Restaurants & Cafes

When you visit downtown Dundas, don’t miss the excellent restaurants and cafes! Dining at these establishments is one of the top things to do in Dundas Ontario. I’m going to share my favourite restaurants in Dundas that I’ve visited for many years. I frequented many of these restaurants when I lived in Dundas, but I also dine there while visiting friends who still live in the area. I also have an annual meetup with some of my old high school friends, and we always end up dining at a restaurant in Dundas (even though no one lives in town anymore).

Bangkok Spoon Deluxe

Bangkok Spoon Deluxe is a Thai restaurant in downtown Dundas. It’s in a very historic building in Dundas where the old legendary Deluxe 50s diner used to be. The Deluxe diner remained vacant for decades. You used to be able to peer into the front windows and view a perfectly preserved and untouched 50s diner.

After the owners shut down their diner, they left the property as it was for years and years. After the owner’s passing, the space was sold and the Bangkok Spoon opened in its place. It was the end of an era in Dundas, although the restaurant keeps the spirit of the old restaurant alive in its name. There’s also a photograph of the old Deluxe signage inside the restaurant, too.

Bangkok Spoon is Dundas’ first authentic Thai restaurant, and they cater to omnivore and vegetarian diets. As a vegan, I’m able to find several dishes on the menu, and the staff members are happy to explain which dishes are suitable. I’ve dined here more times than I can count, and it’s delicious every time.

The Thirsty Cactus

The Thirsty Cactus is a taste of the southwest in Dundas, Ontario. It’s been around for ages, and I’ve dined here on numerous occasions (both indoors and outdoors on their awesome patio). It’s my top pick for Mexican food in Dundas, and it doesn’t disappoint. I love their veggie fajitas, and you can’t go wrong with nachos.

Collins Brewhouse

The Collins Brewhouse is one of the most iconic restaurants and pubs in Dundas. They’ve got a fantastic, spacious patio, and I’ve definitely spent a birthday or two at the Collins. It’s one of the best places to go for a meal or drinks. They’ve got great craft beer on tap, and also a wonderful variety of cocktails.

The Collins family immigrated from Ireland to Canada in 1833 and opened a saloon in downtown Dundas. Then, they opened the Collins Hotel across the street, and it also operated as a tavern. While the Collins family ceased ownership in 1913, the Collins Hotel stayed open until 1968. This building is an important piece of Dundas’ history. The Collins Hotel is considered to be one of Ontario’s first hotels, and it continues to be the home of the Collins Brewhouse.

Detour Coffee Roasters

Okay, so I’m going to have a little bit of a brag moment here. Detour Coffee Roasters is pretty huge now. They have a cozy coffee shop in downtown Dundas, but I also see their coffee beans everywhere in Canada and the USA. Other coffee shops proudly state that they serve Detour beans, and for good reason. Detour Coffee Roasters has some of the finest coffee around.

Back when Detour first opened, they didn’t have a cafe, a coffee subscription program online, or anything like that. They operated out of a tiny space behind another business. You had to walk around to an isolated back parking lot where you’d see a little sign for the coffee shop. They didn’t sell any drinks. Detour only sold packages of their coffee beans. For a while there, I was exclusively drinking Detour’s coffee, brewed from the comfort of my own home.

Detour Coffee Roasters has a charming cafe in the middle of town, and you really need to visit if you are a coffee lover. They’ve got freshly brewed coffee and espresso beverages, some lunch items, and both freshly baked bread and desserts.

Shawn & Ed Brewing Co

For years, there was a rumor around town that Dundas was going to get its own brewery. It’s now a reality! Shawn & Ed Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Dundas, Ontario. They’ve got a taproom, a patio, and a bottle shop. Definitely pay them a visit if you love craft beer and want to support a local brewery. From the dream of two McMaster graduates, came a staple in the Dundas Community.

The SHED (Shawn and Ed) Brewing Company is located in the former Dundas Curling and Skating Rink. With this building came a large amount of restoration to keep the authenticity and quality of the building. Though, with their location and efforts to make a great venue, they showed what this dream was based on, the need to create great tasting beer with quality ingredients. The SHED has captured what it is to be a part of Dundas, where we are proud to live in this valley town where our heritage and history thrives.