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 July.

Launched

Bonito’s Pizzeria & Gelato (219 James St. N., Hamilton)

In the former Lighthouse Fish Market location, Bonito’s opened this past month with rave reviews for its Roman-style pizza baked in rectangular trays and sold by the slice, and handcrafted gelato. Open Wednesday through Sunday.
IG: @bonitos.pizzeria

Greedy Burger (357 Brant St, Burlington)

Just steps from Spencer Smith Park, Greedy Burger is now slinging crispy patty smash burgers, wings and shakes. Grab some take out from this new spot and have a picnic at the lake!
IG: @greedyburger.burlington

Half Sweet Café (1400 Plains Rd. E., Burlington)

Located inside the brand new Alei Kitchen, this small café serves matcha, coffee, and specialties like Chocolate Peanut Butter Shaken Espresso and Red Velvet Latte. Open daily, early to late.
IG: @halfsweetcafe

Hanami Sushi & Noodle (1065 King St. W., Hamilton)

Now open in Westdale Village, offering ramen, sushi, sashimi, rolls, salads, rice and noodle dishes. The eatery is promoting a 15 per cent the entire menu until the end of August as a grand opening special offer.
IG: @hanami_sushi_noodle

Malarkey (300 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton)

The long-awaited sister bar to the Argyle on Ottawa Street is a gorgeous sleek art deco-styled space dominated by polished wood shuffleboards. The environment is casual with no kitchen on site, allowing patrons to bring in food from other establishments. 
IG: @malarkeyhamilton

PER’SO’NA (14 James St. N., Hamilton)

The team behind Hamilton restaurants Undefined and The Standard has now opened PER’SO’NA. The menu offers elevated fare like “Bread and Butter” for $14, all the way to a wood-fired Whole Sea Bass for $64, to the 1.3kg 60 Day Dry Aged Porterhouse for $165.
IG: @eatpersona

Piano Piano (62 King St. E., Hamilton)

Hamilton has become a hot spot for new Italian restaurants in the past year, drawing in another GTA heavy weight franchise, Piano Piano. This eatery features traditional Italian fare with an elevated flair, and has a lunch deal for $36 that includes an appetizer + any pizza or pasta + dessert.
IG: @pianopianotherestaurant

Ramen Isshin (234 King St. W., Hamilton)

This Toronto franchise serving Japanese ramen has been growing rapidly across Ontario and Quebec, and has now opened in downtown Hamilton. Offering exotic ramens like Tsukemen aka Dipping Ramen, Black Sesame Tan Tan Noodle and White Sesame Shio Ramen. 
IG: @ramenisshin

Smoq House (399 Elizabeth St., Burlington)

Little sister to The North Coal in Burlington, this eatery focuses on brisket, pulled pork, beef, chicken, and black bean handhelds and artfully arranged BBQ platters filled with slow cooked meats, plus classic sides like mac & cheese and slaw. 
IG: @smoqhouse

Sunnyside Grill (99 King St. W., Dundas)

With locations across Ontario, including Hamilton, Sunnyside Grill has chosen bustling Dundas for its all-day breakfast offering. Extensive breakfast menu is available any time and includes both basic and creative options like Waffles Sunnyside. The lunch menu is also available for breakfast and features a Peanut Butter & Bacon Burger. 
IG: @sunnysidegrilldundas

Tamasha Bar + Indian Kitchen (286 James St. N., Hamilton)

Soft opened in the location formerly housing Wild Orchid, with a grand opening on August 10th, bringing modern Indian eats to downtown Hamilton. 
IG: @tamasha_hamilton

Opening soon

Biggs Ribs (56 James St. N., Hamilton) 

The lockdown success story from Brampton has chosen Hamilton as its first expansion location. The simple menu focuses on beef ribs with sauces that have influencers flocking to the restaurant to film closeups of juicy beef falling off the bone. 
IG: @biggsribs

Rebranding & evolving

Janes’s Place (James Street North, Hamilton)

This bar at the corner of James North and Barton is now under new management and undergoing a revamp. Serving cocktails, coffee, side plates and antipasto boards, with a new menu dropping soon. Open daily at noon except Mondays. 
IG: @janesplacehamilton

Closed & closing

Mimi’s Asian Gourmet (King Street East, Hamilton)

With a simple goodbye on their website, “Thank you so much for your support over the years!” Mimi’s announced their permanent closure. Good news for the many fans around the city though, Vanh's Asian Gourmet will be taking over the space in the near future, and Mimi’s will be passing on their recipes to them.

– 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.