Victoria Street is Hamilton's most lively thoroughfare, lined with cafes, restaurants, and independent shops for about half a kilometre through the city centre. The street has improved considerably over the past decade as the city's food and coffee culture has grown, and there are now several genuinely good places to eat and drink alongside the usual chains.
The city campus of the University of Waikato is nearby, and the student population gives Victoria Street a younger energy than you might expect from a provincial New Zealand town. Saturday morning is the best time to explore — the farmers' market sets up around the corner on Hood Street, and most cafes are at their best.