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 April.

Launched & opening soon

Cravings Co. (29 Barton St. E., Hamilton)

The chef and owner of Cravings Co. is a Sheridan culinary graduate who started his first business inside Sheridan Conference Centre, catering events for the school. This location on Barton, the former home of the Gully Café is their first storefront café, where they serve sandwiches on fresh-made focaccia bread, along with pastries and breakfast focaccia.
IG: @cravings__co

DoughBox Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta (180 Locke St. S., Hamilton)

The very rapidly growing franchise that began on Main West in Hamilton has taken over the former Score Pizza spot that closed after less than a year in business. Dough Box’s wood-fired pizza formula for success includes a menu of premium and specialty pizzas, pastas, wings, sandwiches, sides, and salads. 
IG: @doughbox_locke_street

Festival Creamery (417 Concession St., Hamilton)

The grand opening for this fantasy land of festival food is May 2 and 3 on Concession Street. This is a second location, the first being Festival Café on King Street East. It's a family-owned business that also runs multiple food trucks during festival season. Indulge all your carnival cravings like funnel cakes, chimney cakes, corn dogs, poutine, deep-fried Mars bars and cheesecake, Dole Whip, Hawaiian Shave Ice, and New Zealand Real Fruit ice cream. 
IG: @festivalcreamery

Fit Organix (98 Vine St., Hamilton)

A gluten-free and vegan sundae bar opens in downtown Hamilton on Saturday, May 2 at Vine Street Market, serving vegan soft serve, twist cones, ice cream sandwiches, with sundae toppings and more. Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
IG: @fitorganix

Gallo & Gin (110 King St. E., Hamilton)

A Tuscan-inspired newly opened rotisserie chicken restaurant in the heart of downtown Hamilton touts itself as “chicken and sips.” The menu that has been revealed on its Instagram account shows a whole chicken dinner option with roasted potatoes, salad, pasta, focaccia, gravy, and sauces. Family-sized trays of beef or eggplant lasagna are also offered, as well as individual meals like sandwiches, pasta, and roast chicken plates. 
IG: @galloandgin

Lucky Duck (James Street North, Hamilton)

Chef Matt Kershaw of The Other Bird group (The Mule, Rapscallion, Henry’s on James) is breathing life into a lovely spot at the corner of Barton and James North with a new blackboard menu bistro, set to open in May. The menu will change daily, and you can expect “rillette, terrines, slow braises, or simple vegetable dishes that let the ingredients speak for themselves … guided by what’s local and fresh.” Sign up on the website for updates on the opening.
IG: @luckyduckhamilton

May Coffee & Cakes (334 James St. N., Hamilton)

Closed for winter just before Christmas, this adorable little Asian fusion café is open again with some fresh new flavours, including a pineapple matcha latte and ube coconut cupcake. 
IG: @maycoffeecakes

Mega Chicken (2201 Brant St., Burlington)

A new fast-food spot with tons of seating in an immaculately designed space. Think buttermilk-brined fried chicken on a bun with pickles, honey and ranch on a sesame seed bun, along with some twists on this classic, like Caesar, Nashville, and honey jalapeno versions. There’s a tendies menu with similar sauce options, and a kids tendies option.
IG: @megachickenca

Tonino’s (5 Robert St., Hamilton)

Taking over the spot nestled next to Born and Raised that has nurtured many a fledgling business, Tonino’s has quickly been gaining attention as a secret pizza gem in the couple of weeks it’s been open. The format is walk-in, cash only, for the sourdough-based New York-style slices that have Hamilton raving. Gelato will be added to the menu very soon. Open Thursday to Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
IG: @toninosonrobert

Unbound Coffee + Gelato (516 Plains Rd. E., Burlington)

A modern, playful large café space invites you in where you’ll immediately be drawn to the gelato case filled with unique flavours like ricotta rosemary lemon, caramel brown butter cinnamon, strawberry basil lemon, and mango coconut lime leaf. There’s a full coffee menu with pastries as well. Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
IG: @unbound.coffee

Closed 

Halibut House (Appleby Line, Burlington)

Burlington’s last Halibut House location is closing permanently after Mother’s Day weekend. On May 10, moms get 50 per cent off a dine-in fish & chips meal. A Facebook post read, “After 11 incredible years, it’s time for us to say goodbye. To our amazing Burlington community — thank you for your unwavering support, loyalty, and countless memories shared with us at Halibut House Appleby. You’ve been more than customers; you’ve been family.”

Odd Burger (Upper Wentworth Street, Hamilton)

The Canadian vegan fast food franchise’s only Hamilton location quietly closed, with management posting a handwritten sign on the door, “We regret to inform you that this location has permanently closed. We thank you for your years of patronage. Please visit us at our closest location in Oakville.” The closure is another blow to the vegan community that has seen the closure of many of the few vegan restaurants in the city in the last couple of years, including Democracy, Planted, and Bring Me Some.

– 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.