Opening a Restaurant in Hamilton

A step-by-step guide to drive success for business owners and entrepreneurs!

Open for Business

Thank you for choosing Hamilton to open your restaurant! This guide is here to give you an overview of the 4 steps required to open a restaurant in Hamilton, important departments to connect with, contact details, costs and timelines, and additional resources.

Step One:
Visit the HBC

The HBC provides information, tools, guidance, and resources that entrepreneurs need to start, grow, and expand their businesses.

Step Two:
Location & Zoning

Learn about the tools and resources available in helping choose a location for your business and the permitted uses of the property.

Step Three:
Building Permits

Found the perfect location and want you to make changes to improve the space? Learn if you need a building permit before starting.

Step Four:
Business Licensing

All new food-based businesses require a municipal licence in the City of Hamilton to operate. Learn what's required and how to apply.

Download the printable Opening a Restaurant in Hamilton checklist.

Blog

By Keith Russell July 22, 2025
Learn to start or expand a food or beverage manufacturing business producing consumer packaged goods (CPG). The Hamilton Business Centre have partnered to offer a free program to food and beverage entrepreneurs in Hamilton and surrounding areas. The first series begins in August 2025 and subsequent programs are offered 4 times per year beginning again in November 2025, January & April 2026. The Foodpreneur Advantage Program is for individuals looking to start or expand a food or beverage manufacturing business producing consumer packaged goods (CPG). The program provides introductory workshops, specifically aimed at food-related businesses, to help them navigate getting started or expanding into new product lines. Industry Facts: Ontario’s food and beverage processing (FBP) sector is the largest in Canada – accounting for 37% of the industry’s revenue in the country The Food and Beverage manufacturing sector of Ontario is the 3rd largest in North America The sector has more than 4,000 establishments in the province, employing over 95,000 people. The first six-part webinar series include (plus bonus session): Aug 13, 2025 - Barcodes and Beyond: What You Need to be Market-Ready! ( bonus session) Aug 21, 2025 - Starting a Food Business & Regulatory Compliance Aug 28, 2025 - How to Sell your Food Product Sept 4, 2025 - Costing & Pricing to Make Profits Sept 11, 2025 - Marketing & Branding your Food Product Sept 18, 2025 - Food Safety Fundamentals for Start-Ups Sept 25, 2025 - Labelling & Packaging Your Food Product All sessions are held virtually for 1 hour on Thursdays at 10:00 am. Anyone interested must sign up for each session individually. The Foodpreneur Advantage Program was developed in 2021 and is delivered through a partnership of Small Business Enterprise Centres (SBEC’s) across Southwestern Ontario.
By Keith Russell April 8, 2025
Learn to scale, package, and market prepackaged food like a pro. Grow your Hamilton food business with expert strategies—click now!
Hamilton Farmers Market
By Keith Russell April 8, 2025
Join the Hamilton Farmers’ Market Cart Program! Tips for artisan makers to start selling. Click for details now!
Food truck at night with lights on
By Keith Russell June 20, 2024
Ready to launch a food truck in Hamilton? Get permits, costs, and pro tips here. Click to roll out your dream now!

In partnership with:

Hamilton Business Centre
City of Hamilton
Invest in Hamilton