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 & opening soon
Chubby Tiger (2016 Victoria Ave., Burlington)
Early reviewers have described the cuisine at Chubby Tiger as reminiscent of food court Canadian Chinese fare, with tasty combos that include a noodle or rice plus one, two or three additional proteins or veg plus a spring roll. Portions are large and reasonably priced.
IG: @chubbytiger.ca
Farooj Al Pasha (277 Upper Centennial Pkwy, Stoney Creek)
A new charcoal grilled chicken fast-casual spot has opened on the Stoney Creek Mountain, offering charcoal grilled chicken tawouk or musahab wraps, grilled chicken combos, and family-size meals.
IG: @farooj.alpasha
La Tikka Indian Fusion (339 York Blvd., Hamilton)
The long-awaited return of this beloved restaurant and music venue previously run under the name Stonewalls has been met with enthusiasm. The menu now reflects the Kitchener-based brand’s Indian-fusion flavours, serving up hakka noodles, momos, samosas, and pani puri. The live music tradition continues with bands and performances.
IG: @latikka_hamilton
Lucky Duck (302 James St. N., Hamilton)
Now open and taking reservations, the latest restaurant from chef Matthew Kershaw, one half of The Other Bird, the successful restaurant group in Hamilton behind The Mule, Rapscallion, and Henry’s. This restaurant is a blackboard bistro featuring a revolving menu based on the freshest ingredients available, like duck confit, miso eggplant, rabbit, and pork terrine. There’s a community feel with bar seating facing the kitchen, and large bright windows on all sides for optimal people-watching.
IG: @luckyduckhamilton
Summer’s Ice Cream (171 Locke St. S., Hamilton)
This Toronto-based business has expanded into the former home of Amo Gelato, which closed permanently after its last season in the fall of 2025. Summer’s serves up handcrafted ice cream, as well as frozen yogurt and dairy-free sorbets. Open daily from noon until 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).
IG: @summersicecream
Uptown Cravings (728 Burloak Dr., Burlington)
This small Golden Horseshoe-based franchise focuses on superfood-focused bowls, salads, smoothies, açai bowls, wraps, and burritos. The menu is extensive with a large variety of each of these categories. This is the franchise’s first location in Burlington.
IG: @uptown.cravings
Utamami (65 King St. E., Hamilton)
The upcoming restaurant is opening downtown Hamilton this summer, serving Japanese-Italian cuisine, crafted by chef David. In the meantime, food fans have been treated to a sneak-peek preview during the month of May at a special popup collaboration at Eem Khao on James North. The menu includes 11-spice duck and black cod capponata.
IG: @utamami.restaurant
Rebranding & evolving
The Chilaquiles Spot (180 James St. S., Hamilton)
Taking over the Mexican-fusion restaurant Los Mayos, Chilaquiles Spot will continue to offer Mexican fare but in a new format, focusing on fast-casual service and build-your-own chilaquiles dishes. You pick your “base” of chilaquiles, flauta, burrito, or taco, add your sauce and a protein like birria, chorizo or steak.
IG: @chilaquilesspot
Fishing Sushi (920 Upper Wentworth St., Hamilton)
This popular sushi spot moved from its Concession Street location to Upper Wentworth recently, citing improved convenience and parking as the reason for the move. The Japanese cuisine restaurant has locations in Burlington and Mississauga as well.
IG: @fishing.sushi
Closed
August 8 (Wilson St., Hamilton)
The downtown location of this popular sushi & hot-pot restaurant is permanently closing as of June 21. A social media post announcing the closure did not specify a reason, but the plaza of this location has been recently purchased and intentions to develop the site were announced. Fans of August 8 can still visit one of the many other locations in the GTA, including two in Hamilton.
The Last Call Bar & Grill (Crockett Street, Hamilton)
The neighbourhood hangout known for tasty wings closed suddenly with a notice posted that the landlord has terminated the lease and taken over the premises.
Maurya Indian Twist (Governor’s Road, Dundas)
The beloved Dundas location of this small franchise serving Indo-Chinese dishes announced its closure happening May 29 with a recent social media post stating, “This has been one of the hardest decisions for our family. Over the years, Dundas became so much more than just a restaurant location to us — it became home. We’ve shared birthdays, celebrations, conversations, laughter, and built so many meaningful relationships within this amazing community.”
Rise Above Pizza and Wings (James Street North, Hamilton)
Hamilton’s first and only vegan pizzeria announced its permanent closure at the 11th hour, posting on social media, “Due to *gestures broadly at everything* but mostly the economic situation and current state of our neighbourhood we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors after 7 years.” The announcement was made on its last day, giving fans one last night to indulge.
Spicebros. (Upper James Street, Hamilton)
Google reports the Hamilton location of this Canadian franchise as closed, and UberEats is no longer accepting orders, with the last social media post update just a few weeks ago. Fans have been discussing the loss of menu items like the butter paneer bowl, with some reporting that they have seen a lock on the door and a notice posted announcing the closure.
Viva Bowls (James Street South, Hamilton)
After just a year in business, this healthy bowls and smoothie café has permanently closed, stating in a recent social media post, “We just want to say thank you to the Hamilton community for all the support, visits, conversations, and good vibes along the way. It truly meant a lot to us.”
– 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.
