Cozy up to these comfort foods in Hamilton, Burlington
There is nothing like a hot bowl of soup, stew, curry or noodles when we are chilled to the bone in late fall or winter. Luckily, we have a whole host of delicious options right at our frosty fingertips.
The term “comfort food” can refer to a large variety of dishes, but one thing we do know is that as the colder months roll in – people crave warm and hearty meals to fill their bellies. Large portions are better, powering us through those shorter days. Below are some of our favourite restaurants locally to find some comfort foods that are sure to keep you going through the chilly winter.
The Burnt Tongue
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You cannot mention cozy comfort foods within the city without mentioning The Burnt Tongue. The Burnt Tongue’s soups, grilled cheeses and burgers have become synonymous with winter dining within Hamilton. With three locations to choose from within the area, these hearty soups and stews can be found nearby no matter where you live in the city. Soups rotate based on what produce is seasonally available but previous winter menus included soups like: Buffalo chicken wing, pumpkin spice squash and dijon smoked turkey, potatoes & kale.
10 Cannon St. E., Hamilton • 182 Locke St. S., Hamilton • 1019 King St. W., Hamilton
Sagarmatha Curry Palace
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The term “hidden gem” is one you hear tossed around often when describing restaurants, but Sagarmatha Curry Palace is a place that can actually be described as such. This flavour-filled Indian and Nepalese restaurant is housed in a basement on King William Street. That being said, with all the colourful décor creating a sunny atmosphere, it has a cozy vibe to hide away from winter. The menu has a plethora of warm-your-belly dishes from the tandoor (clay oven) dishes, thali (small portions on a platter), and curries, along with soups, pakoras and appetizers. Try the popular Royal Dinner Thali!
43 King William St., Hamilton
West End Diner
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West End Diner is one that you will rarely find empty; and for good reason. The homey restaurant specializes in diner favourites and hearty home-cooked-style meals, such as: chicken parm, clubhouse sandwiches, hot hamburger dinners, and many Greek favourites, too. The portions are huge for the price and the senior specials add a little extra something special for the older crowd. It’s a Hamilton classic that will keep you full with comfort foods during the cold months! The hearty soups are a must-try
1811 Main St. W., Hamilton
Kohinoor Bistro
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One of the newest restaurants on the scene, you will find Kohinoor Bistro in the east end of Hamilton. The team at Kohinoor aims to offer South Asian food dishes that you are not able to find at other restaurants locally, such kurkure momos (fried dumplings), puri dishes, biryani and many other dishes that are sure to comfort and warm the soul.
1443 Main St. E., Hamilton
Pho Nhung
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Pho Nhung can easily be overlooked. It's a little bit hidden in the plaza at Queen near York, but once you try the dishes here you'll be sure to remember this restaurant! Large bowls of Vietnamese soups, noodles, and comfort food dishes are served up from this family-run spot. They offer classic and flavourful pho, alongside rice noodles, egg noodles and vermicelli soups. Try the peanut satay noodle soup with beef - it's excellent!
85 Queen St. N., Hamilton
Mister Gao
Many of the dishes at Mister Gao China Restaurant are sure to keep you warmed during the cold months of winter. One of our favourites is the clay pot stews. They are brought simmering to your table, with umami flavour served to the brim. Options include: lamb and radish, chicken and mushroom, and veggie and tofu. On the menu you will also find dishes like chili and garlic wings, scallion pancakes, mapo tofu and many sizzling meat dishes.
1561 Main St. W., Hamilton
Apothecary Kitchen
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Apothecary Kitchen, a vendor within the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, makes it easy to enjoy cozy soups at home – and, they're all plant-based! This zero-waste, whole foods, plant-based spot within the market fills its fridges each week with a plethora of soups in large mason jars. The soup flavours are always changing based on what's in season, and what owner Kristy van Beek whips up that week, but you can bet they are chock full of hearty vegetables to keep you glowing all winter long.
35 York Blvd Lower Level, Hamilton
The Black Bull
If British pub food is your comfort fare, look no further than The Black Bull neighbourhood pub in Burlington. It welcomes with a cozy traditional pub atmosphere, hearty dishes and warm service. As is customary in drizzly England, the English-style pub foods have a heavy focus on being filling and comforting, including bangers and mash, meatloaf, steak and Guinness pie with puff pastry topping, English curry, bacon mac and cheese, and more. There is lots of variety at The Black Bull – they're also famous around Burlington for fish and chips, nachos, and chicken wings.
2475 Mountainside Dr, Burlington
541 Eatery & Exchange
541 Eatery and Exchange on Barton Street serves dishes that not only nourish you, they nourish the community too! This non-profit cafe and eatery offers the button program; allowing visitors to purchase buttons at $1 to be passed along to others, to purchase something from the menu, where hearty breakfasts, soups, grilled cheeses and more can be found.
541 Barton St. E., Hamilton
Green Machine Food Truck & Kitchen
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Originally known for spectacular smoothies, Green Machine Food Truck (and now storefront) shifts right into comfort foods once the cold weather hits. Items like the chicken pesto panini grilled sandwich, chili and a wide variety of stick-to-your-bones soups are available at a storefront on Concession. Can't make it out to the restaurant? You can also order hearty soups to be delivered direct to your door with flavours like: beef barley, sweet potato and butternut squash, and dill pickle and potato.
Food truck and 664 Concession St., Hamilton
Creperie VERLAN
Creperie VERLAN on Barton is all about the melty, ooey-gooey goodness. Specializing in savoury and sweet filled crepes, one of our go-tos in the winter months is sure to be the crepe gratinee: a crepe topped with a variety of meats and/or veggies, cheese and bechamel and then baked. Absolutely divine! You also cannot go wrong with the hearty toasties (a grilled French bread sandwich stuffed with meats, melted cheeses, bechamel and more).
304 Barton St. E., Hamilton
Royal Coachman Pub
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Pub grub is kind of synonymous with winter eating and the Royal Coachman menu has all the makings of comfort food must-haves. From the braised beef Yorkshire pudding bowls to cottage pie to the crispy-topped mac and cheese and classic fish and chips, since 1995 this restaurant has been keeping the Waterdown community (and beyond) well fed. Looking for something a little different? Try the pierogi pot roast poutine!
1 Main St. N., Waterdown
Mesa
The from-scratch Mexican favourites with hearty flavours that are offered at the colourful Mesa on James Street North are sure to warm you up in the depths of winter. Mesa serves large portions of winter comfort foods like grilled panela, pozole chicken and corn soup, enchiladas, tamales and so much more. Try the beef barbacoa!
255 James St. N., Hamilton
