12 Tasty Restaurants You Must Try in Hamilton, Ontario

Posted on October 12, 2018 by Lisa Jackson

Downtown Hamilton has become a hub for hungry hordes, with maverick chefs opening trendy new eateries on Locke Street and across the city. From poke shacks to fine French food to gourmet donuts, there's no shortage of places to eat. Start the smorgasbord with these 12 tasty restaurants and bars... but remember: these are just the beginning of your culinary journey. There are even more restaurants to explore in Hamilton – so save room for later!

Facebook/Hambrgr

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Hambrgr

After a successful stint in Toronto’s food world, husband and wife team Michael and Paula Cipollo launched <a href="https://www.hambrgr.ca/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Hambrgr</a>, a Hamilton eatery known for its boss burgers. Patrons gravitate here for the mouthwatering menu of more than a dozen burger combos and frothy pints of craft beer. Sink your teeth into a “Go Back to T.O.” burger loaded with peameal bacon, fried egg, cheese and sweet mustard sauce.
Facebook/Donut Monster

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Donut Monster

On Hamilton's trendy Locke Street, there’s a shrine to fried dough at <a href="https://www.donutmonster.ca/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Donut Monster</a> – a hugely popular cafe devoted to scratch-making gourmet donuts. The funky flavours are ever-evolving and feature combinations that you’ve never seen on a donut before, like banana pudding or purple yam and coconut milk. Go on a weekday – it's jammed on weekends, even attracting out-of-towners who hope to sink their teeth into the airy dough.
Instagram/Earth to Table: Bread Bar

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Earth to Table: Bread Bar

<a href="http://breadbar.ca/home" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Bread Bar</a> on Locke Street leads a double life in “The Hammer”: artisan bakery by day, pizzeria by night, throngs flock here for the food that’s been called “a warm hug” by some fans. Featured on <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/you-gotta-eat-here/video/episode/the-burgers-priest-bread-bar-ee-burritos/video.html?v=64741443924">You Gotta Eat Here</a>, much of the menu is locally sourced and the pizzas have an extra special pizazz because they’re handcrafted by pastry chefs. Definitely try the Monkey Bread (a brioche that’s a cross between a cinnamon bun and donut) but save space in your belly for the Eggplant Parmesan Pizza – baked in a 600 degree oven, John Catucci declares the crust on this ‘za “incredible.”
Facebook/Berkeley North

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Berkeley North

Venture down King William Street’s “restaurant row” to <a href="https://www.berkeleynorth.ca/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Berkeley North</a> – a stylish bistro that serves exquisite “West Coast-inspired cuisine.” Surrounded by exposed brick walls and West Coast decor, sup on wholesome small plates that taste impossibly fresh, such as veggie brown rice bowls, sushi, mushroom dumplings, shrimp tempura, avocado salad and Arctic Char. At lunchtime, you can build your own “Berkeley Bowl.” Heads up: the cocktails here are exceptional.
Facebook/Pokeh

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Pokeh

Chef Salar Madadi is riding the culinary wave in Hamilton with <a href="http://pokeh.ca/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Pokeh </a>– what’s considered the first poke eatery in Canada. In the basement of Hamilton’s Farmers’ Market, he whips up flavourful Hawaiian-inspired bowls of fresh raw fish seasoned with onions, cucumbers, jalapeños, sesame seeds, nuts, spices and sauces.
Facebook/Saint James

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Saint James Espresso Bar and Eatery

It’s a hipster haven at <a href="http://www.saint-james.ca/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Saint James</a>, an industrial-chic cafe and brunch hotspot that’s been profiled in The New York Times. If you’re lucky enough to get a table, watch as the barista prepares everything from espresso to flat whites to ice coffees, while the tiny kitchen whips up “Instagrammable” plates of avocado on toast, crispy falafel salad, smoked salmon and eggs and the epic Blueberry Crumble Shortstack. Arrive early to score seating – all the cool kids go here!
Facebook/The Burnt Tongue

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The Burnt Tongue

New York City might have the Original Soup Man (aka “the Soup Nazi”) but Hamilton has <a href="http://www.theburnttongue.com/">The Burnt Tongue</a> – a stellar soup shop on Locke Street that was featured on <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/you-gotta-eat-here/video/episode/buck-stop-the-burnt-tongue-saus/video.html?v=673328707876">You Gotta Eat Here</a>! Hangry patrons clamor through the door to try crazy-good concoctions like Buffalo Chicken Wing, Malaysian Cabbage, or Loaded Baked Potato, along with classics like Butternut Squash Puree and Cream of Broccoli. There’s also go-to grub like burgers, fries, sandwiches, and salads.
The French

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The French

Inside a gorgeous heritage building on King William Street is <a href="http://www.thefrench.ca/">The French</a>, a contemporary bistro and wine bar that makes fabulous French fare with an international twist. There are the usual suspects – steak frites, escargot, crème brulee, crepes – but you’ll also taste Middle Eastern, Spanish North African, and Moroccan flavours on the menu, especially in dishes like paella, falafel, or the lamb burger. If you’re having trouble making a choice, fans swear by the gnocchi that’s “pillowy” soft and drizzled with truffle sauce.
Facebook/Mezcal

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Mezcal TNT

For mouth-watering Mexican, join the feeding frenzy at <a href="http://www.mezcaltnt.com/#home-slider">Mezcal</a> – a tiny taco and tequila bar on James Street South founded by Chopped Canada champ Chef Manny Ferreira. It’s not unusual to find a line-up out the door, with hangry patrons willing to wait for tasty tacos loaded with crispy cauliflower, braised barbecue brisket, Baja fish, spicy chicken, seared shrimp and other tantalizing toppings.
Born and Raised

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Born and Raised

No need to travel to Italy to embark on a pizza pilgrimage. Feast on mouth-watering thin-crust pies cooked in a wood-fired oven at <a href="https://www.bornandraised.restaurant/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Born and Raised</a> – an Italian restaurant launched by Top Chef Canada alumni Vittorio Colacitti. It’s no wonder his ‘za scores an “A+” by Yelpers: Chef Colacitti studied pizza-making in Rome before opening this eatery. A fave pie is the Monte Pollino – a blistered crust topped with crispy pork cheeks, roasted pineapple and pickled habaneros.
The Harbour Diner

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The Harbour Diner

Ambitious eaters will love <a href="https://www.harbourdiner.com/index.html">The Harbour Diner</a> – an old-timey American diner famed for serving monster-sized portions of classic comfort cuisine. Featured on <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/you-gotta-eat-here/video/episode/salvatores-pizzaiolo-trattoria-the-harbour-diner-hoito-restaurant/video.html?v=256298563686">You Gotta Eat Here!,</a> it’s a hot spot for home cookin’ with “OMG” dishes like apple pie, spaghetti and meatballs, and the signature Harbour Diner Meatloaf smothered in a beef gravy that John Catucci calls “incredible.” A must try is the creamy and decadent Lobster and Crab Macaroni.
Instagram/Roma Bakery

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Roma Bakery and Deli

You haven’t really experienced Hamilton’s food scene unless you’ve ventured to <a href="https://romabakery.cp307.zenutech.com/bakery2/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Roma Bakery and Deli</a> and tried “Roma pizza” – a ridiculously popular cheese-less slab with a light-as-air dough smothered with tangy tomato sauce. These have a fanatical following and have been synonymous with the city since 1952, when a member of the DiFilippo family got the bright idea to squeeze fresh tomatoes over pizza dough. Today, the bakery sells more than 2,500 of these “bread pizzas” every week in the Hamilton area, including local grocery stores.
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