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Bar - The Standard, Hamilton, ON

The Standard

4.7
4.7
300 Reviews
CAN$31 to CAN$50
Contemporary Canadian
12 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2J9

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for groups
THE STANDARD:
[the stan-dard] Noun

1. a high level of quality or attainment, established by general consent as the model or example by which all should be measured.
2. set up or established as a rule for the measure of quality of which is upheld.

The Standard. One of Hamilton's most revered restaurants, has laid down its roots on James St N. With our everchanging menu, seasonal & local inspiration and forward approach to dining, our commitment to excellence shows in everything we do. We strive to provide a memorable experience each day, it is just what we love to do.

From our in house butchery or cooking over charcoal, to working with local suppliers in our community We challenge the way we all think about Food & Drink.

If its a night out with friends, an intimate dinner for two, or just something extraordinary like sitting at our chefs table, We take each day as a new challenge to provide something amazing. It’s a bold statement and that’s why we make it with The Standard.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Canadian, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 4:30 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (289) 619-0955
  • Website
    http://www.thestandardhamilton.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Michael Cipollo
  • Catering
    Let The Standard take care of all the details and bring the Standard to your next offsite event. Our event planner will work with our team to provide a seamless experience where you may need.
  • Private party facilities
    With a gorgeous and chic space, Our dedicated event team ensures every detail is covered, making your occasion unforgettable so you can enjoy the moment. Let us turn your vision into a reality. Whether a intimate dinner for a small group, a wedding or a corporate event. We set the standard
  • Private party contact
    Kate Persyn: (289) 619-0955
  • Location
    12 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2J9
  • Neighborhood
    Hamilton
  • Cross street
    James St. N. & King William Str.
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • 7-Course Chefs Table Menu

    CA$135.00 per person

    Multiple dates available
    The Chef's table is a 7-course, exclusive blind Tasting Menu, composed of the best of the season. These are ring side seats right in front of the Kitchen where you will get to see and experience the stress, pressure and rapid fire execution of how a fast-paced restaurant engine runs. This is not for the faint-hearted, your experience will give you a front row seat to how it all goes down. Strap in, it's going to be a hell of a ride. Elevate your experience with pairings from our reserve wine list or a mixology pairing form our bar team. Please note that we are unable to accommodate vegetarian, dairy/egg allergies, seafood allergies or aversions to raw meat/seafood. If there are any concerns, please reach out before booking a reservation.
    7-Course Chefs Table Menu Photo

  • Brunch at The Standard

    Feb 1, 2025 - Apr 30, 2025
    Enjoys brunch at The Standard with our la carte menu. The Standard is known for its everchanging menu offerings of creative and innovative dishes as well as classics reimagined. Whether its a intimate brunch for 2 or a large group let us show you how we set the standard when it comes to doing brunch. - No additional cost
    Brunch at The Standard Photo

  • Mothers Day 2025

    May 10, 2025 - May 11, 2025
    Celebrate Mom this Mothers Day with friends and family while indulging in our Chefs Mothers Day special la carte brunch menu. The Standard is known for its everchanging offering of creative and innovative dishes as well as classics reimagined. This Mothers Day allow us to show you how we set the standard when it comes to doing brunch. - Menu offered is a la carte - Mothers Days Macaroons Boxes are Limited
    Mothers Day 2025 Photo

Private dining

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 300 people are saying

The Standard reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.6Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Southern Ontario

    Contemporary Canadian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Standard in Hamilton offers a "wonderful experience" with "amazing food," "fantastic service," and a "vibrant atmosphere." Popular dishes include calamari, duck dumplings, and the Chef's Table menu. The "attentive" staff and "inventive menu" ensure "exceptional" dining. Reservations are recommended for this "must-visit" spot.

300 Reviews

  1. Maria

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, the food was decadent and the atmosphere was pleasant. Would definitely recommend to anyone and can’t wait to go back.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Yosie

    Toronto12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing experience, great ambience and well decorated. The hanger steak plus egg was so flavourful and cooked exactly how I asked for it, customer service beautiful. Anthony was professional, friendly, nice to talk to and knows his cocktails! I highly recommend this restaurant for brunch. Will have to come back and try dinner there. Love the place!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Nikki

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We loved our brunch visit… the biscuits were good, so was the smoked montreal meat and dessert. My bf didn’t really enjoy the cocktails but everything else was nice. Plus our server Leah/Liv (forgot what it was, sorry!) was attentive and cool.. loved the ambiance, the other servers were also very nice. It was a nice brunch date in Hamilton ☺️

    Is this helpful?

  4. OpenTable Diner

    Toronto1 review

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Our appetizer (beats and goat cheese) was excellent! It - along with two delicious glasses of wine - were the best parts of our meal. Both my wife's meal (grilled cauliflower) and mine (short rib) were charred. Neither of us understand why there's a trend to burn food. The inside of my short rib and the sauce and potatoes were delicious but unfortunately the flavour was tarnished by the burnt pieces. Charcoal doesn't taste good. The service and atmosphere was very nice.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Heather VIP

    Toronto8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food was delicious and service was even better than normal.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Steven

    Toronto2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Enjoyed the ambiance. We went before a show at Hamilton Place (that's what I still call it). Short walk over after a great meal. Attentive and friendly servers. The Beet appetizer was delicious and 3 of us shared it. Everything ordered was delicious and the presentation was top notch. Roasted Cauliflower, Hanger Steak and the Short Ribs were our orders. Passed on dessert, sipped on some coffee with Baileys. Definitely will be returning and hear from others that Brunch on the weekends is a can't miss.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Julia

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Went for Easter Sunday Brunch with family, first time at the Standard for all of us. Seated in the cellar dining room. Everything was perfect…from the Americano, to the service, and main course…but I’m going to dream about those buttermilk biscuits and maple bacon butter! Thank you…we will be back for sure.

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  8. crystel

    Montreal4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 18, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good food. We had the calamari, the 14oz steak, the butcher's cut, some side of potatoes and the mocha espresso cake. Everything was pretty good. Service was excellent. Nothing bad to say.

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  9. Robyn VIP

    Toronto8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was fantastic! Highly recommend the duck dumplings, calamari, anything from the wood fired section, and the tortellini! Service was great as well!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Michael

    Toronto5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always a great experience at The Standard. Kate was an attentive server and the food was outstanding. It’s now our ‘Go-To’ place in Hamilton.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Standard is rated 4.7 stars by 300 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. Canada
  3. Toronto / Ontario
  4. Southern Ontario
  5. Hamilton

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 28 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Standard

12 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 2J9

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    James St. N. & King William Str.
  • Neighborhood
    Hamilton
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat, Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 11:30 am–4:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 4:30 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:30 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    CAN$31 to CAN$50
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Canadian, Cocktail Bar, Wine Bar
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Public Lot
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Michael Cipollo
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.thestandardhamilton.com/
  • Phone number
    (289) 619-0955
  • Catering
    Let The Standard take care of all the details and bring the Standard to your next offsite event. Our event planner will work with our team to provide a seamless experience where you may need.
  • Private party facilities
    With a gorgeous and chic space, Our dedicated event team ensures every detail is covered, making your occasion unforgettable so you can enjoy the moment. Let us turn your vision into a reality. Whether a intimate dinner for a small group, a wedding or a corporate event. We set the standard
  • Private party contact
    Kate Persyn: (289) 619-0955
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