Vaughan’s a tasty destination where culinary traditions from across the globe come together in one community. From authentic Greek dinners and sizzling Mexican feasts to Italian focaccia sandwiches and Jewish deli classics, Vaughan is where you can travel the world through food without leaving the city.
Global Flavours in Vaughan
Here’s how to take your taste buds on a journey around the world in Vaughan.
For a taste of Italian Inspiration:
When it comes to these Italian-inspired stops, that’s amoré.
Bevi Birra
Where: 7500 Hwy 27, Woodbridge ( View Map)
This neighbourhood favourite is more than a bottle shop and eatery, it’s a celebration of Italian-inspired flavours and the timeless tradition of gathering around good food.
Founded by two best friends, Bevi Birra embodies classic Italian hospitality: simple, high-quality ingredients, delicious craft beers and the kind of warm company that makes every visit memorable.
The house-made focaccia is the cornerstone of their menu, baked fresh daily and used as the base for sandwiches that are both hearty and refined. Try “The Giovanna,” layered with hot sopressata, garlic ricotta, pepperoncino, honey and arugula, or the indulgent Ribeye Steak sandwich with rosemary aioli, provolone, caramelized onions and peppery greens. To sip, a crisp Italian lager or a bold craft beer from their curated list is the perfect pairing.
And because Italian hospitality is also about connection, the space invites you to linger a little longer. Head upstairs for a casual game of pool, relax with friends and soak up the atmosphere of a place designed for sharing stories, laughter and delicious meals.
Mascot Brewery
Where: 1033 Edgeley Blvd #3 Vaughan, ON (View Map)
Though the taproom lineup spans global inspirations, Mascot Brewery tips its hat to Vaughan’s Italian community with “Paulie’s Italian Lager,” a crisp and refreshing brew that’s become a local favourite. But their creativity doesn’t stop there, the team loves pushing boundaries with flavours rooted in stories from around the world.
Another standout is Yasuke, a Japanese-inspired brew named after the legendary 16th-century African warrior who became the only known Black samurai in feudal Japan. Like its namesake, this beer is bold and memorable, expect a clean, dry finish, balanced sweetness and bitterness, subtle notes of puffed rice crackers and a rounded body similar to sake.
For a taste of authentic Mexican flavour
Dive into the colourful and bright flavours of Mexico at these drool-worthy spots!
3 Mariachis Mexican Restaurant
Where: 9200 Weston Rd. Woodbridge, ON (View Map)
Vibrant décor, bold flavours and warm hospitality set the stage for a true Mexican feast at 3 Mariachis. Begin with birria tacos, a dish rooted in Jalisco, Mexico, traditionally made with slow-cooked beef or goat braised in a rich, spiced broth. Here, they’re served with house-made consommé for dipping, creating a savoury, melt-in-your-mouth experience that’s hearty.
For sharing, the molcajete is a showstopper. Served in a traditional volcanic-stone mortar and pestle used in Mexican cooking, this sizzling hot bowl arrives at the table bubbling with chicken, steak, shrimp, cactus and cheese, all nestled in a blend of red and green salsa. It’s a flavour-packed dish, designed to bring people together around the table.
For a taste of the Aegean:
Greek cuisine? We’re in! Dive into these classics and modern twists on old favourites.
Medusa
Where: 3901 Hwy 7, Vaughan, ON (View Map)
For a taste of the Aegean, Medusa delivers more than just delicious food. It offers the kind of lively, welcoming hospitality that defines Greek culture. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with the warmth of family-style dining, where meals are meant to be shared, savoured and celebrated.
Begin with the dramatic flaming saganaki, a pan-seared graviera cheese set alight with ouzo right at your table. The sizzling showstopper sets the tone for a meal full of energy and flavour. For mains, classic favourites shine like the tender pork souvlaki with lemon potatoes and tzatziki. Next, the prawn saganaki, served in a vibrant tomato-feta sauce captures a delicious taste of seaside dining in Greece.
No Greek meal is complete without something sweet, and here it’s the galaktobouriko, a flaky phyllo custard dessert paired with pistachio ice cream. It’s rich, indulgent, and the perfect way to linger over conversation, just as you would at a taverna overlooking the Aegean.
For a taste of modern Canadian cuisine:
Did you think we’d forget about Canadian twists? Forget about it!
Essence Bistro
Where: 140 Woodbridgee Ave, ON (View Map)
With its mid-century design and a menu that balances refinement with fresh ingredients, Essence Bistro delivers a distinctly Canadian dining experience. What makes it quintessentially Canadian is not only the use of fresh, local ingredients, but also the way the menu draws inspiration from a global source of flavours, reflecting the diverse communities that call Vaughan home.
Dishes are bright, seasonal and creative with options like the salmon with romanesco cabbage topped with a zesty grapefruit dressing. While their creamy cheescake topped with fresh in season strawberries was an end of meal highlight! To sip, their cocktail menu is just as epic as the food: creative, colourful and carefully crafted, offering the perfect pairing for every plate.
After your meal, step next door into the Essence Juice Bar, where cold-pressed juices, smoothies and natural products carry the same ethos of wellness and quality. It’s the perfect spot to grab something nourishing to go or to pick up a thoughtful treat to take home.
For a taste of Jewish deli classics and kosher eats:
From deli counters to kosher fare, these are some can’t-miss stops to gnosh.
Centre Street Deli
Where: 1136 Centre St. Thornhill, ON (View Map)
A beloved institution for decades, Centre Street Deli is the heart of Jewish deli culture in Vaughan. Step inside and you’re greeted by the unmistakable sight of a classic deli counter, piled high with smoked meats, pickles, latkes and other Jewish specialties.
Grab a table to experience what they’re best known for, their famous smoked meat sandwich, stacked high on rye with mustard and served the traditional way. It’s the kind of sandwich that’s satisfying any time of day, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or lingering over a hearty lunch.
Breakfast here is also a local favourite, with fluffy omelettes, diner-style staples and generous portions that set the tone for the day. From morning to late afternoon, Centre Street Deli serves as a gathering place where good food and community come together, proof that some classics never go out of style.
The Olive Branch
Where: 1 promenade Circle Unit 101 Thornhill, ON (View Map)
More than just a market, The Olive Branch brings something truly unique to Vaughan’s food scene. This expansive 35,000-square-foot kosher grocery blends specialty shopping filled with fresh deli and bakery counters, hot grab-and-go meals and imported goods you won’t find in a typical grocery store.
For a sweet indulgence, head straight to the pâtisserie counter for their signature croissant cookie: a flaky, buttery hybrid that pairs perfectly with a hand-crafted coffee. Then, wander the aisles and discover specialty ingredients, and ready-to-enjoy meals that make The Olive Branch a special and convenient stop to fuel up your adventures in Vaughan.
For a taste of Brazil:
Love steak? If you’ve never had it served rodízio-style, this one is for you.
Copacabana Brazilian Steakhouse
Where: 205 Marycroft Ave, Woodbridge (View Map)
Dinner at Copacabana is an exciting experience rooted in the Brazilian tradition of rodízio, where endless skewers of sizzling meats are carved at your table with flair and generosity. From juicy picanha beef and parmesan-crusted filet mignon to peri peri chicken and garlic shrimp, each cut showcases a delicious variety of flavours that make this style of dining so memorable.
What truly sets the experience apart is that the meals here are meant to be shared and enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Between rounds of carved meats, balance your plate with shareable sides like braised beef ribs with cassava purée, or a colourful selection from their gourmet salad bar.
Pair it all with a VQA wine or a signature cocktail, and you’ll quickly see why rodízio dining captures the essence of Brazil: a joyful embrace of food, community and abundance!
Bon Voyage, One Bite at a Time
Vaughan’s culinary landscape is as diverse as its community. Whether you’re craving Italian sandwiches, Mexican tacos, Greek souvlaki or Brazilian barbecue, the city’s restaurants let you experience global flavours without hopping on a plane.
Pack your appetite, and get ready to taste your way around the world, right here in Vaughan.
