Hamilton Food Finds
Sheridan Fong: Software & Biomedical Engineering, Level 3
Food brings people together. When I entered my first year, I found that the easiest way to hang out with new friends was to grab a bite together, as, after all, we all need to eat. I started exploring local Hamilton restaurants as an excuse to go off-campus and to use my bus pass. As my explorations continued, I realized that Hamilton offers lots of great food. Hamilton’s metro area has approximately 767 000 people, and because of all those people, there is a variety of restaurants of all different cuisines. Below are my suggestions for bakeries, Asian food, MES/meal card restaurants and my all-time favourite places. Bon appetit!
Coffee and Bakeries
If you aren’t super hungry and just want a quick bite these super cute and yummy places are where you should be!
Westdale Cupcakes
Recommendation: Skor and Pumpkin Spice Latte (seasonal special)
Distance from McMaster: 9-minute walk
As someone with a sweet tooth, every Tuesday I can be found at Westdale Cupcakes. Toonie Tuesday Cupcakes has become a staple in my student house. As you can probably tell by their name they specialize in cupcakes. They have a variety of flavours from Skor to Peppermint Patty. Each month they also have a new “cupcake of the month”. Westdale Cupcakes is one of our MES Card partnerships so all Eng students get 20% off regularly priced items when you show your card.
Phin Coffee Shop
Recommendation: Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and the sea salt chocolate chip cookie.
Distance from McMaster: 20-minute walk
Located on the East end of Westdale, Phin Coffee has everything from iced strawberry lattes to ginger molasses cookies to regular brewed coffees. The exterior is painted a beautiful robin’s egg blue and the interior is great for taking photos. They sell a variety of products including unique coffee brews from places such as South Korea and BC. They also have signature Phin Specials such as the Cardi B Latte and their Lavender Latte. This is the place to go if you love taking pictures of your food.
Paisley Coffee House and Eatery
Recommendation: Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte and their Brownie
Distance from McMaster: 11-minute walk
If you want a light bite or a place to study, Paisley Coffee House and Eatery is the perfect place! It’s located in the heart of Westdale and has a variety of fresh, local and homemade breakfast, lunch and tea time menu items. Their food ranges from three bean chili to peach green tea to baked goods. It’s a great place to study or hangout with friends.
Asian Food
I’ve tried my fair share of Asian food in Hamilton and not many restaurants can match the quality of Asian restaurants located in the GTA, so here are three places that I promise won’t disappoint.
Pho Excellent
Recommendation: House Special Beef Noodle Soup (PO1) and Steamed Rice with Grilled Chicken (CO9)
Distance from McMaster: 9-minute walk
Pho Excellent is a great place to grab a quick bite on a cold winter night. Located close to campus, the place has a “mom-and-pop” feel and makes a variety of Vietnamese food for relatively cheap. This place is also great for take-out.
Arch Noodle House
Recommendation: Create your Own Noodle Soup and Fried Noodles with Beef
Distance from McMaster: 4-minute walk
If you’re feeling creative and want some Chinese food, check out Arch Noodle House. Their menu allows you to DIY your own noodle dish; you can customize the soup base, type of noodles and the toppings. If you’re indecisive like me they also have preset menu items.
Chung Chun Rice Hotdogs
Recommendation: Mozzarella Cheese Hotdog and Potato Hotdog
Distance from McMaster: 9-minute walk
If you live in the GTA you’ve probably heard or seen of Chung Chun Rice Hotdogs. They serve popular Korean street rice dogs. Their dogs are battered, fried and have a variety of filling such as hot dog, spicy sausage, mozzarella and a half hot dog and half mozzarella cheese. The hotdogs also come with a variety of toppings. This place is located near two bubble tea shops, so grab a rice dog and bubble tea and call it a snack or even a meal! :)
Meal Card Restaurants or MES Restaurants
Interested in getting some discounts or using your meal card? For McMaster students in residence, your meal card is your paid plan that allows you to purchase food on campus. It includes a freedom plan where you can spend limited money at McMaster affiliated off-campus food places. Additionally, Engineering students have the option to get an MES card. The MES card is your ticket for special discounts at local businesses. Check out these fun restaurant recommendations that take advantage of these McMaster perks.
East Side Marios
Recommendation: Double Bacon Carbonara or anything with the AYCE Soup, Salad and Bread
Distance from McMaster: 7-minute bus ride via the 10 line
East Side Marios is fantastic for a group project bonding dinner! The ability to use your freedom meal card plan and the relatively inexpensive meals paired with the AYCE Soup, Salad and Bread is perfect for getting to know people. The bus stop is located on campus, making transportation super easy. After dinner, you can run some errands since there is also a LCBO, Dollarama, Canadian Tire and Shoppers Drug Mart in the plaza.
Pinks
Recommendation: Beef Burger, Loaded Cheese Fries and Strawberry Milkshake
Distance from McMaster: 3-minute walk
Pinks Burgers is a McMaster student staple, as it’s located directly across from the Hospital. They serve classic burgers, shakes, and fries. If you use your MES card Saturday to Thursday you can get 10% off and Pinks is even included in your freedom meal card plan.
West End Pub
Recommendation: West End Wacky Fries and Five-Alarm Burger
Distance from McMaster: 10-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride via the 5 Line
West End Pub is a great place to eat pub fare with your friends. They have Taco Thursdays as well as featured items each day. The restaurant has a patio and indoor dining and is a great place to grab some alcoholic drinks (if you are of age). If you show your MES card you get 10% all day every day.
Twelve Eighty Bar & Grill
Recommendation: Spinach Dip, Mac Balls and Fish & Chips
Distance from McMaster: Located on Campus
Twelve Eighty Bar & Grill is located on campus in the basement of the student centre. The MSU often hosts game nights such as trivia and bingo here. They have rotating daily specials such as Wing Night Wednesday and Fish Friday. If you’re feeling like having a more elevated food experience on campus definitely check this place out! This place is also included in your freedom meal card plan.
Other Hamilton Favourites….
Below are four of my favourite restaurants that didn’t fit into a category but are too good not to share! Electric Diner and Earth to Table Bread Bar are two of my favourite instagrammable restaurants to visit, while Willy Dog is the perfect lunch time bite and the Italian Eatery is a close date-night spot.
The Express Restaurant — Italian Eatery
Recommendation: Chicken Pesto Pizza and Penne Alla Carbonara
Distance from McMaster: 10-minute walk
If you’re craving pizza, pasta or calzones, you have to try The Express Italian Eatery. They are located in the heart of Westdale and the restaurant is perfect for a date night. If you don’t want to dine in you can still order their food for takeout directly through the restaurant or on UberEats. Often they have BOGO specials on UberEats so keep an eye out for that.
Electric Diner
Recommendation: Grilled Cheese Benny, Soul 2 Seoul Chicken Sandwich and Princess of Power Milkshake
Distance from McMaster: 12-minute bus ride via the 10 line
Electric Diner is my favourite hidden gem! It’s located in Hess Village and is only a quick bus ride away. They are an 80’s style dinner serving milkshakes, burgers, creative cocktails and brunch. The exterior is painted a beautiful bubble gum pink and the interior has neon signs, a jukebox, old arcade games as well as diner eque high top stools and booths.
Willy Dog
Recommendation: any hot dog!
Distance from McMaster: located on campus
Willy Dog is a terrific place If you need a quick bite between classes or are too lazy to pack a lunch. They don’t take meal cards but the hotdogs are relatively inexpensive and filling. It’s located right outside the student centre and the Mills library.
Earth to Table Bread Bar
Recommendation: Skinny Fries and Apple and Bacon Pizza
Distance: By Bus to James Street Location 19 minutes via the 5 Line
Earth to Table Bread Bar has two locations in Hamilton, one on James street and the other on Locke. The restaurant is all about using good ingredients to make great food. For a more upscale dining experience visit the James street location as the interior is beautifully decorated. They serve fresh soups, salads, pizzas and a variety of mains.
Hamilton has a lot of fantastic restaurants! Trying out these restaurants is a great way to use your unlimited Hamilton bus pass and explore the local community. One thing I know for sure is that food is a great way to start a new friendship. So grab a friend and try out one of these restaurants!
Click here to chat with our student ambassadors through the Unibuddy platform!
