Saint James

If you’re in Hamilton and looking for a spot that balances comfort, creativity, and quality, Saint James is an easy recommendation. We stopped in recently and were impressed from start to finish. I ordered The Gatsby, and it truly lived up to its name. The sandwich was generous and beautifully balanced – layers of hearty ingredients with just the right mix of textures, held together by perfectly toasted croissant . Each bite felt indulgent yet thoughtful, not heavy but deeply satisfying. The Smoked Salmon and Eggs dish was equally memorable. The salmon was silky and fresh, paired elegantly with eggs that were cooked just right. The combination had a nice balance of richness and brightness, making it feel both nourishing and refined. To round things out, we had a latte that was smooth, creamy, and well-crafted – clearly made with care. It paired perfectly with the meal and gave the whole experience a warm, inviting finish. The atmosphere at Saint James adds to the charm: cozy, modern, and welcoming without being fussy. Service was attentive but relaxed, which made us feel at ease. Overall, Saint James delivers a standout brunch experience in Hamilton. The food is creative yet grounded, the coffee is top-notch, and the vibe is exactly what you’d hope for in a neighborhood favorite. Definitely worth a return visit.

I was craving avocado toast this morning and my algorithms suggested the Saint James Espresso Bar & Eatery. Thank you Google! To think I've passed this place so many times before and never knew what I was missing. It has an inviting, cozy decor, stellar customer service (shoutout Emma) and the food is absolutely delicious. You can tell the ingredients are top notch. Will I be back again?? Most definitely!! I have my eye on other items on their menu that I want to try.

Cute little place to I go for breakfast or brunch.....or just for a nice long chat with a friend over a delicious cuppa whatever coffee or warm drink you like. It seats around 20 and has table options. Some for that quiet chat, some to be on you own facing the side window and some on the community table if you want to share your space. Food was fresh and tasty. You order and pay at the order area, then go to your table where they will serve your food when it's ready. Parking is side street with a little walk or pay at the street parking meters. Would go there again with a friend to chat with a cappuccino in hand and baked good.

We went to Saint James in Hamilton for breakfast for the first time, and it was such a great experience! Our waitress, Emma, was absolutely amazing,friendly, attentive, and made us feel so welcome. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the service overall was wonderful. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a great breakfast spot. Can’t wait to go back!

The pancake stack was delicious. Great coffee too. It just took a while for breakfast to arrive and they didn’t seem that busy. Other than that no complaints!

Saint James is a very inviting space!! It's a great brunch spot for the weekend and to visit with friends. We came during lunch time, around 1 pm, and it was packed with excited customers! Understandably so, since it was Around The Bay race weekend. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted warmly and happily by staff (didn't get her name, it was a woman with brown hair). While waiting, they have their menus attached to clipboards hung on the wall, which was so useful! Loved that the kitchen was open concept. We had the cinnamon roll scone, Malibu breakfast sandwiches, and pancake stacks of the week (cherry). Everything tasted delicious and so fresh!! As for space, it's a little bit tight, but it's all good. The atmosphere is wonderful and you can tell how lively it is as soon as you enter! Can smell the delicious food from inside!!

An exclusive, spotless café with absolutely delicious food. We loved everything! The Gatsby croissant and caramel latte were beyond amazing. Super friendly staff. Truly a hidden gem of Hamilton!

I’ve visited several times, dining both indoors and outdoors, and every experience has been fantastic. The location is perfect, the service is outstanding, and the food is always fresh and flavorful. Even the takeout is exceptional. Absolutely recommend!

Food was so delicious! Service was great, small joint but we were able to find a spot every visit. Folks that dine there were also very kind. Highly recommend stopping in for a snack, meal or a warm drink, you will really enjoy it.

The space is quite small and feels more of like a quick stop than a sit down restaurant. I got the Golden Oldie - the sausage was a bit salty, but the eggs were nice and crispy. I also got a cortado which I'd recommend.

Solid brunch spot in the Hamilton area. We came here and sat outside on the patio. It's a small space but they use it well with indoor and outdoor seating. We were able to order before the kitchen closed for the day. They took our order and we paid then sat down to wait for our meals. I ordered the Malibu- breakfast sandwich with arugula, avocado, bacon, egg, hash brown and chilli mayo. The rest of the group also ordered some other things. I enjoyed my sandwich. Everything I saw coming out of the kitchen looked good. Solid Hamilton brunch/cafe.

Came on a Saturday around 11 am. Waited about 15 mins for a table. The cafe only has a few seats as it's small. If you sit near the kitchen it can get a bit smoky. After being seated you'd order and pay at the cashier first. We had to ask for napkins and utensils. We tried the almond croissant. It tasted like it was a day old, it was a bit stale. Also tried the matcha latte and chai latte. Both tasted a bit watered down. The open face sour dough toast however was good. Tried the smoked salmon over scrambled egg and a fried egg over mushrooms. Both recommended.

Match latte was the most watered down drink I've ever had and for that price it wasn't worth it

Love this place! I had take out here a few years ago and have been thinking of coming back since. I dined it this time, and it still lived up to the expectations. The food was delicious and so fresh. The drive thru sandwich is so good and flavourful. The potato is so crispy. Also love the pancake and mushroom toast. Everything was honestly so good and I would easily order it again. I came here on a Friday late morning and the place was empty. I bet it's packed on weekends given their limited seating space. I have bookmarked this place and will drop by anytime I am near Hamilton.

Yummmmmmm!! I love food, especially brunch food. But I also can't eat as much as my eyes can. I'll be that person that orders like 3 dishes, take a bite of everything and pack it to go cause I got too full. This place! Granted I've only ordered one dish ( I was supposed to meet my family at a winery after this for a tasting/lunch drinking). I just really really wanted their pancakes. Tried the day before but yelp hours were wrong and they were closed earlier. Well, good things come to those who wait. Or persisted. Parking was a nightmare too but glad I found it and got to try their food plus their latte. All under 25 minutes :D The short stack aka their pancakes currently are marrion berry with mascarpone. Lemon ricotta pancakes! The only pancakes I have ever ate/ finished!! EVER! Never finished anything before except like a piece of sashimi (tiny). This was that good. Their latte was pretty and strong too. Naturally I had to let the staff know about the best pancakes ever. They did a little victory jump/dance! You guys are so cool! Definitely coming back :)

Stopped by for a quick bite the other day in Hamilton. Enjoyed The Golden Oldie which was a great serving of soft scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes and toast. The food came out quickly and staff were able to accommodated our walk in group of 7 with ease. Would like to come back to try the rest of their menu.

The place was small inside however eating outside in the tables outside were really cool. The Malibu English muffin was really delicious. Employees were really amiable and friendly. The coke and coffee was nasty but that one is one me. 100% recommend this place for breakfast in Hamilton!

Decided on the falafel wrap as I wasn't a breakfast food kind of person. I expected more from the falafel wrap like how middle eastern places makes up.For $13, it's not worth it. My group also order the homemade fries and the regular fries, it was very salty. We had a group of 4 and we had to sit near the garbage can as it was the only seats. unfortunately there were alot of flies around our tables.

i stopped by here to grab my friend and i some warm drinks & food while we were waiting in line on record store day! we ordered large almond milk lattes and scones (one blueberry and one maple). it was all really tasty and perfect for the gloomy weather. i'd probably only give it 4.5 stars since it'd be really great if they had a way to warm up their baked goods before serving :)

Best. brunch. ever. We arrived just before 11:30 on Sunday morning and were told it would be about a half hour wait (as expected), so we left our number and went to explore some of the shops next door. We received a call in less than ten minutes that a table was ready for us. There's only a few things on their breakfast menu, but I think every item is worth trying. I ordered the pancakes, while my friends ordered the aged cheese belt with home fries and the avocado toast. Each dish was delicious in its own way (having sampled all three). I'm not usually a pancake person, but these were especially fluffy and were complemented well by blueberries and syrup. Their vanilla latte was also fantastic and a hearty addition to my meal. If you're in Hamilton, definitely try to drop by Saint James. You won't regret it.

After doing a quick Yelp search, I decided to visit this place for brunch on a Saturday morning. The place was already quite packed by around 10am, so we opted to sit in their cute little patio. Onto their food.. I was quite disappointed overall, as I expected more from them after seeing such great past reviews. We ordered: 1) French toast with mango and coconut ($14): This dish looked way better than it tasted - it was overly sweet and the toast itself didn't have much of a taste at all. 2) Home fries ($4): Hands down the best home fries I've ever had! Honestly, I would come back just for those fries.. just thinking about them right now is making me salivate. They were not cut into traditional small pieces; rather, there were varying sizes of potato chunks and skin that were fried to perfection! Super crispy and well salted. This is the only 3) Drip coffee ($3.25): I wasn't a fan of their coffee; it tasted really sour to me :( Overall, I don't see the hype with this place; it was also quite expensive for the portion sizes. I would give their regular weekday menu a try if I return to Hamilton. Otherwise, I'd say that if you're ever there for a weekend brunch, definitely opt for the home fries and something else other than the french toast.

Went to a coffee shop accross the street for a cappuccino and it was so bad that I had to throw it in the garbage. Then I saw this place and came in in hope to get a proper one. It was more than satisfying. The staff was nice and the place is beautiful. The cappuccino was excellent! I've also noticed their menu which seems very good. Would come back for sure the next time I'm in town.

This place is a must go to if you are ever in Hamilton! The staff is VERY KIND AND FRIENDLY, my boyfriends mom and I stopped by on one occasion when they were about to close but they still served us and let us sit and chat for a bit. The coffee is good, and I heard brunch there is amazinng. I saw a group of people eating and it looked and smelled delicious. Its also super cute inside, has a few tables good for working/studying, if you can cope with noise of the coffee makers and rustling and bustling of people talking. Overall very pleased!

So I have heard amazing things about Saint James. Everyone I know in Hamilton has told me about the pancakes, so I thought it would be great to finally try them. And wow, they were scrumptious! I don't think I have ever enjoyed pancakes as much these. The other meals looked great, and the coffee was splendid. We were super excited to get to enjoy a less-busy restaurant, and I loved the design and the large windows which overlooked James Street. I definitely would recommend this spot to those looking for a more intiment and unique dining experience in Hamilton. Saint James truly has its own personality, and it's a gift to Hamilton's food scene.

Good quality Excellent service Clean restaurant Loved it here drive thru is so yummy

Wow! What a find. We were visiting Hamilton from Atlanta (to attend the Hamilton Film Festival) and really didn't know what the food scene was like. Everything about our experience was fantastic. Friendly service, great atmosphere and seriously terrific food. My wife had The Huntsman and I had the Avocado Toast. I could have eaten another order because it was so delicious. We loved the limited menu. Such a smart idea. Just do a few things and do them really well. Keep up the great work! If we find ourselves back in Hamilton again we will dine at St. James again!

Saint James was a cute little spot downtown Hamilton. We've heard great things from our friends and co workers so decided to take a check it out. Food - Although the menu was small, the food was made with absolute perfection and love. The pancakes were fluffy and the avocado toast was not soggy which is a plus. The potatoes were crispy and I think twice fried/baked. Location - The location is perfect and beautiful on the inside. They have a little patio on the outside for additional space. It's quite tight on the inside, meaning there isn't much room for large parties or there may be a wait time, which there was for us (about a half hour on a Sunday morning). Reservations - They do not take reservations (or at least they didn't for brunch) so I'd recommend going early, putting your name on the list and taking a stroll downtown. The food is definitely worth it.

Do you like breakfast? Do you like hipster fare? Well then, take a visit to Saint James! The logo, a cool skull, immediately catches your eye as you pass the store front. Breakfast smells delight your senses as you walk through the door. Although this is a small venue, the host will take your name and phone number down to notify you of a spot. Very accommodating! My partner and I got in this place in about 5 minutes. We got the wonderful window seats. She ordered the french toast pancake stack and I ordered the avocado toast, side of bacon. Hands down, this is the best brunch we've ever had. The pancakes were fluffy and full of cinnamon toast crunch flavour. The syrup drowned the pancakes in a perfect way. My avocado toast was so, so flavourful. Not bland at all. Avocado was buttery. There was a slight pronunciation of chili flakes and savoury olive oil. I detected hints of citrus to cut the richness of the meal. And the bacon....was amazing! Just the way I like it. Not too crisp and not to...flubby? The server was very polite and interjected at the right moments. Saint James, we'll be back one day!

Hamilton brunch gem. It's so cute and we were lucky to grab a spot on a sunday morning as soon as we walked in. It's such an adorable place to take a date - in fact, there was a tinder date going on right beside our table. Menu is small but that's good because it guarantees quality & makes it easier to choose. I had to go with the white girl inside of me and go with the avocado toast. It was $12 and I was expecting maybe a small piece of wonderbread with some browned avocado and a measly egg. What came made my jaw drop. Huge portion of thick, good quality rye bread topped with a whole avocado that was fresh and evenly spread across the toast. On top of that was a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg, plenty of lentils and some feta and chili flakes on top. The combo of everything together tasted bomb dot com. Tastebuds exploded and so did my mind. Boyfriend got the woodsman because there was meat in it, obviously... men can't live without their meat. ;) It came in a good portion with delicious homefries that didn't taste plain and regular. The coffee presses and machines they use here are amazing and that's a sight in itself. Looked so high tech and new. Lots of espresso options here, but I went with a freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. Prices are average for brunchin' but definitely worth the aesthetic and atmosphere. Given that we were the only asians in here, we are definitely a fan of white girl brunchin'

4.5 Stars! Venturing out to Hamilton for some goodies. Cruising around downtown and stumbled upon this cute cafe/bar. The ambience is clean and hip. It is a very tiny place but not hard to find. We ordered 1) apple crumble shortstack, 2) mushroom toast, and the to die for 3) the drive thru. All were very delicious but of course "the drive thru" is our favourite! The combination of all the ingredients plus the chilli mayo was a mouth full of yumminess. We thought $6 for that was well worth it! Close behind was the mushroom toast which I would also suggest ordering. Was able to enjoy this meal with their dripped coffee but was saddened that they didn't have enough for two. Our waitress was courteous and nice. She even offered coffee alternatives due to the inconvenience, but we decided to go with a fresh grapefruit juice. Definitely a must try if you're in the area. Hope you think of me when you're having The Drive Thru!

Such a great spot for breakfast or brunch dates because of their small, intimate space and great food. I came here not knowing how life-changing those pancakes would be, but to this day I am STILL craving them from time to time that I am seriously considering moving to Hamton just because I need these pancakes in my life! Unreal! Aside from their heavenly enveloped pancakes which are doused in maple syrup, blueberries and bananas with some crunchy oats, I tried their breakfast sandwich which looks VERY similar to a McDonald's egg McMuffin sandwich - theirs actually came with the hash brown INSIDE of it (super yomz) and only cost me $6! Amazing! Because it is such a small space, it's best to come early or be prepared to wait for some time. The wait might not be that long depending on the time of day, but it will feel cramped. There is outdoor seating available, but I like being indoors for this kind of food. Would highly recommend and am most likely coming back as soon as possible.

Wow. What an awesome spot in Hamilton! We came on the recommendation of a friend and I couldn't be more thankful. The place has limited seating, but it's well worth the wait to get a table and eat at this awesome little spot. Let's start with the coffee. I ordered the steam punk, which they were brewing with transcend beans. I'm sad to say I've never seen these steam punk machines before, but they are so cool! The coffee was really good too. It was a perfect way to start the St. James experience. Now for the food. From what I've heard it appears that St James changes their menu regularly. So what I ordered may not be exactly what is on the menu when you go. Regardless, everything we ordered was AMAZING. We'll start with what I ordered - the Avocado Toast. This type of thing is my jam when it comes to coffee shop breakfasts, and this one did not disappoint. It was on a bed of sourdough and had peppers, red salsa, a fried egg, lentils, and avocado (obviously). It was a great size and a solid breakfast. We also ordered pancakes for the table. I feel that it's my duty to inform you - if pancakes are offered when you're there, ORDER THEM ALL. Just say "hi there, id like every pancake you can make please." Seriously, when I write that these are the best pancakes I've ever had, that isn't an exaggeration. Wow these are good. So fluffy. The syrup. The fruit. Everything. Mouth watering as I'm writing this. Ugh I want more... Overall, definitely stop in here if you want good coffee, great food, and excellent service. Highly recommend.

What more can you ask for for what it's going for. Quick stops with a menu that constantly changes. Bunch of different options to appeal to all those savvy diet folk. Tight knit seating and a smaller place. Would recommend for breakfast/brunch.

This is easily one of the best coffee shops I've been to in North America. As somewhat of a coffee snob I could tell between the small but appetizing cafe menu, the intimate and warm setting and of course the baristas pulling shots from a La Marzoccco machine that this was going to be aces. We started off with an iced latte and a cortado - both exceptional, especially the iced latte. The coffee still maintained a lot of it's subtle complexity and the barista really minimized the bitterness which espresso can often have. It was so good in fact, I ordered a second iced latte and bought a bag of Transcend Coffee (an Edmonton based roaster) for my home espresso machine. I ordered the mushroom toast and my wife ordered the pancakes. The mushroom toast sounds simple but was quickly elevated by balsamic and goat cheese - very delicious and hearty. The pancakes were excellent as well, being very fluffy and nicely paired with fresh berries and a contrasting crunch from what seemed to be honeycomb (maybe?). This coffee shop is legit, don't miss it.

Stopped in for a quick breakfast. Surprisingly some of the best coffee I've ever had, and the food was unique and delicious.

So many improvements to this section of Hamilton, really nice to see.. I prefer coffee elsewhere, the interior gets jammed/busy going in and out (not the best design or set up). Good food options, adds to the area.

We were quick to visit after the NYTimes story (Five Places to Go in Hamilton, Ontario: https://nyti.ms/2w0piFj) and were generally happy we did. An americano ($3.25 - ok but a bit weak) and an earl grey tea ($3 - served, tepid, one single teacup serving with no accompanying teapot) were not auspicious starts but the server was hospitable and attentive. We ordered the smoked salmon toast ($16 for a slice of delic bread, topped with perfectly cooked scrambled eggs, three slices of mediocre smoked salmon, lovely goat cheese and a sprinkling of chives) and the falafel salad (unctuous falafel balls, lentil and lettuce salad). Good food but way overpriced.

Met up with friends for brunch here and got lucky enough to sit outside on the patio. Each of us ordered something different and we all loved everything we got. The coffee here is also amazing!! Staff was polite and food was gorgeous at such a great price. Would totally recommend:)

My favourite restaurant in the city. Sadly I don't believe they do their pan-seared banana bread with compote anymore but if you do ever happen to see it on the menu do not hesitate to order it. It may be the best thing I've ever eaten.

this is the best breakfast of my life! we were visiting the Toronto area from Montreal and we were close to Hamilton and we found this place. it is a small place and we had to wait 20minutes for a table of 4 and i'm so happy we did! they have a coconut espresso latte that i was very interested to get and.... it was the best latte in the world!!!! our breakfasts were amazing!!!!! only fresh ingredients, attention to detail, beautifully plated, amazing potatoes, and friendly staff

Hands down one of the best brunch places I've been to. They're kinda small so there isn't a lot of seats. We put our name down on the waiting list and was told it would be around 45 mins. We got the call in about 30 mins. Since it was the weekend, they only have about 4 brunch items on the menu. I believe they have a different menu each weekend and another menu for mon-fri. I got the smoked salmon and eggs Benedict item and it's definitely one of the best brunch I've ever had. Their hollandaise sauce, eggs, smoked salmon and asparagus was done well and it all went well together on their toast. The dish came with the best fried potatoes. I would definitely come back.

Great breakfast, the main problem with this place is the coffee beans, they are absolutely atrocious. Very bitter coffee. Especially in the espressos. I've been going to the coffee store down the street and then eating breakfast there.

Every item is perfectly cooked and a delicious selection of complementary flavours. Limited seating so come early.

The service and food was excellent. Small and trendy little joint on james street. The servers were very friendly. Food menu is pretty small but it will satisfy all savory and sweet brunch preferences. They use fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and change there menu quite often, which gives a new twist for regular customers. Overall I had a great experience and will definitely come again.

Really yummy food! When we went there on a Sunday morning for brunch at 10 am it was already full. We waited about 5 minutes to be seated. The service was courteous and the waitresses were very polite. They suggested an avocado toast for us as we both were vegetarians and it turned out great! We also had a side of roast potatoes which were perfectly done. Overall, it was a very pleasant experience!

The tiny brunch spot that could! Big flavour coming from a small restaurant! You get the point... the wait is very much worth it. A tad on the pricey side for breakfast/brunch but the portion sizes are hefty!

I came here for early breakfast with a group of 4. This was one of the only places open at 8am on a Saturday on James N. I was surprised that their menu is so small, but it seems like they do it well. We had the avocado toast and the French toast. Both of the toasts were made so well. The place is small and was getting crowded as we were leaving. I will definitely come back!

Jolene C. Is on crack this place is amazing. Coffee is so good - they use thousand dollar machines. The avocado or mushroom toast is out of this world. And the potato's are super. 6 stars

This place seems to be very popular and I can kinda see why. The location is popular and the food presented on instagram looks bomb. I had the short rib grilled cheese sandwich with frites. It was good but not amazing. I actually quite enjoyed the fries more. The menu is on the pricier side.

Beautiful, simple and elegant. I loved my espresso and steampunk coffee. Very affordable as well. I would have liked to know more about the region where the coffee came from and about their process- but they were a little busy when I got there. Great job, St. James!

Latte was great! So many amazing changes happen to James St N and this coffee place tops the list.

Such a good coffee place. They have all kind of goodies. My favourite are the americanos and lattes here. Strong and fluffy. Honestly perfect coffee. I've had a blonde and brownie there, both were really tasty. It's a little pricey, that's my only down side, but honestly it's great. I really wanna try their food, will update when I try out there food goodies.

Maybe the best breakfast ever! Ambience is cozy and welcoming. The ingredients are top notch and the coffee outstanding. Servers are friendly and helpful. Best banana bread; and egg dishes presented beautifully!

Amazing place for food, coffee and vibe. Had to wait 20 min for a table on a Saturday - totally expected - morning but able to have a coffee and sit on the bench outside. Once seated very friendly and quick service for two delicious meals. Can't wait to go again.

I was desperately seeking a cup of coffee and something to eat, when I came across Saint James. It was the weekend of Super Crawl, so they were serving a compressed menu. I ordered their Drive Through egg sandwich and a cappuccino. The sandwich was post-party breakfast perfection! An egg with a nice soft yolk, a zesty sausage patty, crispy hash browns, and a yummy chili mayo. It was delicious! The cappuccino was also fantastic! The next time I'm in Hamilton, I'll surely visit Saint James.

This place is adorable. It is quite small so you'll be lucky if you get a spot during a busy time, but the food is so fresh and I love how the menu is written on big brown paper! I also had an "Ice Ice Baby" iced coffee and it was super delicious! Very good spot and I'll definitely be returning!

Best quick casual breakfast (Woodsman $12) and cheap breakfast sandwich (Drive-Thu $6) stands up to the best ... I mean, even Egg Slut ... if you want great coffee and cheap easy causal food, that's on point, this is the joint. Attention by owners should be given to seating - which is problematic. A bench around the perimeter opposite the take-out side of the room will allow provide comfortable seating along the window and south wall, with better/higher occupancy and less disturbance from take-out traffic, over your shoulder, and drafts in the winter as the door opens and closes continuously. Big thumbs up - My go to in the hammer.