Non-veg turned fully vegetarian coffee shop and cafe as of Jan 2016. Provides a sense of community. One wall is a large chalk board with art and quotes from customers. Offers vegan food, some gluten free choices, including house-made baked goods, breakfast, and sandwiches. Focus is on local and sustainable ingredients. Stocks coconut, almond, and soy milk for drinks. Reported fully vegan February 2024. NOTE: Please verify if still fully vegan. Open Mon-Wed 8:00am-8:00pm, Thu-Sat 8:00am-9:00pm, Sun 8:00am-8:00pm. Kitchen closes one hour before closing time.
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Last update on 04 Dec 2024 by katmeef
Update business info -
Added by ThatHippieMom on 11 Dec 2014
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50 Reviews
First Review by SaraJenivieve
rogerluis
Points +205
Lovely brunch, cafe place. Lunch is just as good. - Edit
Brunch menu, fast options. I had an edamame avocado toast, pretty healthy option.
Read moreIn another visit I tried the Korean Tofu Bowl, and cauliflower wings, both very recommended.
The almost famous taco salad is an interesting dish.
Macha lattes are delicious.
Updated from previous review on 2024-05-18
Pros: Fully Vegan, Nice atmosphere
Guest
katmeef
Points +21
Not fully vegan, but advertises as such - Edit
The sign outside says “Proudly Vegan”, but they serve 2% dairy milk and honey inside. We prefer to support fully vegan establishments, I don’t mind going to clearly non-vegan establishments who serve vegan food — but I cannot support an establishment that’s claims to be proudly vegan but clearly is not. Very disappointing.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-09-26
Pros: Food is o.k., People are friendly, Cool environment
Cons: Advertises as vegan but is vegetarian at best., Dairy is not vegan, Honey is not vegan
Guest
marieroberts
Points +1522
Smashed Mac!!!!! - Edit
We loved our smashed Mac with a side salad! It was so delicious. We each ordered one and then ordered another to share it was so good. (Yes I’m too full now)
Read moreHighly recommend.
I read on Google people wanted their Mac pizza to come back and I noticed on the board today it was going to be Fridays special.
Seems like a real caring business that listens to its customers.
Updated from previous review on 2024-09-16
Pros: Smashed Mac burger, Decent prizes
Guest
Blinktwice
Points +16
They say "proudly vegan" but serve cow's milk - Edit
When there was new ownership they added a slogan of proudly vegan, but they continue to serve cow's milk as the default. To me that's worse than just admitting they aren't vegan, because it's dishonest.
Read moreGuest
ScrambledMegs
Points +202
Try the weekend brunch. - Edit
I’ve been a fan of Democracy* since the beginning and I love that they’ve transitioned to a fully vegan menu. I usually stop in for breakfast or a treat when I’m getting my hair done on Locke, but their main menu is great too.
Read moreGuest
Sanja
Points +650
My OG vegan friendly restaurant in Hamilton - Edit
I have gone to this place for years when it was originally vegetarian and vegan friendly, and now it's all vegan. Truly the cauliflower wings are my go-to delight, but there's so much more. The desserts are also fantastic. The rustic decor fits the chill environment. Also, don't forget to sip some hot chocolate in the winter!
Read morePros: So many delicious vegan options, Good hours, Cauliflower wings are best around
Cons: Street parking mostly
Guest
drea1981
Points +1060
Yummy brunch - Edit
Came for brunch again. And staff at the counter is rude . Doesn’t acknowledge you standing . Says wait to go to the counter to be seated . But people are just coming in and taking seats . We took a menu off a table and the girl barked at us for doing so .
Read moreThey don’t seem happy to be working.
Food is decent . But next time I’ll go across the street to planted .
Brunch was delicious and decent $$
Updated from previous review on 2024-07-07
drea1981
Waffle burger ! 🧇👀
Read moreGuest
llpomeroy
Points +51
Great plant based menu! - Edit
A huge menu of super delicious food, all with massive portions. And the staff was lovely too!
Read moreWould absolutely recommend!
Pros: Portion size , Huge menu , Delicious food
Guest
MarcelaP.
Points +714
Great brunch option - Edit
It's a bit busy but the food was really good.
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: Not easy to find parking space in this area
Guest
WynterSparrow
Points +18
Disappointed. - Edit
I ordered the nachos with the added cheez sauce and guac. The plant based meat, was/looked like it was scraped off the bottom of the pan. That sparse, like a sprinkle of burnt leftovers. NOT worth over $20
Read morePros: Nice variety of coffees and such
Cons: The offer cow milk.
Guest
Nescu
Points +20
Food is good but they offer cows milk - Edit
Been here a few times and while I enjoy their food I am always disappointed when they offer me 2% milk for my coffee. You can’t display a “proudly vegan” sign out front and then offer cows milk..
Read moreCons: Cows milk
JonathanDArts
And the place is labeled as vegan on Happy Cow! I'd rather go to a fully vegan restaurant. Absolutely no reason to be using cow's milk in 2024!!
Read moreGuest
Candice127
Points +327
Delicious - Edit
This is a great little spot for breakfast. I enjoyed their classic breakfast with a latte and it was perfect for a lazy morning
Read moreGuest
meuniea
Points +36
Disappointed - Edit
This restaurant changed ownership recently and it seems things have gone downhill. Staple menu items like the mac and cheese and spinach dip are not nearly as good as they used to be. Breakfast items that used to be made with tofu are now made with Just Egg. I chalked up my first few bad experiences to the new owners/staff finding their footing, however all of the food I have had there over the last few months has been subpar. I think this evening was the final straw, as my table was served spinach dip that was sweet and tasted like vanilla… gross. We thought perhaps someone in the kitchen had accidentally used vanilla plant milk instead of plain (a reasonable mistake since they have smoothies on the menu as well). We brought it to the attention of staff who offered to replace the dip with something different, but we declined because we were short on time. They didn’t try to offer us a refund (we paid at the counter when we ordered and tipped 15%), despite the fact that we left a practically untouched dip behind. As a long time customer, it has been disappointing to see the decline in both the food and customer service at Democracy.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-10-17
Pros: Cauliflower wings
Cons: Generally subpar food, Poor customer service
greenlemon
The counter service is very annoying! For the prices of their food (eg $15 for just a normal beyond meat burger with a single slice of pickle and no fries), I would expect some actual table service. The staff are usually nice, but turnover seems very high and the staff always seem new and confused about the menu.
Read moreI really hope they either shape up or get a new owner that actually care about good vegan food!
Guest
MarcusK
Points +1016
Ok Sunday brunch - Edit
Went there with family. Lack of seating was a big problem. Most tables are for 1 or 2 people so seating a group of 3 took some time.
Read moreThe restaurant is nice. Nice decor and vibe. Food was ok; not amazing but good. I’m suspicious of vegan restaurants that serve beyond meat, JustEgg or impossible meats. I can make that stuff at home and not be charged a premium. We ordered the eggs Benedict and it was ok. My son had a stomach ache after eating half his burger and call wings and couldn’t finish it.
Nice to check this restaurant off our list
Updated from previous review on 2023-10-07
Pros: Nice decor
Cons: Limited seating , Food was ok
Guest
C&Ecanada
Points +505
Bountiful Brunch - Edit
We booked a reservation for 11 on a Sunday to meet and catch up with some friends and had a wonderful time!
Read moreWe ordered the Waffle Burger and the Just Benedict while our friends got another Benedict and the Avocado BLT- we ordered the Cauli Wings ("honey" garlic & BBQ). Everything was phenomenal and we'd go back! Unfortunately we wanted to dig in and didn't get photos- next time!
Update:
We went back for a birthday dinner!
Some friends came along and we got the KBBQ bowl, the KBBQ sliders, and 2 Beyond MAC's. Everything was great!
Updated from previous review on 2023-04-02
Pros: Delicious Vegan options, Great atmosphere , Fantastic service and prices
Cons: Nothing!
Guest
mohanaholloway
Points +1160
such a lovely place - Edit
democracy is a very cute spot in hamilton, and the food is very tasty!! they have unique options with inspiration from many cuisines!
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Nice interior
Guest
Gordie
Points +244
New menu - Edit
Had the Green goddess smash wrap with a side garden salad.
Read morePros: New menu, Breakfast specials , Open patio
Cons: None, None, None
Guest
BeansOnToast
Points +537
Here lies a Vegan Cafe. - Edit
The reason to come here? Vegan Big Mac Pizza. Better than Toronto's Apiecalypse Now's version. UPDATE - They have stopped selling pizzas some time ago. Now it's a boring Vegan cafe like many others (Coffee, scones, burgers and wraps). Staff are still nice.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2020-07-27
Cons: Macaroni and Cheeze., Menu is like many other Vegan Cafes. , Bring the pizzas back. Big Mac Pizza especially.
greenlemon
Totally agree! This place has gone downhill fast. They be trying to shift away from dinner and just focus on bunch and coffee service? It used to be great, now the dinner/lunch is mediocre and so expensive
Read moreGuest
js-toronto
Points +1192
Perogi pizza!! - Edit
Came for the perogi pizza. Wasn’t disappointed. I wish it had better cheese but it was good.
Read morePros: Perogi pizza, Cute vibe, Fun for dinner with friends
Cons: Cheese was a bit dry
Guest
greenlemon
Points +283
Best vegan restaurant in Hamilton - Edit
They have new owners so the menu has shrunk lately but it's still great. Many options for breakfast lunch and dinner. The Greek omelette for brunch is really good and the Bahn mi sandwich is my favorite thing on the menu
Read morePros: All vegan, Wide variety of items
Cons: Baked goods are hit or miss
greenlemon
They recently changed ownership and the quality of the food is noticeably worse. Plus the menu has lost a lot of their best items! It's still good, but not as good wait used to be unfortunately
Read moreGuest
MartinS
Points +53
Well worth a visit - Edit
Very cool dinner in a very cool area of town. Especially in the summer when the front can be opened up and you can watch the world go by
Read moreThere are a lot of places on Locke St. to choose from, But none seem to have the relaxed, friendly feel of Democracy.
Good lunch menu that even appealed to my non-veg partner. #Veganuary
Guest
DeniseTompkins
Points +294
Delicious vegan food - Edit
Trendy atmosphere, cafe style, friendly service, ate in the restaurant and took a meal to go for someone else. Bahn Mi sandwich was really good! The tofu in the Thai rice bowl was cooked well, nice flavour. Fries were so good! Will be back to try more!
Read morePros: Great food, Cool atmosphere, Friendly staff
Guest
EmmaLouise33
Points +320
Delicious Pancakes - Edit
Very delicious Pancakes. Nice to try the just eggs. We dont have this product in the UK. Very egg like. Fast service. Relaxed atmosphere. Food all vegan.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-08-22
Pros: Delicious Pancakes , Nice menu range, cabinet food too. , Related atmosphere
Guest
WiseGoddess
Points +129
Great food and good gluten free options - Edit
Loved the cauliflower wings and rice bowl. Wish they didn’t offer dairy here.. maybe they will make the switch soon.
Read moreGuest
DLBrown
Points +153
Yummy Vegan on Locke Street - Edit
Great open chill vibe vegan restaurant on a hip street in Hamilton!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-05-15
Pros: Great menu, fast friendly service , Kid friendly items, Tasty, healthy, good music and vibe
Cons: Sketchy bathroom
Guest
Wiegehtz
Points +98
It’s now a fully vegan restaurant. - Edit
The pierogi pizza is amazing along with other menu items. Great dessert selection. Good coffee.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2021-12-03
Pros: Vegan, Yummy food. , Great coffee
Guest
meadowws
Points +1408
Comfy Place, Good Food - Edit
Everything here is pretty delicious. The cauliflower bites and supreme nachos are amazing. The service is generally good and the atmosphere is nice. The chalk board walls are cool and you can draw your own stuff. The only thing that erks me about this place is that they are so close to being 100% vegan yet they still have a dairy milk option and dairy quiche. Why not just be vegan?
Read morePros: Comfy space, Good food
Cons: Not 100% vegan
Guest
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