The 11 most delicious restaurants in Mississauga

Chef/owner Massimo Capra—a fixture on both the local restaurant scene and national television as a judge on Food Network’s Chopped Canada—returned to his Mississauga roots in 2017, opening an upscale Italian restaurant that’s as quirky as his extravagantly pointed moustache. Sophisticated pasta, such as a wild boar stuffed agnolotti with port reduction, shows how much care Capra offers each one of his ingredients. Look out for him as he can often be found greeting regulars or working the line in the bustling open kitchen.

Price: Pricey

A playful, buzzy space matches the food at this restaurant in the middle of a commercial area—a Punjabi-Canadian mashup that’s as irreverent as owner (and Food Network’s Recipe to Riches winner) Rick Matharu. The Punjabi burger with tandoori bacon and achari mayo gets all the attention, but the vegetarian dosa burger stands out, with crunch yielding to a fluffy potato and curry leaf interior. Don’t forget perennially crispy fries dusted with masala or topped with chaat or the award-winning butter chicken.

Price: Average

As trendy restaurants have come and gone and recessions have decimated traditional fine dining, Rogues Restaurant has been one of the few white-tablecloth survivors in Mississauga for over 30 years. Although the regular offerings of house-made pasta and milk-fed veal scaloppine please regulars, carnivorous delicacies such as tender filet of camel or wild buffalo, relative rarities within Mississauga’s borders, are the true must-haves here.

Price: Blowout

Whether you’re an expat or a newbie to the wonders of a steaming bowl of laksa lemak, Lion City offers one of the best in the city, served amidst a flurry of batik prints and historical maps. Peranakan Plates pop-up queen Eleanor Sim ladles up her legendary laksa with creamy coconut spicy-sweet broth, tofu puffs and crunchy bean sprouts. Round out your meal with slippery smooth wat dan hor fun noodles in egg gravy (add pickled jalapeños for some heat).

Price: Average

Trinidadian roti and doubles on the menu, tunes blaring, and a steady, quick-moving lineup make for a happy-go-lucky ambiance in this casual restaurant at the core of Mississauga. Choose four of your favourites for the daily veggie platter—smoky/sour tomatoes choka, sweet pumpkin purée, savoury channa and creamy spinach all await a quick swipe with flaky paratha. Don’t forget the large and fiery goat roti... Just order some sauce on the side if you’re timid.

Price: Bargain

Formerly known as Mickey's Dragon Pizza, the joint is as tiny as the pizzas are large—only a few seats are up for grabs in this deep-dish pizza place smack in the middle of a strip mall. Call to check opening hours because the doors close as soon as the dough runs out. Go all in with a meat king (fair warning: be prepared to eat nothing else that day): pepperoni, sausage, homemade meatballs and crumbled bacon threaten to overflow the edges of this memorable pie.

Price: Average

Divine dosas are why there are two waiting rooms on-premise, to control the flow of people at this busy north Mississauga restaurant. You’ll need a reservation and be prepared for brisk but friendly service. Fillings include paneer, Mysore paste, or just plain with dips, and all the dosas are vegetarian-friendly.

Price: Average

Warm service and a room full of regulars give this long-standing landmark the breezy feel of a Mediterranean taverna with Port Credit’s bustling waterfront scene outside its doors. Stick a fork through all the layers of an exohiko and watch the layers of puff pastry, lamb, tomato, and feta crumble into a glorious mouthful, then wash it down with a Skinos Mastiha digestif. You can also go traditional with tableside flaming saganaki and cries of “opa!” (No plate breaking, please.)

Price: Pricey

It may sit in the shadow of a funeral home, and its décor may be best described as Spartan, but the fiery chilli-laden dishes at this modest eatery more than make up for the ambiance. Hand-pulled noodles—rustic and with an al dente chew—are the star dish, but bone-in flash-fried Szechuan chicken with a mountain of chillies or a silky mapo tofu are good bets as well. Ask for the radish pickles for a caramel contrast to the heat.

Price: Bargain

A cheerful European-style cafe and a local favourite for over 25 years, Apricot Tree has grown from a small store into a thriving business after buying out a neighbouring Starbucks. Flit between light lunchables such as a creamy tarragon chicken crepe or signature apricot salad, but save room for the house-made pastries from Austrian-trained Franz Hochholdinger (former pastry chef at Movenpick). Try a slice of four chocolate Toblerone mousse cake and an eiskaffee for a sophisticated sugar rush.

Price: Average

The setting is more factory than fine dining, but with a couple of Mississauga’s best samosas in front of you, that won’t matter. The special pastry recipe (a family secret) has been 35 years in the making, and it shows in every bite of the flaky, light samosas with veggie, beef, chicken or paneer options. Come early and be prepared to wait in line. Don’t forget to take some samosas home for when the inevitable cravings hit later.

Price: Bargain