Coffee & Sweets
So many great local coffee shops with local roasters, and too many bakeries and sweet treats to choose from! Can there be too many? Nope. Just try them all…
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COFFEE SHOPS
International Village, Downtown Hamilton – a Dutch coffee shop that makes its own traditional stroopwafels, soups and sandwiches. Chris and Kevin relocated to the ACTUAL Netherlands in 2016! And passed on the lovely café to new owners who are taking good care of it.
Gallery and cafe by Hamilton’s own Julia Veenstra. Get a cup and peruse the gallery with over 30 artists. Located on Ottawa St N.
Detour
Detour roasts their own beans, and you can catch them at the cafe on King street in Dundas or on John Street South in Downtown Hamilton (in the old Salty Espresso location).
Durand Coffee
Corner of Caroline & Charlton – this neighbourhood spot has great coffee, a bottle shop and is available to rent out for private gatherings.
Mulberry
James Street North – loads of Gluten Free options, hosts live music, local artists shows, is licensed to serve alcohol and you have to try the Hello Dolly’s
Munchies Coffee House Barkery
Because sometimes your dog needs to come to the coffee shop with you.
Phin Coffee
Awesome coffee bar with a great vibe in Westdale Village.
Red Church
Art, coffee, prosecco, beer – need I say more? Lovely addition to the Gore Park strip.
Relay
Beautiful space with a ton of seating on King William.
Saint James
Beautiful space, hi-tech Steam Punk coffee machines, and that drive-thru sandwich!!
Shady Grove Lukaya Cafe
Unexpected spot with a cozy patio on Upper Wellington.
Smalls
Cannon & James North – A Tiny Take-Away Coffee Spot. If you’re trying to avoid dairy, they have a coconut / almond milk combo that is faaantastic.
Synonym
Located on James North in the old O’s Gallery spot, this place is all about coffee, art, books and excellent tunes.
The Cannon Coffee Co.
Ottawa Street – you come for the coffee and stay for the waffles. Can I just add a shout out for that Vanilla Latte. And those scones.
Vintage Coffee Roasters
King East – One of my faves since it’s walking distance from my place! Lovely staff, great coffee and the best chocolate chip cookies in town.
BAKERIES & Sweets
Bitten
Locke Street – whoopie pies. Nuff said. Call ahead to place orders for your favourites, or just pop in to see what they have from their extensive menu ready to go – have yet to be disappointed.
Cafe Baffico
Italian cafe and bakery down the street from Gage Park. Do yourself a favour and go here. Now with a second location at the Hamilton Farmer’s Market.
Caniche
Ancaster – French pattisseries? Don’t mind if I do.
Crumbled
If you love cake, you will love these cakebowls
Dear Grain
Tasty breads, pastries and pantry staples on Vine Street. You can also find their products at Detour Coffee, Dundas Market and Plan B Organic Farms.
Doce Nata
Portuguese tarts, anyone? Check out this bakery in Stoney Creek.
Donut Monster
Once just pop ups, now a staple corner shop on Locke N
Fairly Frosted
Vegan, GF & Nut Free located on Ottawa St N
Hotti Biscotti
Now located in the Farmer’s market!
East mountain Italian pasticerria specializing in custom cakes.
MySweeTooth
Asian fusion bakery with beautiful desserts and custom cakes. Located on Main St W.
Ola Bakery
James Street North – best Portuguese Egg Tarts ever! Cash only
A little bit of everything here – sweet and savoury goods, drip coffee, and plants. Honestly, what else do you need?
Sam’s Queenston Bakery
Ask any Italian in the city where to get the best Cannoli and this will be your answer. Open on Queeston Rd since 1978.
Simply Italian Bakery
Beautiful space on Ottawa St with traditional Italian breads and pastries, as well as pizzas and prepared foods.
Sweet Paradise
Traditional Italian bakery and deli on the West mountain. Get ready to stock up, this place has everything .
The Dessert Room
Westdale – A boutique pastry shop – incredible custom designs for cookies and wedding cakes
The Hearty Hooligan
This Vegan café may be under new ownership, but the vibes and goodies remain in its spot on Ottawa St N
Westdale Cupcakes
Village of Westdale – just cupcakes, what more do you need?
Exceptional French bakery in the Hamilton Farmer’s Market
You can still find these at Crown & Press but now running their own spot in the Farmer’s Market
Another hit out of the Farmer’s Market! This Brazilian Vegan spot is a favourite in our house
ICE CREAM SHOPS
Amo Gelato
This sweet little spot on Locke will wow you with its fun décor, and its amazing flavours of Italian gelato
If you’ve tasted this treat at Art Crawl you will be happy to know its now in a permanent shop location in Westdale – delicious blended to order real fruit and yogurt
Big Scoops
The name says it all. I have a big appetite, but I cannot handle more than the kids serving! So don’t say I didn’t warn you! This James St South spot is closed over the winter, and it’s just straight up scoops of Hewitt’s dairy
Bliss Truffles and Gelato
Authentic gelato in Stoney Creek. Hosting an event? They’ll bring their gelato cart to you.
Chocolat on James
Handmade chocolate treats, saltwater taffy and they’ve gotten into the glitzed up soft serve ice cream game!
Crazy Cravings
Mobile ice cream parlour that can bring the ice cream party to you.
Foundry
Laurel came to the Hamilton area from BC where she mastered the art of delicious home made ice cream. You can find her at the local markets scooping and buy the beautiful glass jars of the sweet treats around town at different small grocers
Hutch’s
Are you even from Hamilton if you haven’t been to Hutch’s? Old school diner and ice cream place with locations in both Bayfront and Confederation Park.
Panini & Ice Cream
Wonder what they sell? Oh yeah, pressed panini sandwiches and ice cream! But not just any old ice cream – they use Hewitt’s to create amazing concoctions that range from the simple scoop, to the indulgent half & half (milkshake on the bottom, sundae with ridic amount of toppings on the top)
Rudy’s
She started with paletas and now offers non-dairy, all natural Vegan ice cream! Available in single servings on the cart, as well as at The Burnt Tongue, Piccone’s, and Denningers. So good. Personal Favourite so far: Chocolate Almond Sea Salt
The Purple Pony
Beyond adorable ice cream stop in Ancaster. Great place to bring the kids.
Willard’s
Now with 2 locations – Main St for when you’re in the Gage Park area and now, if you’re downtown you can find them tucked behind Mulberry Coffeeshop just off James N