Thursday, July 10, 2008

Lighthouse Restaurant - Snug Harbour, Girasole, Hook's, Breakwater at Waterside Inn

I'm often asked about the restaurant 'at the lighthouse' in Port Credit, and it's hard to know which restaurant they want. There are any number of restaurants along the lakeshore in Mississauga, though as far as I know, none are right on the lake, and none that are called The Lighthouse Restaurant.

Snug Harbour on the Credit River near the lighthouse

Snug Harbour could be called the 'lighthouse restaurant', since it is located just across the river from the landmark lighthouse in Port Credit. This picture shows Snug Harbour (green roof) and patio overlooking marina and river. Lake Ontario is the thin line of blue on the horizon.

Snug Harbour  Looking Out at Lighthouse
 I took this picture on a late-winter night, and the view is still gorgeous, even when it's not summer.

I often go for lunch or dinner at Snug Harbour, and frankly, its big draw is 'location, location, location'. The food is all right (though the chef did do an amazing chili for the Great Chili cook-Off last year) (and I love their spicy garlic mayonnaise for my chips), but the service is uneven. Sometimes you can sit for ages watching staff have wonderfully long chats among themselves, and other times are served fairly quickly.

Girasole Mediterranean on Lakeshore near lighthouse in Port Credit

And Girasole Mediterranean is just steps from the lighthouse in Port Credit, but in the opposite direction. And while there is a patio out front, there are no water views to be had. As of June 2011, there is a sign in the window advising 'closed for renovations'. This is peak tourist and visitor time in Port Credit, and it's a shame the doors are closed.


Breakwater Restaurant, Waterside Inn

And then there's the Breakwater, in the Waterside Inn. Located on Stavebank Road South, the Breakwater overlooks part of the marina on the Credit River.

Hook's Grille near lighthouse

As of late  summer, 2010, Hook's closed. Over the winter, new owners did extensive renovations, and this location next to the Port Credit library is reborn as Papa Guiseppe's pizza resto. Though I haven't been there as yet, neighbours say the food is very good.

Another new spot in 2011 is Napoca, just east of here along Lakeshore Road. Napoca is the place with the long narrow patio area out front, and specializes in cooking from scratch - and free range chicken. Our meal was delicious, and the staff most friendly.


And there are many more pubs and places to eat, all along this strip east from Mississauga Road along the Lakeshore. Even Ten Restaurant and Wine Bar -- though definitely NOT the Lighthouse Restaurant -- is only a short stroll from Lake Ontario and the Waterfront Trail.

Most Port Credit eateries serve brunch daily or on weekends, or will be happy to accommodate you.

I've posted info about Girasole, Ten, and Breakwater on my Mississauga restaurant pages at Snapshot Journeys mississauga restaurants, and on this blog, many other ones as well - try searching labels for 'port credit restaurants' (sometimes this works, but sometimes I cannot find a thing!)

Or have a look at this Google Map set to Snug Harbour, then enter other restaurant names to pinpoint their locations.


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