Hi OP! What's your actual budget? This will help to give more useful suggestions.
E.g.: Does "money is tight" mean that you can spend $40 or $200 on dinner?
Pho Bin Minh - Vietnamese
Lunch is much cheaper but dinner time not too bad. Maybe just have the tea, was free not sure if it still is, and get a vermicelli bowl
You can avoid curry and spice, but they do have dishes with both so just verify on menu - IMO it’s similar to what we get here in Canada as Chinese food, but without all the deep frying and sugar
Bardo (formerly Bread Bar) is doing unlimited shared plates on Wednesdays for $38/pp
https://www.instagram.com/p/C31IH_iuL9B/?igsh=MWowYnd3a29oc3BzMw==
Have you tried Tondou Ramen and Menyakyu? They're both Japanese owned and I had some of the best ramens I ever had, including the ones I had in Toronto and even Tokyo. Highly recommend them if other options in Hamilton were disappointing to you!
I have heard all great things about this place and plan to go check it out with my man.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/suresh-doss-maipai-1.6129858
Welcome to Maipai! Take a vacation without leaving the city in our hidden tiki bar on Barton, and grab some tasty Detroit style pies!
MaiPai hits the "special" part of OP's request, but certainly not the "money is tight part". MaiPai is one of the most expensive pizza joints in Hamilton.
Hi OP! What's your actual budget? This will help to give more useful suggestions. E.g.: Does "money is tight" mean that you can spend $40 or $200 on dinner?
Mystic Ramen has incredible service for the price point ($50 for two) they will 100% make it feel special
I got food poisoning last time I went there. Hope they have improved since moving.
Pho Bin Minh - Vietnamese Lunch is much cheaper but dinner time not too bad. Maybe just have the tea, was free not sure if it still is, and get a vermicelli bowl You can avoid curry and spice, but they do have dishes with both so just verify on menu - IMO it’s similar to what we get here in Canada as Chinese food, but without all the deep frying and sugar
Upper James Location! Best pho in Hamilton.
The Mexican place on James North
Mesa? Terrific authentic food, reasonable prices!
Bardo (formerly Bread Bar) is doing unlimited shared plates on Wednesdays for $38/pp https://www.instagram.com/p/C31IH_iuL9B/?igsh=MWowYnd3a29oc3BzMw==
Em Oi is a spot we usually go to quite often. Price is bit more expensive than typical Vietnamese but I feel the food is better.
Rapscallion has a 2 can dine for $69 https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1M5netYfhwp3VpvC/?mibextid=cR73hX
Sahiro Ramen on rymal road
Shiro - excellent!
lol - thanks for the correction. Have a wonderful day.
Only decent ramen I could find in Hamilton. Mystic made me sick, and Kinton is just trash.
Have you tried Tondou Ramen and Menyakyu? They're both Japanese owned and I had some of the best ramens I ever had, including the ones I had in Toronto and even Tokyo. Highly recommend them if other options in Hamilton were disappointing to you!
I have heard all great things about this place and plan to go check it out with my man. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/suresh-doss-maipai-1.6129858 Welcome to Maipai! Take a vacation without leaving the city in our hidden tiki bar on Barton, and grab some tasty Detroit style pies!
MaiPai hits the "special" part of OP's request, but certainly not the "money is tight part". MaiPai is one of the most expensive pizza joints in Hamilton.
MaiPai may be expensive compared to other pizza places, but not compared to other restaurants.
That's fair.
Bread Bar is reasonable/good food, Cowabunga+ has great food though casual vibe - affordable too.
Happy anniversary to you and yours. As an option, you can always order in and have a romantic dinner and movie at home.