Picture an ideal Canadian town – with a pretty historic downtown, surrounded by breathtaking nature – and you’ll get a sense of what Dundas has to offer. Nicknamed Valley Town for its location at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment and home to waterfalls, trails and great restaurants, this picturesque area is a must-see on any visit to Hamilton.
Casual Eats
Betula
Thirsty Cactus
Everything on this small menu is prepared fresh using local ingredients. Diners love the attention paid to all that goes on the plate. Offerings change seasonally, but expect dishes like mushroom linguini, rainbow trout and terrific burgers.
There’s a local watering hole in every town and for Dundas residents, this is the place, especially its patio come summer. Locals gather to sip on cocktails, cider and a range of brews. Tex-Mex main dishes pair nicely with its bar offerings.
Old Bagel House
Collins Brewhouse
It’s difficult to find authentic Montreal-style bagels outside of Montreal, but you’ll find them here. They’re hand rolled, boiled, then baked in a wood fired oven. Bins are filled with both traditional and flavoured types. Pick up a tub of cream cheese, too.
This pub’s history in Dundas goes way back almost 200 years when the Irish Collins family first settled in Dundas and eventually established a saloon and hotel. Today it’s a popular neighbourhood meeting spot with a great patio.
Coffee Shops and Treats
Detour Cafe
This cozy spot roasts its own beans, which appeals to those who seek perfection in every cup of coffee. It also has all-day breakfast featuring brioche French toast, breakfast sandwiches and avocado toast. Plus there are excellent sandwiches on artisan bread.
Bouchee Cupcake Cafe
Pretty-as-a-picture cupcakes are the stars here, arranged like beautiful gems in the bakery’s showcases. Fans adore their fluffy, buttery texture with flavours such as pumpkin pie, cinnamon bun with cream cheese icing, and red velvet.
Jax Sweet Shoppe
This retro diner (picture checkered floors and red swivel stools) is packed with sweet treats including epic crepes, waffles, banana splits, and milkshakes. They’ve also got lots of savoury dishes to choose from. Perfect for the young and the young at heart.
Fine Dining
Quatrefoil
There’s plenty to boast about at this gorgeous, top-ranked restaurant. Since opening in 2010, it’s been named best new restaurant by enRoute and Toronto Life. French cuisine is updated with contemporary flair and local ingredients. Regardless of your selection, dishes land on table looking Instagram-ready.
Global
Red Door Cucina
Comfort food lovers have plenty to choose from at this take-out spot. Pizzas get high marks from its loyal customers, along with the pasta classics, lasagna, paninis, and combo specials, great for feeding a crowd.
French Revolution Bakery & Creperie
At this recent addition downtown dining scene you can dine in and enjoy salads, pizza, lasagna, crepes, soups and quiches. Or take home meringues, croissants, macarons, eclairs and baguettes, including gluten-free versions.
Bangkok Spoon
A Thai chef makes a world of difference when it comes to preparing authentic cuisine. Loyal diners have helped it win multiple awards. You’ll see why when you dig into exclusive dishes like tamarind pork ribs and Bangkok-style pad thai.
Namu Restaurant
This Korean eatery does comfort food with a twist, embracing several Asian and North American influences in its creative fusion menu featuring items like Seoul Poutine and Creamy Miso Gnocchi.
India Village
This popular Indian restaurant known – and loved – for its authenticity crafted dishes, made with freshly ground spices. Popular items include a perfectly spiced chicken tikka masala and lamb-based curry. (There’s a second location in Ancaster.)
See And Do
Wow-worthy Waterfalls
One of the largest and most popular waterfalls in the region can be found at Dundas’ Webster Falls. Photographers and Instagrammers love this natural wonder because of its dramatic 22-metre drop. It’s a scenic spot that changes with the seasons. Explore and pose for selfies on the newly restored cobblestone bridge across Spencer’s Creek.
Nearby, there’s also Tews Falls, the tallest in the area with a 41 metre drop, and an ideal starting point for hikes to Hamilton’s famous Dundas Peak with stunning valley views.
Dundas Valley Conservation Area
Stretched over 1,200 hectares, this natural beauty includes a wide range of outstanding features. Explore Carolinian forest, meadows and flowing streams. As you bike, horseback ride, hike, or walk along the trails (more than 40 in total), you’ll even find old ruins of buildings dating back to 1855, plus plenty of perfect picnic spots.
Christie Lake Conservation Area
Explore 10 kilometres of trails that wind through peaceful meadows and towering pines, or enjoy canoeing, fishing, swimming and the lake’s 360-metre sandy beach.
Carnegie Gallery
This artist-run not-for-profit gallery tucked inside a historic former library showcases arts and crafts by contemporary regional and Canadian artists.
Shop
Weir’s Lane Lavender and Apiary
Lavender lovers can use their favourite scent in the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen. This pretty shop sells essential oils, caramel sauce, jam and honey all infused with French or English lavender.
Cumbrae’s
Ask chefs within a 150-mile radius and they’ll likely know this butcher shop and its reputation for doing things the traditional way. It sells dry-aged steaks, heritage pork, rotisserie chicken and meat pies made in-house, locally sourced.
The Handmade House
In one place, you discover the hand-crafted goods from more than 75 local artisans. Whether you’re looking for something unique for yourself or as a gift, there’s plenty to choose from – mittens made from upcycled sweaters, milk-based bath products, honey, and more.
The Keeping Room
In this compact store, called “the toy store for cooks and chefs,” kitchen wares of every description are stocked from floor to ceiling. And you may catch a visiting chef (like Jacques Pepin) dropping by to give a demo.
Pinbones Fish Market
For top-quality, ethically sourced seafood (organic, sustainably caught or responsibly farmed), this is your new go-to place. Owner Rebecca deWildt has stocked her shop with the best of the sea, from fresh Maritime lobster, ling cod and wild swordfish, plus packaged seafood as well.
Freewheel Cycle
With trails surrounding Dundas in every direction, it’s not surprising that the bike culture is so strong here. This is a popular hub for all things related to bikes – buying, fixing, accessorizing, tune-ups, how-to classes and expert advice. Pick up a tee from The PRFCT Line, which donates money to local trail systems.
Picone Fine Food
For over a century, this Dundas institution has attracted shoppers with sophisticated palates with its gourmet approach to everything it sells. It chooses the very best fresh, local and organic produce. Those short on time can buy prepared foods, from pizza to meat loaf.
For more information, visit the Downtown Dundas website.
Michele Sponagle is a prolific journalist born and raised in Hamilton. Her work has appeared in top media outlets across Canada. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Michele’s blog takes a fresh look at some Hamilton classics, from iconic eateries to the quirky stories behind its most beloved and well-known attractions.