If you’ve ever wanted to hang out in a boutique hotel lobby purely for the vibe without dropping several hundred bucks on a stay, there’s a new spot about an hour from Toronto worth keeping on your radar for a weekend road trip.
The Grand is the latest venture from the team behind Motel, the wildly popular Barton Street brunch joint. Located at 69 Augusta Street in Hamilton, this new spot takes the hotel aesthetic and turns it entirely into a dining and bar concept. While the name and decor give off distinct boutique lodging energy, it is strictly a restaurant — meaning no overnight stays, just food and drinks.
The space itself is designed so that a return visit feels completely different from the last. It is divided into three unique rooms, each with its own specific style. The Palm sits right at the entrance, offering a bright, sunny lobby-bar setting. Further inside, The Grand Lounge brings a sleeker, retro mood with dark teal banquettes, a marquee sign and a full aquarium. For a darker, more intimate vibe, The Tangiers features red velvet drapes, cozy fireplaces and gold accents tailored for date nights or group dinners. They also have an outdoor patio outfitted with palm trees and water fountains for the warmer months.
The kitchen serves up a lineup of elevated comfort food, ranging from shareable plates, bowls, and burgers to heavier mains like steak Frites and lasagna Bolognese. They’ve also rolled out a dedicated weekend brunch that runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m featuring items like breakfast BLTs and a twist on eggs Benny called The Happiest Tourist.
For anyone driving in from Toronto, the menu offers a couple of welcome surprises. Drink prices sit around $15 to $16, which is notably lower than what you would typically pay at a lounge back in the city. The bar also carries mocktails starting at $8 and features local options like gluten-free beer on tap.