Tourism Hamilton

If you think the only restaurant scene in southern Ontario is in Toronto, then you obviously haven't visited Hamilton for a meal.

The Hammer (or Steeltown, if you prefer) has exploded in the past few years with a number of amazing restaurants and events that celebrate Ontario's bounty, while remaining incredibly community-oriented.

"It's very rare to find so many businesses at different stages of their success, from brand new ventures getting off the ground and beloved institutions, and everyone seems accessible," says Dave Hanley, owner of Pop Up Hamilton and occasional food writer for Hamilton Magazine. "There's a very strong neighbourhood feeling. There's a feeling that if one of us succeeds, all of us will succeed."

Hanley's company, which creates four-to-six course pop-up dinners at inventive locations, has worked with many chefs in town for their sold-out events. Though they initially had to hunt around for their cooks, now Hanley says they build their events around the chef, instead of vice versa.

And that includes chefs like Jonny Blonde, whose barbecue food truck helped lead the way for the city's street food revolution, now celebrated as one of the best in Canada. More evidence of Hamilton's carnivorous roots comes in the form of MeatVentures MeatWagon, another favoured food truck.

"The food truck community is very supportive of each other," says Hanley. "They send a lot of business each others' way. It's a very authentic city."

The Huffington Post Canada came up with a list of the best sit-down restaurants in Hamilton, from the very high end to the messiest of great bar food. Take a look at our choices, and let us know — what did we miss?

Hamilton's Best Restaurants See Gallery

Where: 194 Locke St. S.

Type of food: Seriously impressive burgers. "Where burgers are concerned, I'd say [chef Chris Preston] is an artist," says Dave Hanley, owner of Pop Up Hamilton.

How much: Burgers from $8 to $15; sides and appetizers from $3 to $11

Where: 301 James St. N.

Type of food: Gourmet sandwiches and breakfast. "Their chefs have integrity, they’re really committed to innovation, they try a lot of things and succeed at most of them," says Hanley.

How much: Sandwiches from $7 to $13; breakfast from $7 to $12

Where: 61 Young St.

Type of food: Adventurous carnivore (with a few veggie options). "Matt Kershaw is probably the single greatest chef in Ontario," says Hanley. "Simplicity kind of rules and yet he’s daring at the same time."

How much: Dishes from $9 to $19

Where: 194 Locke St. S.

Type of food: Shared plates, burgers and pizza

How much: Appetizers $6 to $15, burgers $9 to $13 (a mac and cheese burger!), pizza $13 to $15

Where: 370 Wilson St. E.

Type of food: Italian. "They manage to deliver high-end, really flavourful cuisine without any pretense," says Hanley.

How much: Appetizers $6 to $12, pasta, pizza and mains between $12 and $30

Where: 824 King St. W., 835 Paramount Drive (Stoney Creek)

Type of food: The pizza is the real standout here

How much: Pizza $7.50 to $14

Where: 10 Cannon St. E.

Type of food: Soups, fresh cut fries, hamburgers, Rudy's paletas

How much: From $4 to $10

Where: 107 James St. N.

Type of food: Mexican (obviously), vegan, vegetarian

How much: Appetizers from $10 to $14.50, mains from $11.50 to $19

Where: 246 King St. W.

Type of food: Fine Mexican food

How much: Appetizers from $5.50 to $10.75, mains $16 to $20

Where: 946 Barton St. E.

Type of food: Steak, seafood and classic entrees

How much: Appetizers $3.95 to $9.95, mains $12.95 to $39.95 (for twin lobster tail)

Where: 286 James St. N.

Type of food: Portuguese, "masters of seafood," says Hanley.

How much: Appetizers $5 to $15, mains $13 to $30

Where: 16 Sydenham St. (Dundas)

Type of food: Modern French, local ingredients. "The hallmark of exceptional," says Hanley.

How much: Appetizers $9 to $24, mains $32 to $42

Where: 215 Locke St. S.

Type of food: Pizza. "Their dough-making process takes 72 hours," says Hanley. "You've never met a more passionate pizza maker [than owner Mario Spina] in your life."

How much: Appetizers $4 to $9, pizzas $11 to $20 (plus more for 'party' size)

Where: 47 King William St.

Type of food: Peruvian

How much: Appetizers $4 to $8, plates $9 to $25

Where: 60 Walnut St. S.

Type of food: Italian. "You go there at 7 and you just wind up staying until midnight," says Hanley.

How much: Appetizers $6.50 to $14.95, mains $12.95 to $24.95

Chicago Style Pizza

Where: 534 Upper Sherman Ave.

Type of food: Gooey, yummy pizza.

How much: Pizza starting at $13.50 (with a lot of toppings and options to add)

Where: 306 King St. W., 650 Concession St.

Type of food: Lebanese. "It's a no-nonsense place with amazing food," says Hanley.

How much: Appetizers $6.50 to $8, mains $5.30 to $24.95

Where: 638 Concession St.

Type of food: Breakfast and lunch (burgers, sandwiches) with a Portuguese influence, amazing specials

How much: Breakfast $6.50 to $13, lunch $5 to $14

Where: 180 James St. S.

Type of food: Italian

How much: Appetizers $4 to $13, mains $14 to $24

Where: 3 Norton St. W. (Cayuga)

Type of food: Seasonally and locally inspired cuisine. "Chef Dan Megna is committed to the marriage of flavours," says Hanley.

How much: Menu changes constantly, but approximately $16 for appetizers, $35 to $40 for mains

Where: 432 Aberdeen Ave.

Type of food: Gastropub, comfort food. "They serve a duck confit Monte Cristo sandwich at brunch," says Hanley. "If that was a religion, you would just join it."

How much: Shareable appetizers $4 to $17, mains $13 to $29

Where: 24 King St. E., Unit #36 (Dundas)

Type of food: Sushi

How much: Appetizers $4.95 to $15.95, rolls from $2.50, dishes $10.95 to $21.95

Where: 548 Old Dundas Rd. (Ancaster)

Type of food: High-end dining with classic dishes. "Along with Quatrefoil, this is one of the more decadent dining experience you can have in the area," says Hanley.

How much: Appetizers $10 to $16, mains $20 to $41

Where: 23 Augusta St.

Type of food: Pub, seafood and craft beers. "It's really kicked-up pub fare with influences from around the world without going overboard," says Hanley.

How much: Appetizers $5 to $13, mains $11 to $15

Where: 41 King St. W. (Dundas)

Type of food: This place started as a coffee roaster, then started serving brunch, then sandwiches, and now also has dinners on Fridays.