SYNONYM

4.7 ( 764 reviews )
$10–20
328 James St N, Hamilton, ON L8L 1H2, Canada
+1 905-525-7974

SYNONYM, located at 328 James St N in Hamilton, Ontario, stands out as a vibrant café offering a delightful brunch experience. Customers rave about the Vanilla RAF, pinpointed by Mabel SQ as a must-try, reflecting the café's commitment to stellar service and a welcoming atmosphere. The interior may appear small initially, but it expands into a cozy space filled with eclectic art and shelves of books, as mentioned by Vanessa Glasby.

The menu dazzles, featuring generously portioned dishes like shakshuka and herb omelettes. Lui Xia Lee and D60 both applauded these offerings for their flavor and preparation, underscoring the quality of ingredients used. Additionally, the oat lattes and White Top Coffee have been highlighted as rich, satisfying complements to the meals, showcasing the café's expertise in beverage crafting.

The overall vibe is one of warmth and community, as noted by various customers who appreciated the attentive staff and cozy setting. Whether you're a local or a visitor, SYNONYM promises a delightful culinary journey that is worth repeated visits.

Amenities and More

  • Service options
    • Outdoor seating
    • Kerbside pickup
    • No-contact delivery
    • Delivery
    • On-site services
    • Takeaway
    • Dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Great coffee
    • Great tea selection
    • Live music
    • Live performances
  • Popular for
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Solo dining
    • Good for working on laptop
  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Offerings
    • Alcohol
    • Beer
    • Cocktails
    • Coffee
    • Healthy options
    • Late-night food
    • Organic dishes
    • Quick bite
    • Small plates
    • Spirits
    • Vegan options
    • Vegetarian options
    • Wine
  • Dining options
    • Breakfast
    • Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Catering
    • Dessert
    • Seating
  • Amenities
    • Bar on site
    • Gender-neutral toilets
    • Toilet
    • Wi-Fi
    • Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Quiet
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Tourists
    • Transgender safe space
    • University students
  • Planning
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
  • Parking
    • Paid street parking
    • Parking

Reviews For SYNONYM

Mabel SQ
Jun 22,2025
Highly recommend the Vanilla RAF - so good!!! Amazing customer service and great vibes. Treated myself to brunch and it was delicious!
Vanessa Glasby
Jun 10,2025
A lovely, not-so-little coffee shop. It looks small at first, but it keeps going with tables almost all through to the back. Lovely space! We were greeted immediately upon entry and made fresh espresso drinks that were perfect. We ordered breakfast (shakshuka and an herb omelette) and some pastries for the road. We couldn’t even finish our main meal - the portions were very generous. Overall, lovely spot. Will definitely return.
Lui Xia Lee
May 28,2025
I had brunch at this cafe upon a friend’s recommendation. I ordered an oat latte and the shakshuka. Both were delicious!
Nancy Payeur
May 14,2025
A funky coffee and breakfast place in Hamilton. Seems a few books and has interesting art, too. Great coffee and breakfast sandwiches. We didn't try them but the pastries and cinnamon buns also looked delicious.
D60
Apr 24,2025
Had a great experience at this cafe! We tried the Shakshuka and Meze—both were flavorful and well-prepared. We also had a White Top Coffee, which was rich and smooth, a perfect complement to the meal. The atmosphere was cozy, and the staff was welcoming and attentive. A fantastic spot for a relaxed and delicious meal—highly recommend!
Marie L.
Apr 4,2025
Charming coffee spot in Hamilton! So glad we chose this place for breakfast. The coffee was absolutely exquisite, rich, smooth, and perfectly brewed. I also loved the breakfast sandwich; it was both adorable in presentation and delicious. A cozy and delightful start to the day ...
Relle LB
Apr 2,2025
Loved it here. My husband and i both got the vanilla RAF (mine was decaf) and it was so good. The food looked good as well, but we didn't get anything to eat. We will definately be back!
Meadowdoe W
Mar 25,2025
My partner and I did the Valentine’s Day set menu and I can’t express how impressed we were. It was so delicious and felt like fine dining but was so affordable. The atmosphere was so cute and intimate it was the perfect way to spend our Valentine’s. I have been for over a number of times over the years as well and love the baked good. I will say, I miss the coconut and tahini lattes soooo much. They were so good and really set the cafe apart from the rest downtown.

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