ON THE MENU: WHAT’S OPENED AND CLOSED ON THE LOCAL RESTAURANT SCENE

Here's a list of what has come, gone and changed in Hamilton and Burlington in February.

Launched

7 Wonders Diner (96 George St., Hamilton)
Housed in the pastel-hued building that was recently home to Electric Diner’s first location in Hess Village, 7 Wonders Diner offers a substantial brunch menu. It launched in early February with limited-time specially priced burgers of $6.99 and $2 beer (with a $25 food spend).
IG: @7_wonders_diner

Armila’s Lounge (2200 Rymal Rd. E., Hamilton)
A new Afghan restaurant opens Feb. 28, its menu featuring succulent kebabs, aromatic rice platters, flavourful curries and decadent desserts, and a special Ramadan buffet. Family owned, Armila’s invites you to experience authentic Afghan flavours, warm hospitality, and vibrant culture.
IG: @armilaslounge

El Cabrón Cantina (310 Crockett St., Hamilton)
This cantina is just off the beaten path of Concession Street, bringing fresh, authentic Guatemalan flavours. The menu is packed with favourites like empanadas, pupusas, carne asada, tacos, nachos, burritos, flautas and horchata. Tortillas are handmade, straight from la cocina de mamá. 
FB: El Cabrón Cantina 

Fibs Café (224 James St. N., Hamilton)
A weekend-only pop up café inside Born & Raised on James North, offering coffee, pastries and desserts, Fibs Café is a real family affair. It’s a chance for chefs Tali and Richard (also parents to little Sailum) to showcase the skills they’ve acquired over the past decade working in various restaurants.
IG: @fibscafe

Hibachi Teppanyaki Restaurant & Bar (727 Queenston Rd., Hamilton)
Hibachi Teppanyaki is a style of Japanese cuisine that uses an iron griddle to cook meals right in front of you. Chefs dazzle you with their samurai-like swordsmanship as they slice, dice, juggle and entertain while preparing food on the sizzling Teppanyaki grill. This is Hamilton’s first location for the GTA franchise.
IG: @hibachicanada

The King Sandwich (310 King St. E., Hamilton)
A unique take on the sandwich with menu items like chicken fajita sandwich, sujuk sandwich, zaatar croissant, and akawi cheese bun. For those looking for traditional favourites, there’s also shawarma and falafel wraps, and burgers.
IG: @thek1ngsandwich

Mel’s Deli (207 Burlington St. E., Hamilton, inside Collective Arts taproom)
The latest venture from Nom Nom Nom Hospitality – the team behind Get Your Own Taters and Tom’s BBQ, Mel’s Deli features stacked hoagies on sesame buns, breakfast sandwiches on Portuguese water buns, and timeless favourites like the Reuben, club, and egg salad.
IG: @melsdeli.ham

Mickey’s Jamaican Jerk (486 James St. N., Hamilton)
Now open in the space that was formerly occupied by Harbour Diner, Mickey’s second location is serving up traditional jerk chicken, along with oxtail, curry goat, fried chicken, wings and jerk roti. The original location of this fast food restaurant is on Greenhill Avenue.
IG: @mickeys_jamaican_jerk

Opening soon

Bardō (421 Brant St., Burlington)
The ever-evolving brand that began as Earth to Table Bread Bar with a multitude of locations, then pared down to one Hamilton and one Guelph location rebranded as Bardō, has now announced a third location downtown Burlington sometime this spring. 
IG: @bardo.burlington

Mountain Burger (3061 Walkers Line, Burlington)
This independent burger joint has got rave reviews since opening its first location on Upper Ottawa in Hamilton just over three years ago, and now it’s gracing Burlington with a second location in the Farm Boy plaza on Walkers. No news has been announced but eagle-eyed foodies have spotted the Mountain Burger branding newly adorning one of the empty spots in the plaza.
IG: @mountainburger_hamilton

Rebranding & evolving

The Judge and Jury (1222 Walkers Line, Burlington)
A brand new menu dropped at the end of January at this Burlington staple, and it’s all about elevated comfort food. Think lobster ravioli, an epic fried chicken sandwich, steak and blue cheese salad, and chicken alfredo with fresh grated parm. 
IG: @thejudgeandjuryburlington

Closed & closing

Cupcake Empire (King Street East, Stoney Creek)
After 10 years of creating stunning cakes, cupcakes, and cookies, the owner announced the permanent closure on Jan. 31 on Instagram. The business will be sorely missed by the businesses and residents of downtown Stoney Creek where they were an active participant in community events.

The George Hamilton Restaurant & Brewery (King Street West, Hamilton)
The owners took to social media to explain the sudden closure of this fixture of downtown Hamilton, citing the closure of FirstOntario Centre as the reason for a significant decline in traffic, and the recent death of their landlord who had allowed the restaurant to postpone paying rent until the arena reopened.

– List compiled by HAMILTON CITY Magazine contributor Suzanne Zandbergen.If you have a restaurant opening or changing, please let us know at meredith@hamiltoncitymagazine.ca. And be sure to check out the March/Spring edition of HAMILTON CITY Magazine – it’s our food issue!