Join foodies, farmers and fresh food lovers at one of the city’s oldest and most iconic destinations.
Discover why downtown Hamilton Farmers’ Market is one of the best in the region and a must-stop on your next visit.
A Historic Market
The market first opened in 1837, making Hamilton home to one of the oldest farmers’ markets in Ontario.
A major renovation in 2011 modernized the market and brought a cherished historic landmark back to life. The two-story-tall Birks Clock, which once hung outside the old Birks Jewelry store at the corner of King and James Streets (at Gore Park), now hangs as a proud centrepiece above the market stalls.
Outside, a public art piece was later installed on York Blvd called Raising the Barn by Aluminum Quilting Society. It’s inspired by the practice of neighbours, families, and friends coming together in a sense of community.
Today, the market is home to more than 50 vendors and lunch counters as well as year-round programming. Take a tour of just some of their tastiest spots.
Coffee and Treats
Start your morning right with a croissant with coffee at Chaton. This popular bakery stall’s owner and baker., Anja, makes French pastries and desserts from scratch. She works with seasonal ingredients from farmers in the market for special features.
Lina and her family have been serving freshly baked European treats for over 30 years. Grab one or a few baked goods from a wide assortment from Lina’s and enjoy it with fair trade coffee or tea.
Rosa’s Gourmet Food is known for their Pastel de Natas. Try one warmed up with cinnamon. Rosa offers a variety of Portuguese and Turkish pastries and desserts to enjoy with coffee while you shop pantry items like local honey.
For more spots to feed your sweet tooth, check out:
- Hotti Biscotti for fun flavours of biscotti and desserts
- Coati Fine Chocolate for artisanal chocolate bars and truffles from fair and direct trade cocoa beans
- Pleasant Cookie Co. for delicious small batch soft, chewy cookies
- Karlik Pastry for Polish and Ukranian cheesecakes and desserts
- Sau Bake for plant-based Brazilian desserts (as well as savoury items like their famous breakfast sandwich)
Lunch counters and sit-down Meals
Latin Food & Products serves up authentic Latin American food along with a variety of grocery items and snacks. They have a large sit down counter where you can enjoy Tacos, Tortas, Pupusas, Conchas, and Pozole made with love. Wash it down with an Agua de Mango or Horchata.
At the Mexican Kitchen, Paola offers North East Mexican style food made from her grandma’s recipes. Everything is made in-house except the tortilla. Try her Pozole soup made with five different kinds of chili – you can get it with vegetables or with chicken.
For hearty home style Thai food, check out May’s Thai Kitchen. Enjoy classics like Pad Thai with glass noodles or curries with Thai tea. For something new, order the sun-dried pork with Jeow Bong and sticky rice.
Over at Indonesian’s Flavour, Hana and Bob cook up classic, traditional Indonesian food and drinks that they grew up on. Their most popular dish is their Rendang – slow cooked beef over rice. Definitely grab a bottle of their house made Sambal with four different heat tolerances to choose from.
Looking for hearty whole foods? Stop by Apothecary Kitchen, specializing in plant-based meals with zero-waste. They have a wide range of menu items from dine-in meals like wraps and salads to soups in jars to take home.
Snacks, Bites, & Takeaway
Located right by the entrance, Ami Meal Cafe is a very popular vendor offering delicious quick and convenient grab and go Korean food. Ami is known for her triangle Gimbap, filled with tofu pouches and house made kimchi. Keep an eye out for new specials and traditional Korean items.
If you’re a fan of focaccia, stop by Market Bakery for hot and cold focaccia sandwiches. Check out their house made sauces like Pesto Rosso and freshly baked breads (they come in half loaf sizes too).
Nonno’s Butcher makes their own plant-based deli slices for epic Italian style sandwiches. They have a variety of options from traditional cold cut to hot panino.
Eat like a local with build-your-own deli sandwich from Romano Cheese, where you can choose from a variety of quality meats and cheeses for a very delicious and very affordable grab and go lunch.
Flowers & Artisanal Gifts
You can find fresh flowers for any occasion from these florists at the market. Lesley & Shane from Lesley’s Flowers have been supplying locals with a variety of fresh-picked & seasonal flowers since 1971.
Josie Syer’s Plants & Flowers offers fresh flowers, mini bouquets and plants. If you’re looking for a customized selection, Josie will help you put together something beautiful. At Unperfekt Studios, artist Wendy Campbell highlights a collection of local artisanal works including artwork, pottery, greeting cards and more. Check out a few other artisan vendors offering handmade crafts and arts by local makers like Jean’s Originals.
Fresh Produce, Cheeses & Meats
Looking to fill a picnic basket? You’ll find plenty of cheese and deli counters at the market. Jantzi Cheese specializes in Ontario Cheddar, cheese curds and Dutch Gouda. Sam’s Cheese and Meats has been a market staple since 1959. They source their cheeses from around the world and supply many local businesses.
For the freshest local produce, head to Buttrum Family Farm, a founding member of the market, selling pesticide-free veggies like squash, potatoes, and garlic for eight generations.
Local Showcase
Local showcase stalls feature local growers, producers, and artisans. Find Hamilton food and drink favourites here like Summit Station Dairy, West Avenue Cider, Grain & Grit Brewery, and Humble Bee.
Plan Your Visit
- For a full list of vendors and products, visit the Hamilton Farmers’ Market vendor page.
- The market is currently open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. For more details visit the market’s visit page.
- Explore more farmers’ market across Hamilton.