Beans around the block: A coffee guide to downtown and the Exchange District
Exploring a new city always calls for a great cup of coffee––and central Winnipeg is packed with fantastic spots to refuel!
Whether you're catching a concert or sports game at Canada Life Centre, exploring history at the Manitoba Museum or Canadian Museum for Human Rights, or admiring the art at the WAG-Qaumajuq, you'll need a caffeine boost to keep up with all the activities.
From hidden gems to trendy new cafés, this guide will lead you to the best coffee shops in downtown and the Exchange District.
Downtown
Muse Café | 200-185 Carlton St (inside Launch Coworking)
Tucked away in the skywalk between Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg and the RBC Convention Centre, Muse Coffee Shop is an ideal pit stop during your downtown adventures. Situated inside the bustling Launch Coworking space, hyper local Muse serves Manitoban roasted coffee from Brandon’s Forbidden Flavours Roastery and a curated selection of teas from Cornelia Bean. They also offer vegan breakfast sandwiches and high-protein oatmeal from local maker Seriously Oats, with plans to expand their menu soon. Seasonal favourites, like the brown sugar cardamom cold brew, are made with gourmet syrups from Manitoba's own Gourmet Inspirations. If you're looking for a quick coffee to fuel your day of exploring, this spot has you covered!
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m
Fools & Horses Coffee Company | 242 Hargrave St (Hargrave St Market)
Fools & Horses has long been a local favourite, with two of its three locations near the RBC Convention Centre. Whether you're grabbing a quick drip coffee before your next adventure or relaxing with one of their seasonal specials—like a cinnamon hearts or Terry’s Chocolate Orange-inspired latte—Fools & Horses offers the perfect pick-me-up.
The team at Fools & Horses is known for putting time and care into creating unique flavours and house-made syrups. Plus, they prioritize sustainability, partnering with Canada Green Company to use compostable cups and packaging.
Hargrave St Market hours: Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sat-Sun: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The Forks Market hours: Daily, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thom Bargen Coffee Roasters | 250 Kennedy St
For those who appreciate the finer details of coffee, Thom Bargen in downtown Winnipeg is a must-visit. Owners Graham Bargen and Thom Jon Hiebert prioritize direct trade relationships with farmers, often travelling to the farms to build personal connections. Their beans are roasted onsite at the Kennedy St. location, guaranteeing that their coffee is as ethical as it is delicious. Thom Bargen’s menu also features some of the best tea lattes in the city––don’t miss their London fog or hojicha latte, perfect for a quiet break in your day. Pair your drink with a pastry or sandwich baked onsite, and soak in the airy, laid-back atmosphere of this downtown favourite.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
See their
other locations.
Lavanda Café | 185 Smith St, Unit 3
Just steps from the RBC Convention Centre, this trendy restaurant and café opened in 2023, offering an entirely plant-based menu featuring gourmet toast and sandwiches made with fresh, local ingredients. Their drink menu is impressively varied, with all your coffee and tea favourites, a fun rotation of seasonal specials, and a unique selection of superfood lattes—choose from beet ginger, lions mane cacao, açai blueberry, and lucuma turmeric. Lavanda also boasts a large patio with outdoor seating, perfect for people-watching or catching up on emails while enjoying some fresh air. If you’re in the mood for a post-conference drink, swing by on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to close for ‘Joy Hour’ cocktails, where you’ll find coffee and tea-inspired creations like hazelnut espresso martinis, matcha sours, and pomegranate margaritas.
Hours: Mon: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tues-Thurs: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Fri: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sat: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Urban Bean | Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg, 350 St. Mary Ave
Located inside Delta Hotels Winnipeg, Urban Bean provides an easy spot to grab a quick coffee before heading out to explore the city. Serving Starbucks coffee and a selection of breakfast and lunch options, this simple café is perfect for travellers looking to fuel up before a day of sightseeing or shopping.
Hours: Daily, 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Katita Café | 300 Memorial Blvd (located inside WAG-Qaumajuq)
Katita Café (which means, “let’s get together” in Inuktitut), offers a simple, fresh and approachable menu that features great coffee, colourful plates and the must-order side dish––delightfully crumbly bannock with rhubarb butter.
Run by WOW Catering, which is helmed by award-winning celebrity chef Luc Jean, the casual café is located right within Qaumajuq, just past the entrance with its eye-catching massive Visible Vault that holds hundreds of sculptures from nearly every community in the Arctic. The dining room itself is a work of art, featuring the massive work Nēhiyaw (Swampy Cree) by local artist Peatr Thomas. Plus, there’s also a little outdoor patio too that provides a nice setting for an al fresco lunch.
Hours: Wed-Thur: 11:00 – 4:30 p.m.; Fri-Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Stella's at Plug In | 460 Portage Ave
Locally owned breakfast, brunch and lunch spot is a favourite for everyone. Local ingredients, house-mades breads and jams and a classic locavore breakfast menu draw crowds every day of the week. Curries, hearty soups, sandwiches and salads, as well as a varied selection of entrées make this lively spot a great go-to for everyone at the table.
Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. everyday
Oh Doughnuts | 326 Broadway
Craving something sweet with your coffee? Just a short walk from the RBC Convention Centre, Oh Doughnuts has you covered with a decadent lineup of gourmet doughnuts, made fresh daily in dozens of mouthwatering flavours like pistachio crullers, French toast, everything bagel, and banana chocolate chip fritters. You’ll also find fresh coffee, along with gluten-free and vegan options, plus savoury stuffed breakfast doughnuts in three varieties. Oh’s offerings change daily, so be sure to check their website or Instagram for the current lineup. And get there early! These doughnuts are so popular they often sell out by the afternoon.
Hours: Mon-Sat: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sun: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Or until sold-out)
Fête Ice Cream & Coffee | 300 Assiniboine Ave, Unit B
A coffee shop that doubles as an ice cream parlour? Yes, please! Fête Ice Cream & Coffee is located next to Bonnycastle Dog Park, so you can grab your coffee and ice cream and enjoy some puppy-watching while sipping on seasonal specials like a toasted coconut mocha or hibiscus blue matcha iced latte. The lunchtime combo (a Bagelsmith sandwich, iced coffee, and ice cream for $16) provides a pretty nifty midday pick-me-up, or if you’re in the mood for something smaller, baked goods are made from scratch and oh-so-delightful.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Harrisons Coffee Co. | Various locations
Harrisons Coffee Co. is a local favourite with three locations, each within a short walk of downtown. Known for its freshly roasted beans and unique drinks like the Canadiano (a fun twist on the Americano) and Gibraltar (equal parts espresso and steamed milk), it’s the perfect stop for coffee lovers looking for something different. Harrison’s coffee shops are bright, welcoming and perfect for enjoying a leisurely coffee during your travels.
There are three locations and hours vary by location:
- Johnston Terminal at The Forks: Mon-Thurs 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Fri-Sun 8:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
- Waterfront Dr: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- West Broadway: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Modern Electric Lunch | 232 Main St
Located on a hip strip of Main Street, Modern Electric is a jaunty natural light-bathed licensed brunch joint that slings seriously good coffee and delicious nourishing dishes (that are sometimes a little naughty). If you are eating in, the all-day breakfast menu features musts like peach cobble French toast and a vibrant hash made with creamed corn mayo, crumbled chorizo and pickled red onions. If you are getting one of its many coffee drinks to go, there is a tidy little selection of pastries and cookies at the counter to take with you.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Cloud Coffee | 85 Israel Asper Way (inside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights)
If you need to take a break midway through your visit to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Cloud Coffee is the perfect spot to savour a coffee or a Cloud cappuccino. You can also enjoy locally sourced baked goods in uplifting surroundings. Cloud Coffee is operated by WOW Hospitality (who also have a lovely little cafe beside 529 Uptown in the lobby of 201 Portage Ave) and is located on the 5th floor of the museum.
Hours: Tues–Sun from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Exchange District
Rosé Coffee & Wine | 474 Main St, Unit B
Rosé Coffee & Wine effortlessly transitions from a cozy café by day to a chic wine bar by night. This beautifully designed spot in the historic Exchange District (thanks to @firesidedesign) offers everything from simple americanos and loose-leaf tea from nearby Amsterdam Tea Room to pink vanilla foam-topped lattes and Ferrero Rocher-inspired drinks. Stay a little later, and you can enjoy oysters or a charcuterie board paired with an espresso martini or a glass of wine. It’s a perfect spot to unwind after a long day of meetings or conferences.
Hours: Mon-Thurs 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 12 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Parlour Coffee | 468 Main St
No visit to downtown Winnipeg is complete without stopping by Parlour Coffee. As the shop that launched the city's third-wave coffee scene back in 2011, Parlour is a minimalist’s dream. There’s no Wi-Fi, just expertly brewed coffee and good conversation. The rotating selection of premium beans, brewed to perfection using Chemex and Hario methods by their talented staff, keeps both locals and visitors coming back. Grab a seat at the street-facing bartop for some prime people-watching while you sip.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Más Coffee Co. | 70 Arthur St
Más Coffee Co. is Winnipeg’s first Honduran café. Owner David Pinto was born in San Pedro Sula and has made it his mission to develop a sustainable relationship with small coffee producers in Honduras. Since opening in 2022, this Exchange District gem has attracted a loyal following, thanks in part to its signature drink, café con miel (coffee sweetened with wildflower honey sourced from their own Winnipeg hives). With a handful of outdoor tables perfect for soaking up a summer day and a bright, open interior where you can watch the coffee roasting unfold before your eyes, Más is a must-try.
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
East Exchange
Sam's Place Coffee | 140 Bannatyne Ave, #100
Sam’s Place is “coffee with a cause,” a social enterprise run by the Mennonite Central Committee Manitoba that helps youth overcome employment barriers. Every coffee, snack, and local retail item you purchase directly supports the youth program’s initiatives (even your tip!). Located in the East Exchange, this spacious and bright café features a large, fenced-in patio and plenty of room to relax, work, or catch up with new conference friends. Plus, you can learn about MCC’s important work while enjoying your coffee thanks to a large window that offers a glimpse into their material aid centre.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
VA Café | 171 McDermot Ave
VA Café, short for Vertical Adventures, is owned by the same folks behind the popular climbing gym, which explains why the café will soon feature a bouldering wall. It’s one of Winnipeg’s most unique spots, located in the East Exchange and connected to Darling Bar, a cozy basement cocktail lounge with a rooftop patio. VA Café serves up Little Sister Coffee beans, freshly roasted onsite, alongside delicious house-made pastries. While the climbing wall isn't ready just yet, you can still soak up the bright, plant-filled atmosphere with plenty of comfy seating—perfect for relaxing or getting some work done. You could easily spend an entire morning or afternoon here.Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Colosimo Coffee Roasters Café | 145 Pacific Ave (inside Sport Manitoba)
Grab a coffee from Colosimo Coffee Roasters Café (CCR Café) in the East Exchange and take a scenic stroll along Waterfront Drive to enjoy some fresh air and explore the area. Owner Jay Colosimo, a seasoned coffee roaster, opened this friendly café to share his love for high-quality coffee with the community, and he's since expanded with four locations throughout the city. With a passion for treating coffee like wine, Jay and his staff can tell you all about the origins, roasting, and brewing processes behind each cup. You can expect to leave with a great cup of coffee and some serious coffee knowledge to boot.
Hours: Mon-Fri: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sat: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit their other locations.
Empty Cup | 365 Main St (underground, Richardson Building)
If you’re staying near Portage and Main, Empty Cup is tucked away underground in the Richardson Building and accessible via the skywalk. It’s a no-frills coffee counter with no seating, making it a quick pit stop. They serve their own locally roasted coffee––including their branded canned nitro cold brews––while the menu also includes pastries and sandwiches from La Belle Baguette. The staff is both professional and super friendly.
Hours: Mon-Fri 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit their other locations throughout the city.
