Hamilton city guide
For newcomers & families
Where the community is: The Mountain and Stoney Creek have a growing number of South Asian restaurants and grocers.
Health coverage
OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan)
Apply in person at a ServiceOntario centre with proof of status, residency and identity.
Driver’s licence
Ontario driver’s licence (ServiceOntario / DriveTest)
Licences from some countries can be exchanged; others start the graduated G1 → G2 → G process. Bring a letter of driving experience from your home country.
Getting around
HSR (Hamilton Street Railway)
Pay with a PRESTO card.
Schools
Hamilton-Wentworth DSB
Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic DSB
Public school is free for children of permanent residents and most work- and study-permit holders.
Free newcomer help
Settlement.Org
Settlement.Org (Ontario)
Free settlement services help with jobs, English or French classes, housing and paperwork.
First steps in Canada
Apply for your Social Insurance Number (SIN)
Canada Child Benefit for families
Open a bank account and get a local phone number in week one.
Read the full newcomer checklist →
Festivals & events
Diwali, Eid and Vaisakhi are celebrated at local mandirs, mosques and gurdwaras.
Rules and programs change; always confirm on the official site before you apply.
Local directory
🍛 Indian restaurants
Annalakshmi Stoney Creek – South Indian Vegetarian Restaurant
518 Centennial Pkwy N Unit E4, Hamilton, ON L8E 0G2
Barshala – Best Indian Restaurant & Bar in Hamilton
1685 Main St W Unit no 160, Hamilton, ON L8S 1G5
Biryani On the Mountain Indian Bistro & Takeout
460 Brucedale Ave E, Hamilton, ON L9A 0A8
🍢 Pakistani restaurants
Lakshmi Chowk BBQ & Karahi House ( Halal)
2255 Barton St E, Hamilton, ON L8H 7P4
Tasty Grill – Authentic Pakistani & Indian Cuisine
263 Kenilworth Ave N, Hamilton, ON L8H 4S6
🥟 Nepali restaurants
🍬 Sweet shops & bakeries
Rajdhani Sweets and Restaurant
840 Queenston Rd Unit 15, Stoney Creek, ON L8G 4A8
The Great Indian Taste Restaurant (Sweets & Tiffin & Catering Service)
829 King St E, Hamilton, ON L8M 1B1
🛒 South Asian grocery stores
🙏 Gurdwaras
🛕 Hindu temples
Sri Venkateswara Temple, Hindu Heritage & Cultural Centre of Hamilton
226 Jones Rd, Stoney Creek, ON L8E 5J4
👗 Ethnic wear & jewellery
Styles by Aaidah (Traditional Pakistani/Indian clothing , jewellery & khussa)
185 Bedrock Dr, Hamilton, ON L8J 0M5
💅 Beauty salons, threading & henna
⚖️ Lawyers & immigration services
Affordable Immigration and Paralegal Support (AIPS )
Parking in Driveway and on Street from, 799 Cannon St E #9-4, Hamilton, ON L8L 2L7
Astrica Canadian Immigration Services Inc.
21 King St W Unit 539, Hamilton, ON L8P 4W7
CEW Immigration Consulting Inc.
270 Sherman Ave N Ste 301, Hamilton, ON L8L 6N4
Effort Immigration and Citizenship Services
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY, 15 John St N, Hamilton, ON L8R 1H1
💼 Other professional services
Some listing details come from © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and may be out of date. Own one of these businesses? Add or update your listing for free.
