Simply amazing home style cooking! No menus, what a unique experience! Ancila was an amazing host! Coming back

A one woman show who cooks fresh indian cuisine from the moment you order. She does orders country style (Asks about spice level and preference in flavors, and goes from there) but she also has some menu lists on her website in case you prefer that. She is so friendly and her restaurant is mostly empty most days during the time I was there; so it's very peaceful. Absolutely wonderful decor with plants everywhere and drawings from her kids when they were young on the walls. I order Paneer in a special mild sauce which came in a giant pot meant for 2 people with garlic naan slices and a big plate of rice. Best meal of my life I've never been more satisfied with a dine in meal. The total after tax was $31 dollars and it was worth every penny. I will be returning whenever I'm in the area. It's right next to the GO station. Truly a hidden gem. read more

Ancila's Indian Cuisine - What to look for in the area. West side of building. - Indian Near Me - Mississauga, Ontario

Best Indian food I've ever eaten. Family operated and dinner was cooked to order and spice preference. They will create dishes for you on the spot. Excellent service. Quiet , seemingly undiscovered gem near our hotel. Will go there again for sure. read more

Very pleasant and hidden gem! You need a reservation since all the food is made from scratch and the menu is very accommodating to our specific tastes and spice tolerance. Everything was amazing and very very good! This is the best Indian food we had in Toronto. Highly recommended but please book ahead! read more

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An absolute delight and a hidden gem. I walked in a few minutes before they officially opened and I was treated like family. I originally thought I'd come by for take away but after a moment talking to the owner I knew I should stay and enjoy every morsel. I asked for a menu: "we don't do menus; tell me what you like and we'll decide together." At that point, I was all in. And by all in I mean I had a meal that was the highlight of my stay in Toronto and the leftovers carried me over through the next day. Simply a wonderful meal. read more

I've heard so much about Ancila from my American colleagues who frequented this place every week when they worked on our project - and so it's been on my list ever since! Not too long ago, Ancila was also featured on CBC for her Indian food made from scratch... that's when you know this place is legit. We came here for a Christmas meal, and knew better so made reservations in advance. The restaurant itself is quite large, but there's not many parties seated at any one given time (likely because the main bottleneck is the kitchen - even while we were there, we noticed that there was limited help and the orders / service moved slowly). Ancila came out and greeted us warmly, asking what we preferred so that she could whip up a customized order. We told her that we'd like to try shrimp and goat, and after asking us for our spice preference, she suggested a coconut shrimp curry (slightly sweeter, less spicy), and a dry goat curry (higher on the spice level). We also got some basmati rice, and started off with an order of garlic naan. Ancila told us she'd wait for our mains to arrive before giving us our mango lassi; otherwise, we'd finish it off before the food came. And what good advice! When the food came out, everything was so thoroughly seasoned & rich (and in the case of the lamb, spicy), that we were delighted to wash it down with a refreshing sip of sweet & creamy mango lassi. The goat and shrimp curry were both delicious, but couldn't be more different in terms of flavour! The goat was a drier curry, but the meat was fall off the bone tender. I only wish for a larger portion size and more meat - there simply wasn't enough to go around. The shrimp, on the other hand, was a much creamier and sweeter curry. That said, although it wasn't obviously spicy at first, the heat does creep in! Again, I only wish for more plump shrimp... The basmati rice was lightly seasoned with butter and some other herbs, and was the perfect complement to the goat curry. Meanwhile, I adored the garlic naan. It was so fragrant - I caught myself eating it alone mindlessly. We quickly devoured one serving and moved on to the other. All in all, for the two curries + rice + two servings of naan + two mango lassis, we paid approx. $50-60. Not an expensive meal, but not a cheap one either. That said, I believe that it was well worth it. You can taste the effort that Ancila puts into cooking, and I can definitely say it's been one of the best Indian restaurants I've visited thus far. Would return in a heartbeat! read more

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Delicious chicken Biryani! Food is home cooked , does not feel heavy and oily. The chicken pieces were substantial, flavourful. Garlic Naan and chicken tikka masala males a satisfying combo read more

This is the best Indian food I've ever had. I make a point to come here whenever I'm in Canada.

Best Indian food in the GTA. Ancila makes each dish unique to your requests and can even make dishes not on the menu. She's clearly a very talented cook and her shahi paneer is the BEST I've ever had. I get it spice level 7 and it's perfect. She's also very kind and trusting herself - one time her machines were down and she told me I could just pay next time! I was so touched. Thankfully I had $50 cash in the car so I went and got that to pay her, but the fact that she was willing to trust me was amazing. It's rare that a store owner would do that. I have yet to dine in but making it my goal to head there soon and try 2-3 dishes! read more

Food was ok. But there was one woman who probably was the owner and she did everything. I find there's something wrong with that.

The food was great Bombay style "chatpata" erson and Ancila is a great lady who prepares the food according to your tastebuds! I had ordered daal which was average but I was craving daal that day. Ancila had recommended katakat chicken or something like that; exact name I forgot. IT was too spicylike dangerous spicy lol but I'm sure I had asked for it to be prepared that way so I deserved the torture! I really enjoyed the food and will be returning again.... read more

Ancila's Indian Cuisine - Just entered - Indian Near Me - Mississauga, Ontario

First time in Canada and also eating dinner alone for the first time and Ancila was absolutely amazing. She made sure that I got exactly what I was craving. She sat with me and we had a great conversation. I couldn't have asked for a better experience or a more delicious meal. Very cozy and comfortable feel. I'd come back to Canada just for this! read more

Simply wonderful, service, food, flavor. Stopped by on way to airport, nothing like this at home. You will not be disappointed

Such an amazing staff, food and service! We went here not knowing what we wanted and this place delivered! They didn't have something we requested on the menu and they went next door, got the ingredients and made it happen. I have never seen a more passionate owner/chef. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant to anyone! read more

TIP: Make reservations. It's primarily a 1-woman operation, so owner prefers to know when you're coming! First, you don't come here for the food, but more for the EXPERIENCE. Don't get me wrong, the food is delicious, freshly prepared, but that's not the *main* reason for your visit. The rumours are true. There's no menu here at Ancila's. Instead, Ancila herself comes out, chats with you regarding the spice (or not) level, the available proteins, and perhaps the style of cooking she can offer. After that, she goes back into the kitchen and customises a dish pour vous! So it's definitely a unique experience that attracts a certain kind of patron. Second, either go with good company OR patience. Do not go super hungry, alone. Food does take a little longer to prepare. So be forewarned! Third, food was SOLID. We got a Butter Chicken, some kinda Lamb Curry, and Palak Paneer with Garlic Naan & Rice, and ended off with Chai. Butter Chicken stood out and was really good, a bit sweet, with a kick to it. (I think Ancila said it was only a 2-3 in spicy level.) Lamb Curry was good too, with a thinner gravy, Palak Paneer was thick, galicky. Garlic Naan was really good. Nothing was too overly sweet, salty, creamy, or oil laden. I usually expect Indian food to bit too salty &/or oily, so that was a nice surprise! Bill will be a "surprise" too, but Ancila emphasised that it's a "good surprise". Everything that I ordered came out to approx. $52, including tax/excluding tips. So it's not terribly expensive in comparison to other Indian restaurants. Plus, there were leftovers, so... Ancila is down-to-earth, welcoming, and really makes it feel as though you're a part of the food making process. So if you're feeling like something that's unexpected and taking just a small food "risk"...or should I say "adventure", check this place out! read more

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ever fresh food, prepared while you wait. love the taste. The meat is 100% halal. But you need booking before you go in restauran.

We ordered take out for the first time and can't complain, food and taste was awesome. We ordered their none standard menu item Paneer Takatak I would highly recommend that than Paneer Tikka. Service maybe slow, but food is made fresh on order from scratch. So waiting is worth it. There is no menu iand food is curated as per your preference. read more

Simply the best Indian cuisine in Ontario. Period. Some of the delicate folk will complain about how long it takes, well just go somewhere else. You won't appreciate it anyway read more

Positive experience every time. Flavours are authentic and flavourful, nothing watered down. Probably the beat Indian restaurant food I've had in Toronto. Only negatives would be that prices are a little high relative to portion size and the wait for food can be a little long (latter is OK by me because I know the result will be 5 star). read more

We caught the chef as she just came back from India so she wasn't serving dine-in, but she made an exception for us and let us in. Ancila is so kind and thoughtful in her cooking and can custom your dish to the meat you like and specific spice level. We got the Chicken Vindaloo, Chicken Tikka Masala and Lamb Karahi, with some garlic & butter naan and rice. The dishes feel very authentic and are cooked to perfection. The meat is incredibly tender, juicy and works well with the sauce. You can call the chef ahead so she can take the time to prepare your custom dish. It feels very homey and how an Indian mom would make it! I would highly recommend this place and it's well worth the drive from the city of your don't live in Mississauga! Ancila also does large party catering and take out, which can be all ordered ahead. read more

Ancila's Indian Cuisine - Indian Near Me - Mississauga, Ontario

It was a wonderful dinning experience. We have always wanted to try this place out and it was better than we expected. We were greeted by the owner. She explained how the process works. Based on our answers she recommended she dishes. If you are indecisive this is the place to be. Anyway. We ended up getting curry shrimp and yellow lentil with 2 butter naans. It came down to just over 30 dollars. * Tip be prepared to wait. She pretty much does the greeting the ordering the cooking and the bill. Go with good company! read more

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While traveling on business I decided to be adventurous and try Indian food for the first time. I have to tell you that this place set the bar HIGH. This was some of the best food I've ever had!!!! The service was also excellent. The owner/chef spoke to me for a while about my preferences (heat level, types of meats, etc) and then brought me what she thought I would like...and she was dead on. It was a slow night, so I ended up visiting with her and another patron for probably 2 hours. I'll definitely go back next time I'm in the area. read more

Ancila's Indian Cuisine - Indian Near Me - Mississauga, Ontario

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Beat food I've ever had. Ancila or the woman running the restaurant was so sweet and extremely accommodating, not to mention had mega skill in the kitchen. 10/10 would recommend this restaurant! read more

The food is delicious. The "heat" can be toned down for us lightweights. The owner is lovely. Would highly recommend.

A unique dining experience! Came here earlier today for lunch with my mom after reading previous reviews online. We were intrigued that this restaurant didn't have a menu. Instead, the chef interviews you on your likes and dislikes and creates a dish suited for you based on spice, meat choice, dietary needs etc. We were seated right away. The owner was an incredible lady who loves what she does. Upon her asking us our meal preferences, she brought us out three different dishes. One spicy chicken curry which was to die for. The second dish was a beef with spinach plate and the third was a curried cauliflower with cilantro. We also got an order of garlic Naan which was excellent. The food was perfectly spiced and the naan was crispy and fragrant. Overall, we had an incredible experience and we will definitely be back. The meal came out to just over $50.00. I wish we had somewhat of an idea what the cost of the meal would have been before hand, but all in all the food was excellent and it was nice to not have to order off of a menu for a change. This completely customizable experience is different but also really cool. read more

This is my fav indian restaurant in town. We walked in about an hour before closing and were warmly greeted by Ancila herself. She asked us about our palette preference and made some recommendations. After trying the paneer Takatuk and butter chicken we were very satisfied. The addictive tastes and complimentary flavours were perfect! Definitely a hidden gem - if you want good indian food you gotta visit this place and let the food do the rest of the talking!! PRO TIP: make a reservation before coming - the food is made from scratch and it gives them advance notice read more

I was really looking forward to trying this out after reading the reviews and was extremely from the start. It was a Monday night around 8pm and the place was fairly empty. There were only two other tables occupied. No problem. I was greeted by a lady on her way to the kitchen and I said one for dinner. She looked a little confused and said I can sit anywhere. Ok. Cool. I sat down at an empty table and 20min later still no service. The lady was walking back and forth from kitchen servicing one table. It was an open dining room so it was not hard to see me. The other couple didn't look please at all as well. I just had enough and just got up and left. To be honest I don't think the lady would have even noticed. Really weird. Not sure if it was a bad day for her but this really sets a negative first impression. Not sure if I'll try this again. read more

Ancila's Indian Cuisine - Interior where I waited for ever. Not even any place settings. Ugh. - Indian Near Me - Mississauga, Ontario

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Wandered in on a whim and will now be a regular! The experience of getting input in what our tastes and preferences were, and then literally having the food cooked FOR us based on that input was intimate, refreshing and delicious. Ancila herself was warm and welcoming and very helpful. The only thing was that food took a bit longer to come out (and we were hungry!) but you can't rush a good thing; the food was worth the wait. We had pakoras, chicken taka lak (level 7), lamb curry (level 3), garlic naan and rice, and though we're creatures of habit and have started a list of favourites, we will definitely try new dishes next time, based solely on the merit of how good these things were. read more

I was a little nervous walking into a totally empty restaurant. I was even more nervous when I saw the sign that said "RESERVATIONS REQUIRED" but when the hostess/owner/chef explained that there is no menu and she works with us to come up with a meal I was excited! What a great idea and one of the better Indian meals I've had. I recommend everyone try it and go in with an open mind. read more

We love the food here. It is slow so be patient but worth the wait. The lady offers suggestions based on your preferences and then cooks the meals. Food is very tasty, balanced (not over spiced like many Indian restaurants) and does not leave you heavy and bloated. Highly recommend. read more

If your looking to experience some magical, soulful, healing food, you have to visit Ancila's! I've been a regular patron for the past 5+ years & the cusine has been nothing but perfection, catered to your liking. The restaurant is fully owned and run by Ancila herself. Ancila is more than just a good chef, she's really like a food artist, & adds her own flare and touch, along with her secret ingredients (passion and love) to each dish she prepares, which are always made fresh upon order, resulting in some of the finest Indian cuisine you will ever experience! From her renown Butter Chicken, to her Lamb Biryani, Special Chilli Paneer, Chicken Kebabs (Saturday only), Baingan Bharta (Eggplant vegetable)... & the list goes on.. but let's not forget one of the side stars on the menu.. the NAAN Bread! (Which just melts in your mouth!) All I can say is, if you're ever looking to enjoy some realllly good food, or need a pick-me-upper, or some soul/healing/home-style cooked meal!.. You gotta visit Ancila's! ***Keep in mind, Ancila runs the whole place by herself (Yes, by herself!, I don't know how she does it, but she does), so if you're planning on making your way there, IT'S BEST YOU CALL HER AHEAD OF TIME SO SHE KNOWS & CAN PREPARE FOR YOU (IF YOU'VE GOT YOUR ORDER READY, LIKE ME, EVEN BETTER), OR SO SHE CAN ADVISE YOU WHETHER SHE'S GOT A FULL HOUSE OR NOT! I hope you enjoyed reading this review, but I wish even more that you go to Ancila's and experience for yourself, and write your own. You may just get hooked, like myself & all of her other regular patrons! Bon Apetit! read more

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When you sit down in this restaurant, your first reaction is "Hey, there are no menus" and you begin to wonder how you are going to order. Them the cook comes to your table and asks you questions as to your tastes (mild, medium spicy), are you vegan or do you have any foods you prefer to steer away from, what types of vegetables you like, etc. She then suggests a complete dinner based on your input. THE RESULTS ARE FANTASTIC! Three of us had no dislikes or preferences so we chose a beef, a chicken and a shrimp dish along with 3 vegetables and naan bread. We all agreed that we just had the best Indian food in our lives! I would recommend this place to everyone. Don't be in a hurry though because it does take time but the experience is out of this world!!! read more

Not an expert on Indian food but I am definitely an expert on good food. I ordered the butter chicken. Explained my Spicey level tolerance to the master chef/owner/operator/waitress/bartender one woman show there and she hit the nail on the head. Can't wait to try other dishes there. Very good food. Don't go there if your in a hurry or you will be disappointed as everything is made to order. Go there with time to spare and patience and you will be rewarded with an excellent meal. Wonderful place to have a meeting and take your time. read more

Great food! Unique experience!! Went with my hubby and MIL to the place post a movie. Decided to wing it, considering it was our first visit to the place. We were prepared to head out elsewhere if we didn't get a table. However only a handful of tables were occupied, so we were glad it wasn't a trouble. But the chef/hostess told us it'll take at least half an hour for her to even talk to us about our meal options. Honestly we were a little intrigued! Meal options?? Whatever happened to menus? Anyway, it was only 7.30pm so we were ok to wait it out and see for ourselves what she meant. The simple ambience, decent lighting and soothing music were catalysts in ensuring our time passed quickly enough. When the chef could finally talk to us, we told her that it was the first time we were visiting, and would like to know the MO of the place. She cheerfully explained that she didn't do menus, as she cooked each dish fresh, and as per every customer's preference. The starting point is the spice levels in each dish (ranging from 1-10) upon which she builds up the order - veg, non-veg, type of meat/vegetables, dry, gravy etc. We ordered pakoras for starters, a veg gravy (Paneer takatak) for my MIL, a non-veg dish (Chicken something) for ourselves and rotis (Indian bread) for all. Honestly, by the time the meal arrived, we were ravenous and polished off the whole thing in a heartbeat. The chef/hostess was attentive without being intrusive and chatted with us while we were having our dinner. The whole experience was quite different and we enjoyed the freshly prepared simple fare. Will be definitely visiting again!! P.S: Spotted quite a few take away orders being delivered (seemingly to regulars) while we were waiting. Remember to make reservations beforehand. You would get a slot allotted specifically for you and dishes made according to your palate!! read more

Ancila's Indian Cuisine - Great food! Unique experience - Indian Near Me - Mississauga, Ontario

Must say I was unsure of what I was getting into when I walked in. My friend and I showed up without a reservation, place was empty and a little lady comes out and says I'll squeeze you in but I have a reservation. I was so confused as the place was empty but we were seated and then the journey began. There were no menus, Ancila started asking us what type of food and spice level we liked. The first dish came out, Pakora, it was so delicious. It was cooked perfectly. That's when me and my friend knew we were in for a treat. Everything we ordered was spot on. Flavorful, right amount of spice and heat. We ordered the following dishes: *Lamb Vindaloo- *Butter Chicken- Sauce was divine *Tandoori Chicken- Juicy and succulent *Yellow Lentil *Garlic Naan *Pakora This is by far the best Indian food I've had. I thanked Ancila for giving us the privilege and opportunity to eat at her establishment. She cooks from the soul. My only advice to you Yelpers, make a reservation! She is the only cook and will not sacrifice her art by over seating. We witness small to large groups get turned away while we were there. We we so LUCKY! read more

Sometimes you find ratings inflated or too good to be true. This is NOT the case with Ancila's. I was in town overnight to pick up my wife and friend from Toronto airport and was in need of a good meal. I chose Ancila's due to the close proximity to my hotel and the resounding consensus that this was the place to eat in Missasaugua. Ancila's is located in a small strip of shops and restaurants. Please note there is a side door that steals you a peek into the kitchen. I was immediately intrigued and sorely disappointed, albeit momentarily, seeing a "Closed for private event" sign hanging on that door. Fortunately, I walked past the front door as I thought I would have to settle for the Asian restaurant next door. The front door had no such sign and I walked straight into an intimate dining room, conservatively decorated in stark contrast to what I normally associate with Indian restaurants. Curtains draped from the ceiling create each table's own private seating. I was greeted by the hostess within a few minutes of arriving, only having to wait due to the fact that she is also the bartender, waiter, and sous chef. After staking my claim to the table of my choice, I ordered a Kingfisher beer, was served a plate of complementary pappadam, and began one of the most memorable dining experiences of my life. This restaurant is meant to be savored, so do not plan to rush it. You will wait, but the wait is worth all the while. There were two or three couples seated around the perimeter and in the middle of the dining room was a large party of eight or ten. This fact is key because, as I mentioned, peering through the kitchen revealed only two women running the whole kitchen and come to find out, the whole show. One after the next, I saw all the dishes come out and served to the central table and could not wait to order. Following the last dish out of her kitchen was Ancila to take my order. Ancila knows what you want. Trust me, she does because there are no printed menu's. After a few questions about spice persuasion and meat preference she retreats as quickly as she appeared to begin your meal. One more Kingfisher ordered and my meal arrived table side. Spiced basmati with remnants hinting her recipe's secrets of toasted cinnamon stick, clove, and whole black pepper. Tender fish curry with a decadent, silky brown gravy with bits of fresh tomato, ginger and green curry leaf. All accompanied by the complementary fresh Naan and the cold Kingfisher made for a symphony as sweet as the classical music playing subtlety in the background. I thought I would include a note for ordering and spice levels. As other's have noted, levels range from 1 to 10. Now I like spicy food and I ordered conservatively at a level 5 to 6. At first it left me wanting more heat, however it will build as you eat and it allowed me to fully enjoy the full array of flavors. Bottom line, go here. You will not regret it. There are no menu's to browse while you wait in anticipation. There are no televisions playing the latest Bollywood hits. There is no need to distract from what you are meant to experience, which is definitively Ancila and her food. I will definitely make a return trip with my wife, even if it means making the two and a half hour drive, just to eat here. **For those looking to get a taste of her food quickly, whether it be a time restraint or just impatience, follow as other reviews state and call ahead to place your order. read more

Ancila's Indian Cuisine - A cold, crisp Kingfisher Indian lager. - Indian Near Me - Mississauga, Ontario

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I'm not too sure what their current situation is during Covid except I know that they are doing take out. Their concept is really cool where the chef will come out and talk to you about what you want and how you like your food and will make dishes custom to you and your party. Not to mention the food is excellent! Definitely worth checking out read more

Excellent food. Very nice people. Came here before heading to the airport to leave town. Got the butter chicken with rice and garlic naan. Very enjoyable. read more

Ancila's does a wonderful job making you feel welcome with opening by asking, "what can I cook for you?" She explained the spice levels to me and asked about dietary restrictions. My meal (Tika Masala) exceeded my expectations. Thank you, Ancila! read more

Ancillas is a great spot for some amazing Indian food! We walked into the restaurant to speak to Ancilla herself to cater one of our parties for 20 people, and she had some great recommendations that we ended up going with! We ordered the chicken takatak, beef roast, mixed vegetables curry, naan and batata vadas which were a hit! The food was absolutely delicious! Our personal favourites was the chicken takatak and the batata vadas. Absolutely amazing. Can't miss this spot! read more