It goes without saying that for much of the year, Winnipeg and greater Manitoba are COLD. Like, a bone-chilling cold you really cannot understand until you’ve experienced it. Because of this, however, the city thrives when it comes to indoor activities and excellent dining. When people have asked about what Winnipeg is like, they’re always surprised at how strongly I praise the restaurant scene there, and I think a big reason why there are so many incredible restaurants is that it’s just so cold for much of the year, so the best thing to do is to eat indoors where its warm!
Things to Do in Winnipeg
The Royal Aviation Museum
Even if you’re not an airplane geek, the Aviation Museum near the Winnipeg airport is worth a visit! It’s like wandering through a huge hangar full of historical aircraft, interesting facts about the development of aviation in Canada, and great artifacts from commercial, military, and other flying operations of the past. We spent a few hours here checking out everything from an old Air Canada airplane, a fascinating glimpse at how air travel used to be, complete with the old galley set-ups that flight attendants used to work with. It’s a great museum for both kids and adults, with interactive exhibits and well-preserved aircrafts you can go inside, and of course an excellent gift shop with all sorts of airplane goodies.
Manitoba Museum
This museum defied all expectations! When we first walked in, that feeling of “oh no, is this going to be worth it?” hit, as the main entrance was under construction and everything seemed quite rudimentary. After suppressing our hesitation and walking past the initial admission and into the exhibit galleries, however, we were quickly caught by surprise at how incredible it was! The Manitoba Museum is an incredible natural history museum that you could easily spend hours wandering about, marveling at the displays of everything from the wildlife of the region to a full replica of The Nonsuch, a 17th century sailing ship that sailed into Hudson’s Bay and was an integral part of developing the Hudson’s Bay Company, which was the oldest corporation in North America, from 1670 to its liquidation in 2025.
You can spend hours wandering through the galleries and immersive exhibits, it’s truly a wonderful museum to spend a Winnipeg winter day in; sheltered from the cold and enchanted by all the fascinating historical information and elaborate displays. The museum staff are helpful and knowledgeable, and I enjoyed the fact that during a weekday there weren’t too many hoards of unruly children running about.
Go Shopping in The Exchange District
The Exchange District is an area of downtown Winnipeg notable for historic warehouse buildings. There is a lot of great shopping, cafes, bars, and other cool spots in this area, and it’s well worth a wander during a trip to Winnipeg. I enjoyed stopping into several boutiques as well as a premium bakery, Cakeology, to get a cupcake to go when I needed sugar after a long day of walking around. Some stores to check out here include Tara Davis Studio Boutique, an excellent spot for gifts, Vantage Vintage, and 26 Market, an excellent gift and stationery store where I got my 2026 planner that was super unique and cute.
Excellent Restaurants & Bars in Winnipeg
Harth Mozza & Wine Bar
Hands down, this was one of my favorite meals I have eaten in Winnipeg! We opted to do the chef’s tasting menu on a whim and did not regret that decision, as each course was delicious, well-paired with our wines and brought out fresh and perfectly timed by the service team. It was a unique way to indulge in contemporary Italian cuisine, enjoying a delicious mix of charcuterie items, pasta, a salad, and meat, topped off with a delicious dessert at the end. It was a lovely ambiance, the staff was super kind and prompt, and everything was so good I’d order anything we ate as an individual entree in the future. Don’t skip out on Harth Mozza & Wine Bar if you’re looking for a romantic date night or the perfect family gathering or special occasion meal in Winnipeg.
Parcel Pizza
If you’re looking for a classic, delicious pizza experience in an inviting space serving up cocktails and a nice wine list, visit Parcel Pizza in Winnipeg. They have a decent selection of specialty pies, and you can build your own if you prefer a custom pizza. They have a few delicious side dishes as well, and the servers are super friendly. It’s a nice midrange date night spot in Winnipeg, definitely cozy and delicious.
Sushi at Peacock Winnipeg (formerly Yujiro)
This is a special occasion type of place, and a must for a sushi lover in Winnipeg. It ranks in the top 100 restaurants in Canada, and is run by Edward Lam, a top chef in the country who pours his passion for cooking in to the food. The execution of the sushi was stunning, beautifully plated pieces arrived one after the next and every bite was delicious. The servers were also very knowledgeable and provided great insights into what to order and how to enjoy it. My only critique was that the service was a bit slow, so visit Peacock Winnipeg with an expectation to take things at a relaxed pace and savor every bite.
One Great City Brewery
If you like beer and great pub food, One Great City Brewery is a good spot for you! Located a bit outside of downtown, near the POLO Park shopping complex, it’s a large space serving up delicious beer and food. I had a loaded poutine here to complement several brews I sampled, and the atmosphere was inviting despite it being a large, industrial space. Even with large, rowdy groups watching the hockey game on the TVs near us, it was not too loud and we could enjoy our drinks and meal without disturbance.
Winnipeg is a great city to visit, there’s so much to do and so much incredible food to eat. I feel lucky to have gotten to know this city well over the course of a year during a long-distance relationship, and while I don’t miss the long drive, I do miss many spots in this city and I look forward to returning.
Where else should I eat and explore on future visits? Leave a comment!
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