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Sunday, March 26 - Around the Bay Race Road Closure Notice: Please be advised that York Blvd. will be closed and a segment of Plains Rd. W. will be reduced to one lane for the Around the Bay Road Race. RBG Centre remains open but the Rock Garden and Rock Garden Bistro will not open until 1:30 p.m. Increased traffic congestion is expected during the race.

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.

  • fish plated with broccoli and microgreens
  • pickeral cake topped with a corn slaw
  • close up of mussels topped with microgreens
  • three bottles of white on ice
  • beet gravlax on toast with a side garden salad

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!

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.

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