Barangas On The Beach — Restaurant in Hamilton

I’ve been a loyal patron of Barangas for over 20 years, always appreciating its beautiful location and vibrant summer atmosphere. Unfortunately, my most recent visit for a close friend’s birthday was extremely disappointing and has left me unwilling to return.

We arrived on a Friday evening around 9 p.m. and found the place nearly empty, which was surprising for a summer night. We were seated at a high-top in the bar area and ordered three skinny margaritas. Before we could even try our drinks, we learned the appetizer we wanted wasn’t available to order from the bar section and had to move—drinks in hand—to the restaurant area.

Once seated, we finally tried the margaritas and found them overly sweet and not as described. We politely asked to exchange them for something else. Our server informed us it wasn’t possible, so we requested to speak with a manager. After a 20-minute wait, a woman approached our table, did not introduce herself, and offered no name or position. We later learned she was the owner—only after directly asking.

What followed was 20 minutes of the owner standing at our table, arguing about why she would not replace the drinks. These three margaritas cost $65, yet she insisted we either keep them or order the exact same drink again. Her demeanor was dismissive, her comments were condescending, and it was abundantly clear she could not care less about customer satisfaction. As someone with many years of experience in the restaurant industry, I have never encountered an owner so unwilling to resolve a basic service issue—or so comfortable treating paying guests with disregard.

Trying to salvage the evening, we ordered a bottle of wine and another appetizer. One guest, who didn’t enjoy wine, tried to order a Caesar. At this point, our server told her she would need to order more food because “you’ve had too much in the last hour.” This was said despite the wine bottle being three-quarters full and our margaritas barely touched. No one bothered to actually check or top up our glasses before making that assumption. It was the final, unprofessional comment in a night already defined by poor service and disrespect.

The appetizers we did receive were well-prepared, and the kitchen staff seemed capable, but the service and management were among the worst I’ve experienced. The atmosphere was flat, the music was poor, and the tone set by the owner was unprofessional and unwelcoming.

It’s deeply disappointing to see such an iconic local summer spot decline in both hospitality and professionalism. After this experience—marked by unnecessary confrontation, refusal to provide a name, dismissive attitudes, and offensive assumptions—I can no longer recommend Barangas, nor will I return. This is not a place I would suggest for celebrations. Perhaps it could suit a casual family dinner, but if you are not happy with your experience, you will not be met with any willingness to correct or satisfy you as the paying customer. Maybe this is why it’s no longer...

We had lunch at this establishment. I noticed the menu seemed to be a dinner menu which are usually larger portions so I asked for a lunch menu and was told summer is over that menu is gone now. It’s August 25th. Most decent restaurants that are open during lunchtime will have a lunch menu (regardless of the season) recognizing some people want what’s on the menu but in a smaller portion. Unless I wanted an appetizer I wasn’t going to get the pasta I wanted because at Baranga’s on the beach, while I was seated outside, in August- was made aware that summer is over! Ok, then… The food came in good time, the waitstaff was attentive and the outdoor setting was perfect, it’s a beautiful day. My daughter had the chef’s burger, my friend had Greek salad and souvlaki and I had spinach pasta with chicken. Had it not been for the hair in my pasta I would have rated the food 3, maybe 4 stars. I got one bite into my pasta when I found a hair about 4” long in my dish. I pulled it out and we flagged the waitress. They replaced my meal but not before my daughter and friend finished their meals. When the bill came I was kind of surprised that there had been no discount at all applied to my bill for my meal - but my friend was really offended and mentioned that to the waitress who took the receipt to her manager and they discounted my meal maybe 20%, $7.50 for something that never should have happened if the person preparing the meal had been wearing a hair net. Gross. This is where I got offended and decided to leave this review…the young lady serving our table in a super effort to stick up for her boss/the establishment had the audacity to tell me “I only charged you for one pasta”, I was confused “I only got one pasta, you replaced one that had at least one hair in it. Was I supposed to pay for that pasta too?” She proceeded to try to explain to me again how the kitchen made ME 2 pastas, looking at my bill, showing me my bill how I was only billed for one pasta. I guess I should be grateful they didn’t bill me for the pasta I took one bite out of before find that hair. The waitress was very young and appeared to be bright, but she really does need to learn about the etiquette with a customer who’s encountered a hygiene issue that made its way into my dish. THE CUSTOMER DOES NOT PAY FOR THE FOOD THE HAIR WAS FOUND IN!!! A decent restaurant wouldn’t have charged for my meal at all - they would have seen that money back in the tip I left. Not very smart.

Food was good, not great, the service was okay and if there really was a manager on site, how spineless to send that young girl out to explain how I should be paying for 2 meals but they only charged me for...

Spanakopitakia: ★★★★★ Classic Crispy Fish and Chips: ★★★★☆ Crispy Chicken Sandwich: ★★★★☆ Grilled Atlantic Salmon: ★★★★★ Spinach Linguine: ★★★★☆ Catch of the Day – Branzino: ★★★★★ Service: ★★★★★ Ambiance: ★★★★★ Overall Experience: ★★★★★

Dine-In Experience: We ended up at Barangas on the Beach in Hamilton with a group of seven friends—last minute on a Saturday night around 9 PM, with no reservation—and honestly, the fact that the staff still found us a table was the best start we could’ve hoped for. We sat indoors, but you could still feel the energy from the patio where a DJ was spinning and people were dancing by the lake. The whole vibe was lively, fun, and felt like a little summer escape right on the waterfront.

Food: We kicked things off sharing the Spanakopitakia—flaky, warm, and perfectly balanced with a little sweetness from the drizzle. All of us wished we had ordered more because one piece each wasn’t enough.

A couple of friends went for the Classic Fish and Chips. The batter was crispy, not too heavy, and the fish itself was light and fresh. It’s one of those dishes that feels like comfort food, and they were really happy with it.

The Crispy Chicken Sandwich was solid—juicy chicken with the right amount of crunch, and the spicy aioli gave it a nice kick. Fries on the side were hot and crispy, exactly how they should be.

The Grilled Salmon looked beautiful when it came out, and my friend said it was cooked just right—flaky, tender, and paired nicely with the lemon dill flavors.

The Spinach Linguine surprised us—in a good way. Creamy, flavorful, and hearty. It wasn’t too heavy but still filling, which made it a nice pasta option on the menu.

For me, the highlight was the Catch of the Day—a Branzino fillet, boneless and perfectly grilled. Paired with Greek ladolemono sauce, roasted potatoes, rice, and veggies, it was light but packed with flavor. Easily one of the best fish dishes I’ve had in a while.

Ambiance: The setting is what makes Barangas really special. Even indoors, you feel part of the buzz from the patio with music, dancing, and the lake right there. The Mediterranean vibe, lively crowd, and waterfront location make it feel like you’re on a mini vacation without leaving Ontario.

Service: Our server was wonderful—super sweet, patient with our big group, and made sure we had everything we needed without ever rushing us. Given how busy it was, the service really stood out.

Overall Experience: Everything came together—the food, the music, the lakefront views, and the welcoming staff. We left full, happy, and already talking about when we’d come back. If you’re looking for a fun night out with friends in Hamilton, this...