Winnipeg may be one of the smaller cities of Canada, but it packs a whole lot of incredible, diverse dining options into a small city space. There’s no lack of options here, with cuisines ranging from Filipino to Italian and everything in between. There are also a lot of great breweries, bars, bakeries, and more, all worth checking out and enjoying.
Great Restaurants in Winnipeg
Brunch at Clementine
To start off the list, I will start with brunch, and one can’t say they’ve brunched in Winnipeg without having gone to Clementine. I saw this place mentioned on many blogs and Reddit posts as being the best in Winnipeg, and after dining here, I can absolutely see why. The menu is short but complex, the space is cozy, busy but not loud, and the service is prompt but relaxed. I had a delicious cappuccino, my partner enjoyed a fresh-squeezed orange juice to sip on. For food, we had the waffle, a side of their sausage, and the duck chilaquiles. Everything was delicious.
For New American and Fusion Fare — The Local Public House
Located downtown on Garry Street, The Local in Winnipeg has a delightfully varied menu and offers a huge selection of beers on tap and drinks. It’s a nice atmosphere where you can enjoy a casual but refined experience, with friendly staff and prompt service. If you want to watch a game, they have TV’s tuned to sports channels around the bar, but you can also opt for a quieter experience at a cozy booth spot. I’ve been here twice and enjoyed the fried chicken ramen and a burger, both solid meals for a reasonable price.
Gather Restaurant at The Leaf
After you wander around the beautiful botanic gardens at The Leaf in Assiniboine Park, consider dropping into Gather Craft Kitchen & Bar for at least a cocktail and an appetizer. While it’s on the pricier side, this spot is great for a nice date or just a simple cocktail. I had a fall-inspired drink made with apple infused whiskey, and it was delicious. Paired it with a serving of their poutine appetizer, and it was the perfect way to enjoy a small bite in the afternoon a few hours before dinner.
Nonsuch Brewing Company – The Best Burger in Winnipeg
Nonsuch Brewing Company is another must-visit, not only for its beer but for the award-winning burger. They have a gorgeous interior space if you’re looking for an elevated dining experience, but also a more casual, quiet patio spot that is ideal on a summer evening. The burger was delicious, my one critique was that it did not come with fries. We also shared their house-made chips and dip appetizer, which was delicious. The beers were great, service was great, all around a lovely experience. Any burger lover has to try this one. Just be aware that they are closed on Tuesdays!
Gol’s Lanzhou Noodle Winnipeg
Looking for hand-pulled Chinese noodles? Look no further than Gol’s Lanzhou. This spot, while not super conveniently located (you would need a car if staying downtown) is absolutely worth a visit. While I am no expert in Chinese cuisine, I felt like it had to be authentic based on the number of Chinese families in the restaurant, all speaking their native language and indulging in huge bowls of noodles. The chili spice was delicious, the noodles were amazing, and it was a delightful way to satisfy a craving for a comforting bowl of noodle soup. Get the Dan Dan noodles, customize the noodle size you want, and enjoy the hand-pulled goodness. The price is definitely right too – it’s a great value meal where you’re likely to have leftovers.
Tre Visi Cafe — Delicious Italian Food in Winnipeg
I don’t go out for Italian often — typically I find it underwhelming and it’s a cuisine I have no issue cooking at home. This place, however, is perfect and worth a visit for a date night when you’re craving some delicious pasta. Tre Visi Cafe is located west of Osborne Village, near the “Little Italy” neighborhood of Winnipeg. It’s a small and intimate restaurant with really great servers and a delicious menu. Their beet and burrata salad was delightful and the pasta was delicious and a HUGE portion, I had plenty of leftovers for a whole additional meal the next day, and it kept well. I absolutely recommend this restaurant to satisfy any Italian cravings and to have a quiet, relaxing meal. They have a great wine list, too!
Vietnamese Food at Pho Kim Tuong
This Vietnamese spot is on Ellice Avenue in Winnipeg’s West End neighborhood, and it’s fantastic if you want a big bowl of steamy pho. The broth was rich, the spring rolls were fresh and huge, and the have some great, unique Vietnamese drinks. The portions are also huge at Pho Kim Tuong, so be prepared to take some leftovers home.
Dim Sum at Sam Po
Located near The Exchange, Sam Po serves up an impressive dim sum menu, with all the classics including BBQ pork buns, custard buns, fried rice, Singapore noodles, shu mai, and more. It was delicious, fast service, and all for a very reasonable price. We got a ton of food and it ended up being just around $30 per person. I would definitely go back here for Dim Sum when in Winnipeg. I think my favorite were the custard buns, but the dumplings would be a close second!
Fast Casual — Honu Poke Restaurant Downtown
For a fast casual dining experience if you’re craving a poke bowl, Honu Poke downtown is perfect. I loved the build your own bowl option, and they had a ton of other Asian food options all in one convenient space. Grab a bubble tea, some miso soup, whatever you want! Because it is a downtown restaurant, catering primarily to business customers during the work week, it is closed on Sundays.
Bars & Breweries in Winnipeg
Sookram’s Brewing Company
While not the easiest to find as it sits in an industrial area, tucked away by some train tracks, Sookrams is a delightful brewery, offering indoor and outdoor seating, a varied beer menu, and often hosting a food truck onsite. I have enjoyed several beers here with their option to select a 4-pour flight, and they also have a lot of boardgames to enjoy while you sip a beer.
Kilter Brewing
I think this is my favorite brewery in Winnipeg! It offers a delicious selection of beers, it has both a lovely patio for a summer visit and a cozy interior, decorated with tons of plants, and it has plenty of seating and games you can enjoy for an afternoon. Kilter is not walkable from downtown, so you would need a car to access it, but if you’re driving in Winnipeg I highly recommend an afternoon here.
Unique Cocktails at Amsterdam Tea Room
With an extensive cocktail menu offering about 60 drinks all infused with tea, Amsterdam Tea Room is a unique and delicious spot for a pre-dinner or post-dinner beverage. I tried a jasmine tea martini, while also tasting one of their rum old fashioned and a fruity sour cocktail. They use a variety of different teas to infuse different liquors, making for a really interesting menu. The bartenders were super friendly as well. My one critique was that the space was not as cozy as it could have been, with uncomfortable, low-back bar stools. It’s a place I’d go back to for one, but would love to hang out at longer if they had better seating, but either way it’s absolutely worth a stop. They also have a brief menu of elevated bar nibbles, including tartare and fancy bread and butter boards. You can also get just tea-based drinks too, if you’re looking for NA options.
Classic Pub Fare & Drinks at Kings Head Pub
Looking for some poutine and a drink, or maybe a place to watch a game on a bar TV? Kings Head Pub might be the perfect spot for you! We just went here for a drink and some of their classic poutine as a starter before dinner, but it didn’t disappoint. It’s the perfect dive bar/pub atmosphere, with a really friendly server and delicious, greasy food. The fries on the poutine were perfect, my only complaint was I would’ve loved a few more cheese curds in the gravy. It’s a cozy, relaxed spot to visit for a beer, and they have a late-night food menu and appear to host events as well.
Coffee Shops & Bakeries in Winnipeg
Mondays Cafe
So far this has been my favorite coffee shop in Winnipeg. It has nice, cozy but bright decor, lovely coffee drinks at reasonable prices, and super friendly staff. There is good wi-fi if you work from home and want to work from here. Monday’s Cafe is also open until 5pm, which is nice if you’re working here later in the day, and they serve up pastries and bagels. It’s right on Broadway in downtown Winnipeg and is ideal for a light breakfast or afternoon coffee.
Oh Doughnuts
Skip Tim Horton’s — this donut spot is incredible. With a huge menu of a rotating selection, you can find everything from savory to sweet, with trendy flavors, filled options, old-fashioned, you name it. Oh Doughnuts in Winnipeg is a must-visit for any donut lover visiting this city. The shop is located on Broadway, and often sells out before its closing time, so either get there early or order ahead.
Lavanda
Another lovely coffee shop in downtown Winnipeg, Lavanda is a cozy spot has a lot of vegan and vegetarian-friendly food options and delicious espresso beverages. I’ve gone here to work for a few hours and enjoyed the quiet, chill atmosphere. It’s a great spot for a quick coffee, and they have a nice outdoor seating area if you visit during the warmer months.
Special Mention – Ice Cream from Sub Zero
I’m no ice cream connoisseur, in fact most of the time I am fine with skipping it, but one thing I do really love is a soft serve or sundae. Sub Zero in Winnipeg is locally famous for its huge varieties of ice cream flavors and sundae options, so we had to check it out on one of the last warm days in early autumn. It was amazing — I finished every last bite of my massive sundae and enjoyed it until the very end.
If you visit during the summer months and this spot is open – go check it out! It’s a must.
That’s all for now! It’s far from an exhaustive list, as Winnipeg is home to many incredible restaurants, but this is what I’ve been able to try so far and have really enjoyed during my visits to the city.
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