Must visit cafés for your next coffee run
Four recommendations for cafés in Mississauga, tested and approved by fellow students.
The Bloom Coffee: Where Mediterranean and British foods collide
Zainab Khalil
After discovering the growing food scene at Platinum Drive on social media, I decided to go on a day trip to check it out. Walking around, I came across The Bloom Coffee.
The Bloom Coffee blends a modern, cozy atmosphere with a diverse menu, creating an environment that works well for casual visits, meeting friends, or even getting some work done.
What’s unique about this place is its Mediterranean and British-inspired menu. This fusion provides a wide variety of flavours and drinks like pistachio lattes and traditional coffee with cardamom. And if you’re a fan of light drinks, their fresh juices are perfect for a refreshing experience.
The Bloom Coffee’s menu offers dishes like falafel, steak pita wraps, beef hummus, pasta and more. They also have some desserts inspired by Dubai chocolate, such as strawberry cups and crepes.
A bonus is that The Bloom Coffee accommodates different dietary restrictions. Their menu ranges from vegetarian options to halal food, making it a great option for anyone interested in trying out the café.
Overall, I’d say that this café has it all! From its aesthetic brand, variety and quality of food and drinks to its comforting atmosphere, The Bloom Coffee does not fall short in contributing to Mississauga’s ever-growing food scene.
Studio.89: The perfect place for you to just be
Prekshaa Surana
I used to live near Eglinton Avenue West when I first moved to Mississauga, and every few weeks, I’d find myself back at Studio.89. When I first saw the café from across the street, my curiosity drew me in like a calling.
At first, I thought it was just another cute café. The type that has good lighting, decent coffee, and people pretending to study. But little did I know that Studio.89 is different. It’s not one of those cafés that serve more appearance than taste, but more of a place where you would accidentally find yourself attending an event you didn’t sign up for.
There’s always something happening at Studio.89. Some people are locked in on their work, others are deep in conversation, and nearby you’ll probably spot a workshop or open-mic poster that makes you think, “That actually sounds cool!”
More importantly, Studio.89 provides a sense of belonging to everyone. Whether you are a solo visitor or part of a group, Studio.89 has a place for you. There were a couple of times I visited with the intention of sitting and doing nothing, and somehow those visits turned into productive moments of reflection. I’ve also gone to the café to catch up with friends. On both occasions, the experience felt natural and comforting.
In addition, Studio.89 offers a fully vegan menu, and it all tastes amazing! Their drinks were also a hit. If you’re worried about the vegan options, I promise that you won’t leave feeling like you sacrificed your taste buds for the planet.
What really makes Studio.89 stand out is its intentions behind. It’s not just a café—it’s a place closely tied with community work, youth programs and more. Its caring and homey atmosphere speaks for itself. It’s not one of those in-your-face, “save the earth” kind of cafés. No one’s lecturing you about sustainability. Rather, there’s an underlying sense that, beyond selling coffee, this place exists for good causes.
Upon reflection, that’s probably why I keep going back. Not because Studio.89 was trendy or convenient, but because it felt intentional. Like a place you could stay at without feeling rushed or out of place.
Tea One Bakery & Café: Where you can just shake it off and destress
Maaz Ahtesham
Tea One Bakery & Café is a small, quaint shop nestled in a corner of Rathburn Square—a plaza located on Rathburn Road West. It was first introduced to me through a couple of friends I met in the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) Harmonix Music Club (HMC).
Tea One’s location is the major reason that I visit it more than almost any other restaurant off-campus—it sits directly across the HMC’s favourite guitar shop. But other than that, I would never turn down an invite to Tea One for their food and atmosphere.
Visitors are first greeted by a display of desserts and take-away pastries, both sweet and savoury, next to a classic coffee shop mural. Beneath the warm lighting of Tea One’s main eating area, brown leather chairs are placed in front of smooth wooden tables adjacent to a rustic brick wall.
Other seating areas include a countertop facing the plaza, a booth for larger groups in the back of the café, and a hanging hammock chair in the corner, where you can cozy up with a book and enjoy the view of Queensbridge Drive. On warmer days, you can also eat on an outdoor patio set up in front of the café.
Aside from its cozy design, Tea One uses black ceramic dishes and tall, elegant smoothie glasses to create a charming yet comforting environment, making it perfect for studying, dining, and conversation.
As if tailored for introverts, Tea One uses a fully digital ordering system where customers can order via the QR code displayed on each table. This is especially convenient for preoccupied minds to settle down and set up their study space before browsing. I also found this useful in instances where I am waiting for friends, since the QR code allows them to personally pre-order.
Tea One’s allure is testified by its business after sundown. Regardless of its occasional crowd, Tea One is sure to provide a relaxing and approachable atmosphere.
Whether I’m refuelling after a busy morning or looking to unwind before performing on stage, Tea One’s sugary pick-me-up and hearty meals have always offered enjoyment and comfort.
Halo Espresso Bar: The café that gets it right
Aleeshah Heer
There’s a point in the semester where the library magic stops working for me. It’s either too quiet, too full, or just no longer the place that I want to study at. If you can relate to this sentiment and you’re looking for a place where you can experience an enjoyable stay, I’ve got you!
Located near Hurontario and Dundas, part of Halo Espresso Bar’s appeal lies in its location. It provides a refreshing environment off-campus without being far away from UTM. The lively rhythm in Halo Espresso Bar is sure to greet its visitors with good energy. It is busy, but not in an overbearing way.
The first time I visited, I didn’t plan to stay long. I ordered coffee, a pecan square and found a seat. Before I knew it, I had stayed for hours. The pecan square was soft, sweet, and fresh. And it became one of those things that I think of every time my sweet tooth acts up.
Of course, their coffee holds up too. Their drinks are not overly sweet, and it doesn’t taste like they’re made in a rush. Each sip reveals the time and care put into crafting your drink. Even a basic drink, like a latte, feels balanced.
But what makes Halo Espresso Bar my go-to spot is its convenience and comfort. There’s Wi-Fi, outlets, and plenty of seating, so you don’t have to worry about finding a good spot. It is also one of those places where you can settle down without feeling like you are rushed to pack up within an hour.
As a student, what I prioritize most in a café is whether it can offer a relaxing and calming environment for me to work or take a break from campus. In Mississauga, those kinds of places are hard to find, but this is one of the few spots that gets it right.
