Calling all foodies: get ready to save your summer in Winnipeg - the heart of Manitoba. Eat your way around the city’s diverse restaurants and combine it with a hotel stay (and be sure to include a decadent breakfast in bed!) to round out your staycation.
As we’re all adhering to the latest health regulations, keep yourself informed on the latest updates here and raise a glass to these eateries who are following physical distance protocols while offering a mighty fine culinary experience.
Be sure to check out our outstanding summer packages & deals that will be music to your ears (and wallet!)
Early bird
Whether you’re looking for a java jolt, leisurely brunch and everything in between, your morning cravings are covered. Stroll the city’s hippest ‘hoods with take-out coffee in hand from indie spots like Café Postal, Fools & Horses, Little Sister Coffeemaker and Thom Bargen.
From braised bacon benedicts to Turkish eggs, Clementine is renowned for its flavour-packed offerings served in a stylish space. Load up on local chain Stella’s all-day breakfast fare from Mexican breakfast to smoothies at its six locations. If you fancy a weekend brunch in a beautiful setting, Chaise Lounge and Café has a gorgeous porch-style patio (also open for daily dinners). For the ultimate in comfort food offerings -- the macaroni and cheese is legendary -- Marion Street Eatery hits the spot.
Picture-perfect patios
Nothing says summer like dining al fresco. After grabbing take-out from numerous cuisines found in The Forks Market, head out to the Common Patio – the city’s largest – to find plenty of seating overlooking the picturesque Red and Assiniboine Rivers. For Mexican vibes downtown, La Roca is rocking its street tacos and margaritas (plus live music)! The Roost on Corydon features a unique bird’s eye view of the street as you enjoy creative cocktails and plates for sharing. Refined riverside garden dining can be found at 529 Wellington in River Heights, where top cuts of steak and the best blueberry bread pudding in town can be found. For our full patio round-up on what’s open, check out our patio guide.
Meals on wheels
Winnipeg’s food truck culture is fierce and our epic 2020 food truck guide is out featuring the 50+ cuisine options from around the world.
Top Chefs
Local chef Scott Bagshaw’s two restaurants, Enoteca and Maque, have made enRoute’s coveted short and long lists for “Best New Restaurants,” with menus reflecting what’s in season and Instagrammable presentation. For a taste of Manitoba, head to one of Canada’s Indigenous restaurants, Feast Café Bistro. This West End Eatery has garnered international media coverage for its contemporary twist on Indigenous cuisine (hello butternut squash pizza!) with chef/owner Christa Breneau-Guenther (Wall of Chefs alumni too) blazing a trail.
Local brews & pub grub
Support the local craft brewery scene and hit up the patios of One Great City, with its gastropub-style menu and core pores, and Little Brown Jug for its legendary 1919 Belgian pale ale. The iconic patio of King’s Head Pub faces Old Market Square in the Exchange District; savour pub classics like bangers ‘n mash, curries and cold pints (with lots of local options on tap too). Winnipeg now has 15 breweries.
Battle of the Fat Boys
One of the most hotly debated Winnipeg topics is the city’s top Fat Boy, aka a burger slathered in a hearty dose of chili and all the fixings. Why not make this the summer to try a bunch and weigh in? You can grab take-out of these sloppy, juicy, lick-your-fingers burgers at Dairi-Wip Drive-In, VJ’s Drive Inn,Mrs. Mike’s, North Star Drive In, and St. James Burger Co. and then picnic at a nearby park.
Sandwiches are beautiful . . .
Sandwiches are more than just fine at Winnipeg’s longstanding delis, such as Bernstein’s Deli and Oscar’s Deli. For a gussied-up version, head to King + Bannatyne or Miss Browns for their rotating menu of slow-roasted fillings.
Around the world
Winnipeg’s multicultural population mean we’ve eats from around the globe. For a taste of Europe head to Peasant Cookery or Resto Gare for French eats, while old-school Italian can be found at Pasquale’s and modern Greek fare at Steve’s Bistro. If you’ve ever wanted to try Japanese bar snacks, head to Gaijin Izakaya for an adventure, or journey to the Middle East for shawarma and falafel with plenty of garlicy sauces and sides at Shawarma Khan and Yafa Café. Don’t forget South America, where Corrientes has empanadas and Argentinian-style pizza mastered.
Veggie delight
Vegetarians and vegans – you’re covered too. Circle Kitchen is serving up its100% plant-based smoothies, salads, bowls, toasts and more on Corydon, while in Wolseley you can’t beat (or should that be beet) all the bright veggie-forward bowls at Verde Juice Bar. Meanwhile, Georgian eatery Saperavi offers dishes you won’t find anywhere else, from Ajapsandali veggie stew to kubdari (baked flat-bread filled with veggies and mushrooms).
Sweet endings
Cap off your culinary journey with some dessert to go. Whether it’s luxury ice cream from Chaeban or a Goog special from Bridge Drive-In, the prettiest macarons from Jenna Rae Cakes, or bean-to-bard chocolates from Constance Popp Chocolatier, there are endless ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Of course, if you’d like to support the city’s local restaurant scene with take-out/delivery too, visit our site to find out what’s open.
While on your gastronomic adventure, we want to hear about your staycation highlights! Enjoy a nice meal with stellar views? Did a server go over and above to make you feel welcome? Share those nice stories and tag your social media posts with #WinnipegNice in celebration of what our city has to offer. Let’s make this a summer to remember in Winnipeg – the heart of Manitoba.