Tourism Winnipeg

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Corydon Avenue is the spot to be during summer evenings as crowds of people gather to meet, dine al fresco and savour some of the best food and gelati in the city. Once known as Winnipeg’s “Little Italy,” Corydon Avenue now features a wide array of cuisine from regional fare to Japanese to Indian and of course, classic Italian. Many boutiques populate the area, offering imported jewellery, fine art, books, shoes, antiques, clothing and even candy. Whether stopping for a quick espresso or out for a night on the town, Corydon Avenue is sure to delight all of your senses.

Location: Corydon cuts through the centre of River Heights. The “Little Italy” district runs from Confusion Corner west to Harrow St, and includes some shopping and dining on Lilac St. Located 4.4 km from downtown and 9.6 km from the airport.

How to get there: From the airport, turn onto Wellington Ave and turn right onto King Edward St (Route 90). Keep to the left, and continue south over the bridge. Turn left at Corydon Ave and head east to Stafford St.

Bus routes: 18

Top Places to Shop

• Nunavut Gallery’s 2500 sq. ft. showroom displays fine Inuit sculpture, drawings, prints and wall hangings from Nunavut, and regularly hosts exhibitions. World-renowned artists carried include Kenojuak Ashevak, Sheojuk Etidlooie, Luke Anguhadluq and Jessie Oonark. 603 Corydon Ave, 478-7233. http://www.nunavutgallery.com/
• Many of the intriguing products at Radiance Gifts & Books fall within the metaphysical realm, from crystals to pendulums to fantasy-themed figurines. CDs, books, jewellery and candles fill this Corydon Avenue jewel. 7-875 Corydon Ave, 284-4231. http://www.radiancegifts.com/
• One of the old guards on Corydon Ave, Selim’s Antiques has been at its location since 1977. Antique hunters frequent this shop for its constantly changing stock of clocks, lamps, furniture, tableware and more. 801 Corydon Ave, 284-9886. http://www.selimsantiques.com/
• Established in 1978, Stoneware Gallery is one of Canada’s longest-running artist co-operatives. Meet the talented artists behind the colourful, award-winning ceramics on display as they take turns working at the store. 778 Corydon Ave, 475-8088. http://stonewaregallery.com/
• Sisters and owners Pam and Voula Sarlas of Soul Shoes & Accessories scour North America, carefully selecting stylish footwear for men and women by established and up-and-coming lines. Chic handbags and jewellery round out the mix. 167 Lilac St, 477-5168. http://www.soulshoes.ca
• Indulge your sweet tooth and choose from more than 500 bulk items and wrapped confections at funky retro shop Sugar Mountain. 657 Corydon Ave, 772-2639. http://www.sugarmountain.ca

Top Places to Eat

• The kitchen expertly fuses California and Italian cuisines at casual bistro Cafe Carlo. Be sure to order one of the excellent pastas (gluten-free options available) tossed in bold, flavourful house-made sauces. 243 Lilac St, 477-5544. http://www.cafecarlo.com/
• A family chilli recipe is the secret behind the delicious burgers served at landmark Daly Burgers. Dine on thick milkshakes and house-made onion rings in the cool, 50s-inspired dining room. 619 Corydon Ave, 269-3259. http://www.dalyburgers.com/
• A stroll down Corydon Avenue isn’t complete without a scoop of house-made gelato. Eva’s Gelato serves the chilled Argentinian-style treat in a bright, contemporary space. Its signature dulce de leche flavour makes taste buds swoon for caramel. 101-1001 Corydon Ave, 452-3827. http://www.evasgelato.com/
• Fresh, local and wholesome are three key words at Fresh Café used to describe the comforting breakfast and lunch options offered. Grab a smoothie to go at the juice bar or pull up a chair in the lush garden patio. 775 Corydon Ave, 221-5775. http://www.freshcafe.ca/
• Within the past decade, a number of sushi restaurants have popped up along Corydon, including Kenko Niwa. This sushi restaurant boasts three distinct dining rooms and a gorgeous stone patio. The diverse menu offers contemporary sushi and traditional Japanese dishes. 631 Corydon Ave, 452-3656.
• Regional ingredients like wild rice, pickerel and bison are given a fun twist at Mise, an upscale bistro and lounge. The appetizers demonstrate Chef Terry Gereta’s creativity with wild rice latke fries and venison cashew spring rolls. 842 Corydon Ave, 284-7916. http://www.miserestaurant.com
• Chill out with a refreshing scoop of Italian gelato in delectable flavours from strawberry to grapefruit to coconut served inside Corydon institution Nucci’s Gelati. 643 Corydon Ave, 475-8765.
• Orlando’s Seafood Grill specializes in traditional Portuguese seafood dishes, like caldierada (stew with fish and shellfish), that seduce the senses. This elegant eatery is located just steps below street level and expands to include a bustling patio in summer. 709 Corydon Ave, 477-5899.

Top Things to See and Do

• For a taste of local nightlife, Bar Italia and The Loft Gastropub are two lounges on the strip that regularly bring in DJs on weekends to get the crowd moving. (Bar Italia) 737 Corydon Ave, 452-1929. (The Loft Gastropub) 774 Corydon Ave, 452-5006. http://www.theloftgastropub.com
• Step up to the mike and belt out your favourite tune at Muz Karaoke, which has five private rooms and thousands of songs in 10 languages. 6-709 Corydon Ave, 474-5002. http://www.muzkaraoke.com/
• People-watching from the comfort of a buzzing patio is one of the favourite summer pastimes for many Corydon regulars. Many restaurants along Corydon offer prime street-side patios that are packed at lunch, dinner and into the wee hours of night.