The Best Indian Restaurants in Mississauga

The best Indian restaurants in Mississauga uphold the delicious and versatile aspects of that can be found from the bustling streets of Delhi to the overcrowded hawker stands in Mumbai. Here, each Indian restaurant has a distinct aura about it (trust me, I'm Indian) and suburban Indian cuisine, while not as easily accessible as Toronto's Gerrard Street, represents the Indian diaspora that stretches throughout the city.

Here is my list of the best Indian restaurants in Mississauga.

See also:

The best Chinese restaurants in Mississauga
The best Indian restaurants in Toronto
The best Indian buffet in Toronto
The best dosa in Toronto

Writing by Kunal Gulati. Top photo by Ardenstreet on Flickr. Additional photos by Morris Lum.

Avani

In Sanskrit, Avani means earth, and located on the outskirts of Heartland Center, Avani's cuisine traverses the globe to create an aura of authenticity. Mood, lighting, and décor, combined with the restaurant's overall upscale atmosphere, make Avani a rather expensive choice in Mississauga. You can expect a long wait on the weekends, but don't forget to try the mutton chops and chicken tikka masala with garlic naan. More »

Nirvana

As advertised, Nirvana is just that for the Indian food connoisseur. Nirvana preceded Avani as Mississauga's first high-end joint for Indian food lovers, but is almost equal in quality. The level of spiciness can be accommodated for those with weak stomachs, and the delicious aromas and flavours of creamy butter chicken and rogan josh will be remembered for week after your meal. All in all, Nirvana is a place for the modern Indian gourmand. More »

Manchurian Madurai

Having taken over the former location of a "Captain's Choice" seafood restaurant, Manchurian Madurai offers modern Hakka and Indian fusion cuisine, and is conveniently located next to Diamonds (a local strip club). The décor retains some signs of the restaurant's past ownership; you can embark on a delicious journey inside the Madurai vessel while trying the lamb korma or kadahi chicken with clay oven roti. The staff is extremely friendly and eating Indian food in a pirate boat is one of the most unique experiences ever. More »

Bombay Bhel

Bhel is a popular Indian snack that originated in Bombay (Mumbai), and its namesake restaurant has two locations in Mississauga. Bombay Bhel is one of the first Indian restaurants that I explored when I moved here, and you can expect excellent service, killer seekh kabobs, and tandoori chicken. For those in a rush, grab some mouth-freshening Saunf as a side order to their efficient take-out service. More »

Saravanaa Bhavan

This vegetarian restaurant offers everything from rice-based to flour-based dishes from southern India, and be sure to try the Mini-Tiffin, which includes a little bit of everything or the lunch buffet special for the best value. Don't expect an elegant atmosphere, but rather enjoy the good service from its humble owners. As a bonus, you can even hire a private Dosa chef to prepare a meal in your backyard. More »

Udupi Madras Café

Udupi knows dosa. Found close to Square One, Udupi offers a spacious dining room, free underground parking, and chefs who demonstrate versatility in South Indian cuisine. Portions are quite generous, especially if you end up there later in the evening. The owners also operate Manchurian Madurai. More »

Brar Sweets

Once upon a time, this stand-alone restaurant featured take-out snacks and Indian sweets. With the success of the original spot, Brar has since opened 3 new locations as a full-fledged restaurant. Now, Brar Sweets serves appetizers and dinner, and last I checked, they were still fully vegetarian and the least greasy of all Brar locations. More »