Shalal Restaurant — Restaurant in Mississauga

I had a very disappointing and suspicious experience at this restaurant. It started with a small piece of hair on the side of a garlic sauce container, but we didn’t mention it since our order was already incorrect. We had ordered a mixed grill plate with fatoush, a lamb shawarma plate with fries, and a side of rice and Warak 3nab.

They started with bringing us the warak 3nab which felt a bit over cooked. Then they brought us fries which I did enjoy. However, it was supposed to come with the lamb shawarma plate but we assumed it was just served separately while they make the rest of the food. Then the mixed grill plate arrived with fries instead of the fatoush or rice. We pointed it out, and they brought a side of rice. When the lamb shawarma plate came, it also had fries instead of fatoush, so we had to request the salad again.

I appreciated that they corrected the order and gave us the fries without charging extra, but the service remained sloppy. My sister ordered a shish tawook skewer, which surprisingly came with only four pieces — a very small portion compared to the usual five or six at most restaurants.

Then came the cake. My mom ordered a “Tuxedo chocolate cake slice,” but what we received was clearly a regular chocolate fudge cake. As a baker, I know the difference. When we asked, the server insisted it was what we ordered. A second staff member later admitted they didn’t even have tuxedo cake in stock, which made it worse. They served us something else without informing us first. To top it off, there was a long hair on the slice, which my sister noticed and removed in front of the server. The server looked shocked and brought a replacement, which I appreciated but we still shouldn’t have been charged for it.

Then another guest at our table found an elastic band in her lemon mint juice, and someone else found hair in their rice. That made three separate hair incidents in one table. On top of that, the food was overcooked, the portions were small, and the food took way longer than 20 minutes to prepare.

I was close to ordering a mango smoothie but decided against it after everything that happened. This was my first and last time visiting. While the restaurant atmosphere was decent and not too much shisha smell, the overall food experience was not great.. The server offered no real apology — just a vague “sorry” and “I don’t know what to say.” Extremely unprofessional service.

I was going to leave a 1-star review, but I did appreciate the complimentary fries. Still, the cake situation should have been handled better and taken off the bill. It was a frustrating experience for everyone at the table and not the evening...

If you're looking for an authentic Middle Eastern dining experience in Mississauga, Shalal is the place to be. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed not just by the warm, inviting decor, but also by a level of service that truly stands out.

Ambiance & Setup: Shalal is beautifully set up with a mix of traditional Middle Eastern aesthetics and modern comfort. The space is thoughtfully arranged with cozy seating, elegant lighting, and tasteful cultural touches that make you feel like you've stepped into a stylish oasis. Whether you’re here for dinner, a night out with friends, or a relaxing shisha session, the atmosphere caters perfectly to any vibe.

Service Excellence – Saeed Deserves a Shoutout: The service at Shalal is nothing short of outstanding. Every staff member we encountered was friendly, attentive, and professional. But Saeed made our visit truly memorable. From the moment he greeted us, his energy, kindness, and attention to detail stood out. He took the time to explain menu options, made fantastic recommendations, and checked in with us regularly without ever being intrusive. It’s rare to find someone who clearly enjoys what they do and makes each guest feel special — Saeed absolutely delivered that and more.

Food & Pricing: The food? Incredible. From the tender grilled meats to the flavorful rice, fresh salads, and rich dips, every dish we tried was packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. The presentation was beautiful, and the quality was evident in every bite. Prices were fair, especially considering the portion sizes and the overall dining experience. You’re definitely getting great value at Shalal.

Shisha Experience: If you're into shisha, Shalal takes it to the next level. The shisha lounge is spacious, well-ventilated, and beautifully set up for a relaxed and social experience. The variety of flavors is impressive, and the staff are on point when it comes to maintaining the coals and ensuring the session stays smooth. It's the perfect way to wind down after a meal or enjoy a laid-back evening with friends.

Final Verdict: Shalal is more than just a restaurant — it’s an experience. From the ambiance to the food, and especially the service (huge thanks again to Saeed!), everything was on point. Whether you're a fan of Middle Eastern cuisine or just looking for a new spot to explore, Shalal is a must-visit in Mississauga. We'll definitely be coming back — and next time, bringing more...

READ PLEASE! ZERO STARS!! DO NOT GO HERE! I would give zero stars. We came on Sept 30, 2023 at 8pm. We specifically told the waiter that we do not eat beef and we were given beef. So instead of the lamb swarma (which has beef) we changed to chicken.

Then when we got our plate. My husband had the little ball (fritter) which was mainly beef ( we did not know it had beef). He ate it and then swallowed without knowing.

I know what beef looks like based on my experience so I told the waiter what it was and he said “yeah, it’s beef.“

I complained to him and brushed it off like it was nothing. I then told the manager and he said “oh there must have been a miscommunication”.

Then some other guy came and he offered us a cheese roll to apologize.

Like seriously? A piece of bread. My husband is a Hindu and they do not eat beef. We told the waiter many times that we do not eat beef. So we trusted that he would not bring us beef, but I was wrong. He brought us beef.

I understand that it is a Mediterranean restaurant where beef if served but if customer says that they do not want beef in their food then do not bring it to the table. That is ridiculous.

Now my husband is dealing with the guilt because your restaurant doesn’t care about people’s wishes.

We never asked them to reduce the bill or give us something for the damage done. But the fact that their actions showed that they literally don’t care. We still paid full price ($90) because we just wanted to get the heck out of there instead of arguing with uneducated people.

Never going back. And never taking my friends or family there.

I took a picture as the display was nice before we ate but you can see those brown beef fritters sitting on top of our food which my husband ate. We specifically asked for NO beef and there is the proof that beef was given to us.

Horrible horrible horrible. Disgusting and soulless people...