The restaurant scene in Hamilton is ever-growing, proving that the scrappy mid-size city has far more to offer than just steel. From brunch that makes mornings memorable to drool-worthy dinnertime indulgences, there's a diverse array of Hamilton restaurants attracting visitors from far and wide to get a taste — some of which have even earned national and international acclaim.
While Toronto has many of its own incredible restaurants to add to your foodie bucket list, Hamilton promises a number of options that are a little more off the beaten track, and you can make an entire day of eating your way around the city.
Here are 11 noteworthy Hamilton restaurants with great food and an equally great atmosphere that are worth checking out the next time you visit the Hammer — and might even be worth the drive down the 403 from Toronto alone!
Maipai Tiki Bar
Price: 💸💸
Address: 631 Barton St. E., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: After being the first to bring Hawaiian poké to Canada, Salar Madadi opened Maipai in 2020 on an unassuming stretch of Barton Street. Surrounded by little else, you'd be forgiven for thinking you turned down the wrong street. But, once you walk through Maipai's front door, prepare to be transported to a paradise complete with tropical-inspired cocktails and award-winning Detroit-style pizza that's among the best in the region.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Rapscallion & Co.
Price: 💸💸💸
Address: 178 James St. N., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: Chef Matt Kershaw has made quite the impression on Hamilton's food scene, and Rapscallion & Co. on James Street North exemplifies his culinary talents. Expect playful nose-to-tail cuisine served in a classy-yet-approachable setting with favourite dishes including chicken liver brûlée, roast bone marrow, confit duck leg, and buttermilk frog's legs. It's a bit of a splurge, but oh-so worth it.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Menya Kyu
Price: 💸💸
Address: 154 James St. S., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: Expertly crafted Japanese cuisine meets a commitment to locally sourced ingredients at this recent addition to Hamilton. Headed by Chef Yoshiyuki Aiba — who honed his craft in acclaimed kitchens like Auberge du Pommier and Ancaster Mill — Menya Kyu's specialty is authentic Japanese ramen made with chicken from Fenwood Farms. Rounded off by vegan options and dishes like curries and donburi, this menu is pure, chef-driven comfort food. Those who take transit are in luck: It's mere steps from the Hamilton GO Station.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Bon Temps
Price: 💸💸💸
Address: 61 Young St., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: Refined French culinary techniques meet modern Canadian cuisine at this cozy restaurant helmed by Chef Dave Fauteux. Bon Temps quite literally creates good times with a lovely ambience and a focused menu of fine fares like lobster thermidor, steak frites, bouillabaisse, charcuterie, oysters and more, paired with wine and craft cocktails.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Bon Temps website
MERIT Brewing Company
Price: 💸💸
Address: 107 James St. N., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: Hamilton has a standout craft beer scene, and MERIT Brewing is a firm favourite for its terrific IPAs, sours, beer-wine hybrids and stouts. Those beers are matched with startlingly tasty brewpub bites, including some of the Hammer's best fries, comforting mac 'n' cheese, and house-made sausages in internationally inspired flavours like butter chicken and chorizo verde. Enjoy it all in MERIT's airy communal beer hall or back patio.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
PinToh
Price: 💸💸
Address: 21 John St. N., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: A transplant from neighbouring Burlington, PinToh brings its A game when it comes to modern Thai cuisine. Chef Keng's menu of curries, stir-fries, noodle dishes and share plates uses fresh ingredients to conjure traditional Thai flavours with some judicious contemporary touches. If you're craving comforting khao soi, pad kee mao or massaman curry, look no further.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Cowabunga+
Price: 💸💸
Address: 30 Vine St., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: A title like "world's best" carries a lot of weight, and Cowabunga+ has the trophy to prove it. The pizzeria — which also has a takeaway spot at 536 Upper Wellington St. — made waves when they claimed the title of World's Best Cheese Slice at the 2024 International Pizza Expo, beating out heavyweight competitors from around the globe. But their other pies are also award-worthy, from their truffle-forward take on the white pizza, called the 1Up, to their Cowabunga pizza with popcorn chicken, pineapple, roasted peanuts and scallions.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Motel
Price: 💸💸
Address: 359 Barton St. E., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: Summery pastels from ceiling to floor make this brunch spot feel like an inviting Miami motel, and the food here is really something special. Don't expect the basic bacon and eggs you get at your local greasy spoon; Motel aims to impress with its Champagne pancakes finished with gold flakes, buttermilk fried chicken and waffles with vanilla honey butter and sweet and spicy sauce, and cheesy challah French toast that will send you into the most blissful of food comas.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Namu
Price: 💸💸💸
Address: 186 King St. W., Dundas, ON
Why You Should Go: Casual fine dining meets Asian fusion at this Dundas gem. Namu's menu offers Korean, Japanese and Chinese-inspired fare with modern flair and high-end ingredients. If you like the sound of kimchi fried rice with dry-aged striploin from Cumbraes Butcher Shop, wild Alaskan black cod with miso salad, or japchae with slow-braised beef cheek, this is your place.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible.
Easterbrook's Hotdog Stand
Price: 💸
Address: 694 Spring Gardens Rd., Burlington, ON
Why You Should Go: Family-owned for over 90 years, Easterbrook's offers pure nostalgia in the form of creatively dressed foot-long hot dogs, fries, burgers and ice cream; it's the perfect picnic food. This place is the very definition of an institution for the Hamilton-Burlington area: affordable, family-friendly and delicious. It's no wonder Easterbrook's has had lines out the door daily for almost a century.
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
The Mule
Price: 💸💸
Address: 41 King William St., Hamilton, ON
Why You Should Go: From its hip, artsy atmosphere to its creative menu of Mexican-inspired fare, The Mule is unique for being Hamilton’s first crowd-funded restaurant. After almost a decade in business, they’re still going strong. Expect playful tacos like honey garlic fried chicken, habanero brisket, and oyster mushroom paired with shareable appetizers and a hefty tequila selection.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
Tim Hortons