A totally tasty Transcona food guide
February 23
The dining room at Preservation Hall is now an option (photo by April Carandang)
Winnipeg restaurants that are back providing dine-in
If you are up for going out in Winnipeg, may we suggest…
// February 17, 2021
As of Friday, Feb. 12, Manitoba’s restaurants have been allowed to operate at 25 per cent capacity for dine-in services. As you’ll read in this Global Winnipeg story, the chance to re-seat familiar faces after 110 days has been welcomed by establishments.
Should you like to dine-out again, these spots (listed alphabetically) below are ready to welcome you to their socially distanced dining rooms. (And yes. They are all still doing takeout too)
Please be respectful when dining-in and only sit with those already in your household (plus, you’ll be asked to share your contact info for tracing purposes). And remember, food halls aside, reservations are strongly recommended.
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529 Wellington – At 25 per cent, WOW’s acclaimed converted-mansion steakhouse can accommodate 54 patrons, which it has been doing since opening on Friday. Dine-in hours are Monday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with reservations a must.
Alena Rustic Italian – WOW Hospitality has also re-opened its new Charleswood restaurant Alena from Wednesday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. for dine-in. Reservations are recommended, as are the craft cocktails and meats from the wood-fired grill.
Amsterdam Tea Room – Dine-in service began yesterday (Tuesday, Feb. 16) at one of our staff’s favourite joints for cocktails and small plates.
Brazen Hall Kitchen & Brewery - The regulars have been safely pouring back into Brazen Hall. To show their appreciation, the owners are giving away a $20 gift card to patrons who dine-in each day.
Bistro on Notre Dame - This new West End gem just opened in late 2020, featuring a Manitoba-centric comfort food menu built on sustainable, ethically sourced products and ingredients. The current setup allows for 12 customers in the dining room.
Bonfire Bistro – A gem on Corydon that doesn’t get as much coverage as it deserves. Go for wood-fired pizzas and flavourful entrees. Just opened February 16, with hours from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The Forks Market – Back open with a few new protocols in place (you’ll need to order food to drink at The Common) while individual food vendors should be contacted directly to see their hours.
Feast Cafe Bistro - This West End gem features Indigenous-inspired dishes from Christa Bruneau-Guenther, who you will also find on Food Network Canada's Wall of Chefs. Call for reservations.
Fionn’s Grant Park – As local owner Jay Kilgour says in the story shared in the lede, opening weekend was great. Fionn's popular takeout bundles are still on, while the dining room is now ready to welcome you too.
Fusion Grill – The OG farm-to-table spot on Academy is back at 25 per cent capacity. The Okanagan-heavy wine list is a gem, while chef Murdoch’s fish dishes—like this week’s local Arctic char—will always be better in a dining room.
Hargrave Street Market – Back open for dine-in today (Wednesday, Feb. 17) with dine-in hours Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. Check individual vendors for updated hours and online services here.
Jeepney – Morning, noon or night, this restaurant is always a great choice for Filipino cuisine. There’s room for 15 diners, so reservations are recommended with the restaurant opening at 9 a.m.
Juneberry – Another spot that excels through the morning, Juneberry is now welcoming households to a table in its gorgeous room on St. Mary’s Road, Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Takeout/delivery service, including the most-excellent Sandwiches are Beautiful, continues as usual.
Kevin's Bistro - Because mac n cheese is always better right out of the broiler. Reservations are available via OpenTable too.
King's Head Pub and Eatery - Since the start of the pandemic, the King's Head has continually adapted its new services and offerings. It was only inevitable that the pub would be open as soon as it got the word, says owner Chris Graves in this heartfelt new Insta post.
The Merchant Kitchen - Opening tomorrow (Thursday, Feb. 18) offering a spacious dining room with high ceilings and high-end takes on global street food.
Preservation Hall – Back in time to celebrate buck-a-shuck Wednesdays, make your reservation for Village Bay oysters. As well, be sure to start your night with a craft cocktail, something you certainly wouldn’t get to do at home.
Rae’s Bistro – This North Kildonan gem has updated dine-in hours and a menu featuring quality comfort food, sourdough pizzas and new cakes daily.
Rae and Jerry’s – Even at 25 per cent capacity, you can't beat that Rae and Jerry’s ambiance, which would be a fitting setting for a Tarantino film. Plus, as shown here, don’t you miss those iconic red pens? New regular dine-in hours are 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saucers Café – This institution on Academy is now back, too. Be sure to leave room for cake.
SMITH at Inn at The Forks – Back up and running a special Festival du Voyageur-inspired menu this week to boot. We highly recommend getting the pounded cheese with a seasonal craft cocktail to start your first meal back in the lounge.
Silver Heights Restaurant and Lounge – It’s always sunny in St. James when you are eating ribs at Silver Heights, which you can now do from Monday to Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sous Sol - Everyone's favourite basement bistro can provide for 16 in the dining room and six in the lounge. Be sure to order a cocktail to start because Erik makes a dandy. Reservations are now open on the website.
Wasabi on Taylor - With high ceilings and ample seating, Wasabi’s Taylor location provides plenty of space to distance along with plenty of fresh fish and grill-your-own on a hot stone (ishiyaki) items that are, of course, best done in its dining room.
Yujiro & Gaijin Izakaya - Both spots are back open for amazing fish and all sorts of wonderful Japanese dishes, with reservations mandatory for both Yujiro and Gaijin.
*Please note this is not an exhaustive list, and is rather a compilation of what we've seen posted thus far. If you own a restaurant or know of one that should be on this list, please email us at info@tourismwinnipeg.com and we'd be happy to add it.
