Ridgeway Plaza: Mississauga's 120-restaurant halal hub draws crowds and friction

Ridgeway Plaza, a sprawling complex in Mississauga with some 120 restaurants, has emerged as a major halal food destination since opening three years ago. According to the New York Times, it calls itself the largest halal food market in North America and attracts thousands of diners each week, many from beyond the city's 800,000 residents. Most restaurants are Middle Eastern and South Asian.

The Toronto Star notes that during Ramadan, the plaza transforms into a late-night gathering space, with restaurants staying open until the early morning to accommodate those breaking their fast. Dishes range from Pakistani stew and Palestinian knaffeh to Yemeni coffee and Indian sweets. The Star reported that at least one restaurant extended hours until 5:30 a.m. for the month, and a barbecue joint operates around the clock except between 6 and 11 a.m.

The plaza has become particularly significant for the Muslim community. According to the Star, diners describe it as a vital gathering space where families, young people, and seniors gather. One urban planning graduate told the Star she attends twice weekly during Ramadan and has observed poetry readings, wedding celebrations, and casual socialising there.

However, the plaza's popularity has created persistent problems. The New York Times reported that the vast crowds have resulted in noise, littering, traffic congestion, and insufficient parking. It also noted confrontations, illegal fireworks, and vehicle nuisances including street racing. Iqra.ca reported that nearby residents have complained for years about roaring engines, crowded parking lots, and large gatherings spilling into streets, with police responding to hundreds of calls yearly.

Days of cultural significance — including Pakistan and Afghanistan independence days — have drawn large impromptu crowds. The New York Times said the city stated these occasions have "repeatedly involved conduct and outcomes that violate the city's ability to safely maintain its roads, regulate the flow of traffic, respond to emergencies."

In response, Mississauga introduced a temporary zoning bylaw in January to control growth, restricting new businesses from operating at full capacity. The city imposed steep fines on plaza owners for failing to stop fireworks and loud music gatherings. The New York Times reported the city obtained an injunction to rein in celebrations for Afghanistan and Pakistan national holidays expected to draw thousands.

According to Iqra.ca, an Ontario court recently granted Mississauga an injunction requiring plaza owners and tenants to curb disturbances. The plaza's condominium board unveiled a security plan including private security patrols seven days a week, paid-duty police on busy nights, improved lighting, new surveillance cameras, and signage reminding visitors of rules.

Some restaurant owners acknowledge the tension. The New York Times quoted a Pakistani restaurant operator who sits on a business association, saying the goal is to be "recognized as the tourist destination that we've inevitably become," but "the behavior of patrons over the years has led this plaza to have a certain reputation that we're trying very hard, working with the city, to combat."