fine dining

30 years ago, if we told you that Hamilton would be home to one of the most diverse food and art scenes in Ontario, would you have believed us? Way back in the day, Hamilton was known for being one of the biggest producers of steel in North America. But today, the economy is diversifying, and more people are relocating to Hamilton from all over the world. We even have a new Hamilton LRT coming to improve transportation across the city. 

With all these new residents and infrastructure improvements comes an incredible new Hamilton food scene that caters to every craving you could possibly have. Whether you’re looking for quick take-out or a world-class fine dining experience, Hamilton has the goods. 

If you’re a major foodie like we are, you might even be compelled to look at houses for sale in Hamilton that are close to your favourite eateries.

So let’s take a look at the local food scene and some of the best places to eat in Hamilton, Ontario here:

CIMA Enoteca

CIMA on Locke Street is one of our favourite places for authentic, delicious Italian food. With a seasonal menu that ranges from tasty small plates, housemade pasta, and wood oven pizza, CIMA is your go-to for elevated comfort food. Although it’s not on the list of cheap places to eat in Hamilton, the prices are reasonable for the excellent high-quality dishes they serve up. 

With options for dining in and takeout, you can treat yourself to a night out at CIMA or cozy up at home with a great bottle of wine and some fresh pasta from one of the best Italian places to eat in Hamilton

Charred

With a long local family history, Charred is the brainchild of the Morgenstern family. These multi-generational Hamilton business owners know what locals love, and in this case, it’s chicken grilled over a flaming bed of hardwood charcoal. Serving delicious comfort food like chicken, brisket, poutine, and their famous matzah ball soup, Charred is one of the best places to eat in Hamilton to satisfy your craving for Canadian classics. 

With everything made in-house, locally sourced, and Halal certified, Charred is a much better option than some of those other chicken chain restaurants. We’re not naming names, but trust us, Charred is the place to go if you’re looking for a flame-grilled meal. 

The Aberdeen Tavern

This Hamilton institution is a favourite of many locals. The Aberdeen Tavern offers a “big city” dining experience with small-town ambiance and comfort. Specializing in elevated comfort food, The Aberdeen offers locally-sourced, fresh, delicious twists on your favourites. Go for dinner and try the onion fritters and Aberdeen Burger or, if brunch is more your style, hit them up for their $25 2-course brunch special and try the crab cakes and delicious cheesecake french toast. 

The Aberdeen is also part of a larger collective of hospitality companies owned by Equal Parts, a local company and driving force in the Hamilton food scene. Keep a lookout for some other Equal Parts restos on this list! 

Berkeley North

Recognized not only as one of the best restaurants in Hamilton but in all of Southern Ontario, Berkeley North is a true gem in our city for incredibly creative and fresh cuisine. Foodies love their unique take on restaurant menu staples like the lamb spring rolls, avocado salad, and more. Try the Hamilton hot chicken just to see what all the fuss is about. 

Berkeley North is also famous for its incredible brunch and lunch offerings, signature cocktails, and house-made kombucha. If you’re looking for healthy places to eat in Hamilton, Berkeley North has a few options for you, but it’s better if you arrive with an open mind and a clean palette to truly enjoy some of the flavour bombs they’re creating! 

Lo Presti’s

With an extensive lunch and dinner menu, and an impressive list of fantastic vintage wines, Lo Presti’s is a Hamilton mainstay. Traditional Italian fine dining at its best, Lo Presti’s makes our list of nice places to eat in Hamilton for its passion for quality, warm atmosphere, and delicious take on your favourite Italian dishes. 

The restaurant also serves as an event space, and chances are, if you’ve lived and worked in Hamilton for a while, you’ve attended an event at Lo Presti’s! It’s a classic for a reason! 

The French

The second Equal Parts restaurant to be featured on our list of best places to eat in Hamilton, The French offers superb bistro-style cuisine with a twist. High-quality ingredients, creative pairings, and stunning presentation make The French our go-to for a fantastic date night meal. Whether you’re craving a perfectly seared steak or prefer something a little lighter like their trout almondine, The French has you covered. 

Like their sister restaurant, The Aberdeen, The French also offers a spectacular $25 2-course brunch featuring delicious staples like avocado toast and duck waffles. 

Caro

With locations on James Street and Ottawa Street, Caro is the go-to for fresh, inspired Italian dining. The passion project of restauranteur Cory Tower, Caro offers a modern take on Italian food. With a bright and airy atmosphere and stylish bar, Caro is a great local hangout in the Hamilton food scene. 

Offering delicious fresh pasta, pizza, and great apps to share, Caro is the ultimate spot to chill with friends and family for a relaxing and filling night out. 

The Mule

This list might lean heavily on the Italian restaurants, because, well, pasta–need we say more? But there’s something else that we might love just as much as we love carbs and that’s tacos! The Mule is one of the top Mexican restaurants in Hamilton, and for good reason. With its chef’s-inspired tacos, fresh ingredients, incredible atmosphere, and fantastic collection of tequila and bourbon cocktails, The Mule is your friendly neighbourhood taco joint, but better. 

Offering gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, The Mule is also somehow one of the best healthy places to eat in Hamilton, but if you’re looking for something a little less green, there’s still plenty of queso to satisfy your cravings. 

Hambrgr

Sometimes all you need is a hot burger and a cold beer, right? That’s where Hambrgr comes in. With two locations in Hamilton and one in St. Catherines, Hambrgr is Hamilton’s premier destination for an incredible hamburger. 

Known for its huge portions and delicious inventions, Hambrgr helps satisfy the most daring cravings with its incredible, high-quality beef and buns. Reasonable prices put Hambrgr more on the side of cheap places to eat in Hamilton, but the quality and quantity of food is definitely worth it. Hambrgr is kid-friendly too with lots of options for milkshakes, loads of fries, as well as vegetarian options to choose from. 

Earth to Table Bread Bar 

If quality ingredients and a passion for sustainability are important to you, look no further than Bread Bar. With two locations in Hamilton and one in Guelph, Bread Bar is a great option for those looking for healthy places to eat in Hamilton. Much of their food comes directly from their own farm, ensuring absolute quality from Earth to table as the name implies. 

With vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options, Bread Bar is a favourite for anyone with dietary restrictions who still wants to enjoy an incredible meal in a fantastic atmosphere. Oh, and did we mention they cater too? 

Whether you’re looking for the some of the best places to eat in Hamilton or fantastic Hamilton real estate agents, it pays to go local! Check out the Hamilton communities we serve and if you have a question about buying or selling your home, call us at 1-844-484-SOLD or email us here.