Downtown Hamilton is the vibrant heart of the city, steeped in history and pulsing with new energy, thanks to new businesses and cultural experiences taking root.
With a large footprint, downtown stretches from James Street North and South to West Harbour, to Hess Village and eclectic King Street East. Discover some of the city’s leading attractions, buzzworthy eateries, bars, coffee shops, historic buildings, street art, and retail.
Quick Links to Explore Downtown
EAT
RESTAURANTS
King William Street
Stroll down iconic "Restaurant Row" where you'll have your pick of delicious restaurants to choose from.
Undefined is the perfect spot to eat, drink, and enjoy classic favourites with a fresh twist.
Mystic Ramen serves up some of the best ramen dishes in the city in a laid-back and friendly atmosphere.
Hambrgr is famous for its mouthwatering burgers and out-of-this-world milkshakes.
Electric Diner brings you back to the 80’s with neon signs, a jukebox, and gram-worthy menu items.
Sagarmatha Curry Palace offers authentic Indian dishes with flavourful spices in the heart of the city.
The Diplomat is a funky restaurant featuring small plates, traditional dishes, and cool cocktails.
The Mule features cult favourite tacos, signature drinks, and a laid-back hip vibe.
James Street
Enjoy one of the city's most iconic streets, filled with culinary experiences that are sure to satisfy any craving.
Lobby offers casual fine-dining and a late-night lounge experience in a hip and beautiful atmosphere.
The Standard is the perfect spot for your next night on the town, with a carefully curated menu, handcrafted cocktails, and a modern atmosphere.
Los Mayas offers a fusion of pre-Hispanic and modern Mexican food for an unforgettable experience.
Caro offers Italian classics prepped with a twist and served in an uber-friendly setting.
Flora Pizzeria will have you coming back for more with their selection of Roman-style sourdough pizza.
Martello serves up a taste of Italy with trendsetting ingredients and a perfect moody vibe. The patio out back is a must-visit.
Charred packs delicious charred flavour in every bite, at this Portuguese-inspired barbecue joint.
Mesa offers authentic Mexian dishes and delicious cocktails in a colourful and warm atmosphere.
Noodle Me is the best spot in town for freshly made noodle, soup, stir fry, or dumplings.
Nabil's Grill features home-cooked Middle-Eastern favourites like kabobs, shawarma, and falafel.
Hess Village
Off the beaten path, Hess Village is home to some of the most unique and lively restaurants in the city.
Radius is the perfect spot for dinner, drinks, and a memorable vibes on this historic cobblestone street.
Moodys serves up signature pizzas with a side of arcade games, making it a hit for the whole family.
Gown & Gavel has a great selection of rotating beers on tap, a unique cocktail list, pub fare, and a massive patio.
Amigos features classic Tex-Mex dishes with a twist along with a great beer and cocktail menu.
More Downtown
But wait… there's more! From old-school sandwich shops to Asian fusion, there is a world of food waiting for you to enjoy!
Handsome Dave’s is a laidback spot where you can grab a pint, enjoy some bar snacks, and catch up with friends.
Blondies pizza specializes in creating classic New York style pizzas with unique and creative flavours.
Burnt Tongue is a favourite among locals for its legendary line-up of rotating soups and perfectly paired sides.
Pintoh features authentic Thai cuisine and creative cooking at this intimate restaurant.
Plank is a resto-bar serving up small plates and cocktails with the best rooftop patio in the city.
Blackforest Inn serves classic German and Austrian dishes and a traditional vibe you won’t find anywhere else.
Dim Sum House is the perfect spot to share authentic Cantonese small plates with friends.
Bonanza Bakery is known for its legendary sandwiches and delicious Portuguese custard tarts.
FINE DINING
Whether it's a special occasion or you're just feeling a little fancy, these restaurants are sure to give you the fine dining experience you're looking for.
Ciao Bella serves fresh pasta, pizza, wine, and handcrafted cocktails in a gorgeous atmosphere.
Le Tambour Tavern offers a French-inspired menu with live-fire cooking, meat dishes, and shareable plates in an elegant atmosphere.
Conversate Restaurant serves expertly cooked steak and seafood in an elevated atmosphere.
The French is a beautiful bistro delivering French classics with a flair.
Brothers Grimm Bistro is a one-of-a-kind European cellar-inspired bistro serving creative dishes and handcrafted cocktails.
Rapscallion offers creatively crafted cocktails, unique small plates, and a lively brunch experience.
Berkeley North is a West Coast-inspired eatery featuring beautifully crafted dishes for every occasion. It’s also a MICHELEN Guide recommended restaurant.
Shakespeare's is a famed steakhouse known for its perfectly cooked steaks, fresh seafood, and inviting atmosphere.
COFFEESHOPS & TREATS
Coffee Shops
Selo is a cozy cafe in the heart of Hess Village serving handcrafted coffee, teas, and treats.
Smalls brews coffee with big flavour, making it a favourite among locals.
Relay serves delicious fair-trade organic coffee, lattes, and all the sweet treats you need to go with it.
Mulberry has a menu that values local, organic ingredients, great drinks, and one of the best patios on James Street North.
Synonym features an all-day food menu, natural wine, and beer in a beautiful space.
Red Church Cafe + Gallery is the place to get freshly brewed coffee, or a delicious baked good, and check out the rotating exhibits.
Cafe Oranje pairs Dutch-inspired treats and sandwiches with delicious coffee at this warm coffee house.
Saint James serves gram-worthy short stacks, freshly made sandwiches, and handcrafted coffee.
Treats
Hui Lau Shan has built a worldwide reputation for tasty desserts showcasing the sweetness of mangoes from the Philippines.
My Sweet Tooth is known for light, airy, and gorgeous Asian fusion baked goods that are almost too beautiful to eat.
Grandad's Donuts serves legendary handcrafted vintage-inspired donuts that are a favourite among locals.
Chocolat on James has a mouth-watering selection of fine chocolates, barks, fudge, and epic ice cream.
Ola Bakery is known for its famous pastries de nata (custard tarts) as well as rice pudding, eclairs, and brownies.
BREWERIES & BARS
Odds are you’ll love this laid-back sports bar with craft beer on tap and a unique bar menu.
Merit is the place to enjoy great beer, food, and friends at this craft brewery, kitchen, and bottle shop.
Bar Sazerac is the perfect spot to pull up a stool and let their mixologists pour you an artful drink.
Farside is a colourful and hip neighbourhood bar, with craft beer, cocktails, and late-night snacks.
Easy Tiger is the place for unique cocktails, craft beer, tasty snacks, and the coolest vibes.
The Brain is a local watering hole full of beer options, cocktails, and board games.
Secco specializes in creative cocktails and of course, prosecco in a cool and inviting space.
My Father was Famous is hidden behind a bookcase, but with a secret passcode, you can open the door to this dimly lit speakeasy.
SEE & DO
ATTRACTIONS
BATL Axe brings the fun to any night out with their axe throwing experience, along with great food and drinks.
Escape Manor is the perfect place for food, drink, and entertainment at this escape room in the heart of downtown.
Hamilton Farmers' Market is where you can find everything from deli sandwiches, sweet treats, and fresh blooms.
Art Gallery of Hamilton showcases some of the best local and national art with more than 10,000 pieces.
FirstOntario Centre is where you can catch everything from major concerts to live performances.
Bridgeworks and Mills Hardware are the perfect spots to see more intimate live shows or catch a cool event.
Theatre Aquarius offers year-round performances from well-known musicals to Canadian productions.
Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra will wow you with shows including everything from the classics to immersive experiences.
Museums & Historic Walking Tours
Whitehern Historic House and Garden is notable for being historically intact and for its gorgeous walled garden.
Workers Arts and Heritage Centre celebrates the history of labour and workers, with educational programs, exhibits, and events.
Downtown Hamilton BIA Memory Lane tour with scannable QR codes reveals incredible stories and vintage photos of the downtown core.
Our self-guided architecture crawl will guide you to some of downtown’s most noteworthy and inspiring buildings.
OUTDOOR
West Harbour Waterfront has everything you need from roller skating, trolley rides, a floating museum, and year-round events.
All Our Relations welcomes visitors with striking 40-foot panels honouring the relationship between nature and Indigenous symbols.
Bayfront Park is one of the best green spaces in the city to set up a picnic or catch a stunning sunset.
Theodore Tugboat can be spotted in Pier 8, welcoming visitors and always camera ready.
HMCS Haida, aka Canada’s “most fightingest ship” is a hands-on museum and National Historic Site docked at Pier 9.
Copps Pier Park or the outdoor skating rink are the perfect places to enjoy the day outside.
Tourism Hamilton's Selfie Stations will help you take a perfect shot. Say cheese and share using the hashtag #HamOntViews.
STREET ART
There's vibrant colour and inspiration around every corner of the downtown core. Here are a few highlights of the street art you can find in the heart of the city.
Visit the Downtown Section of our Street Art Guide for full details on the murals, artists, and locations to explore.
SHOP
Vintage Soul Geek is the place to find all of your vintage needs from curated fashion to accessories.
Girl on the Wing is where fun meets vintage fashion, retro homegoods, and giftware.
The Reloved Boutique is the place to find one of a kind women’s fashion with a focus on sustainability.
Studio 205 is a beautiful shop where you can find artisan goods, local artwork, jewellery, and cards for every occasion.
Pretty Grit is a must stop to shop modern decor and unique pieces for home that you can’t find anywhere else.
The Pale Blue Dot is where you can shop natural, ethical, and earth friendly products in a beautiful space.
The Local Skate Shop is your one stop shop for your snowboarding and skateboarding needs.
Dr. Disc is the place for music lovers to browse the iconic store for used and new vinyl, CDs, and films.
Into the Abyss is where you can explore used and new vinyl, find vintage gems, or catch an intimate show.
Tourism Hamilton's Visitor Experience Centre is where you can pick-up a little piece of Hamilton to take home with you.
Browse unique, locally made items while sipping on a drink from the in-house coffee bar at the cozy James North General Store.
Jackson Square is conveniently downtown and home to a variety of retail shops, movie theatre, food court, and Nations grocery store.
For a full list of places to shop Downtown visit Downtown Hamilton and Hamilton International Village.