The west end of Toronto is not known for its character, personality, or uniqueness. Mississauga has become a byword for plain, boring, suburban, devoid of any unique character. Especially when it comes to coffee shops the amount of locations for each of Starbucks and Tim Hortons is endless. Independent cafés are hidden gems here, but once you try them out you’re likely to be a lifer, they all have great quality brews and even better quality of character. Your list of non-franchise cafes in Mississauga to visit is here for the rescue, these are only a few of the ones I frequent but there are plenty more if you take the time to explore them out. Places come and go so this list is alive and kicking as of the time of this blog, things can change in this town quickly. Check your Google Maps if some of these are still shining the cool brew light amid suburban café darkness:

1. Tea One Bakery and Café – this is a great Japanese bakery, located at 900 Rathburn Road East, with amazing variety and quality of drinks. My favourite is the black sesame latte and the milk tea. They also have pineapple and Coconut buns, Kaya bread, and dim sum platters. A great find and right across from an equally fun GG Board game Café and a nearby Uyghur Chinese Restaurant and Lola Caribbean Food. The uniqueness per sq. acre in this plaza is astonishing.
2. Rania’s Cakes – A very “pretty” café in Port Credit, one of the few unique areas of the City. Along 243 Lakeshore Road East, this Café has breakfast, high tea, and great brews with a Middle Eastern twist with a girly décor that would be great for a Ladies’ outing, a date with your daughter, or afternoon tea on Valentine’s Day (which we tried and it was amazing). A great hidden gem in the town with, most importantly, great coffee options and even better pastry and cake treats.
3. Buka Maranga Café and Catering – located in what seems to be a converted garage, which lends it great atmospheric character, located at 6465 Millcreek Dr. in the Meadowvale area. Known for their fresh bagels, the coffee and snack options are delicious. My go-to is the hummus breakfast bagel and olives, and for drinks, it’s the Turmeric Latte. The espresso cream pastry is also among the best things I have tasted. Lots of unique drinks and snacks on offer within a unique and unassuming vibe.
4. Apricot Tree Café – A long-standing anchor within a unique cluster of stores in a plaza at 1900 Dundas Street West. This is a classic European café with great and delicious restaurant style food. The onion soup is the best I even had and the pasta portions are more than filling. Pastry options and coffee variety is also great. A very atmospheric setting that transports you to Germany or Austria.
5. Chai Walla of London – Although I am naughty about adding this international franchise, it is the only branch in the City and may be one of 2 in the entire Country. Its diverse and exotic variety of drinks and breakfast well as regular menu options justifies adding this here. Great Karak Indian tea, which I used to have in the Middle East and found a challenge to find here, makes this worthwhile. The breakfast is spicy but amazing. The staff is friendly – although the service can be a bit slow, the setting is easygoing and everything on the menu is delicious.
6. Archtop Coffee Bar & Market – another great gem in Port Credit at 91 Lakeshore Road East. The options of coffee are all exceptional, including the light and smooth flat white coffee. The food and pastry options are great. Its location has the added benefit that you can walk to the nearby marina before or after your coffee. Staying-in is just as good with plenty of food options as well.
7. Kate’s Bakery – located at the intersection of Main and Queen Street in Streetsville, another of Mississauga’s unique areas – I would argue even quainter than Port Credit. The timing is a bit difficult to sort out and the space is limited, the lavender lattes and the freshly made cookies and tarts are well worth the visit though. Plenty of outdoor seating when the weather is nice so space would not be an issue.
8. Studio 89 – Set within the main lobby of the Arc Erin Mills building at 2520 Eglinton Avenue West. This is a health-conscious, eco-friendly café with a great space and setting. The vibe is casual and welcoming and the options are unique with a lot of health-focused drinks and pastries. Not going to lie some of them are not my cup of tea, but others are great and I would not have an issue finding things I like there for drinks or snacks.
9. French Corner Patisserie – A French-focused café – which we definitely need more of – at 1224 Dundas Street West. The pastries are fresh and just seeing them through the counter glass can make your mouth water. Quality pastries and baked goods and coffee options that you come to expect from a great French bakery. I wish there was more of these bakeries all around, then again if there were my doctor might be shocked at my health status. A great find and worth the visit.
10. Italian/Portuguese Bakeries – I lumped a few of my favourite Italian and Portuguese bakeries in town because they are similar in snack and food offerings as well as coffee (usually Cappuccino, Espresso, and lattes). Great to also pick up some international products if that’s what you’re looking for and in some cases great fresh-made savoury lunches. My favourites are Britannia Italian Bakery at 5925 Grossbeak Drive, Truscott Italian Bakery & Delicatessen at 2425 Truscott Drive, Caldense Bakery 5425 Creditview Road, Molisana Bakery at 1474 Pickwick Drive, and Caffe Prego (attached to the Starksy European Grocery Store) at 3115 Dundas St West. All great options are run by families with a homely feel.
    

Any other favourites you know of in town? Comment below.