If you're a fan of delicious, hearty brunches, you'll definitely want to check out the top spots for brunches in Hamilton.
As a foodie and travel blogger, I've had the opportunity to try out a lot of different brunches in the city, and I've narrowed it down to a few that really stand out. From classic eggs Benedict to creative twists on traditional brunch dishes, these restaurants have something for everyone.
whether you're a local looking for a new spot to try or just passing through and looking for a tasty brunch destination, these are the places you won't want to miss. Bon appétit!
SAINTS JAMES ESPRESSO BAR & EATERY
170 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L1
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If you're in the mood for a delicious breakfast or brunch in downtown Hamilton, you won't want to sleep on Saint Jame.
This popular coffee shop and eatery has a menu full of tasty options, but their famous "Drive-thru" breakfast sandwich and short stack pancakes with rotating flavors like Cinnabon, lemon ricotta, and apple crumble are definitely not to be missed.
One of the things that sets this place apart is their amazing coffee, which is brewed using unique "steam-punk" style machines.
I had the avocado toast and really enjoyed the addition of salsa verde, which added a unique and herbaceous component to the dish.
My husband had the smoked salmon and egg toast, which he enjoyed, but I did feel like it could have used a little something extra to cut the richness of the scrambled eggs.
Overall, this is a great spot to grab a tasty breakfast or brunch, although it's worth noting that there is limited indoor seating, so you may need to wait for a table if it's busy. But trust me, it's definitely worth the wait - the food here is delicious.
THE ABERDEEN TAVERN
432 Aberdeen Ave, Hamilton, ON L8P 2S4
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If you're in the mood for a sophisticated brunch in Kirkendall, this converted bank restaurant is a must-visit. They take their brunch seriously, offering two-course options with appetizers like crab cakes and smoked salmon and delicious mains like Tostada Rancheros and cheesecake-stuffed French Toast.
The ambiance of the restaurant is very special, with real candles, cloth napkins, and a dimly lit atmosphere. The building used to be a bank, and the vault was even turned into a private dining area at one point, which sounds like a really cool and unique experience.
I had dinner at this restaurant and was impressed by the excellent food and service, and the steak I had was cooked perfectly and melted in my mouth like butter.
They also have a good selection of wine and beer. The only downside is that there isn't any dedicated parking, so you'll have to find a spot on the street.
I recently went back for brunch and had a great breakfast sandwich and a glass of Cotes du Rhone, which made for another memorable experience at this restaurant. All in all, I highly recommend checking out this unique and delicious brunch spot in Kirkendall.
DIM SUM HOUSE
173 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1B3
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If you're in the mood for authentic Cantonese-style dim sum, this downtown restaurant is a must-visit. The ambiance is quite nice and clean, and there is a great selection of dishes to choose from.
You can order from an iPad, which is convenient. The dim sum dishes are generally well done, and the rice and congee dishes are quite substantial in size. One dish that I would highly recommend is the sticky rice.
In addition to the dim sum, this restaurant also serves up a variety of savory and sweet small dishes that are perfect for sharing.
Some of the highlights include steamed and fried shrimp dumplings, pan-fried stuffed eggplant with shrimp, steamed BBQ pork buns, and steamed papaya sponge cake.
CANICHE FRENCH BAKERY
346 Wilson St E, Ancaster, ON L9G 2C2
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If you're in the mood for an authentic French breakfast or brunch in Ancaster, this bakery is a must-visit. They have fantastic croissants that are rich and flaky, just like a true croissant should be.
They also have a patio in the back, strong WiFi, and plenty of parking, which is always a plus. In addition to the croissants, they have a diverse selection of baked goods that are perfect for stocking up on or repeatedly coming back for.
In addition to the croissants, this bakery also has a variety of sweet and savory Galettes and quiches that are definitely worth a try.
If you're looking for a quick but decadent breakfast treat to go, this is definitely the place to go - just be sure to arrive before noon, as their croissants and pain au chocolat tend to sell out quickly. Overall, this French bakery in Ancaster is a great spot for a tasty breakfast or brunch.
ELECTRIC DINER
96 George St, Hamilton, ON L8P 1E2
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If you're in the mood for a fun and creative brunch in Hamilton, this popular Hess Village (ElectricDiner) diner is definitely worth checking out.
The decor is bright and colorful, with elements from different eras like the 1980s and 1950s. The atmosphere is definitely a treat for all the senses.
The breakfast menu is loaded with nostalgic comfort food, as well as brightly coloured standouts like Rainbow Brite Pancakes topped with rainbow cream cheese icing and Froot Loops.
When I visited, they were promoting the seasonal breakfast item - Pumpkin Pancakes. These were three fluffy pancakes drizzled with salted caramel cheese icing, candied pumpkin seeds, and chocolate chips. It was a warm and cozy start to the fall weekend.
I had the Turtle Power Bowl salad, which was great. My friends ordered burgers and loved them.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this place for brunch in Hamilton. The atmosphere is fun and the food is delicious.
BREEZY CORNERS
1480 Hwy 6, Hamilton, ON L0R 1K0
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(@the.boujee.foodie)If you're in the mood for a delicious and satisfying breakfast or brunch in Freelton or the east end of Hamilton, you won't want to miss Breezy's.
This family-run diner is known for their from-scratch approach to fresh, quality ingredients, and it definitely shows in the amazing food.
I had the pleasure of dining at Breezy's during prime brunch time, and I was impressed by the short wait time and the friendly and attentive staff.
The atmosphere was perfect, and the coffee was hot and the water was ice cold. The food was amazing, and I love it here. I plan on making it our new go-to spot for breakfast.
In addition to the great atmosphere and service, Breezy's also offers generous portions of all the breakfast classics, as well as a great kid's menu.
Definitely worth a visit for the ultimate diner breakfast experience.
MOTEL RESTAURANT
359 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 2X8
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If you're in the mood for a unique and Instagram-worthy brunch experience in the east end of Hamilton, you won't want to miss this retro hotel-themed restaurant. The pink and teal color theme is definitely eye-catching, and the atmosphere is cool and stylish.
One of the highlights of this restaurant is their diverse brunch menu, which offers both savory and sweet options depending on your taste.
I was a big fan of their extra thick slices of challah toast. The food was great and the portions were quite large, although I did find the drink options to be a bit limited and pricey.
The real star of this restaurant is definitely the menu, which features playful and luxurious items like Champagne Pancakes (served with Devonshire cream, raspberry and pink champagne coulis, and gold flakes) and buttermilk fried chicken & waffles.
The cocktail names are equally playful, with options like the Naughty Chambermaid and Flamingo Brunch Paloma. Just make sure your phone is charged so you can capture all the Gram-worthy moments at this popular brunch spot.
CARO
229 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L2
4 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Y7
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If you're in the mood to add a taste of Italy to your morning routine, you won't want to miss CARO, a restaurant that offers a unique twist on brunch classics. Located on James Street North and Ottawa Street, CARO has two popular locations to choose from.
I absolutely loved the brunch at CARO. The staff was super accommodating and the ambiance of the restaurant was perfect - cozy and sophisticated at the same time. Our server was adorable and very attentive, which definitely added to the overall experience.
The food at CARO was drool-worthy and worth every bite. Some of the standout dishes on the menu include the Cannoli Waffles, topped with strawberries, candied walnuts, and maple syrup, and the Porchettea Benny, served on grilled focaccia with Hollandaise, rosemary, and parmesan fries or salad.
If you're in the mood for a delicious and sophisticated brunch experience, you won't want to miss CARO.
The Mule
41 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A2
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If you're in the mood for a delicious and lively brunch experience with a Mexican twist, you won't want to miss The Mule, a long-serving downtown favourite. The service at The Mule is quick and friendly, and the ambiance is lively and inviting.
During my visit, we ordered mainly appetizers and were blown away by the delicious flavors. The sauces and spices used were amazing, and the tacos were packed with flavor even though they were purchased individually. The portions were a bit small, but the big flavors more than made up for it.
In addition to the appetizers, The Mule also offers a variety of Mexican-style breakfast options like Huevos Rancheros, breakfast Bravas, and unbelievable tacos. You can also enjoy a side of Caesars or bottomless Mimosas to really kick off your morning.
Overall, I had a great experience at The Mule and will definitely be returning. If you're in the mood for a delicious Mexican-style breakfast fix, this is definitely the place to go.
The Cannon
179 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Z4
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If you're looking for a cozy and friendly spot to enjoy a delicious brunch in Crown Point, you won't want to miss The Cannon. This sunny coffee shop is a favorite with its neighbors and has even caught the attention of Hollywood directors like Guillermo Del Toro, who posted on Twitter that he had the "best breakfast" at The Cannon and raved about their "fluffiest, chewiest fresh-made waffles ever!"
During my visit, I had the harvest brunch on a red pepper waffle and it was delicious! The ingredients were fresh and the flavor was amazing. The bakery items were just as good, and the staff was always pleasant and kind.
The food they prepare for customers is made with a lot of warmth, love, and respect, and it gives me a feeling of eating at small barns and farmhouses in the countryside.
Martello
298 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2L3
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If you're in the mood to add a modern Italian twist to your weekend brunch, you won't want to miss Martello, a popular restaurant on James Street North. During my visits to Martello, I've had a great experience both times.
The atmosphere is so relaxing and the menu is small but everything I've tried so far has been amazing. My husband and I loved the artichokes and all the pastas were delicious and indulgent. We loved splitting everything we ordered so we could try more things.
The cocktail and wine menu at Martello looks amazing, although I don't really drink. I did see some really pretty cocktails that I wished I was more of a drinker to enjoy. The service at Martello is also perfection. All the servers and hosts are so kind and caring and they really took great care of us.
In addition to their regular menu, Martello also offers a great selection of brunch items like soppressata and mortadella eggs benny, breakfast pizza, and stuffed brioche.
They also have locally sourced baked goods like ricotta cannoli, biscotti, and almond croissants that are to die for. Be sure to come hungry to Martello so you can enjoy all the delicious offerings on the menu.
SHY’S PLACE
11 Coreslab Dr, Dundas, ON L9H 0B3
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If you're in the mood for a memorable brunch experience in Dundas, you won't want to miss Shy's, a historic home-turned restaurant that offers a great selection of delectable dishes.
During my visit to Shy's, I was blown away by the excellent service and delicious food. We were a party of 9 and were seated upstairs in our own private room, which was a nice touch.
Our server was top notch and knew his stuff. He was extremely personable and made sure we had everything we needed.
The food at Shy's came quickly and there was plenty of it to go around. All 9 people in our group loved their meals and I wouldn't have changed a second of our experience.
The menu at Shy's features a variety of delicious options like eggs benny, traditional egg plates and hashes, gourmet sandwiches, and sweeter dishes like buttermilk chicken and toast slathered with grape jelly, goat cheese, and maple syrup, and apple cinnamon french toast.
You can enjoy your meal inside the restaurant or outside on their year-round patio.
Overall, I had a great experience at Shy's and will definitely be visiting again in the near future. If you're in the area, be sure to check it out.
EAT UNDEFINED
35 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1
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If you're in the mood for an elevated brunch experience that's far from average, you won't want to miss Undefined. During my visit to this restaurant, I was blown away by how delicious the food was. It was almost criminal how good it was and it was exactly what I was craving.
Everyone at my table was equally impressed by their meal and we can't wait to go back and try the full dinner menu.
At Undefined, you can order mimosas for the table and dive into a variety of elevated dishes like avocado toast with smoked salmon, blueberry and ricotta pancakes, crispy pork belly eggs benny, and Tokyo style hot chicken and waffles.
It's clear that this isn't your average brunch spot and the unique and delicious dishes on the menu are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience at Undefined and can't wait to go back and try more of their amazing food. If you're in the area, be sure to give this restaurant a try.
