These Latin American restaurants in Mississauga take me back with their traditional flavours.
It was over ten years ago that I left my job in advertising to travel the world. I bought a one way ticket to Mexico and traveling south overland to Argentina.
Over the years I’ve returned to Latin America many times. I love the flavours and people so much I actually had a DNA test to see if I wasn’t plain ole European but had some Latin spice.
Sadly I do not.
But many have said I have it in my heart and that’s what matters.
Sadly it’s tough to get authentic Latin American food. There are plenty of taco shops, and they are fine. But I crave the sazón of the cooks that make traveling so delicious.
Thankfully Mississauga is a traveler’s city.
There are over 1800 restaurants from over 150 countries in Mississauga. This is a city where you could nearly eat at a different restaurant each night for five years.
And amongst all of that culinary diversity are real deal Latin American restaurants.
Latin American Restaurants
Getting authentic Latin American food in Canada can be tough. Mexican restaurants are rarely authentic and usually owners need to adapt to Canadian tastes like chimichangas and giant burritos.
But Mississauga has a healthy Latino population and that means several restaurants making fantastic food.
Pa’l Antojo
Although this Mexican restaurant has been open for less than a year, it’s clear that owner Tavita has a strong following for home cooked Mexican food.
Food in Mexico is so diverse and I find it discouraging that most people only know tacos. Or worse, they think that chimichangas and big burritos are what you’ll find there.
But the menu at Pa’l Antojo has so much authentic food that I love including gorditas and tortas. The most popular items are not surprisingly the tacos el pastor and birria.
But as tempted as I was they also have tacos with tripa (tripe), lengua (beef tongue) and suadero (part between belly and leg).
I love offal.
Mexicans know how to cook offal well and I had to try it. Usually when I’m shooting videos I only eat a little bit and take the rest to go. But these tender tacos and glass of tamarind juice brought me back to eating from street carts in Mexico.
I ate all of them and took a long walk to make room for more food!
Pa’l Antojo
1885 Drew Rd, Mississauga, ON L5S 1J5, Canada
Las Delicias
I was only in Colombia a few weeks ago and this spot took me right back there. The food. The energy.
Las Delicias is Colombia in Canada.
As soon as I entered the owner introduced himself. He’s from Medellin and said everyone calls him Paisa, which means countryman.
Paisa has a big personality that is warm and inviting. He assured me at 4pm I could have the calentao, which is on the breakfast menu.
And then jokingly dismissed me for spending 5 weeks in Colombia and not visiting Medellin.
As I waited for my meal I saw a constant stream of Spanish speaking people coming in, running into friends. Hugging Paisa and catching up.
It is the unofficial Colombian community centre.
Although gringos are welcome too. When Paisa introduced himself in Spanish I responded in Spanish that alas I was gringa.
He reassured me everyone was welcome and later introduced me to the family at the next table and to Pipe a local musician from Medellin.
Las Delicias is just another example of what makes restaurants in Mississauga so great. It is truly a global experience.
And the food was just as good as the people. Calentao means heated, and it is a traditional Colombian food locals eat for breakfast where the previous night’s leftovers are warmed up.
In this case rice, beans, sweet plantains, pork belly and beef. It is served alongside a giant arepa and salty cheese. It is devastatingly good but also large enough for 2 or 3 people!
Las Delicias
59 A Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5B 1H7, Canada
La Bonita Latin American Restaurant
Although most of the items on the menu are Colombian, La Bonita strives to serve the best of Latin America.
I came for the pupusas, an El Salvadoran stuffed cornmeal cake. They are difficult to find but one worth seeking out.
Sadly at the counter Wendi, who is from El Salvador, told me that you need to order them in advance.
So asked about the Ecuadorian ceviche, she lamented it is only offered on weekends (it was a Tuesday). I was dejected and wasn’t sure what to order.
But in typical Latin American hospitality, Wendi would not allow me to be disappointed.
She shared that although she’s from El Salvador she spent time in Ecuador. And if I could wait 30 minutes she would make me Ecuadorian hornado.
Yes please!
Hornado is Ecuadorian roasted pig. It is one of my favourite Ecuadorian foods. I was shocked at the beautiful plate of food she brought out, enough for a party of four.
She may be from El Salvador, but this was a pure taste of Ecuador, complete with llapingachos (potato cakes).
I was really overwhelmed with her generosity to make something I would like.
This s a special place with fantastic food. And next time I’m calling ahead for those pupusas!
La Bonita Latin American Restaurant
1065 Canadian Pl #109, Mississauga, ON L4W 0C2, Canada
Latin Hut Cafe & Bakehouse
Latin Hut is owned by Victor and Mercedes from Caracas, Venezuela. They serve traditional South American food and baked goods in a small cafe.
Incredibly they opened in 2020 and survived by serving fantastic food and keeping costs down with two employees – themselves.
They have also developed a local reputation by offering a dish, which happens to be Victor’s favourite – arepa reina pepiada.
Arepas are eaten in Venezuela like we eat bread in Canada. They are present at every meal and can have different fillings.
But this one is special.
In 1955, Susana Duijm because the first Venezuelan (and Latina) to win Miss World. It was such an honour that a local arepera created the Reina Pepiada, a play on the phrase Curvy Queen, to celebrate the momentous accomplishment.
Today it is one of Venezuela’s most popular arepas. It’s a simple mix of shredded chicken breast, mayo and generous portions of avocado.
The only problem is you’ll never want a plain chicken salad sandwich again, it is that good.
Latin Hut Cafe & Bakehouse
1960 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5K 2R9, Canada
Latin Super Chicken
As soon as I walked in the door and heard Marc Antony blasting I was transported into Latin America. Latin Super Chicken is home to a restaurant, money transfer spot and fantastic Latin grocery store.
A family run business, Pati is from Puebla Mexico and her husband from Lima Peru – two of the most cherished food cities in Latin America.
They have been in Canada for almost 20 years, running this business for 14 years without a single day off. Until this year when they finally went back to Mexico for the holidays.
And while most people think of Peruvian food as limited to ceviche and other raw fish dishes like tiradito, one of the most common is pollo a la brasa or rotisserie Peruvian chicken.
Latin Super Chicken offers it on weekends with traditional aji amarillo and the green sauce, which are so delicious you’ll want to buy it to take home.
You can also make it at home as they have all the ingredients in their store. And I was thrilled to see so many rare ingredients like chicha, jarred Peruvian yellow peppers and Cuban coffee.
While you’re shopping ask them for a Venezuelan pabellon empanada with beef, beans and sweet plantain.
You won’t regret it!
Latin Super Chicken
17 Queen St N, Mississauga, ON L5N 6A1, Canada
Antojitos
Although I had only left South America a few days prior I was immediately drawn to this Colombian bakery.
Colombians make fantastic bread, killer empanadas and are some of the friendliest people in the world. I had intended to just go in and try a beef empanada but it all looked so good.
After ordering a beef empanada, pan de guayaba (guava bread), carimañola (cheese stuffed yuca) and buñuelo (fried dough) I had to stop.
Though I now regret not also trying the pan de queso (cheese bread) because everything was delicious.
If you’re curious about Colombian food this is a great place to start. They also sell prepared foods such as sancocho, frozen foods, and imported drinks and candy.
Antojitos
803 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5E 1W8, Canada
BONUS: Huevos Gourmet
I originally visited this restaurant while exploring Lakeshore restaurants in Mississauga. It was so good I wanted to share it again here. It’s not traditional but you still get a sense of the Mexican flavours.
A mix of Mexican flavours and French cuisine, Huevos Gourmet is a family run brunch spot owned by a couple from Guadalajara.
They serve an all day breakfast that ranges from traditional eggs benedict to huevos rancheros, the house specialty.
Although they mention Tabasco hot sauce on the menu, ask for their homemade hot sauce, but beware that even just a tiny bit packs a punch.
The brunch spot is packed on weekends offering the “warmth of a Mexican family and the allure of the Parisian passion” so go early.
Or do what I did and arrive early on a weekday where service is just as warm and you won’t feel rushed to finish so other eager diners can feast.
But make sure to get your fix early as it closes at 4pm daily
Huevos Gourmet
241 Lakeshore Rd E, Mississauga, ON L5G 1G8, Canada
Latin American Food in Mississauga
If you’re eating at a great Latin American restaurant in Mississauga that you think I should know about, post it on Instagram and tag me @Ayngelina so I can share it!
Disclosure: This post was created in partnership with Tourism Mississauga. They did not request that I visit any specific restaurants in Mississauga, only to share what I loved. And I love Latin America.