Top New Restaurant Openings in 2018 in Mississauga
Published March 17, 2018 at 4:46 am
This year has been a very good one in terms of new restaurant openings in Mississauga.
While Mississauga isn’t necessarily the first city to come to mind when someone hears the term “food scene,” anyone who overlooks this not-so-sleepy suburb is missing out on a truly unique, diverse and eclectic mix of food options. With food from almost every part of the globe present in the city, there truly is something for everyone.
Here’s a look at some of the hottest new openings of 2018 so far.
Although Mississauga has a substantial waterfront (and one that’s slated to undergo incredible redevelopment, no less), its waterside food scene has always been dominated by the popular (some might argue iconic) Snug Harbour. That’s no longer the case. The owners of the incredibly successful Toronto gem Cafe Diplomatico—located right in the heart of the bustling Little Italy neighbourhood—just opened a brand new waterside restaurant in Mississauga. Posta, the brand new Italian restaurant, took shape in the old post office location at Stavebank and Lakeshore Road. The chic restaurant boasts 9,300 square feet of space—which includes a vast lakeside patio with its very own bar. As far as dining goes, the resto offers dine-in service, takeout options, express counter service, appetizer bars and wine bars. As far as food goes, there is salumi and formaggi, pizza, gelato and more. Even better news? The restaurant will serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
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If you’ve recently driven down Hurontario Street in the Cooksville area, you might have noticed some stylish signage indicating the arrival of Ding Tea. For those who are unaware, Taiwanese franchise Ding Tea was founded in 2004 and quickly spread throughout Asia and beyond. As of now, there are Ding Tea locations in Taiwan, China, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the U.S.A. and Hong Kong. The only other Canadian location listed on the brand’s website is one in Victoria, B.C.–meaning Mississauga is home to the brand’s first Ontario store. As far as the menu goes, the resto offers oolong milk tea, brown sugar milk tea, jasmine green milk tea, bubble milk tea, coconut jelly milk tea, pudding milk tea, taro milk tea and more.
Anyone who has ever dined in downtown Oakville no doubt knows that that the town to our west boasts a strong and perhaps underrated food scene that features a number of independent gems that combine on-trend menu items with a classic upscale dining experience. For that reason, some people were excited to hear that the team behind Oakville’s popular Noble Bistro took over Tu Casa restaurant in Lorne Park early in the New Year. As far as food goes, diners can indulge in the resto’s finer dining farm-to-fork fare, which includes Dufferin County beef tartare, roasted foie gras, braised rabbit gnocchi, butter poached halibut, eggplant lasagna and more. Restaurant operators say the menu will change and evolve, as it will be inspired by “fresh and local foods and ingredients.”
Back in 2017, Mississauga’s fairly enviable dessert scene lost a popular—and newish—hotspot. But you know how the old saying goes–when one door closes, another one opens. And now, sugar lovers can celebrate the arrival of new resto focused on sweeter and more decadent dishes. Late last year, we learned that D Spot Desserts was slated to open in the Matheson and Dixie Rd. area. Now, we’re happy to report that the cafe is open and serving customers. As far as the menu goes, the brand is going to bring sweet treat aficionados some choice favourites, including cakes, pies, waffles, tasty hot and cold beverages and more.
Have you ever found yourself overcome by persistent hankering for seafood? If so, you might be happy to hear that a unique new seafood joint has just opened up in one of the city’s busiest and most bustling shopping areas. Boil Plus, a new “seafood fusion” restaurant that’s associated with the popular Sushi 168 brand, has finally opened its doors in the Heartland Town Centre area. The new restaurant will no doubt please residents who were sad to lose the relatively new L.A. Boil resto, which only lasted a short time in the Dundas and Winston Churchill location recently adopted by Watan Kabob (note that you can still visit L.A. Boil’s Dundas location in the city’s east end). As far as the menu goes, Boil Plus offers seafood (served in boil bags, of course), sandwiches and Japanese ramen.
Laari Adda, an Indian and Pakistani street food restaurant, has just taken shape in the old Bistro Narra location in the Thomas St. and Winston Churchill area and is serving officially customers. On Feb. 9, the restaurant enjoyed a soft launch—one that was reservation only—that lasted until Feb. 18. The restaurant, which will reportedly be open late, offers dine-in, takeout and catering service. It also offers a bright and colourful interior that draws upon the vibrant decor frequently encountered in India and Pakistan. As far as food goes, restaurant operators say that “Laari Addas in Pakistan are famous for delicious street food and that is exactly what we are bringing back with a modern twist.” One such modern menu item? Nutella parathas. What’s even more exciting is that the resto will offer board game nights—something that a lot of patrons would no doubt like to see in Mississauga.
Just east of Hurontario, Dundas is all mature buildings and long-standing plazas housing everything from jewellery stores to spartan ethnic restos with, believe it or not, functioning and occupied apartments on top (a rare throwback to a bygone era). For that reason, it’s striking to see a decidedly modern restaurant–one that’s all pristine white wood and chic aquamarine accents–in an aging white plaza that shows the city’s age. Kantene, a brand new comfort food restaurant that combines counter and table service, is breathing culinary life into Cooksville–and it’s doing so with classic dishes. Specializing in fusion cuisine, the restaurant excels with its absolutely delicious vegetarian pizza (topped with eggplant and zucchini), flavourful feta-covered lamb burger (complete with a fresh bun from the Rose Bakery next door) and indulgent hand cut fries. You don’t want to miss that pizza.
While take-out joints have always been beloved for their tastiness and simplicity, they’re quickly becoming more unique and gourmet than ever before. And it appears another interesting quick-service joint has set up shop in Mississauga. The Chopped Leaf, a rapidly expanding Canadian brand that offers a range of healthier dishes, officially opened a brand new location in Mississauga. The resto can be found in Heartland Town Centre, right near the new Seafood City Supermarket on Boyer Blvd. As far as the menu goes, the resto offers a slew of warm basmati rice bowls that boast everything from salsa, cheddar and avocado to chickpeas, feta and grape tomatoes. The restaurant also offers salads and wraps, sandwiches, quesadillas and more.
Have you ever had a hankering for a quick meal that’s flavourful, unique and affordable? If so, a new restaurant that’s attempting to add a little diversity to the quick-service food scene in Mississauga might be just the right spot for you. SLS Eazy Carry, a Sri Lankan restaurant that set up shop in the Britannia Rd. and Erin Mills Parkway area a few short weeks ago, purports to have “come into existence after being frustrated about the lack of diversity that fast food restaurants had to offer.” Menu items include biryani, vegetable noodles, masala dosa, sambar mini idly, fried rice, fish/egg cutlet, samosa, steamed cassava, pittu and more.
