25-year-old Toronto restaurant brand set to open first Mississauga location
Published January 14, 2026 at 12:26 pm
A restaurant brand that operates four Italian restaurants in Toronto’s downtown core is branching out and expanding, for the first time, into the suburbs–and into a highly anticipated new waterfront development, no less.
After more than 25 years in Toronto, Mercatto Hospitality–which owns Cantina Mercatto, Mercatto College and Elizabeth, Taverna Mercatto and Tratoria Mercatto–is set to open Mercatto Centrale in Port Credit, a waterfront neighbourhood in the southeast end of Mississauga.
The new location, set to open in March of this year, will call the upcoming Brightwater community home. Brightwater, taking shape along the shores of Lake Ontario, is a 72-acre development that will include 3,893 housing units upon completion. The community has also already welcomed a range of shops, including Farm Boy, an LCBO location, Cobs Bread, Pop On Nails, D Spot Dessert Cafe and more.
Signs are already posted for the restaurant, and Mercatto has shared some images of what the eatery will look like once it opens. Renderings show an undulating roof that mimics waves, an elegant bar, sleek wooden pannelling and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Mercatto said the unique design “draws inspiration from The Birth of Venus, interpreted through subtle, modern details rather than literal references,” with patterns that mirror the waterfront location and create a relaxed, “coastal” atmosphere for diners.
A fact sheet from Mercatto said the restaurant will take shape in an 8,500 square foot building, with approximately 5,000 square feet dedicated to the bar and dining areas. The restaurant will accommodate up to 290 people, offering 200 indoor and 90 patio seats.
“Established in 1998 on the principles of Italian culinary tradition, Mercatto has expanded into a family of restaurant concepts,” reads the history of the restaurant on its website. “Our four downtown locations, each designed to celebrate different facets of Italian heritage, are united by a common passion for wine, food, and great company.”
Led by executive chef Doug Neigel, Mercatto is known for offering a mix of classic and modern Italian fare.
The brand also said that Mercatto Centrale will be the only Mercatto location offering brunch, and will offer diners a “curated menu designed specifically for the Port Credit location.”
Menu items include pizzas such as the diavola (spicy soppressata, tomato, fior di latte, basil), speck (zucchini purée, caramelized onion, fior di latte, grana padano) and pepperoni (ezzo pepperoni, cracked coriander and fennel seed, tomato, mozzarella) and pasta dishes such as chitarra alla carbonara (guanciale, conestoga farms egg, black pepper, grana padano, pecorino), orecchiette pugliese (fennel sausage, rapini and pine mut pesto, peperoncini, pangrattato), and pan-seared lasagna (ricotta, mozzarella, besciamella, ragù bolognese).
There is also a full menu of traditional main courses, including chicken, fish, and steak, as well as appetizers and antipasti.
Several traditional Italian desserts are also available.
The restaurant will also offer private dining space for parties and events.
The restaurant will open on March 13.
Cover photo from Mercatto’s official Facebook page