As a Hamilton local, I've scoured the city to bring you the ultimate guide to this year's best restaurants and places to eat.
Whether you're in downtown Hamilton, the mountain area, Stoney Creek, by the waterfront, or in Ancaster, there's something for everyone on this list.
From Italian to Vietnamese, burgers to sushi, I've got you covered. And while some of these eateries have made headlines before, I've also included a few of my personal favorites that are hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the best that Hamilton has to offer.
24 Best Restaurants in Hamilton
Mexican Kitchen
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We love Paola's family and Mexican Kitchen. The food offerings are delicious, authentic Mexican Cuisine. Try the birria , you will thank me. This dish is a flavorful bomb in your mouth.
Also the Tacos, Burritos, Flutes and Churros will keep you coming back for more.
They also carry a huge selection for you to cook at home as well as Paola's prepared offerings.
Heaven is not far away with their tasty morsels of Paola's cooking.
Address: 35 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 3K1, Canada
Website: https://mexicankitchen.ca/
Phone: +12898082128
Korea House Restaurant
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Korea House, located at 281 Cannon St E, is one of my favorite restaurants in Hamilton and my go-to place for Korean food.
It's a family-owned restaurant, and the food is always excellent, with great service. We've tried many dishes here and have yet to be disappointed.
We have yet to try the hotpot/bbq, but we're looking forward to it. The decor isn't fancy, but the food is what really matters. Koreans often dine here, which is a good sign of authenticity.
The wife paints all the artwork on the walls and the husband cooks. Overall, Korea House is a fantastic Korean restaurant, and I highly recommend it.
Address: 281 Cannon St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 2B4, Canada
Phone: +19055261492
La Piazza Allegra
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The Piazza Allegra is a hidden gem in South Hamilton. Surrounded by great local eateries, this Italian restaurant fits in quite nicely.
Great Italian cuisine with a half decent wine menu of reds and whites plus cocktails.
Try to get a table by the window because it offers a taste of the social scene; nothing beats people-watching while having dinner during nice weather.
Parking is available out front but good luck getting a spot if you come on weekends.
Address: 180 James St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4V1, Canada
Website: http://www.lapiazza.ca/
Phone: +19057778970
La Spaghett Pasta House
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Looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion, or just have a quiet dinner with that special someone? Come dine at La Spaghett!
They have been serving up fresh pasta dishes with artisan sauces since 1999, they use only the freshest ingredients prepared in house daily using old world recipes.
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary or treating your family to some great Italian food.
Address: 970 Upper James St, Hamilton, ON L9C 3A5, Canada
Website: http://www.laspaghett.ca/
Phone: +19053188211
The Burnt Tongue
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If you're a foodie (like me), you will love The Burnt Tongue. I promise you won't be disappointed.
This place is great! They are local and serve fresh seasonal food with ingredients that they buy from the Hamilton Farmers Market. Their soups change daily with a few regular ones in rotation.
Their hamburgers are like old-time grandparents' hamburgers. Their grilled cheeses, fries and soups will never disappoint you.
Address: 10 Cannon St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 1Z5, Canada
Website: http://www.theburnttongue.com/
Phone: +19055361146
Avesta Pizza & Grill
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I love going to places that are hidden and this restaurant was fantastic! Highly recommend! It was so cozy and felt like you were on a picnic with friends in their backyard.
Our server suggested we try a few different dishes and they were all delicious. They also give out free garlic fries as an appetizer, but no complaints here because everything else was great.
Address: 1059 Upper James St, Hamilton, ON L9C 3A6, Canada
Website: http://orderavesta.com/
Phone: +12897556666
IOS Estiatorio & Wine Bar
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This place is amazing. I am a big fan of Greek food and there are very few places that can make me happy.
This place rates high on most matters but is also very affordable, service and food quality is first-class, modern setting with spacious interior and large patio area which they also offer on weekends.
I recommend this place to anyone who wants great Greek food with even better service at fair price.
Address: 1400 Upper James St unit 26, Hamilton, ON L9B 1K3, Canada
Website: http://iosestiatorio.ca/
Phone: +12896745800
Edgewater Manor Restaurant
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This is not your typical Hamilton eatery. It is a beautiful landmark on Lake Ontario that offers outstanding food, great service and a highly sophisticated ambiance.
The wine list is extensive and the menu offers a wide range of options for everyone from light lunches to gourmet dinner entrees.
Address: 518 Fruitland Rd, Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5A6, Canada
Website: https://www.edgewatermanor.com/
Phone: +19056439332
The French
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If you are looking for a great time in Hamilton, it's time to pay a visit to The French.
It's located at the heart of the city and is highly awarded for its food, service and atmosphere.
The service is flawless and the food is so delicious. Their avocado toast and salads are so good, plus their main brunch courses are very flavourful and delicious.
The food is fresh and made at the spot which is what I love about this place. It’s a cute spot to go with a friend and catch up over brunch.
Address: 37 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A1, Canada
Website: http://www.thefrench.ca/
Phone: +19055283737
Memphis Fire Barbeque Company
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The Memphis Fire Barbeque Company is a family owned restaurant that serves up delicious food and great drinks.
They use high quality ingredients including their award winning pit beans, 12 smoked meats and seasoning to make everything taste fresh and homemade.
The meat is smoked right before it's served to ensure it's one of the best tasting barbeque in the city!
Address: 1091 King's Highway 8, Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5H8, Canada
Website: https://www.memphisfirebbq.com/
Phone: +19059307675
Democracy*
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When you want a delicious and healthy lunch without sacrificing your dining experience, this place is it! Their sandwiches, bowls, and salads are all perfect for any occasion.
Tables can sometimes be hard to come by during a lunch rush but it’s understandable (and worth the wait) because this place is so great!
Address: 202 Locke St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4B4, Canada
Website: http://www.democracyonlocke.com/
Phone: +12893892466
O Cantinho Churrasqueira & Cafe
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We love O Cantinho! We are always greeted with a warm welcome, and the food is fantastic! The BBQ chicken is our favorite, and they have some of the best Portuguese home-cooked comfort food.
They also have great specials daily that make it extra affordable and enjoyable.
Address: 302 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8L 2X5, Canada
Website: https://ocantinhochurrasqueira.ca/
Phone: +19055409449
Joya Sushi
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We stumbled onto this restaurant in Hamilton. Be warned, it's tucked away from the main street so you might miss it if you don't keep your eyes peeled!
It has a nice family owned cozy atmosphere and everyone was friendly.
We ordered a sushi platter, spicy chicken and Korean style chicken dub bab and the whole family loved it. Would come back here again if ever in the area
Address: 1685 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1G5, Canada
Website: http://joyasushi.ca/
Phone: +19055251114
CheeZaatar
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I can't say enough about this place. The food is amazing and their service is nice, the staff are polite.
The food is just delicious, I could eat the bread on its own without anything. I love their chicken and foul. So fresh and right out of oven, so tasty!
Address: 667 Fennell Ave E, Hamilton, ON L8V 1V3, Canada
Website: http://www.cheezaatar.com/
Phone: +19053856546
Apllada Greek Fusion Restaurant
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I recently check out this place, and I absolutely loved it! Great atmosphere with a very friendly cashier/server, great owners who are interested in only serving high quality ingredients and natural foods.
The food was absolutely delicious, I had the Greek latte, Greek fries and chicken pita.
I’ll definitely be coming back!
Address: 635 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1E5, Canada
Website: https://www.aplladagreekfood.com/
Phone: +12894400419
Lemongrass Restaurant
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We had dinner at Lemon Grass the other night and it was incredible! My husband had the seafood soup and I had the broccoli beef and fried rice (which I was happy to share).
The service was amazing & the staff were all so attentive and made sure our meal was perfect.
We even had some leftovers to take home. If you haven't tried this restaurant yet, you absolutely must it's fantastic!
Address: 1300 Garth St, Hamilton, ON L9C 4L7, Canada
Website: http://www.lemongrassrestaurant.ca/
Phone: +19055743932
The Mule Hamilton
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My husband & I went to the Mule for first time and we’re pleasantly surprised by both the food and the décor.
We split their Brussel sprout taco and cornbread and they were delicious!
The atmosphere was also really cool, with a mix of modern/rustic chic. The staff was friendly too so overall an A+ experience. Looking forward to our next visit!
Address: 41 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A2, Canada
Website: http://themule.ca/
Phone: +12893892555
Sushi Azuki - Locke
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The sushi I've had here is some of the best outsides of high-end sushi restaurants. Sushi Azuki uses fresh ingredients and prepares their dishes with care, which shows.
The staff is passionate about what they do, and it's clear they genuinely care about providing an excellent customer experience. I recommend giving this place a try if you're a sushi fan.
Address: 184 Locke St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4B3, Canada
Website: http://www.sushiazuki.ca/
Phone: +13659250115
Hammerhead's
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I can't say enough good things about the food at Hammerhead's. They serve some of the best fish and chips in Hamilton.
This place has a great selection of seafood options, so if you're a seafood lover, this is the place to go.
Everything is fresh, and they even offer gluten-free options. The food doesn't feel heavy or greasy, which is a significant plus. In addition to the fish and chips, the curry on rice dishes is also impressive.
Address: 80 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Z1, Canada
Website: https://hammerheadsonottawa.ca/
Phone: +19059239293
Kenzo Ramen Hamilton
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We recently took our family to Kenzo on King St and were blown away by the quality of the food and service.
The staff were incredibly friendly and efficient, and the food was truly amazing. Every broth had a deep and distinct flavor that made it unique. We were so impressed that we cleaned our plates - there were no leftovers at the end of our meal.
The prices at Kenzo are very reasonable, and the portions are generous. We were able to feed our entire family of five, with appetizers, for under $100.
If you're in the Hamilton area, I highly recommend giving Kenzo a try.
Address: 21 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1A1, Canada
Website: http://www.kenzoramen.ca
Phone: +19055776666
Chicago Style Pizza
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Chicago Style Pizza, located at 534 Upper Sherman, is a must-visit for pizza lovers. I tried the Chicago style stuffed pizza and it was incredible - so much cheese and cooked to perfection.
I could only eat one slice because it was so filling. Just be aware that even a small size can easily feed 3-4 people, depending on how much you can eat.
I will definitely be returning to Chicago Style Pizza again and again.
- Address: 534 Upper Sherman Ave, Hamilton, ON L8V 3M1, Canada
- Website: http://www.chicagostylepizza.ca/
- Phone Number: +19055758800
- Working Hours: 4:30 AM- 9:30 PM
- Directions: Chicago Style Pizza
Sweet Beets
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Sweet Beets is a vegan restaurant offering burgers, poutines, pizzas, and more. Everything they offer is house-made and locally sourced when possible. They cook without deep fryers and microwaves.
The staff have upbeat energy and are attentive to your needs. The food service is efficient and the taste is out of this world, not to mention the portion sizes!
Address: 295 Ottawa St N, Hamilton, ON L8H 3Z8, Canada
Menu: http://www.sweetbeetshamilton.com/
Phone: +13658892338
A Family Owned Restaurant, working committedly with more than decade of excellence in serving authentic Rotis and Curries fusioned to please the local palette.
This is a hidden gem of an Indian fusion restaurant. The service is great, food is awesome. Definitely worth a visit.
Address: 246 Governors Rd, Dundas, ON L9H 3K2, Canada
Menu: https://www.mauryaindianrestaurants.com/locations/dundas/menu/
Phone: +12892388229
HAMBRGR King William
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HAMBRGR is definitely worth its high ranking. With dishes that are (unique!) and tasty - it's like a little adventure for your taste buds.
We especially loved the tater tots (yum!) Everything is made with fresh, high quality ingredients. The onion rings (for example!) are made with thick slices of actual onions and coated in a yummy batter.
You have to try the shakes too (delicious!), although we'd recommend getting them as a dessert instead of a drink with your main dish.
It was pretty busy when we were there, but the service was still super fast (impressive!) and the staff were really nice (friendly!).
We'll definitely be back (count on it!) and we highly recommend this place to everyone (totally!)
- Address: 49 King William St, Hamilton, ON L8R 1A2, Canada
- Website: https://hambrgr.ca/
- Phone Number: +12893891212
- Working Hours: 11:00 AM- 10:00/12 PM
- Directions: HAMBRGR King William
Amy's Wok
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Amy's Work features some of the finest Chinese food in Hamilton-Wentworth. The food is prepared behind an unassuming storefront in a strip plaza on the corner of Centennial Parkway (Hwy 20) and Violet Drive.
The kitchen is a flurry of activity as the chef and her assistants hover over huge woks sizzling up crispy vegetables, fresh seafood, and tender bits of chicken, pork, and beef.
Address: 160 Centennial Pkwy N, Hamilton, ON L8E 1H9, Canada
Website: http://www.amyswok.com/
Phone: +19055615611
Now that you have a list of the best restaurants in Hamilton, which category will you tackle first? Will it be spicy Mexican food, fresh sushi, savory Italian, or something completely different?
No matter where you choose to chow down, I’m confident that any spot on this guide will leave you beyond satisfied.
And if you feel I missed a real gem, leave a comment below and I’ll check out your recommendation!
