Welcome to The Standard
The Standard, located at 10 James St N, Hamilton, is an exceptional dining experience that seamlessly combines culinary artistry with warm hospitality. Renowned for its innovative Chef’s Table, each dish is a masterpiece, showcasing unique flavors and meticulous presentation. Diners rave about the vibrant cocktails and standout dishes like n’duja charred cabbage and maple bacon butter biscuits. The atmosphere is inviting, and the staff genuinely enhances the experience, proving their commitment to excellent service. Whether it’s a celebratory dinner or a casual brunch, The Standard promises extraordinary cuisine in a welcoming environment, making it a must-visit culinary gem in Hamilton.
- 10 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2J9, Canada Hotline: +1 289-619-0955
Welcome to The Standard, a culinary gem nestled at 10 James St N in Hamilton, Ontario. This restaurant is not just a dining destination; it’s an experience that marries exceptional food with a welcoming atmosphere. With praise pouring in from patrons who rave about their visits, it’s clear that The Standard has crafted a niche for itself in the vibrant local dining scene.
One of the standout features of The Standard is the unique Chef's Table experience. Reviewers like Chris D. have lauded it as the best restaurant in Hamilton. Imagine being seated at the heart of the action, where Chef Matthew Cipollo personally curates each dish. Every course comes with a story, revealing the thoughtful inspiration and meticulous techniques behind the culinary artistry that, as described, packs a punch of surprisingly satisfying flavors.
The menu boasts an array of dishes that don’t just taste incredible but visually captivate as well. Eden Lee’s birthday celebration included an Espresso Martini that elicited a “chef’s kiss” moment, while Emma Shipley was enamored with their Spiced Pear Mimosas and maple bacon butter biscuits. Each bite is crafted to please, ensuring freshness and flavor integrity, a sentiment echoed by multiple guests who appreciated the deliciousness, including iconic items like the n’duja charred cabbage.
The warm, friendly staff adds to the welcoming environment, creating a level of service that customers cherish. Gordana Kovac emphasized this in her review, noting how the staff’s enthusiasm enhances the dining experience. From the moment you step in, the team makes you feel right at home—making each visit not just meals, but an occasion filled with joy and delight.
For those pondering whether to indulge in brunch or dinner, The Standard caters to both with an exceptional touch. D Q’s experiences covered both ends of the spectrum, revealing that regardless of the time of day, the food and service are consistently remarkable. They describe not just a meal, but delightful memories made over shared flavors, a testament to The Standard’s ability to forge connections through food.
Pricing at The Standard is refreshingly reasonable compared to nearby brunch spots, as mentioned by Sherlette Nichola, making it an accessible treat for anyone in the area. This balance of quality and value is essential in today’s dining landscape, and The Standard has struck gold here.
In summary, The Standard stands out not only for its vibrant atmosphere and meticulous dishes, but also for its commitment to top-notch service. If you’re seeking a uniquely immersive dining experience in Hamilton, this should be on your list. Come and see why so many patrons are beckoning to return to this delightful establishment, where every meal is a culinary journey waiting to unfold.

We dined tonight here for the second time. It was fantastic. The staff is always friendly and welcoming! The drinks are fantastic and it's an absolute pleasure to watch the chefs create the beautiful art. Typically we bounce back and forth between here and undefined and we got to have a nice chat with Anthony tonight and he is always floating around taking care of business. It's nice to enter a place where the staff seem happy to be there. Thank you all again for a wonderful experience.

I’ve come with my partner twice (once for brunch and once for dinner) and both times have been so positive. We had Bella (brunch) and Kate (dinner) as servers (both so pretty and sweet! Bella actually recognized us the second time we came ). Aside from the awesome service, the food is super tasty. I LOVED the biscuits, the rhubarb custard tart, and the n’duja charred cabbage. We will definitely be back again, thank you!!

Everything about our night at The Standard was excellent. For the Chef's Tables, every dish had a unique and exciting flavor profile. The courses were well-paced and the portion sizes were not a problem at all. There were also a wide range of creative cocktails to choose from. The service was also exceptional, which really elevated our experience. We're definitely looking forward to coming back!

Celebrated one of my amazing friends birthdays here lastnight and everything was perfection, especially the service. The server was kind, patient and extremely accommodating. The food was incredible and their Espresso Martini, chefs kiss! Looking forward to our next visit.

Visited The Standard for brunch with a friend on the weekend and I was blown away with the whole experience! We both ordered the Spiced Pear Mimosas, delicious. We had the maple bacon butter biscuits and the flavours were phenomenal. I had the Smoked Meat, Egg and Fontina Melt and it was very flavourful. Everything tasted fresh and the portions were perfect! The staff were so friendly and sweet. I would love to go back and try their dinner menu, a great Hamilton gem!

The Best Restaurant in Hamilton – A Chef’s Table Experience Like No Other Five Stars! We had high expectations for The Standard, but after experiencing the Chef’s Table with Matthew Cipollo, I can confidently say—this is hands down the best restaurant in Hamilton! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was welcoming yet refined, setting the stage for what would be an unforgettable night. Sitting at the Chef’s Table was an experience like no other. Chef Cipollo personally served each dish, explaining every element with incredible depth—from the inspiration behind the dish to the techniques used and the perfect balance of flavors. Every course was a work of art, meticulously plated and packed with flavor combinations that were both surprising and deeply satisfying. You could taste the passion and precision in every bite. The wine pairings were spot-on, complementing each course flawlessly. For a first-time visit, The Standard exceeded every expectation. If you’re looking for a restaurant that delivers on exceptional food, world-class service, and a truly immersive dining experience, look no further. This is the best dining experience in Hamilton, full stop.

Came here with my wife for my birthday. Martha our server was amazing. She was very knowledgeable and coursed our meals perfectly. Amanda came over to talk to us. She was smiling and spoke very highly of the company. Alex made me a great cocktail called Death of a Bureaucrat. It was great and the smokey presentation was a hit The team looks like they love being here. It was by far one of my favorite dining experiences in years. Thank you to the staff and owners for making this birthday memorable.

I randomly visited The Standard as I was in the area looking for a brunch spot and the food was amazing. Every bite was flavourful, my palate was pleased. The price was very reasonable and comparable to other breakfast restaurants. The atmosphere was great, the wait staff was lovely but I did notice simple things like salt, pepper or sugar wasn’t provided with the tea, or eggs when served. I didn’t need them but it would’ve been nice to have them offered.