🧭 GTA Eats: Mediterranean Moods – Shawarma, Falafel & Mezze That Define the GTA

Middle Eastern cuisine is a pillar of GTA food culture — with shawarma, tabbouleh, hummus, and grilled meats now everyday staples across the region.

🧭 GTA Eats: Mediterranean Moods - Shawarma, Falafel & Mezze That Define the GTA
A colourful spread of Middle Eastern classics — shawarma with garlic sauce, falafel, hummus, tabbouleh, vine leaves, and pita — celebrating the vibrant flavours of the GTA.

🥙 Rich Flavour, Fresh Ingredients, Deep Tradition

Middle Eastern food is no longer a “niche” offering in the GTA — it’s part of the city’s everyday flavour. Whether it’s a late-night shawarma run, a lunch platter of falafel and hummus, or a family feast of grilled meats and fresh salads, the GTA is filled with Lebanese, Syrian, Turkish, Palestinian, and Persian food made with pride.

From quick-serve counters in Mississauga to elegant mezze lounges in Toronto, Middle Eastern cuisine delivers balance: herbaceous freshness, deep spices, grilled perfection, and unmatched hospitality.


📍 Where to Eat Middle Eastern Food in the GTA

🥙 Paramount Fine Foods

📍 Multiple locations (Mississauga, Toronto, Scarborough)
A reliable staple for Lebanese dishes including fresh-baked pita, chicken shawarma, fatoush, and classic platters — served fast but with sit-down quality.

🍢 Dr. Laffa

📍 North York & Vaughan
Known for its massive laffa wraps, sizzling grilled kebabs, and creamy hummus. A hidden gem for those who want flavour and fullness.

🌿 Tabülè Middle Eastern Cuisine

📍 Toronto (Riverside, Midtown, Bayview)
A refined take on Middle Eastern fare with exceptional mezze options, grilled skewers, and vegetarian dishes — in beautifully designed spaces.

🍗 Shawarma Empire

📍 Scarborough
A Scarborough institution. No-frills, all-flavour. Their shawarma plates and garlic potatoes draw lineups daily.


🍋 Flavour, Hospitality, and Cultural Identity

Middle Eastern food isn’t just about spice — it’s about warmth. It’s about family-run kitchens serving food the same way they have for generations, now in a GTA setting.

With a strong and growing Arab and Persian population in the region, these flavours are more than a trend — they’re part of the fabric of everyday life in Toronto.


📍GTA Eats: Food, Flavour and Culture is your weekly guide to the rich culinary tapestry of the Greater Toronto Area. Published every Saturday in GTA Weekly.
Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for mezze, meat, and more. #GTAToday #GTAEats

About Tiana 40 Articles
Tiana Squire is a multi-talented contributor to GTA Weekly, where she leads coverage of leisure, tourism, and food culture across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. She is the author of several weekly series including Jet Set Weekly, GTA Eats, and Weekend Vibes, offering readers curated guides to festivals, local dining, global destinations, and family-friendly fun. With a passion for storytelling and a flair for finding the best experiences near and far, Tiana brings a fresh, vibrant voice to the pages of GTA Weekly. She can be reached at tiana.squire@gtaweekly.ca.

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