Skip to content
Open Today: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All Hours

Rock Garden Bistro

Citrus salad with grapefruit, red onion, feta cheese, microgreens, and nuts
  • At Rock Garden (1185 York Blvd. Hamilton)
  • Reservations are highly recommended. Walk-ins accepted based on availability.

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.

Current Hours:

  • Wed to Fri (Lunch Menu): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Saturday (Lunch Menu) and Sunday (Brunch Menu): 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.*

  • *Open to 2 p.m. if there are evening events that require earlier closure

Please note: The Bistro is sometimes booked for private events, so please ensure you make a reservation in advance on OpenTable to ensure you are not disappointed.

Exceptions may apply. Check back before your visit. Please note: outdoor Rock Garden hours may differ.

Today’s Hours

Seasonal Hours

  • Wed-Fri 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat/Sun 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (May 6 to Sep 7)

Exceptions

  • May 14 CLOSED for a private event
  • May 18 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Jun 6 CLOSED for a private event
  • Jul 18 Available to the Enchanted Garden ticketholders only
  • Jul 19 Available to the Enchanted Garden ticketholders only

Find the Rock Garden Bistro in the Visitor Centre at the historic Rock Garden!

Golden beet gazpacho with feta, pickled chilis, nuts, arugula, and pickled beets
Potato chip crusted pickerel plated with an orzo salad and purple cabbage slaw
Peach tart dessert plated with strawberries, blueberries, mint, and light icing sugar
Shrimp with microgreens and pickled chilis in a bowl, plated next to toasted foccacia

Lunch Menu

Our lunch menu is available Wednesday through Saturday, while our Brunch Menu is served on Sundays.

Lighter Fare

Soup du Jour $7

Orzo Salad $13
Arugula | Sundried Tomato | Cucumber | Red Onion | Bell Pepper | Herb Vinaigrette
V | NF

Rock Salad $13
Greens | Shaved Fennel | Radicchio | Grape Tomato | Cucumber | Heirloom Carrot | Red Onion | Radish | Rock Vinaigrette
V | GF | NF

Gazpacho $13
Yellow Beet Gazpacho | Pickled Red Beet | Feta | Sunflower Seed | Arugula | Pickled Chili
VG | GF | NF | VO

White Bean Truffle Dip $17
Focaccia | Cucumber | Fresh Herb
V | NF

Bruschetta Platter $19
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta | Whipped Feta | Focaccia | Balsamic
VG | VO | GFO

Citrus Salad $21
Grapefruit | Orange | Fennel | Greens | Feta | Sunflower Seed | Red Onion | Citrus Vinaigrette
VG | GF | NF | VO

Rock Shrimp $23
Garlic Herb Beurre Blanc | Focaccia | Pickled Chili
NF | DFO | GFO

Charcuterie $23
Selection of Cured Meats, Cheeses, Preserves
GFO | NF

Entrees

Chef’s Daily Frittata $17
VG | GF

Primavera $18
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta | Zucchini | Bell Pepper | Garlic Herb Beurre Blanc | Linguini | Pickled Chili
VG | VO | NF

Below Items served with choice of Side Orzo Salad, Rock Salad, Fries, or Soup

Bruschetta Grilled Cheese $20
Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta | Provolone | Feta | Focaccia
VG | NF

Potato Crusted Pickerel $22
Cabbage Slaw | Remoulade | Pickled Chili
DF

Grilled Chicken Piccata $22
Cabbage Slaw | Piccata Sauce | Pickled Chili
GF | NF | DFO

Bistro Burger $24
House Patty | Arugula | Swiss Cheese | Mushrooms | Remoulade | Brioche Bun
GFO | DFO | VO

Fish Sandwich $24
Potato Crusted Pickerel | Cabbage Slaw | Remoulade | Pickled Chili | Brioche Bun
NF | GFO

Add Protein (to any Entree or Light Fare)

  • Shrimp $13 GF | DFO | NF
  • Crusted Pickerel $12 GF | DF | NF
  • Grilled Chicken $10 GF | DF | NF

Desserts

Gelato $7
V | GF | NF

Daily Tart $11
VG

Brownie $12
V | GF


Brunch Menu

Available Sundays only.

Vegan and Gluten-Free items available.

Feature Frittata $16 (VG, GF, NF, DFO)

Eggs Florentine $16 (VG, GFO, NF)
English Muffin | Spinach | Poached Egg | Hollandaise

Eggs Benedict $18 (GFO, NFO)
English Muffin | Peameal Bacon | Poached Egg | Hollandaise

Eggs Royale $20 (GFO, NF)
English Muffin | Smoked Salmon | Poached Egg | Hollandaise

Feature Waffle $18 (VG, NFO)

Monte Cristo $19 (GFO)
Brioche French Toast | Ham | Gruyère | English Mustard

Above items served with choice of
Rock Salad | Home fries | Grilled Tomato | Sausage | Bacon

Add Extra Side $5.50

Rock Breakfast $18 (DF, GFO, VO)
Eggs | Home fries | Sausage or Bacon | Toast | Grilled Tomato

Pork Hash $21 (GF, DF, VO)
Home Fries | Poached Egg | Pork Trio | Onion | Squash | Hollandaise | Grilled Tomato


While we are happy to accommodate dietary preferences and will do our utmost to reduce the risk of cross-contact, our kitchen handles gluten and other common allergens. As such, we cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free from trace contamination. Guests with severe allergies, including those with celiac disease, are advised to use their discretion when dining with us.

Rock Garden Bistro FAQs

Have a question about your reservation? Get in touch online.

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:

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.