Hamilton is a big city; Downtown Hamilton certainly has that big city feel. However, the truth is we know that maybe everyone is not a fan of that “big city” feel. Welcome to Dundas, Ontario! Dundas offers something for everyone, it is a beautiful historic downtown that is surrounded by nature and more. Also known as the Valley Town as it is situated at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment and is home to so many waterfalls, trails, and plenty of great restaurants for your inner foodie.
Restaurants in Dundas
Whether you’re looking for a casual bite, upscale dining, or a nice place to relax at the end of the day with a cold drink, Dundas offers a bit of everything! The thirsty Cactus is a popular spot among many locals, they offer fish tacos, burritos, nachos, wings and more! They’re open late every night and have a great patio that you can spend hours on, not to mention plenty of beer options on tap. They also have weekly specials including their taco Tuesday and Sunday wing feature. If you’re in the mood for live music, you’ll want to check out the Thirsty Cactus! They have live music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays!
Looking for something a little more unique? Betula Restaurant is also located in the heart of Dundas and is a casual, chef driven restaurant that offers a seasonal and thoughtful menu. They have a great selection of snacks and appetizers, salads, and entrees! Their seasonally inspired menus mean a fresh change often, so there’s always a reason to go back and visit.
Local beer? Yes please! Collins Brewhouse is also located in the heart of Dundas and cannot be missed! The building itself is picture worthy. The Collins family settled in Dundas in 1833 from Ireland and within 5 years, they began operating a very successful saloon. The Collins hotel was later built across the street in 1841 and became a focal point to the small community hosting both political and social affairs. The hotel remained under the ownership of the Collins family until 1913 yet continued to house both a tavern and operate as a hotel until late 1968. Collins Brewhouse has an amazing patio! Plenty of patio heaters and umbrellas for the perfect night out!
If you’re looking for Fine Dining, you must visit Quatrefoil! This gorgeous top ranked restaurant opened in 2010 and has been named best new restaurant by enRoute and Toronto Life. Its French cuisine is updated with contemporary flair and local ingredients. We do suggest that you make reservations though, it is a popular spot!
Nature in Dundas
It’s no secret that Dundas Valley is home to some of the largest and most popular waterfalls in the area! You’ll find many photographers and Instagrammers exploring the amazing waterfalls in Dundas. One of the most popular ones is Webster Falls, featuring a dramatic 22-meter drop.
We can’t forget to mention Dundas Valley Conservation Area, the 1,200 hectare include lush Carolinian forests, colourful meadows, cold water streams and stunning geological formations as well as an array of plants, birds, and wildlife. Dundas Valley Conservation area also offers a 40km long trail system that provides access to almost every part of the Dundas Valley and is comprised of three major trails: the Mail Loop Trail, Bruce Trail, and the Hamilton to Brantford Rail Trail. Another awesome feature about Dundas Valley is that all the trails are accessible to equestrians – if you do bring your horse, make sure you clean up after it.
As Fall approaches, there is no better time to get outside and see all the foliage as the colours change. Christie lake is a great place to do just that! Christie lake offers 10km of winding trails through peaceful meadows and towering pines. Prefer to spend the day on the lake? Canoeing, fishing, or swimming is welcome!
Shopping in Dundas
Not only does Dundas offer plenty of great restaurants and nature trails, but also is home to many great local shops! If you’re looking for a fun day trip of shopping, you’ll love Dundas. There are great clothing shops that are all locally owned and independently operated, as well as specialty shops. One of our personal favourites is a locally owned butcher shop called Cumbraes. If you ask anyone within a radius of Dundas, you will know that this place has some amazing cuts of meat! If you’re visiting Dundas, stopping here is simply a must!
Whether you’re visiting Dundas for a day or looking to move to Dundas, there is so much to do, and it has so much to offer! We love spending time exploring Dundas and always seem to find something new every time we are there. If you do visit and fall in love with Dundas, let us know and we can help you find the home of your dreams there!
