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 August.
Launched
Caked Coffee Vegan Bakery (364 Plains Rd. E., Burlington)
A Toronto plant-based bakery has chosen the Aldershot neighbourhood for its second location. The bright little café is takeout only, and offers fresh-baked vegan treats like cupcakes, jar cakes and full-sized cakes. They also have a small menu of savoury items like tandoori tofu flatbread, quesadilla, and butter chicken wrap, made on their fresh baked breads.
IG @cakedcoffee.cafe
Daigyo Café (125 King St. E., Hamilton)
High-quality matcha café serving soft serve, parfaits, smoothies, plus tea, coffee and desserts, across from Gore Park in the heart of downtown Hamilton. This is the third location of this small Canadian franchise.
IG: @daigyo_canada
DSTRCT 208 (208 Kenilworth Ave. N., Hamilton)
A welcome addition to the east end area, DSTRCT 208’s cozy booths offer a respite from a long work day with a menu featuring cocktails and satisfying pastas, flatbreads and salads.
IG: @dstrct208
Docenata Bakery (37 Barton St. E., Hamilton)
The Stoney Creek Portuguese bakery which celebrated its seventh anniversary this month, has opened a lively second location on Barton near James North, where it’s now serving its famous natas, and other sweet and savoury pastries along with soup, bifana and francesinha sandwiches. Nighttime entertainment is being added in September.
IG: @docenatabakery
Mr. Khaman (760 Concession St., Hamilton)
Wow Pop Pizza closed suddenly this summer and was replaced by the small GTA franchise Mr. Khaman. It’s named for khaman, the popular, soft, and savoury steamed cake from Gujarat, India, made primarily from chickpea flour. Offering both dine-in and takeout, they serve authentic Gujarati street food like vadapav, sev Kkhamni and surti veg khausa.
IG: @mr.khaman_hamilton
Nonna Lia (1045 King St. W., Hamilton)
The grand opening of this Toronto-based Italian desserts bakery happened inside OneZo Tapioca in Westdale on Aug. 30, where they gave away slices of Lotus Biscoff tiramisù. They have recently developed a vegan tiramisu to add to their menu.
IG: @nonnalia_desserts
Thirds Coffee Co (119 John St. N., Hamilton)
Thirds Coffee has been roasting and selling coffee locally for over a year, and is now using a new roasting facility as a café and hang-out spot. Sisters Olivia and Alex have a passion for roasting coffee and have been popping up at festivals and farmers markets, and selling online. The name “Thirds” refers to the theory of importance of third spaces in a community.
IG: @thirdscoffeeco
Wake Up Breakfast & Brunch (180 James St. S., Hamilton)
Los Mayas has launched a new brand operating during breakfast hours and serving up traditional breakfast items like omelettes, French toast and pancakes, with an array of Mexican breakfast options as well like huevos divorciados, mollettes, and chilaquiles. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
IG: @wakeupbrunchin
Opening soon
The Beacon (4 Ottawa St. N., Hamilton)
A fitting name for a restaurant taking over a prominent corner at Ottawa and Main, the former home of Caro’s first location. Coming this fall, and bringing a menu of “your favourites reimagined” by the team that created Souvlocke, which closed during the pandemic.
IG: @thebeaconcrownpoint
Himalayan Hearth (2 King St. W., Hamilton)
Taking over the spot recently vacated by Everest Tandoori inside Jackson Square, Himalayan Hearth is set to open soon. From the creators of Ontario-brewed Utsav Beer.
The Tipsy Fox (1250 Brant St., Burlington)
The Ontario pub chain is opening its largest location to date in the former Shoeless Joe’s location at the Burlington Power Centre. Signage is up but no opening date has been announced yet.
IG: @tipsyfoxpub
Rebranding & evolving
Kelly’s Bake Shoppe (461 Brant St., Burlington)
The beloved 100 per cent gluten-free, plant-based, peanut-free bakery lost its original Burlington location due to planned demolition of the building. The bakery will make a triumphant return to another heritage building in Burlington’s downtown later this year, aiming for a December opening.
IG: @kellysbake
Mel’s Deli (207 Burlington St. E., Hamilton)
The deli counter inside Collective Arts’ taproom temporarily closed back in the spring to renovate, but has reopened to claim its title of one of Hamilton’s best sandwich spots. Think hoagies piled high with capocollo, salami, prosciutto, and meatball sandwiches with fresh basil.
IG: @melsdeli.ham
Closed & closing
Akus Family Dining (Concession Street, Hamilton)
The homey all-day breakfast spot on Concession has quietly closed without announcement, with the restaurant listed as permanently closed on Google.
ODDS Bar (James Street Sout, Hamilton)
After seven years, one of Hamilton’s coolest hangouts is closing its doors permanently. The bar, owned by Arkells band members Max Kerman and Nick Dika, announced that it would not be renewing its lease and its last service was Aug. 30.
Peruviano (Locke Street South, Hamilton)
After five years in business, the owners announced they “made the difficult decision to close our doors,” ending the chapter of Hamilton’s only Peruvian restaurant. A farewell celebration was held on Aug. 23 with live music, free churros and pisco sour for guests. The restaurant leaves the spot that formerly housed Souvlocke.
– 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.
