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 May.

Launched

Bim’s Kusina (184 King St. E., Hamilton)
What began as a small birria taco business with a food truck, then a physical location in Burlington last summer, has quickly expanded to a second location in downtown Hamilton, sharing space with Jet Café. Bim's Kusina's menu continues to centre around what has made the eatery successful, birria – in taco form, quesadilla, and nachos. Jet Café closes serves daily at 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Bim's is serving 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday.
IG: @bimskusina

Eggstatic (64 Hamilton St., Waterdown)
This GTA brunch franchise opened May 31 in Waterdown, showcasing a large menu of brunch options with Middle Eastern flavours alongside standard breakfast offerings. Open the menu to find smoked salmon Benedict on offer next to haloumi and olives Benedict, crispy chicken waffle next to biscoff lotus pancakes, and farmers breakfast skillet next to shakshuka. 
IG: @eggstatic_canada

Eemkhao (301 James St. N., Hamilton)
The takeout menu has launched at Eemkhao, with dine-in coming soon. The Thai-Chinese menu currently includes shrimp rolls, steamed pork wonton, yumtaohu zaab tofu with rice, khao man gai poached chicken thighs with schmaltzy rice and soy bean, ginger, cilantro sauce and cucumber.
IG: @eemkhao

Fruit & Yo (363 Barton St. E., Hamilton)
A cute new spot in trendy Barton Village serving up real fruit frozen yogurt. Start by choosing your base blend of frozen yogurt, like strawberry, mango and pineapple, then add your choice of toppings like caramel, pecans, granola or premium toppings like cheesecake bites, cookie crumble and melted chocolate.
IG: @fruitandyo

Jamaica Easy Jerk (1070 Stone Church Rd. E., Hamilton)
Authentic island flavours with both take-out and dine-in options. The menu includes favourites like oxtail, fried chicken, curry goat, ackee and saltfish, and jerk chicken. Leave room for dessert – there’s authentic Jamaican ice cream flavours, Grapenut and rum & raisin.
IG: jamaicaeasyjerk

Limani on Hess (29 Hess St. S., Hamilton)
From the owners of Limani on Fifty comes a second location of the family-owned and operated Greek eatery boasting recipes passed down through generations. Think savory souvlak, tender lamb, vibrant Greek salads and a signature house-made tzatziki. Open daily.
IG: @limanionhess

May Coffee & Cakes (334 James St. N., Hamilton)
An instagram-worthy space serving Asian-fusion coffees, desserts, bahn mi and spring rolls. Try Viet iced coffee, coconut or salted coffee with Basque raspberry cheesecake. Open daily 8 a.m.-6 p.m. but closed Mondays.
IG: @maycoffeecakes

Rosie’s Burgers (2500 Appleby Line, Burlington & 590 Concession St., Hamilton)
The much-anticipated Port Credit burger franchise has expanded in Burlington and Hamilton simultaneously with a big splash, offering free burgers to the first 100 customers on May 31 in Burlington. If you missed it, they’re doing it all over again on Concession Street in Hamilton on June 7. 
IG: @rosiesburgers

Rudy (3121 Appleby Line, Burlington)
This fast-growing Toronto franchise has chosen Burlington as its next location to sling its sought-after cheeseburgers, skinny fries and milkshakes. Opened May 23.
IG @rudyresto

That Place Off Barton (353 Barton St. E., Hamilton)
A hidden hideout in an alley off Barton with special events and community meetups. Chef Mark Baker serves up a rotating menu of globally inspired snacks, echoing the beloved flavours of the now-closed Merk Snack Bar. Meanwhile, Stephanie Weiler offers yoga classes and workshops.
IG: @thatplaceoffbarton

Opening soon

Bonito’s (219 James St. N., Hamilton)
A new spot coming to James North, in the space long occupied by the Lighthouse Fish Market, the new social media account teased in a recent post, “bringing a little slice of Italy to Hamilton, with crispy Roman-style pizza, gelato, and a whole lot of heart.”
IG: @bonitos.pizzeria

The Iron Cow Public House (101 York Blvd., Hamilton)
Canadian chef and star of the hit TV series The Bear, Matty Matheson has partnered with the Hamilton Arena project to bring The Iron Cow Public House, a 9,500-square-foot, full-service restaurant and bar inside the arena, plus concessions from Matty’s Patty’s, Rizzo’s House of Parm, and more. The arena is slated to open late 2025.

Read more about Iron Cow and the arena!

Rebranding & evolving

Willard’s (10 Mulberry St., Hamilton)
Fans of Willard’s house-made ice cream rejoice! The second location, joining Main Street East, is now open to grab a cone on a hot summer’s day. The business scoops unique creamy, nut-free flavours and always stocks a variety of vegan ice cream flavours as well.
IG: @willardsicecream

Grandad’s Donuts (574 James St. N.)
Donut hankering in the middle of the night? The beloved Grandads is expanding its opening hours to 24 hours a day from Wednesday to Sunday, starting June 4. It will close at 5 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. The James Street North fixture has doubled the number of bakers on its team to eight who will crank out the popular classics – Dutchies, walnut crunch, fritters, Boston cream … From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Grandad’s will serve customers through a take-out window at the front of the store. 
IG: @grandadsdonuts

Closed & closing

Rankin’s Bar & Grill (Main Street East, Hamilton)
After almost 90 years as a family-owned business in this location, the landmark Rankin’s Bar and Grill has closed. Originally a china shop owned by the Rankin family, the space became a restaurant in 1980. A new restaurant will be taking over the location, but the Rankin name is retiring for good, along with owner Louise Rankin.  

Second Cup Westdale (King Street West, Hamilton)
After 30 years in business, this Westdale fixture is closing its doors, writing in a recent social media post that they are “deeply honored to have been an integral part of two generations’ lives, walking alongside Westdale through the passage of time.” The final day was May 31.

– 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.