| Membership | Price (+HST) |
|---|---|
| Single | $85/year |
| Single Plus | $120/year |
| Family | $130/year |
| Family Plus | $175/year |
| Contributing | $300/year |
| Supporting | $600/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 Rock Garden Bistro features a French inspired menu with a garden flair that boasts fresh, locally sourced ingredients! The bistro’s outdoor patio provides an inspiring view of the garden, a perfect spot to relax.
Plan Your Visit
Reservations
Reserve your space through OpenTable. Reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends. Walk-ins accepted based on availability.
Current Hours
- Typically Open Wed to Sun: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; (Closed Mon & Tues)
- NOTE: sometimes unavailable due to private events. See date exceptions below / make a reservation on Opentable before planning your visit.
- On Sundays, only the brunch menu is available.
*Exceptions may apply. See full hours below.
Location
Find the Rock Garden Bistro in the Visitor Centre at the historic Rock Garden!
1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton Ontario.
Exceptions may apply. Check back before your visit. Please note: outdoor Rock Garden hours may differ.
Today’s Hours
Seasonal Hours
- Open Thurs to Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mon to Wed (Feb 1 to May 20)
- Open Wed to Sun, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Mon & Tues (May 21 to Jul 4)
- Open Wed to Fri, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Sat to Tues (Jul 5 to Jul 18)
- Wed-Fri 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., sometimes closed for private events - see Opentable for reservations (Jul 19 to Aug 31)
Exceptions
- Jul 25 CLOSED for a private event
- Jul 26 CLOSED for a private event
- Jul 27 CLOSED for a private event
- Aug 3 CLOSED for a private event
- Aug 9 CLOSED for a private event
- Aug 16 CLOSED for a private event
- Aug 23 CLOSED for a private event
- Aug 30 CLOSED for a private event
- Sep 12 CLOSED for a private event
- Sep 13 CLOSED for a private event
- Sep 19 CLOSED for a private event
- Sep 26 CLOSED for a private event
- Sep 27 CLOSED for a private event
- Oct 25 CLOSED for a private event
- Nov 11 CLOSED for a private event
- Nov 20 CLOSED for a private event
- Dec 25 Christmas Day: Closed
- Dec 26 Boxing Day: Closed
- Jan 1 New Year's Day: Closed
Find the Rock Garden Bistro in the Visitor Centre at the historic Rock Garden!
- 1185 York Boulevard, Hamilton Ontario
- Free parking available in the large lot across the street; accessible parking available directly outside the Visitor Centre.
- Now accessible via Hamilton Bike Share!
- Bus stop accessed by Burlington Transit and Hamilton Transit route 9 (seasonally)
905-527-1158 ext. 336
Our menu is offered daily, except during Sunday brunch hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lighter Fare
Rock Garden Salad Full $13 | Half $8
Greens | Cucumber | Cherry Tomato | Heirloom Carrot | Radish | Rock vinaigrette
Heirloom Tomato Salad Full $18 | Half $13
Heirloom Grape Tomatoes | Balsamic Glaze | Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Arugula | Crouton | Cucumber | Grilled Onion | Feta
Mediterranean Platter $17
Hummus | Crostini | Pita | Marinated Olive | Marinated Artichoke | Grape Tomato | Cucumber | Feta
Soup du Jour $7
Entrees
Steak and Frites $24
Flat Iron Steak | Potato Frites | Blistered Tomatoes | Arugula Salad | Café de Paris
Beef Dip $24
Shaved Beef | Vienna Loaf | Provolone | Jus | Pea Sprouts | Horseradish Aioli | Rock Salad or Kettle Chips
Pea Risotto Full $21 | Half $14
Risotto | Snap Peas | Mint Pea Puree | Pea Sprouts | Lemon Mint Oil | Grana Padano
Grilled Cheese $16
House-Made Focaccia | Tomato Jam | Cheddar | Mozzarella | Rock Salad or Kettle Chips
Add
Herbed Chicken Breast $9.50
Lake Erie Trout $12
Desserts
Daily Strudel $10
Chocolate Pot de Crème $12
Available Saturday & Sundays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bistro Brunch Buffet
Adults $33 | Children $22
Carvery
Breakfast Potatoes
Sausage
Bacon
Scrambled Eggs
Fruit Salad
Yogurt
Breakfast Breads
Coffee, Tea and Juice
À la Carte
$8 per item
Weekly selection including Hashes, Bennies, Waffles, Pancakes
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.
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.
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 Rock Garden Bistro. Garden Admission would be required should you wish to visit the gardens before / after your meal.
Other RBG dining locations:
- Garden Admission is required to dine at the Greenhouse Café.
- Guests with a Tea House reservation will be granted access to Hendrie Park on date of the reservation, no additional admission required. Please present your OpenTable confirmation upon entry.
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 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.
Book online today through OpenTable or for larger groups, call 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.
