| Membership | Price |
|---|---|
| Student | $55/year |
| Single | $85/year |
| Single Plus | $120/year |
| Family | $130/year |
| Family Plus | $175/year |
| Contributing | $250/year |
| Supporting | $500/year |
| Sustaining | $1,000/year |
| Benefactor's Circle | $2,500/year |
| Director's Circle | $5,000/year |
| President's Circle | $10,000/year |
Rock Garden Bistro
Situated at the historic David Braley and Nancy Gordon Rock Garden, RBG’s newest restaurant features a French inspired menu with a garden flair 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.
Plan Your Visit
Reservations
Reserve your space through OpenTable! Walk-ins accepted based on availability.
Contact
905-527-1158 ext. 336
Location
Find the Rock Garden Bistro in the Visitor Centre at the historic Rock Garden!
- 1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton Ontario
- Now accessible via Hamilton Bike Share!
- Bus stop accessed by Burlington Transit and Hamilton Transit route 9 (seasonally)
Hours
Exceptions may apply. Check back before your visit. Please note: outdoor Rock Garden hours may differ.
Today’s Hours
Seasonal Hours
- Mon & Tues: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wed to Sun: 11 a.m. to 9 pm. (Jan 1 to Dec 31)
Exceptions
- Jan 1 New Year's Day: Closed
- Mar 26 1:30 to 9 p.m. (reduced hours due to the Around the Bay Race)
- Dec 24 Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., last admission 2 p.m.
- Dec 25 Christmas Day: Closed
- Dec 26 Boxing Day: Closed
Appetizers
Mussels $19
White Wine | Bechamel | Herbs de Provence | Grilled Bread
Pickerel Cake $17
Remoulade | Slaw
Bistro Pâté $18 (GFO)
House-made Chicken Liver Plate | Crostini | Pickled Pearl Onions | Seasonal Compote
Cheese Plate $19 (GFO)
Blue | Brie | Aged Cheddar | Crostini | Seasonal Compote | Berries
French Onion Soup $13
Spanish Onions | Prosciutto | Chicken and Beef Broth | Crostini | Gruyere Cheese
Lighter Side
Chicken Waldorf $21 (GF, DF)
Grapes | Apple | Fennel | Celery | Walnut | Frissee
Niçoise Salad $18 (VG, DF, VO)
Green Bean | Olive | Fingerling Potato | Hen Egg
The Rock Salad $15 (V, GF)
Cherry Tomato | Cucumber | Heirloom Carrot | Radish
Beet Gravlax Toast $20
Cured Salmon | Whipped Ricotta | Pickled Pearl Onions | Firssee | Radish | Rock Salad
Frittata $16 (VG, GF)
Spinach | Red Peppers | Zucchini | Eggplant | Feta | Pesto Frissee
Grilled Cheese $16 (VG)
House-made Focaccia | served with Rock Salad
Entrées
Croque Monsieur $22
Ham | Gruyere | Bechamel | served with Rock Salad
French Beef Dip $24
Shaved Brisket | Baguette | Provolone | Sauteed Mushrooms | Jus | served with Kettle Chips
Steak Frites $33 (GF, DFO)
6oz California Cut Striploin | Frites | Sauteed Mushroom | Peppercorn Sauce
Rainbow Trout $27 (GF)
Pomme Anna | Roasted Broccolini | Caramelized Lemon Butter
Chicken Francese $28 (GF)
Lemon | Capers | Tomato | Fingerling Potatoes | Cured Egg Yolk
Provencal Pappardelle $24 (VG, VO, GFO)
Zuchinni | Eggplant | Peppers | Nicoise Olives | White Wine | Tomato Oil | Grana Padano
White Bean Cassoulet $21 (V, GFO)
Portobello | Heirloom Carrot | Squash | Breadcrumbs
Dessert
Sticky Toffee Pudding $12 (VG)
Dulce Del Leche
Apple Tart $12 (VG)
Candied Pecans
Lime Strudel $12 (VG)
Available Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mains
Croque Monsieur $22
Ham | Gruyere | Bechamel | Served with Rock Salad
Croque Madam $24
Ham | Gruyere | Bechamel | Fried egg | Served with Rock Salad
French Toast $16 (VEG)
Challah stuffed with caramelized banana Nutella | Seasoned eggs | Whip cream | Coulis | Berries
Eggs Benedict $18
Peameal | Poached eggs | English muffin | Hollandaise | Served with Rock Salad
Eggs Florentine $15 (VEG)
Spinach | Poached eggs | English muffin | Hollandaise | Served with Rock Salad
Eggs Royale $20
Salmon gravlax | Poached eggs | English muffin | Hollandaise | Served with Rock Salad
Frittata $16 (VEG, GF)
Roasted pepper | Eggplant | Zucchini | Red onions | Gruyere | Pesto frisée
Rock Melt (VEG)
House made focaccia | Cheddar | Mozzarella | Tomato jam | Served with Rock Salad
Rock Breakfast $17
2 eggs | Choice of protein | Home fries | Toast
Coconut Pancakes $20 (V, GF)
Vegan pancakes | Coulis | Berries | Coconut whip cream
Brisket Skillet $22 (GF, DF)
Shaved Brisket | Home fries | 2 Eggs | Baked tomato | Jus
Yogurt Parfait $14 (VEG, GF)
Greek yogurt | Berries | Spiced honey | Granola
Trail Mix Salad $17 (V, GF, DF)
Berries | Sunflower seeds | Walnuts, | Granola | Blueberry vinaigrette
Breakfast Sandwich $18
Peameal | Fried gouda | Over easy egg | Red pepper aioli | Served with Rock Salad
Sides
Fruit $6
Toasted Brioche $3
Home fries $4
Peameal Bacon $5
Sausage $6
Bacon $5
RBG Lilac Gin
750 ml bottles available for purchase from the Greenhouse Café & Rock Garden Bistro.
Every spring, a heavenly fragrance drifts through Royal Botanical Gardens, marking the official start of lilac season. To extend the joy of lilac season, we’ve teamed up with Manns Distillery in Brantford, Ontario to create our very own lilac gin.
Crafted with a London Dry Gin base and fresh, hand-picked lilacs from the grounds of RBG, this gin has floral notes of lilac, lavender, and rose. Truly an exquisite combination. No artificial colours or flavours used.
Local, Sustainable
At Royal Botanical Gardens, we believe in being stewards of our environment and partners in our community. We source local products (including our own garden produce), partner with local farms and dairies as well as use eco-friendly, sustainable products throughout the facility and grounds.
We ask that you join us in our goal of preserving and enhancing the beauty of our environment by utilizing the recycle stations located throughout Royal Botanical Gardens.
Rock Garden Bistro FAQs
Where is the Rock Garden Bistro Located?
The Rock Garden Bistro is in the Rock Garden Visitor Centre, at 1185 York Boulevard, Burlington. Find the restaurant to the left upon arriving through the main doors.
Parking is available on-site (in the lot across the road), included in your visit.
Is admission required to access the Rock Garden Bistro?
Garden Admission is not required to join us for lunch at the Greenhouse Café, or at the Rock Garden Bistro* Garden Admission would be required should you wish to visit the gardens before / after your meal.
Garden Admission IS required to access the Turner Pavilion Teahouse in Hendrie Park.
Is there a Benefit for Members?
RBG Members receive 10% off their meal at RBG’s three on-site restaurants. To qualify for a discount, please show your membership card while ordering.
Are Reservations Required?
Reservations are not required to eat at the restaurants, but are highly recommended, especially for weekends, holidays, or larger groups. Please note the restaurant may not be able to accommodate larger groups that arrive without reservations.
Rock Garden Bistro reservations line: 905-527-1158 ext. 336
Host Your Event
Whether you just need coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch or meals for the whole day, our in-house catering team has options for your meeting or event. With delicious options, flexible menus and a focus on locally sourced ingredients, the catering team at Royal Botanical Gardens promise to make your event one to remember.
