| 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.
Hours
Exceptions may apply. Check back before your visit.
Today’s Hours
Seasonal Hours
- 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (May 1 to Jun 8)
- Wed to Sun: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mon & Tues) (Jun 9 to Sep 4)
Exceptions
- Aug 19 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Aug 20 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Aug 21 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Aug 26 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Aug 27 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Aug 28 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Dec 25 Christmas Day: Closed
- Dec 26 Boxing Day: Closed
- Jan 1 New Year's Day: Closed
Bistro Menu
Appetizers
Heirloom Carrot Salad $14
Heirloom Carrot | Citrus | Blistered Shishito Peppers | Arugula
Moules Mariniere $17
Mussels | VQA White Wine| Butter| Shallots| Garlic| Herbs
Saffron and Onion Potage $10
Toasted Almond| Blistered Thyme| Smoked Paprika| Annatto Seed Oil
Beet Gravlax $17
Beetroot Cured Salmon| Potato Gaufrette| Herbed Goat Cheese| Shaved Fennel| Radish
Lighter Side
Frittata de Terre $16
Mini Red Skin Potatoes | Wild Mushrooms | Caramelized Onion | Smoked Gouda | Frisse Salad
Rock Garden Salad $15
Mesclun| Heirloom Carrot | Fennel | Radish | Tomato
Chicken Waldorf Salad $18
Ontario Free-range Chicken| Red Grapes| Gala Apple| Celery| Toasted Walnuts| Herbs| Waldorf Dressing| Frisse
Tomato Ginger Chili Jam Grilled Cheese $16
House-made Herbed Focaccia | Gouda | Aged Cheddar | Gruyere | Garden Salad
French Beef dip on Sourdough Baguette $18
Braised Ontario Beef | Sourdough Vienna
Entrees
Steak Frites $27
Grilled Flat Iron Steak | Potato Frites | Grilled Tomato Arugula Salad | Café de Paris.
Atlantic Salmon $24
Pan Seared Atlantic Salmon |Puy Lentil and Shard Sauté | Lemon Dill Beurre Blanc
Chicken Ravigote $20
Free-range Ontario Chicken Supreme | Pan-Roasted Root Vegetables | Butter Poached Broccolini | Ravigote Sauce
Veggie Lasagne $18
Roasted Vegetables | Tofu Ricotta| Soy Bechamel | Pomodoro
Tempeh and Mushroom Bourguignon $19
Wild Mushrooms | Marinated Tempeh| VQA Red wine Braised Vegetables
Desserts
Chocolate Pot de Crème $10
Chilli Pistachio Bark | White Chocolate Pearls | Bramble
Coconut-Lime Strudel $9
Key Lime Custard | Phyllo Nest| Poached Blueberry
Red Wine Poached Pear $ 10
VQA Poached Bosc Pear | Crème Chantilly | Bramble
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.
When is the Rock Garden Bistro Open?
Rock Garden Bistro is open daily 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
*Event admission IS required to access Rock Garden Bistro during SummerTide.
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
Do I need to wear a mask?
To help keep everyone safe and healthy, all visitors over 2 years of age, as well as employees and volunteers are required to wear a mask which covers their mouth, nose and chin, while visiting all indoor spaces at Royal Botanical Gardens. As entry to Hendrie Park and Rock Garden includes moving through indoor spaces, masks will be required upon entry, though may be removed once in the outdoor garden area.
If you are visiting with an individual who cannot put on or remove a mask without help from someone else, please email info@rbg.ca in advance and we will aim to accommodate.
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.
Feast On™ Certified
As a Feast On™ certified venue, Royal Botanical Gardens prides itself on creating cutting edge events and culinary experiences by using products that are sourced and produced locally. Supporting our local economy and Ontario’s farmers is important for us all.
Whether we’re sourcing liquor, beer and wine for our beverage service or proteins, produce and grains for our restaurant and catering menus, Ontario offers some of the best product available world-wide.
