Teo Paul, who owns two popular Toronto restaurants (Union and Côte de Bœuf), opened his Hamilton location in 2023. The dinner menu features classic bistro fare like beef tartare, oysters and escargot. But what sets this restaurant apart is the open-fire grill. Enjoy roast chicken with frites and chalet sauce, whole grilled fish and charred steaks straight from the fire.
Location: 345 James Street North, Hamilton
Aberdeen Tavern
Aberdeen Tavern serves elevated comfort food in a unique setting—a former bank. The chefs work closely with local farmers and sustainable importers to maintain the highest-quality standards. From the baked feta to the bone-in pork chop, every dish is beautifully crafted. Cocktails are made with fresh-squeezed juices, and there is a broad selection of wine to choose from.
Visit on Sunday evenings when the restaurant transforms into a traditional steakhouse.
Location: 432 Aberdeen Avenue, Hamilton
Martello Restaurant
This Italian-inspired restaurant offers a delicious array of classic pizzas and pastas dishes like Margherita pizza and Carbonara pasta. But if you are interested in trying something different, the kitchen also strives to blend tradition with creativity, serving dishes like a spicy-sweet ‘nduja and corn pizza or a savoury beet and goat cheese-filled agnolotti.
Finish your weekend at Martello with Sugo Sundays—the restaurant’s ode to the Italian-American red-sauce restaurant.
Location: 298 James Street North, Hamilton
Victoria’s Steak and Seafood
Located at the corner of Locke Street and King Street, Victoria’s is a fresh take on the classic steakhouse.
Enjoy exclusive cuts of beef from around the world, exceptional seafood and top-notch service in a beautifully appointed dining room and lounge area. Have a glance at the ever-evolving wine list to discover some unique gems.
Location: 470 King Street West, Hamilton
Rapscallion & Co.
Rapscallion & Co. calls itself “a mischievous and vibrant part of Hamilton’s restaurant scene.” It offers regularly changing, meat-focused menus for both lunch and dinner in a casual but luxurious setting.
Join the team for weekly specials like Fried Chicken Sundays, when you’ll enjoy a family-style meal complete with coleslaw, biscuits and sides.
Location: 178 James Street North, Hamilton
Berkley North
This critically acclaimed restaurant is often considered one of the best restaurants in Hamilton. The lunch and dinner menus feature highly creative fare that represent Ontario’s changing seasons. Dishes are carefully crafted in-house and offer diners unique flavour combinations with the perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication.
Try the chef-recommended fresh cheese and sourdough starter as well as the mushroom dumplings.
Location: 31 King William Street, Hamilton
Quatrefoil
Chefs Fraser Macfarlane and Georgina Mitropoulos opened this fine dining restaurant in 2010. Since then, they have been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, Toronto Life and EnRoute, making Quatrefoil one of the top-rated restaurants in Hamilton.
Located in a charming Victorian house in Dundas, the chefs offer a small yet stunning dinner menu, featuring glazed sea scallops and beef tenderloin.
Location: 16 Sydenham Street, Dundas
Desserts and sweet treats
Donut Monster
Made from scratch and topped with a wide array of glazes and garnishes, Donut Monster donuts offer unique flavours like chocolate-caramel popcorn to classics like the traditional apple fritter. Stop by often to try the new flavours on the changing menu. Vegan options are available.
Location: 246 Locke Street South, Hamilton
Willard’s Ice Cream
This beloved small-batch ice cream shop is renowned for its creative flavours, making it a popular destination for ice cream lovers.
Try the garlic flavour or the mango-sriracha flavours if you’re looking for something unique. Or stay in your comfort zone, and opt for vanilla bean or chocolate.
Location: 942 Main Street East, Hamilton
MySweeTooth
This Asian-fusion bakery specializes in cakes and desserts made with love, care and the best ingredients. Order a birthday cake for an upcoming celebrating or drop in to try the matcha cream puffs or the strawberry cheese tarts. For something a little more adventurous, taste the ube-flavoured Basque cheesecake or the durian crepe roll.
Location: 301 Main Street West, Hamilton
Late-night spots
The Bard and Bear
Choose from over 1,000 board games to play while you sip locally made beer or cocktails. Snacks, sweets and sandwiches are also available. View the library of games online and reserve a board to avoid disappointment.
Location: 237 James Street North, Hamilton
The Argyle
With three state-of-the-art golf simulator bays, The Argyle is a unique place to have a cocktail. Practise using the driving range or play 18 holes with your friends from one of 69 courses from around the world.
In between swings, sip on expertly crafted cocktails. The menu features a selection of luxurious gin and tonics and a wide variety of whiskies.
Location: 304 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton
Nanny and Bull’s
Located in the east end of Hamilton, Nanny and Bull’s is an inviting neighbourhood haunt featuring quality drinks and friendly service. Choose from a selection of creative cocktails, unique beers and singular mocktails. Weekly specials feature drink discounts and a popular bingo night.
In the warmer months, enjoy The Backyard, an outdoor beer garden with its own menu.
Location: 627 Barton Street East, Hamilton
From casual lunch counters to intimate date-night dinner spots and action-packed cocktail bars, there’s no shortage of popular restaurants in Hamilton to explore.
Last updated: December 19, 2025