9 Ethnic Grocery Stores You Don’t Want to Miss Out in Hamilton
Written by Peer Educator Jennifer Zhang
Oftentimes it can be difficult to find specific ethnic foods and produce on campus or near McMaster. The lack of access to culturally relevant foods is an aspect often overlooked in the issue of food insecurity. According to a study exploring the impact of cultural food on the wellbeing of post-secondary students, researchers found that inadequate access to cultural foods is associated with stress, while the ability to cook and prepare traditional meals is associated with feelings of comfort and belonging. Afterall, food and culture are greatly interconnected and can connect us with others. I have learned to make many of the foods that remind me of home, dumplings and steamed fish, from times I have spent with my family. This is a brief guide into some of the ethnic grocery stores within Hamilton that you might want to visit to reconnect with or discover cultural foods.
Afro-Caribbean – Rama Tropical Foods
346 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H2
(~ 35 min on bus from Mac)
Website: https://ramatropical.ca/pages/about-us
Located on the trendy James St. North and near West Harbour GO, Rama Tropical Foods is a family-owned business that has been providing African and Caribbean grocery to the Hamilton area since 2002. They sell a variety of high quality meats, seafood, produce, frozen foods, pantry essentials, snacks, bakery items and frozen foods. They also offer grocery delivery and pick-up services.
Arabic/North African/South Asian – Eastern Food Market
920 Upper Wentworth St, Hamilton, ON L9A 5C5
(~ 45 min on bus from Mac)
Website: https://easternfoodmarket.ca/
Located conveniently across from CF Limeridge Mall, Eastern Food Market has been providing fresh halal meats for over 20 years. A variety of halal meats are for purchase such as chicken, lamb, beef, veal, goat, and oxtail. They have a diverse selection of Arabic, Indian, Pakistani, and Afghani spices as well.
Asian/Pacific-Islander/International – Nations Fresh Foods
2 King St W #445, Hamilton, ON L8P 1A2
(~ 23 min on bus from Mac)
Website: https://nationsfreshfoods.ca/hamilton_flyer.html
Popular among McMaster students, Nations Fresh Foods is a multicultural grocery store located in Jackson Square. They feature multiple departments such as a salad station, fresh in-store made sushi, an Eastern and Western kitchen, Chinese BBQ, and dim sum. One specialty is that they even have a food court that offers a variety of prepared hot entrées.
European – Denninger’s Foods of the World – Hamilton Downtown
284 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8N 1B7
(~ 24 min on bus from Mac)
Website: http://www.denningers.com/
Denninger’s is a third generation family business that originated from the Black Forest region of Germany. The Denninger family established their first store on King Street in Hamilton after immigrating to Canada in 1953. Today, Denninger’s is well known for its high quality European style sausages and their fresh and smoked meats. They have many European cheeses, pantry items, dairy, bakery goods, and snacks. They also have a kitchen serving hot ready-to-eat meals and frozen products.
Indian/South Asian – Bombay Spices
550 Fennell Ave E UNIT 11, Hamilton, ON L8V 1S9
(~ 41 min on bus from Mac)
Website: http://www.bombayspices.ca/
Bombay Spices is a South Asian grocery franchise that offers a diverse selection of spices, pantry items, dairy products including paneer, yogurt as well as various snacks. They also offer online ordering services.
Italian – Zarky’s Fine Foods Ltd
264 Dundurn St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4K9
(~ 19 min on bus from Mac)
Website: https://www.zarkys.com/
An Italian family-owned business established in 1985, Zarky’s Fine Foods Ltd provides a variety of traditional Italian foods. You can find freshly baked breads, pizzas and brewed espresso. They also provide hot pastas made in-store and pre-made entrées for takeout.
Kosher – Westdale Delicatessen
893 King St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 1K5
(~ 10 min on bus from Mac)
Close to McMaster, Westdale Delicatessen is a family-owned business that is known for its ready-to-eat meals and kosher foods. The Montreal smoked meat sandwich and pastrami on rye are popular among locals. Note: Westdale Delicatessen is closed on the weekends.
Latin American/Mexican – Latin Food and Products at Hamilton Farmers’ Market
35 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 3K7
(~ 19 min on bus from Mac)
Website: http://www.latinfoodshamilton.com/
Located inside Hamilton’s Farmers Market, Latin Food and Products is a family-owned business that has been serving Mexican and other Latin American food products since 2009. In addition to food products, you can order tacos, pupusas, tamales, quesadillas, nachos, and churros for takeout or dine in. Note that they are closed from Sunday to Tuesday.
Middle Eastern – Samir Super Market
750 Upper James St, Hamilton, ON L9C 3A2
(~ 49 min on bus from Mac)
Website: https://www.samirsupermarket-750upperjames.com/
Samir Super Market is a Middle Eastern grocery store established in 2005. It has a fully equipped butchery that provides 100% halal locally sourced meats. They also provide a variety of locally and internationally sourced produce and dried fruits and daily baked breads and fresh pastries.
Hopefully, you can find foods that remind you of home or new foods that will inspire you to create cultural dishes different from your own!
Related SWC Programs:
Food & Nutrition