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Rock Garden Bistro @ Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, ON

Rock Garden Bistro @ Royal Botanical Gardens

4.3
4.3
481 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Bistro

Make a reservation

2 people
10:00 PM
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Charming
Situated at the historic David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden, RBG’s newest restaurant features an eclectic menu that boasts fresh, locally sourced ingredients, many picked straight from our gardens! The Bistro’s outdoor patio provides an inspiring bird’s-eye view of the garden’s rejuvenated lower bowl, a perfect spot to relax.
As seasons change, kitchen staff work closely with RBG gardeners to incorporate home-grown ingredients into your garden-to-table culinary experience.

**We currently do not accept reservations for our patio, the patio is on a first come, first served basis.**

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Bistro
  • Hours of operation
    Thu–Sat 11:00 am–5:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–5:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (905) 527-1158 ext. 336
  • Website
    https://www.rbg.ca/dining/rock-garden-bistro/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    David Favretto
  • Location
    1185 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L0R 2H9
  • Neighborhood
    Hamilton
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • All Day Brunch

    Multiple dates available
    The Rock Garden Bistro will be serving our Brunch menu from 11am-5pm, exclusively.

Menu

Appetizers

  • French Onion SoupCA$16.00

    Spanish onions, prosciutto, chicken & beef broth, crostini, gruyère cheese

    • Pickerel CakeCA$17.00

      Remoulade | Slaw

      • Mediterranean PlatterCA$16.00

        hummus, crostini, pita, marinated olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, fried chickpeas

        • Cheese PlateCA$23.00

          gorgonzola, brie, gruyère, crostini, seasonal compote, berries

          • MusselsCA$19.00

            White Wine | Bechamel | Herbs de Provence | Grilled Bread

            Lighter Side

            • Chef's Daily FrittataCA$16.00

              • Chicken WaldorfCA$22.00

                grapes, apple, fennel, celery, walnut, frisée

                • Beet SaladCA$18.00

                  roasted golden beets, pickled baby beets, whipped goat cheese, arugula, walnut, beet chips

                  • Rock SaladCA$15.00

                    baby greens, cherry tomato, cucumber, heirloom carrot, radish

                    • Green Eggs & ToastCA$17.00

                      sweet pea purée, two soft poached eggs, grilled country bread, pickled honey mushroom, rock salad

                      • Grilled CheeseCA$18.00

                        house-made focaccia, tomato jam, rock salad

                        Entree

                        • Ahi Watermelon Garden BowlCA$19.00

                          marinated watermelon, brown rice, cucumber, pickled apple, walnut, carrot, pickled chili, edamame, sesame seeds

                          • Croque MonsieurCA$23.00

                            ham, gruyère, béchamel, brioche, rock salad

                            • French Beef DipCA$25.00

                              shaved brisket, baguette, provolone, sautéed mushrooms, balsamic onions, jus, kettle chips

                              • Rainbow TroutCA$27.00

                                Pomme Anna | Roasted Broccolini | Caramelized Lemon Butter

                                • Linguini FrescaCA$23.00

                                  linguini, zucchini noodles, pesto, blistered cherry tomatoes, white wine, grana padano

                                  • Maple Dijon ChickenCA$28.00

                                    7oz chicken supreme, lentil salad, beet gel, maple dijon glaze

                                    • Steak FritesCA$34.00

                                      6oz California-cut striploin, frites, sautéed mushroom, chimichurri

                                      Dessert

                                      • Sticky Toffee PuddingCA$12.00

                                        Dolche Del Leche

                                        • Lime StrudelCA$12.00

                                          • Strawberry Rhubarb CharlotteCA$13.00

                                            strawberry rhubarb syrup, lemon poppyseed pound cake, coconut whipped cream

                                            Last updated: November 3, 2024

                                            What 481 people are saying

                                            Overall ratings and reviews

                                            Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                                            4.3
                                            4.3 based on recent ratings
                                            • 4.3Food
                                            • 4.5Service
                                            • 4.3Ambience
                                            • 4.2Value

                                            Noise • Moderate

                                            Loved For

                                            • Southern Ontario

                                              Great for brunch

                                            • Southern Ontario

                                              Healthy

                                            • Southern Ontario

                                              Great for outdoor dining

                                            • Southern Ontario

                                              Great for scenic views

                                            Review summary

                                            AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                            Rock Garden Bistro at Royal Botanical Gardens offers a "lovely setting" and "delicious food" with stunning views of the gardens. Patrons enjoy "excellent service," though some note occasional slow service due to new systems. The patio is a highlight, and the "creative menu" features quality ingredients. Ideal for special occasions.

                                            481 Reviews

                                            1. dorothe

                                              Orlando

                                              2 reviews

                                              4.0

                                              2 reviews

                                              Dined 3 days ago

                                              1. Overall 4
                                              2. Food 5
                                              3. Service 4
                                              4. Ambience 3
                                              Had it been warmer we’d have enjoyed it even more… just 2-5 degrees! Jimmy was a good server and cuisine was excellent!

                                              Is this helpful?

                                            2. Claudia

                                              Toronto

                                              6 reviews

                                              4.0

                                              6 reviews

                                              Dined on December 1, 2024

                                              1. Overall 4
                                              2. Food 4
                                              3. Service 4
                                              4. Ambience 4
                                              A perfect place for Sunday Bruch with friend. Not too loud, so you can actually have a conversation. As you are in nature, a beautiful setting. Service was friendly. Consider taking a stroll through the gardens. We even saw the holiday train exhibit.

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                                            3. Dalia

                                              Toronto

                                              1 review

                                              5.0

                                              1 review

                                              Dined on November 30, 2024

                                              1. Overall 5
                                              2. Food 5
                                              3. Service 5
                                              4. Ambience 5
                                              The Rock Garden Bistro at the Royal Botanical Gardens is open from 11 to 5 from Thursday to Sunday, November to March. If you are a member, receive 10% off food. Food is well prepared and locally sourced. I’ve been a member with the RBG for over a decade. It is a nature lovers dream to dine beside the upper level of the rock garden and view the gardens in the summer and the lovely foliage in late. One pays a bit more for the food, but quality and service is first class.

                                              Is this helpful?

                                            4. Teresa

                                              VIP

                                              Toronto

                                              3 reviews

                                              4.0

                                              3 reviews

                                              Dined on November 28, 2024

                                              1. Overall 4
                                              2. Food 5
                                              3. Service 4
                                              4. Ambience 4
                                              Good great as always Service this time surprisingly slow

                                              Is this helpful?

                                            5. Randy

                                              San Francisco

                                              4 reviews

                                              5.0

                                              4 reviews

                                              Dined on November 28, 2024

                                              1. Overall 5
                                              2. Food 5
                                              3. Service 5
                                              4. Ambience 4
                                              Food was very good. The menu items where upscale and had a great presentation. Server was very pleasant and helpful. Great place if you want to get away from the out of the box type of food. Menu offered a good variety. 6 of us at the table and everyone love the food

                                              Is this helpful?

                                            6. Nathan

                                              Toronto

                                              1 review

                                              5.0

                                              1 review

                                              Dined on October 27, 2024

                                              1. Overall 5
                                              2. Food 4
                                              3. Service 5
                                              4. Ambience 5
                                              I always enjoy eating at the RBG Rock Garden Bistro. One thing that make dining there so enjoyable are the waiters and waitresses. They are friendly and attentive to their work. I'm a Royal Botanical Garden member so the food is of good value. And of course the ambience of the RBG Rock Garden is outstanding.

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                                            7. Ian

                                              Phoenix

                                              1 review

                                              4.0

                                              1 review

                                              Dined on October 26, 2024

                                              1. Overall 4
                                              2. Food 5
                                              3. Service 3
                                              4. Ambience 4
                                              Lovely desserts which were quite unique. Nice selection of teas and wines. The light flowing into the room is such a joy.

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                                            8. Penelope

                                              Toronto

                                              2 reviews

                                              4.0

                                              2 reviews

                                              Dined on October 13, 2024

                                              1. Overall 4
                                              2. Food 4
                                              3. Service 5
                                              4. Ambience 4
                                              We went for the all-day Sunday brunch over Thanksgiving weekend and the food was delicious. The servers were excellent. It was surprisingly quiet that day but a dreary rainy day so that may have kept people away. We did walk through the gardens with umbrellas. The highlight was the train exhibit. Will go back on a brighter day when the gardens are in full bloom. Overall, I would recommend.

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                                            9. Julia

                                              Toronto

                                              1 review

                                              3.0

                                              1 review

                                              Dined on October 12, 2024

                                              1. Overall 3
                                              2. Food 2
                                              3. Service 5
                                              4. Ambience 5
                                              Excellent service, and the surrounding rock garden is beautiful. But the food was disappointing. I ordered the trout and my husband got the brisket sandwich. Both were quite bland, and because of that, we felt overpriced. We won't go to the bistro to eat again, but we'll definitely be back to the garden.

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                                            10. CHERYL

                                              Toronto

                                              1 review

                                              5.0

                                              1 review

                                              Dined on October 6, 2024

                                              1. Overall 5
                                              2. Food 5
                                              3. Service 5
                                              4. Ambience 5
                                              Excellent food and service in a beautiful setting. The staff were attentive and informative. Fresh foods and nicely presented.

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                                            FAQs

                                            Rock Garden Bistro @ Royal Botanical Gardens is rated 4.3 stars by 481 OpenTable diners.

                                            Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                                            Make a reservation

                                            2 people
                                            10:00 PM
                                            Booked 4 times today
                                            Experiences are available.
                                            Google Map for Rock Garden Bistro @ Royal Botanical Gardens

                                            1185 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L0R 2H9

                                            Dining areas

                                            Additional information

                                            • Neighborhood
                                              Hamilton
                                            • Hours of operation
                                              Thu–Sat 11:00 am–5:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–5:00 pm
                                            • Price
                                              CAN$31 to CAN$50
                                            • Cuisines
                                              Bistro
                                            • Dining style
                                              Casual Dining
                                            • Dress code
                                              Casual Dress
                                            • Parking details
                                              Public Lot
                                            • Payment options
                                              AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
                                            • Executive chef
                                              David Favretto
                                            • Additional
                                              Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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