Table of Contents
Let’s take you on a culinary trip around Ridgeway Plaza looking into the best Middle Eastern food options. We are covering everything from grilled food, street food, and fine dining.
What this blog post will NOT focus on are shawarma shops. There are plenty of those at Ridgeway (too many if you ask me!) and probably deserve their own dedicated blogpost. In this review, we’ll be focusing on a diverse set of Middle Eastern restaurants.
About Ridgeway Plaza
Ridgeway Plaza is a cultural food hub in Mississauga, Ontario, founded in 2022. Its official name is Erin Mills Centre, although I’ve actually never heard anyone call it that.
As a local resident, I go to this plaza very regularly – whether it’s for grocery shopping, getting some karak chai, or grabbing a quick bite to eat. With over 80 diverse eateries, the majority of which offer halal options, this suburban strip mall has evolved into a popular destination for food enthusiasts from all over the country. As a local resident, I appreciate that my friends frequently choose to gather here, making it super convenient for me! I no longer have to worry about being late for meet-ups haha!
The vibrant food landscape here is a vivid representation of Mississauga, or should I say – the Greater Toronto Area at large? It represents the enthusiasm of local communities to support and try ethnic cuisines from around the world. This diversity is exactly what makes Ridgeway Plaza a unique place.
Driving through this plaza and its multiple complexes can be a bit challenging. The inroads are narrow and drivers are often reading the store signs or looking at their phone to try and find a particular restaurant. The city is working on improving the incoming and outgoing traffic, and hopefully soon installing some stop signs at all the little intersections. There are lots of pedestrians here including little kids, especially on the weekends, so drive carefully!
1. Zain Alsham: Authentic Syrian Cuisine
Atmosphere: Zain Alsham exudes the rich and comforting culinary traditions of Syria through its simple, but welcoming ambiance. The decor adds to the overall experience, while the friendly staff complements the delightful dining experience. It is a great place for dining experiences with friends and family, also offering buffet options on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.
Dishes to Try: The recommended Syrian dishes are the mixed appetizer, Fettuccine Fantasia with chicken, Jordanian Mansaf, and the family BBQ platter. The grilled kibbeh is something special for any gourmand of Syrian gastronomy.
Rating:
- Food: 5/5
- Service: 5/5
- Atmosphere: 5/5
2. Sumaq – Iraqi Charcoal Grill
Atmosphere: Sumac Iraqi Charcoal Grill is a very busy place, especially on the weekends. The service could be slow during these times. It’s very busy and has a great vibe.
Must-Try Dishes: The star here is undoubtedly the mixed shawarma platter and lamb shank, brilliantly marinated and served with fragrant rice. Baba Ganoush, eggplant salad, hummus, and Iraqi kebabs with house bread (the best in the plaza) are unparalleled. We also tried their Znoud El Sit and it was amazing. The individual shawarma pieces were a bit dry but still tasted amazing.
Things I didn’t like: We had to buy water, as the place didn’t offer tea or coffee. Additionally, you have to pay extra for sauce, and a 15% service fee is already included. Be aware of this if you are also planning to add a tip.
Rating:
- Food: 4.5/5
- Service: 4/5
- Atmosphere: 5/5
Warning: Arrive early and allow yourself ample time to park. Given the plaza’s location, finding parking can be challenging. Additionally, prepare for longer wait times to be seated, especially during weekends.
Google Link: Sumac Iraqi Charcoal Grill
3. Alforat Restaurant – Iraqi Street Food
Atmosphere: Alforat offers a casual dining experience, but there’s plenty of space. It also has a heated outdoor dining area. We’ve done both take-out and dine-in. The dine-in experience wasn’t the smoothest. Maybe they didn’t have enough staff that day.
Top Dishes: Don’t miss their Shawarma and Falafel sandwiches – they pack a punch with authentic spices. We also loved their Rotisserie Chicken platter – two whole stuffed chickens with Iraqi Biryani rice which is good for at least 6-8 individuals and SUCH a good deal. We found that the chicken was slightly undercooked but other than that it was great! We also tried their Chicken Tikka and wow – great taste! It was like a less spicy version of the desi chicken tikka but still amazingly flavourful!
Not So Yummy: Lamb Samoon Sandwich – this one is highly popular, based on Google reviews, but I found it too plain for my taste. The Chicken Rice bowl (aka Chicken on the Rocks) is also just all right. However, I’m eager to try their Chicken and Falafel samoons.
Rating:
- Food: 4/5
- Service: 3.5/5
- Atmosphere: 4/5
Google Link: Alforat Resturant
4. Mermaid Fish & Grill House: Egyptian Seafood
Setting: This casual dining establishment offers fresh seafood, so it could be tough to dine in for people who don’t like the smell of raw seafood.
Significant Dishes: Their grilled sea bass and fried Calamari are a must-have for seafood lovers (Alexandria Mix has it covered). Fish and chips are also yummy.
Keep in mind: With its fresh seafood, it comes across a bit on the pricier side.
Rating:
- Food: 4.5/5
- Service: 4/5
- Atmosphere: 3.5/5
Google Link: Mermaid Fish & Grill House
5. Saraya Restaurant
Altmosphere: Saraya welcomes its visitors with the feel of Middle Eastern warmth, service, and decor. It’s a very nice place for family dining.
Recommended Dishes: You should try chicken & lamb Mandi rice (our kids love their Chicken Mandi) with a mixed platter. This is the best Mandi place in Ridgeway Plaza and is a close competitor to the other famous Mandi in Mississuaga – Monasaba. Their Fattoush salad and Mansaf are also quite good. I recommend trying Mansaf if you like the dish, but if it’s your first time, then opt for the classic Mandi.
Keep in mind: Portions tend to be on the smaller side, but we love the place and prices.
Rating:
- Food: 3.5/5
- Service: 5/5
- Atmosphere: 5/5
BONUS: Hamdi Restaurant: East African Cuisine
Note: We acknowledge that Hamdi is not a Middle Eastern restaurant. However, it’s a *bonus* we are listing here. We feel it deserves a spot on our list because it’s so good.
Ambiance: Hamdi’s is one of the more spacious restaurants, especially considering how tightly squeezed most of the restaurants in Ridgeway Plaza are. This place will nicely fit a large family group.
Key Dishes: Hamdi is a branch of an already successful location in Etobicoke. So they come here with experience. When one thinks of Hamdi, the first foods that come to mind are the chicken stew, roasted goat, signature mango juice, and the $1 beef sambusas (one of the best in Mississauga). The fried chicken drumsticks with rice and a side of vegetables are also exceptionally flavourful. The restaurant prides itself on its use of traditional Somali spices and cooking methods, offering an authentic and delightful taste experience. We haven’t had the chance to try their goat shoulder yet, as it was sold out, but it’s next on our list.
Rating:
- Food: 5/5
- Service: 4.5/5
- Atmosphere: 4/5
Tips for Enjoying Middle Eastern Food
When going to these restaurants, ask for recommendations or explanations of the dishes. Middle Eastern cuisine is many-faceted, so one should try different ones on each visit. Every dish offered also has a history lesson rooted in the tradition of its country of origin which is awesome!
Middle Eastern Cuisine and Health Benefits
While Middle Eastern cuisine is celebrated for its use of fresh ingredients and aromatic spices, it also offers many health advantages. A majority of the food is prepared using olive oil, lean meats, and packed with vegetables; therefore, they are a good choice for healthy dining.
Middle Eastern Sweets
No meal serving Middle Eastern cuisine is complete without sweets. Don’t forget to try Baklava or Kunafa at any of these places for a sweet conclusion to your dining experience.
Which other restaurants at Ridgeway Plaza would you like us to review? Are there hidden gems or favorite spots we’ve missed in this roundup? Let us know in the comments below.
- Discover the Best Pakistani Rice Dishes | Culinary Journey
- How to Make Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Drumsticks at Home
2 comments
I’ve tried Saraya and wanted to tried Sumac but they were always so packed. I’ll surely try Alforat next. Can you also recommend the best shawwarma place in this food place? Thanks
This site also has a list of the restaurants in the plaza! https://www.ridgewayplazaeats.com/