The 10 Best Italian Restaurants in Mississauga: A Taste of Italy!

Whether it’s a good or a bad day, ordering delicious pasta in a cozy Italian restaurant goes a long way.

Sure, you don’t need an excuse why you should have creamy carbonara and a glass of margarita at the end of the day, but the fact that it will help you somehow forget that you’re putting in an insane amount of OT hours or be able to think that there’s more to life than your 9 to 5 job for a while is a bonus.

Outside of Italy, Mississauga is one of many cities in the universe to try Italian food. So, obviously, we couldn’t have confined ourselves to just ten eateries. More top pizza places may have been added, however, the best pizzas deserve a separate list!

This article will mainly tackle the best spots for special events or when you are simply craving a bangin’ lasagna on a random weekday. Whatever the occasion, grab your besties, don your favourite Italian-inspired outfit, and get ready for a delicious Italian feast!

 

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1. Alioli Ristorante

Address: 350 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5B 3J1
Website: https://www.alioli.com/

Alioli Ristorante is not the only Italian Restaurant in Burnhamthorpe – in fact, there are a few of them, but there’s nothing else like Alioli. The place looks glamorous, the black and white dining set-up is aesthetically pleasing, and the modern Italian food is delicately executed.

If you’re like us, who does restaurant hopping in our most comfortable clothes (plain shirt, jeans, and pair of sneakers), then dining here will make you want to reconsider your outfit. While it’s entirely up to you on how you dress, the majority of customers prefer to wear semi-formal attire, which makes the whole place even more elegant.

This fancy restaurant is great for special occasions, and we particularly enjoy eating by the bar area to enjoy their vast liquor display or at their large patio on a beautiful summer day.

If it’s your first time here, start with Penne Alioli and an order of their homemade Focaccia, then try to go deep on their short list of pasta menus. And before we forget, a glass of wine should also be on your table. That’s an order!

 

2. Papa Giuseppe’s

Address: 26 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5G 1C8
Website: https://papagiuseppes.com/

If you are looking for a homey, casual vibe or the exact opposite of Alioli Ristorante, you can achieve this dream by going to Papa Giuseppe’s. Dining here is like having a good time at an old farmhouse in the Italian countryside. Nestled in the busy neighbourhood on Lakeshore Rd. E., a night in this place feels like a rustic break from the fast-paced life in the city.

The mains, pasta, and pizza are really a standout. Margherita Pizza and Smoked Duck Pasta are always a sure hit, so if you only wish to order one thing, Smoked Duck Pasta is the way to go. However, we highly suggest that you order more than one item to get a complete dining experience.

 

3. Casalinga Ristorante

Address: 2057 Royal Windsor Dr, Mississauga, ON L5J 1K5
Website: https://www.casalingaristorante.com/

An order of Pasta at Casalinga Ristorante will make you feel something. Every bite of Spaghetti Salsicce will bring a feeling of being the star of a coming-of-age movie who has just realized what is missing in their life.

Known for its authentic Italian food, this Florence-like restaurant in Clarkson Village is an all-time favourite among Italian cuisine fanatics. This is also our go-to restaurant for pasta because they offer a wide selection of this delectable dish. Don’t worry; you have many pizza options inside, too.

 

4. Capra’s Kitchen

Address: 1834 Lakeshore Rd W, Mississauga, ON L5J 1J7
Website: https://www.capraskitchen.com/

When eating out in Sauga, you should compromise a little. On most occasions, the city can get you down. Traffic will dictate your schedule, the air is not entirely fresh, and it seems like the people you will bump into on the street are competing to see who got the cutest dog.

When you feel like life is a bit too much, head on to Capra’s Kitchen and taste celebrity Chef Massimo Capra’s dishes. This modern-themed, large dining spot on Lakeshore Road W. is like a classy yet trendy café in an Italian restaurant’s body. And the warm food that comes out of the kitchen is precisely the comforting food you crave on a lazy day.

Everything here is masterful, from Risotto and Calzone Napoletano to a simple bag of bread. Be warned, it’s easy to miss their private parking lot located at the back of the restaurant, which is right before the Home Hardware store.

 

5. Andiamo Pasta Plus

Address: 135 Queen St S, Mississauga, ON L5M 1K9
Website: http://www.andiamopastaplus.com/

There’s no need to browse the menu or to ask the servers what’s good in here, it’s evident in their name. Andiamo is more of a restaurant you would find in Italy than an Italian restaurant in Mississauga. It means there are a lot of Pasta and Risotto, Antipasto, and amazing Italian desserts like Panna Cotta.

Whatever you decide to order, the food is delicious across the board, and most of their menu is priced under $30. Overall, Andiamo is the type of place for a perfect date night, the best spot if you want to impress out-of-town friends, or the perfect place if you want to devour plates of pasta alone – we are guilty of doing all three.

 

6. Grano Ristorante

Address: 285 Enfield Pl Unit R-108, Mississauga, ON L5B 3Y6
Website: https://www.granoristorante.ca/

The whole ambiance at Grano Ristorante smells like history. You will surely get the feeling that many happy memories have happened here. Serving authentic Italian dishes for close to 20 years, this classic restaurant is somewhere you can stop by for dinner on a random weeknight. Pick any dish, and you will feel lucky and happy as soon as you finish your plate.

The menu highlights staples like a basic Bruschetta and the ever-delicious Spaghettini Aglio e Olio. However, we recommend you pay attention to the dinner specials – it is usually read to you by the server as soon as you arrive.

If you have a lover, it is also ideal to reserve a dinner for two here. The small space and dim lighting make this place an ideal venue for an Italian date night.

 

7. Piatto Bistro

Address: 1646 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5C 1E6
Website: https://piatto.ca/

There is a proper way to do Piatto Bistro. We are skeptical about sharing it as we don’t want to sound pushy about you having a date. After all, we mentioned “date nights” two times in a row.

If you will insist, here is the proper way to do Piatto Bistro: Come with your significant other and sit at their luxurious-looking dining tables – face to face. Order an appetizer and then share two kinds of pasta as your main course. Drink wine. Go home happy. It may be cheesy but charming, nonetheless.

This fancy restaurant in Erindale has been a well-known go-to place for the most intimate date night since 1989, and it won’t probably change anytime soon.

 

8. La Scala Ristorante

Address: 2601 Matheson Blvd E Unit 2, Mississauga, ON L4W 5A8
Website: https://lascalacuisine.com/

As soon as you walk through the dining area at La Scala, you will feel like you’re about to enjoy complimentary meals at a nice hotel on your vacation of a lifetime in Milan (in reality, you have an early morning meeting about “team dynamics” that day).

Located at the heart of a business park, it’s pretty tough to get nice and available seats at this restaurant despite being humongous. Since they have a prime location, the place is often packed with people who want to enjoy delightful Italian dishes.

The menu centers around their authentic selection of pasta like Spaghetti Di Mare, Penne Con Pollo, Fettuccine La Scala, and more.

Trying to be healthy? Then you are lucky as La Scala is the most health-conscious Italian spot in town. The restaurant sees to it that its food is organic and gluten-free. They can also prepare less salty dishes upon request.

 

9. Thyme Ristorante

Address: 347 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5G 1H6
Website: https://thymeristorante.com/

Listen up, foodies! On Lakeshore Road, you’ll find two kinds of restaurants – the ones that are genuinely worth your time and money, and the ones that are just there for the ‘gram.

Sadly, the latter seems to dominate the scene, but fear not, my hungry friends! Thyme Ristorante is the real deal. It’s like the VIP section of Lakeshore’s dining scene – you know, where the A-listers go to see and be seen. So, put away your phone and savour the food because Thyme Ristorante is not just another pretty face (or pretty dish).

Perhaps their popularity has a lot to do about their Gnocchi Bolognese or Spaghetti Giardiniere, but frankly, everything on their menu is worth every penny. Their food is satisfyingly delicious and in a large serving.

And if you think this place is another intimate pasta room for your date nights, think again – Thyme Ristorante can be a venue for a big party!

 

10. Goodfellas Wood Oven Pizza

Address: 209 Queen St S, Mississauga, ON L5M 1L4 (+more locations)
Website: https://www.goodfellaspizza.ca/

We all know finding a restaurant that can cater to different occasions is like finding a unicorn, but lo and behold, Goodfellas is that rare gem. Though the space may not be too big, its opulent and glitzy decor gives it a classic charm. And if you’re a fan of architecture and interior design, this place will definitely not disappoint

Alright, buckle up because we’re about to take you on a culinary adventure! If you’re on the hunt for a slice of heaven, look no further than this Italian joint. The name says it all, and boy do they deliver!

We’re talking about some serious pizza game here, folks. Sure, their Sicilian is the bomb, but if you want to experience pure pizza euphoria, you need to indulge in their Margherita Pizza. Seriously, it’s like a food coma in every bite – and we mean that in the best way possible.

Don’t worry if you’re not in the mood for pizza (although, really, who isn’t?), they also have killer pasta dishes. Personally, we can’t resist their Tagliatelle con Ragu. But here’s the thing, if you don’t order at least one of their pasta dishes, we might have to re-evaluate our friendship. Just saying.