I've been seeing Bean Bar all over Instagram and during the snow storm I was CRAVING cake. Thank god they stayed open until 11:30PM every day. Parking is only a small lot so it does get crazy when all the businesses are open. The atmosphere and decor are excellent. The vibe is so homey and trendy walking in. The service was phenomenal. Our waitress seated us quickly with menus and water. Another waitress came to explain the cakes to us. We got - Ice Cow: shaken chocolate milk with whip cream. This was ok but I'd definitely try and go for other drinks when I come back - Chai Latte: this is a must. The drink comes in a cute little pot, a cup sugar rimmed, & a strainer. This was amazing. 100% better than the ones you'd get at Starbucks. Salted Caramel Cake: has a meringue feel. The crunchiness added to the overall texture and flavour of the cake. Rocky Road??? It was the a little too overwhelming for me. The cake was a little too dense and it was too sweet. Would be great with somebody with a sweet tooth that loves chocolate though. I'd love to come back for lunch or dinner sometime. They also serve Donut Monster donuts here! read more

Bean Bar - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

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What the heck happened to this place! Don't belive the positive reviews they are fake. My wife and I ordered the lamp chops, a great cut of meat that were destroyed and barely chewable. I had the apple brie with carmelise onions, that came barely cooked, The brie itself had zero taste over the raw onions. I was happy with the side of fries, cruchy with a soft centre I use to take my daughter to this place 6 years ago when she was at Mac and the food was amazing, rocking music, packed with people. The menu was huge with many vegan and healthy and tasty options. No longer, very sad. If you're in Hamilton Mac area and want some better food in the area, try Squire on Locke Str. Or the Thisty Catus in Dundas. Overall, I'm disappointed to see what happened what was a great place to dine. read more

Bean bar was just ok. (Food:) I got the TORTELLINI ALFREDO and although it was decent pasta, it wasn't much different from stuff you can get that is pre-microwaved. It was also super expensive. (Drink:) Chocolate Steamer: Pretty good hot chocolate, with steamed milk, but also pricey. (Price:) TORTELLINI ALFREDO: $18 CHOCOLATE STEAMER: $3.25 (Overall:) It's an expensive place and the food is subpar. It took a while for us to get our food as well. read more

Bean Bar - Tortellini alfredo - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Popped in here on Friday evening. Parking was a big challenge but finally found a spot and had to pay at the meter. Lots of tables, it's a pretty big place. I didn't care for the metal chairs, but there was some cushions seats. It's an open environment so it is pretty noisy. This is not the best place to have a quiet conversation. They sat us quickly, but we waited for 15 minutes and nobody came by to help us until we asked for help. We wanted the Eden cake but were disappointed it was not longer offered here, for some strange reason. We looked at the other cakes and pies, unfortunately nothing like a carrot cake. We went with the key lime pie--it was okay, but nothing special and was a really small slice for $9. Ordered a latte and coffee and it literally took them 30 minutes to bring it to our table--painful! Latte was good, coffee was mediocre. read more

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All around a great place for a date atmosphere with a unique menu and awesome cheesecake selections. Pretty much all their salads are bomb, the Apple paradise sandwich is weirdly amazing (basically if Apple pie & grilled cheese was combined), and their To Die For sandwich is one the top items I recommend. Drinks wise, their Kahlua Hot chocolate is comforting and boozy all in one. read more

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I came here based on Yelp ratings after visiting the rather disappointing Dundas Peak. Looks like a local restaurant with a pretty wide selection on the menu of Canadian comfort food. We had a few dishes which all met expectations. Pricing was a tiny bit on the higher end for what it's worth. Service was fine. - Fish and chips was a huge portion - To Die For was expensive but real tasty - Grilled cheese was good value and bang for the buck read more

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Have to downgrade them again due to the disgusting cheapness of the cheesecake, which was the only cake left when I last went in. It was obviously made with gelatin and crap - not a real cheesecake at all. The food was good, still, so that was nice to see. My son had the quesadilla and said it was good. I had the Cobb salad with avocado (which was nicely ripe - it had been extremely crunchy one time when I got the Cobb for take-out) and they have intelligently adopted my own twist - blue cheese dressing. But dessert was a massive failure which I'm sorry about. I like dessert. read more

I had lunch at the Bean Bar on King Street S. It was quiet when I got there at noon but packed up really quickly. I ordered the Crispy Chicken Breast Sandwich with chipotle mayo and Roasted Mini Potatoes. The sandwich and the potatoes were delicious! I ended up leaving about half the potatoes because there was so much food. Natasha was my server. She was friendly and took excellent care of me. read more

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Bean Bar is more like a café than restaurant in my books. Ok for a quick bite/coffee or tea! I found the atmosphere a bit dark with terracotta coloured walls and dim lighting. Menu consists of apps, sandwiches, salads, pastas, & burgers. Cakes are outsourced and at just under $8, I thought that was a bit steep. So I skipped that. My California Chicken Pita Wrap was alright. Chicken was a bit bland, but bacon + mayo/guac or whatever sauce they used helped. Edible, but nothing mind blowing gotta return for type food. Male server was very pleasant, so gotta give props there! Quick and easy meals here. Nothing obviously homemade or gourmet. read more

Bean Bar - Cali chicken club - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

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Good chicken. If you're looking for a real chicken sandwich, charred not battered this your place. The only downside is the th re is t much else on the menu. read more

The service and atmosphere was good. The lamb and salad was quite good and tasty. My $9 burger with no sides was quite expensive. It tastes good but but did not justify the price. Also as you see on the pictures, the $8 desert was very small too. You can see the theme: Food is good by not great value given the size of the portions relative to the price. Have said that the salad and lamb was quite good! All in all this is a decent place in Hamilton but be prepared to spend $$$ in a place that feels more like a cafe than a Restaurant or bar. read more

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The cakes are unique and taste good. Got the garden of Eden cake since it was recommended. Some parts of the cake were a little stale. The smoked salmon wrap was very good. I think that's worth the price. The food is pricey but the veggies taste fresh and good. Music resonates nice and comfy vibes. Service is very good, staff is friendly. The waitress always made rounds asking how we were and if everything was alright. read more

Bean Bar - Garden of Eden cake - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Great food and the portions are always great! It just is a bit more expensive than most places in the westdale area. However it is a perfect restaurants to go with friends, family and even on a date! I've always had great service there and seating is good, except for the high top metal chairs, those can be awkward if you are on the shorter end like me. Overall one of the staples of the westdale area read more

Walking into Bean Bar, it was like a fusion of restaurant and bar. Though most places call these pubs, Bean Bar is more on the restaurant side, so I'll decide to call it a fusion of the two! I got the mussles appetizers. It came with pieces of toast bread as well. My bread was a little burnt, but the non burnt parts tasted DE - LI - SCIOUS. There were about 30 mussles in here and all of this for just $13. Man, that's awesome. There were three mussels in the thirty that had a bit of crunch to it, 1/10, not bad. The sauce was AH-MAY-ZING, tomato sauce with a bit of spice to it. If only it was a little hotter though, it'll be perfect. My friend got the grilled cheese and truffle fries. Never knowing what truffle fries were, i just found out it's 黑 松露。Haha, tasted really like the oil from Korean seaweed!! read more

Bean Bar - Mussels Appetizer - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

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They raised all their prices since the minimum wage went up. 20$ for a quesadilla is ridiculous and so is a sandwich for 18$.

Right in the middle Westdale Village, I came here based on it's high Yelp rating and with hopes of finding a local restaurant that would offer something more than meets the eye. Upon arrival the location is simple - somewhere between an old diner, bar, restaurant...it wasn't shabby but some decor can be renewed. The menu offers great variety, from salad and sandwiches to pastas and burgers. There's a long list of drinks available too, which surprised me for the size of the place. There were also daily specials, which read to be quite interesting. We lucked out and got a table right before the 6pm Sunday rush. Party of four, we each got something different to try out and satisfy our personal cravings. There was an 18oz T-bone steak dinner special and a haddock po'boy sandwich special, and then we ordered the apple cheese sandwich with fries and the chicken with spinach pappardelle pasta off the à la carte. Food came decently timely and the plating is simple - reminded me of Williams café. The steak dinner was sizeable and very filling with roasted potatoes, mushrooms, and seasonal veggies for side. The haddock po'boy was like a slaw burger with battered fish instead of a patty - not bad and surprisingly filling compared to its first impressions. The apple cheese sandwich was comfort food at its best - basically a grilled cheese. Finally, the spinach pappardelle was fresh and soft, and the rosé type sauce enrobed the chicken pieces and the pasta well. All in all I had no complaints about the food we ordered. We saw many people checking out the cake selection so we went up to the display fridge to see too - unfortunately we were greeted with stock La Rocca and Dufflet cakes. There was large variety and I can imagine it to be a treat in Hamilton, but I'm sure the price would've kept me away without question. The prices are a bit on the mid-high end for a number of items based on what they actually are, and keeping in mind most à la carte doesn't come with sides. A side of fries cost $4.50 with the sandwich, which was over 25% the cost of the main - is that normal? It was definitely not a deal in any way. My final con about the place is their washrooms - accessible only by stairs, two individual rooms per gender. Not the most family friendly for an otherwise family friendly spot. I see myself coming back if I'm in town looking for variety on the menu and reliable comfort food, but it's nothing amazing. I'll be looking closer at pricing as well to ensure I pick items worth my dollar. read more

Bean Bar - Chicken with spinach pappardelle pasta in a rosé type sauce, cheese topped garlic flatbread on the side. - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Went here for lunch and definitely a fan. Service - waitress was very friendly and we received great service. Food - my friend and I ordered the sweet potato quesadilla, which was served with guac, sour cream, and salsa, and a kale wrap to try. Really impressed with the sweet potato quesadilla; it was very rich! The kale wrap was crunchy and decent for lunch. We felt very full and satisfied. Will be returning. read more

Bean Bar - Sweet potato quesadilla and kale wrap - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Found on Yelp, unsure why it is called bean bar (coffee themed, but no) and why the tag line is "lifestyle restaurant" (what does that mean?). It was easy to know what this place was, once we arrived. The decor is dark, with oversized rough metal sconces sparsely spaced on blank walls, screaming an attempt at a trendy night spot. And the size of the bar compared to the lack of quality of the dining space just confirmed that priority one is the evening drinking crowd. We arrived for lunch, and even though there was a skylight in the middle of the space, it just felt dark and uninviting to receiving customers from the bright day. Even the staff were wearing primarily black. Food was great, service was prompt and courteous, and the dessert case looked to die for, but I just couldn't get out of there fast enough and back amongst the living. No dessert thanks, just the bill. read more

Bean Bar - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Such a cozy restaurant with really delicious food! My friend and I visited the other day - she had the Apple Paradise sandwich and I had the Braised Beef Cheeks, substituting polenta fries for their truffle fries. The beef was very tender, moist, and had some fatty parts of you like that part of beef! A nice variety of veggies were given on the side. As for their truffle fries, these are one of the only fries I could eat without ketchup! They are so flavorful and really difficult to get tired of eating. Dipped in the juices from the beef, I really enjoyed my meal. Though I didn't finish it that day, it still made great leftovers! Which is important for students trying to save money. This dish was a little pricey (for students), but it reeeeally good and lasted me two meals! The Apple Paradise sandwich was delicious as well! The bread was nice and crispy, the mozzarella and cheddar mix was a nice combination with the apples, and of course, you can't go wrong with maple syrup - the perfect touch. Apparently the sandwich used to have Brie cheese (the most delicious cheese out there) but they changed the item, so I'd be curious to see how the dish would taste with Brie instead. Nevertheless, you get 3 halves of a sandwich for a decent price. It's nice to have independent restaurants so close to a university campus (McMaster). I can't wait to go here again :) read more

Bean Bar - Apple Paradise sandwich on multigrain and Braised Beef Cheeks with Truffle Fries. TOO GOOD! - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Came here around 4pm on a Sunday and the place was fairly empty which was nice. Pros Good service Professional employees Nachos were ok but all the other food was excellent Cons Prices were a little steep for what was offered read more

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Stopped in here for a quick bite as I was in the neighbourhood for work. Perhaps wasn't quite what I was expecting as from the reviews I thought it would be more of a pop in lunch spot versus a table service restaurant complete with a bar and main course menu. The waitress was friendly and prompt. I quickly browsed the menu and settled on the grilled cheese with bacon. Can't recall the name but it was definitely oversold. Server reminded me that it did not come with anything and asked if I wanted a side which I declined. The sandwich was okay. The challah bread was nice but beyond that it was a couple of slices of bacon, tomato and average quality cheese. No special touches or interesting additions just a standard sandwich really. Definitely not good value at $16 with tax and tip with no sides or drinks. read more

We came for lunch and was looking for a fresh sandwich, it was exactly what I needed. Service was good and friendly and the place is in a good spot. I ordered the smoked salmon wrap, and I was happy they didn't skimp on the salmon. Salmon, dill cream cheese and capers what more could you ask for? My husband ordered the bean bar club and although I only had a bite it was pretty good! Now for my criticism, for the club procuitto shouldn't be cooked it gets hard to chew and it's better if it's added to a sandwich fresh. For the salmon wrap maybe smaller pieces of red onion, I love red onion but if it's chopped up a bit I don't have to be as worried about my breath and it won't overpower the sandwich so much (I ended up picking off about 4 pieces). But still it was a perfect stop for lunch, good service and good sandwiches! read more

Bean Bar - Smoked salmon wrap - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

I used to come to Bean Bar a lot but haven't been in a few years and I'm glad I came back today. This place really has something for everyone. The menu is so diverse, making it a great restaurant for groups because everyone is bound to find something that suits their tastebuds here. I came here with three others tonight and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We started off with the Beer Battered Brie which was a hit - I especially enjoyed the cooked mango layered on top of the Brie and the pita slices went well with it. I had the Portobello Mushroom Salad as my entree which was good but surprisingly not a huge "wow" for me - some of the leafy greens didn't look the freshest and the walnut was glazed or covered in something that had a flavour I couldn't quite put my finger on, but didn't blend with the salad as well as I thought it would. It is apparently very popular though. For dessert, I had the Nutty Buddy spiked coffee paired with a slice of caramel crunch cake. Simply heavenly and a great combination. My favourite thing about Bean Bar is that both their dinner and dessert menu are vast with an array of options that all sound fantastic. Their selection of cakes never disappoints and there are dozens of teas, coffees and hot chocolates to choose from. Service was very good, our waitress was extremely attentive and friendly. I would give it 5 stars if I were more satisfied with the salad. Like I said I've been here many times before and will for sure come back, it's a very reliable place to dine at! read more

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Came for dinner and it was alright. Service was good and the atmosphere good for a nice chat with a date. However, I did find the food a bit lacking given the price. The pasta was a bit too dry and bland. Would not be opposed to coming back, but I'd definitely give other places a try first. read more

Bean Bar - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Great food, awesome service. Very kid friendly. They have all high chairs and equipment and staff is extremely friendly with the kids. We went on a Sunday, there were a bunch of large groups, almost like family meetings, and there must have been a ton of orders but the kitchen and staff handled it beautifully and served us perfectly. read more

Best restaurant in Westdale (and most of Hamilton) to grab a bite. And I'm fairly sure they offer the most delicious sweet potato fries in the city...GTA...beyond... Bean Bar has a wicked atmosphere, relaxed staff, and delicious (and extensive) martini list. I've never had anything but a wonderful experience there, and I've been a return customer for almost 6 years now. The food is ALWAYS delicious and consistent, and they offer some really unique dishes or a cool twist on a classic. Cornbread with your salad, "grilled cheese from heaven", and a cranberry brie with roasted garlic I have yet to beat. They also do takeout (not delivery). Most evenings you'll have a slight wait, but it's well worth it, and once you're in, the service is prompt but not rushed. read more

I like observing people on their first/second dates, and this place didn't disappoint. Pretty extensive martini menu, casual (very young) staff, and what seems like a very loyal clientele. My first martini tasted like a Battery Acid-colada and so I sent it back. No problem, she took it away, seemed to understand my desire to hang onto my stomach lining, and brought me back another drink of my choosing. No questions asked. read more

The food at Bean Bar is usually really good, especially the pulled pork quesadilla, but the prices are way too high for a restaurant highly populated by students. The dessert selection is always rotating so there is always something new to try, but the cakes aren't labelled and you need to walk up to the counter to have all the choices told to you. read more

Ate here a few weeks back and ordered the bean bar salad and squash ravioli. Both items were served promptly but the salad had a lot of dressing and was very salty. The ravioli was not cooked well and the vegetables were quite raw and cold. The atmosphere was quite loud considering the restaurant was about 30% full. Overall for the price of the food and atmosphere, it was overpriced. I have had much better salads and pasta at other places. read more

Great tasting food but way too expensive for the quality... we waited an entire hour before we were served any food, and the restaurant was not full by any means. Our waitress only talked to us twice in that time. I also found MULTIPLE HAIRS in my "To Die For" hot sandwich after I'd taken it home and saw it in bright light (see picture). Very gross read more

Bean Bar - Took my "To Die For" sandwich home last night and then found MULTIPLE HAIRS in the beef. Gross!!! - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Just had my first visit today--yes, the sweet potato fries were really great, but I can't help but bug my eyes out when $10 (on average) sandwiches and wraps don't automatically come with fries at lunchtime. Just throw in some regular fries for free, and then I'd gladly pay a few bucks to upgrade to the premium option. I had the ham and maple cranberry wrap; it was decent, but sounded much better in the menu than in real life. Also, unsure about the "wicked" atmosphere that people raved about in previous reviews. I like independent joints just as much as the next hipster, but seriously, not sure that it warrants anything to write home about in terms of vibe or mood. I probably won't be back, but if they offered the sweet potato fries for carry out I'd be interested. read more

I went here for lunch today and I have to say, I'm definitely a fan! Service: Great! Our waitress was quick and attentive, and brought out menus as soon as we were seated. She also came to check up on us during lunch, making sure that our water was filled. Food also came out quite quickly, maybe 5 min after we ordered. Food: I ordered the veggie chilli, which is one of my favorite cold winter dishes. It was full of beans, chunks of tomatoes, corn, pepper and other vegetables. It was thick and flavorful, just like I like it! It comes with a small side of cornbread, which is pretty good as well. It has a lovely crust and softer "cornbread" texture on the inside. For $8, it's definitely a full lunch, and I left feeling quite satisfied despite being starving when I entered. You can also order this as an entree over pilaf rice, but I personally think it's better served in a bowl. In terms of other things on the menu, it does seem a little pricey. The next time I come, I'm going to try the stuff portobello mushroom salad ($16) or the "kaledorf" which has kale instead of the usual lettuce. I also want to try their pretty wide array of drinks (which look delish!) Would definitely come here again during the evening with friends! Although, parking may be a little hard to find. read more

One of the better places to eat near campus, which sadly means it's usually packed. I've tried several of the menu items, but my personal favourite is definitely the To Die For grilled cheese sandwich. The au jus adds great flavour to the sandwich, though it can turn into a sloppy mess. I sort of wish they'd add a side of salad/veggies though because I always feel like I've shaved a few days off of my life after eating it and need to run 5K ASAP (but I guess they do warn you with the apt name). The truffle fries are good, not great, and I don't think they're worth the $7. Have yet to try the mussels, but the last time I was here, people were ordering it left and right, so it's definitely on my list for next time. I need to talk about the cakes though. Every time I go up to the cake counter, I feel like a child looking into a toy store from the outside because everything looks amazing and I want all of it. No matter how full I am after my meal, I always order a slice of cake as dessert. With the selection they have, you'll definitely find something that suits your palate. read more

Found it overpriced with no real value a couple pieces of cheese cake (not even a great cheese cake more like whipped) and a couple of drinks created a bill a little over 50 bucks not counting tip Over rated hang out!!!!! read more

Been here multiple times and it is always delicious. I usually get the beef and blue cheese penne and it is delicious! Highly recommend coming here for any special occasions or just a nice meal. read more

I've been here a few times. I've tried the to die for sandwich, one of the chicken wraps, a burger from novemburger, ribs, and one of their cakes. The food is always good and service very pleasant. I would recommend their to die for sandwich! read more

Bean Bar - Inside the restaurant - Comfort Food Near Me - Hamilton, Ontario

Chill place to hang out. I like the vibe. The food is all right but can be pricey, especially if you're a student. Easily accessible in westdale. Sometimes hard to find parking in front so it's probably a better idea to park in residential streets nearby and then walk. read more

Been coming here for 13 years I think. Best value around and best mid priced, casual eatery this end of the 905. We beg for them to open another location in Burlington. The restaurant gets 5 stars because I've been so many times, at all times of operating hours, had most of the menu, and it is consistently a great experience. Sweet potato fries are the very best. Without exception. Ever. So worth it you will never have guilt. ***Updated review***they now have a gluten aware menu. My celiac children have eaten here safely, I was told the new chef is gluten free and is infusing awareness and attention in this establishment. I have allergies/anaphylaxis to lots of foods I have never had a problem here. This place is the perfect place for friends, or families, or a casual date. Expect to wait on weekends. I have never had a bad meal or less than amazing meal here. Morrocan stew, lamb shanks mmm, sandwiches, the squash soup, the greek chicken, the bean bar salad with chicken! Once, for 10 seconds I had snotty service and the server spent the rest of the meal apologizing and insisting he pay for my meal to which I declined. He was sincerely sorry, exceptionally busy. I got over it. I read one reviewer said it was a trying too hard wanna be trendy bar. Cannot be further from the truth. I think the decor is neither trendy nor for everyone, but the food is. You will not leave hungry or unhappy. People freak out over their homemade corn bread. Did I mention the frozen drinks? Do it. Update: Had an early dinner of a hamburger and side salad here 05/30/15. It was the exact reminisce of a bbq hamburger from childhood but way too huge for me to finish. The salad was fresh and lively with a very light dressing as always, never disappointing. The burger was pure and simple with very fresh tomato, lettuce and onions. A way better patty and gluten free bun (the best we've ever had and stayed in tact until burger's end even though I slathered it with the in-house chipotle mayo), than any of the pricey/trendy burger restaurants I have tried. read more

I've stopped into The Bean Bar a few times over the last five years. It was originally introduced to me as having the best Grilled Cheese in Hamilton. Truth be told, I can't argue that point even to this day. However, that's where my praise ends. I've found the service to range from tolerable to abysmal. My last visit resulted in me waiting 15 minutes for someone... anyone to come by. Just as I got up, the server finally pulls himself away from his long standing conversation and I told him don't bother. Aside from the GC's, I've never eaten anything there I found appetizing. Everything has been bland over in the case of something simple like Nachos, grossly overcooked. I've visited 4 times in 5 years and have never walked out the door feeling good about the experience. read more

This is a classic McMaster hang out spot! Whether you want to grab food between classes, for dinner with your roommates or when your parents come to visit, it's a fun, light-hearted spot. Great food, good drinks and fun and welcoming staff. read more