| 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, many picked straight from our gardens! 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 Thurs to Sun: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; (Closed Mon to Wed)
- NOTE: often unavailable Fridays and Saturdays due to booked private events. See date exceptions below 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 Sep 1)
Exceptions
- Dec 25 Christmas Day: Closed
- Dec 26 Boxing Day: Closed
- Jan 1 New Year's Day: Closed
- Apr 24 Closed due to private event.
- May 2 Closed due to private event.
- May 9 CLOSED for a private event
- May 10 CLOSED for a private event
- May 16 CLOSED for a private event
- May 19 CLOSED for a private event
- May 20 CLOSED for a private event
- May 23 CLOSED for a private event
- May 24 CLOSED for a private event
- May 31 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 5 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 7 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 8 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 14 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 15 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 21 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 22 CLOSED for a private event
- Jun 28 CLOSED for a private event
- Jul 19 CLOSED for a private event
- 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
- Sep 26 CLOSED for a private event
- Sep 27 CLOSED for a private event
- Oct 25 CLOSED for a private event
- Nov 7 CLOSED for a private event
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 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lighter Fare
Baked Artichoke Dip $15 – VG
Crostini | Pita Chips | Marinated Olives | Charred Tomato | Heirloom Carrot | Grilled Lemon
French Onion Soup $17
Spanish Onions | Pancetta | Chicken & Beef Broth | Crostini | Gruyere Cheese
Cheese Plate $23 – VG
Daily Cheese Selection | Crostini | Spiced Compote | Spiced Pecans | Fruit
Salads
Rock Salad $15 – V, GF
Cherry Tomato | Cucumber | Heirloom Carrot | Radish
Winter Squash Salad $18 – VG, GF
Arugula | Acorn Squash | Parsnip | Carrot | Maple Shallot Vinaigrette | Goat Cheese | Spiced Pecan | Macerated Cranberry
Chicken Waldorf $22 – GF, DF
Grapes | Apple | Fennel | Celery | Walnut | Frisée
Entrées
Chef’s Daily Frittata $16 – VG, GF
Ask your server about today’s feature
Grilled Cheese $16 – VG
House-Made Focaccia | Tomato Jam | Rock Salad
Stuffed Acorn Squash $21 – V, GF
Roast Acorn Squash | Quinoa | Walnut | Mushroom | Parsnip | Carrot | Cranberries | Arugula Salad
French Beef Dip $24
Shaved Brisket | Vienna Loaf | Provolone | Sautéed Mushrooms | Balsamic Onions | Jus | Kettle Chips
Gnocchi al la Vodka $24
House-Made Potato Gnocchi | Pancetta | Caramelized Onion | Arugula | Vodka Rose Sauce
Rainbow Trout $28 – GF
6oz Rainbow Trout Fillet | Acorn Squash Puree | Roasted Brussels with Pancetta | Meuniere Sauce | Spiced Pecan
Maple Dijon Chicken $28 – GF, DF
7oz Chicken Supreme | Quinoa Salad | Acorn Squash Puree | Maple Dijon Glaze
Steak Frites $36 – GF
6oz California-Cut Striploin | Frites | Mushroom Brandy Cream Sauce
Dessert
Sticky Toffee Pudding $12 – VG
Orange Dulce De Leche | Candied Orange
Apple Spiced Charlotte $11 – GF, V
Spiced Apple Compote | Chai Spiced Pound Cake
Chocolate Earl Grey Tart $10 – VG
Chocolate Crémeux | Earl Grey Pastry Cream | Vanilla Genoise
Available Sundays and holiday Mondays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rock Breakfast $17
2 Eggs, Choice of Protein | Home Fries | Toast
Breakfast Sandwich $18
Peameal Bacon | Fried Provolone | Over Easy Egg | Red Pepper Aioli | Rock Salad
French Toast $16 |VEG
Challah Bread stuffed with Caramelized Banana Nutella | Egg Batter | Whipped Cream | Coulis | Berries
Winter Squash Salad $18 | VG, DF
Arugula, Acorn Squash | Parsnip | Carrot | Maple Shallot Vinaigrette | Goat Cheese | Spiced Pecan | Macerated Cranberry
Stuffed Acorn Squash $21 V, GF
Roast Acorn Squash | Quinoa | Walnut | Mushroom | Parsnip | Carrot | Cranberries | Arugula Salad
Chef’s Daily Frittata $16 | VEG, GF
Eggs Benedict $18
Peameal Bacon | Poached Eggs | English Muffin | Hollandaise | Rock Salad
Eggs Florentine $15 | VEG
Spinach | Poached Eggs | English Muffin | Hollandaise | Rock Salad
Eggs Royale $20
Smoked Salmon | Poached Eggs | English Muffins | Hollandaise | Rock Salad
Grilled Cheese $16 | VEG
House-Made Focaccia | Cheddar, Mozzarella | Tomato Jam | Rock Salad
Banana Pancakes $20 | V
Vegan Banana Pancakes | Coulis | Berries | Coconut Whipped Cream
Brisket Skillet $22 | GF, DF
Shredded Braised Brisket | Home Fries | 2 Eggs | Baked Tomato | Jus
Sides
- Fruit Salad $6
- Toasted Brioche $3
- 2 Eggs $4
- Home fries $4
- Peameal Bacon $5
- Sausage $6
- Bacon $5
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.
