winnipeg’s bestlist
The definitive Ciao! restaurant
list outlines our selection of the
top dining establishments in
the city. Virtually all of these
recommendations are locally
owned and operated. Keep this
list available for easy reference,
whether you are seeking a
formal multi-course gourmet
extravaganza or simply want
the best soup in town. Although
information is updated every
issue, restaurant details are
subject to change without notice.
If you have visited a restaurant
that should be considered for
addition to this list, please
e-mail your recommendation to:
[email protected].
The symbols are as follows:
WA — Wheelchair accessible
LP — Licensed premises
SP — Summer patio
A — American Express
IA — Interac
M — MasterCard
V — Visa
ATM — Bank machine on‑site
— New restaurant
ARABIC
Yafa Café
1785 Portage Ave, 204-221-1636. This
artistic space celebrates Arabic culture,
serving street food like manakeesh,
a flatbread with sweet or savoury
toppings. WA, A, IA, M, V
BAKERY CAFÉ
Cocoabeans Bakeshop
774 Corydon Ave, 204-918-5313. Gluten-
free café serves light, fresh meals that
cater to all dietary restrictions, like the
vegan Caesar bowl. WA, SP, A, IA, M, V
The Frenchway
238 Lilac St, 204‑421‑9002. This Lilac
Street bakery and café specializes
in breakfast and lunch fare using
house-made pastries, breads and
sweets. WA, SP, IA, M, V
Hildegard’s Bakery
100-686 Portage Ave, 204‑615-0889. A
full menu of baked goods along with
delicious wood-fired pizza and fresh-
out-of-the-oven breads are served
alongside roasted drip coffees from the
on-site café. WA, LP, IA, M, V
Stella’s Café & Bakery
Seven locations, stellas.ca. Famous
breakfast items like baked eggs and
the Mexican breakfast alongside a vast
selection of entrées. House-made bread
and jam available for purchase by the
loaf and jar. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
BARBEQUE
Famous Dave’s
11 Reenders Dr, 204-504-7200.
This roadhouse style joint is famous for
its low and slow smoked ribs. Serves
BBQ favourites alongside classic sides
like cornbread muffins. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
28
ciao! / aug/sep / two thousand nineteen
Lovey’s BBQ
2-208 Marion St, 204‑233‑RIBS (7427).
Casual eatery boasting a barbeque
pit and scratch-made sauces. Slabs of
pork shoulder and brisket are smoked
low and slow overnight. WA, LP, IA, M, V Steve’s Bistro
3121 Portage Ave, 204‑831‑5531. Tuck
into hearty portions of Mediterranean-
influenced cuisine, like tangy house-
made olive tapenade and fall-off-the-bone
rack of lamb. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
BISTRO BURGERS
Baked Expectations
161 Osborne St, 204‑452‑5176. The
menu lists burgers and pasta, but save
room for the sweet stuff. This place is
duly noted for its decadent desserts,
from tortes to cheesecakes. WA, LP, IA
Bonfire Bistro
1433 Corydon Ave, 204‑487‑4440.
Famous for wood-fired artisan pizzas,
this cozy hangout is the perfect place
to unwind. Try the spicy Bonfire
Hawaiian. WA, LP, IA, M, V
Café 22
823 Corydon Ave, 204-989-5119.
Popular locale does double duty as a
family-friendly restaurant and trendy
lounge. Pizzas are drawn from a wood
burning oven that clinches the flavour
and ambience. LP, SP, IA, M, V
deer + almond
85 Princess St, 204‑504‑8562. This hip,
rustic Exchange District restaurant
boasts an inspired globally influenced
menu of creative, shareable plates.
WA, LP, IA, M, V
Era Bistro
85 Israel Asper Way, 204‑289‑2190.
Located in the Canadian Museum
for Human Rights, this open concept
room serves local fare emphasizing on
sustainability. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Kevin’s Bistro
141 Bannatyne Ave, 204-221-5028.
This bright bistro’s menu brings
back the 1970’s casserole and ups
the mac & cheese ante with a saucy
béchamel. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Prairie Ink
Grant Park Shopping Centre,
204‑975‑2659. Cozy retreat inside
McNally Robinson Booksellers serves
healthy fare for all tastes. Extensive fresh
juice selection and on-site pâtisserie
counter. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Prairie’s Edge
2015 Main St, 204‑284‑7275. Eatery
nestled in the greenery of Kildonan
Park servomg creative dishes packed
with regional ingredients, like pickerel
cheeks. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Resto at Thermëa
775 Crescent Dr, 204‑284-9595.
Located inside Thermëa by Nordik-
Spa Nature, this peaceful bistro
serves a health-focused menu with
touches of regional ingredients.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
Saucers Cafe
570 Academy Rd, 204‑489‑9204.
Generous sandwiches, salads, wraps,
pizzas, specialty coffees and teas.
Try the roasted vegetable bruschetta
with goat cheese and tart balsamic
reduction. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Many of these burger joints
are local institutions. Look
for variations on Winnipeg’s
signature Fat Boy, consisting of
one or more meat patties with
chili, tomato, lettuce and mayo.
Dairi-Wip Drive-In, 383 Marion St,
204‑233‑5144; Mrs Mike’s, 286 Tache
Ave, 204‑237‑3977; St. James Burger
& Chip Co, 1866 Ness Ave, 204-414-
5599; Vicky’s Diner, 58 Albert St, 204-
414-7070; VJ’s Drive-Inn, 170 Main
St, 204‑943‑2655; White Top Drive-In,
409 Manitoba Ave, 204‑589‑4419.
Boon Burger Cafe
79 Sherbrook St, 204-415‑1391. This
all-vegan burger café serves up a
range of house-made patties. Treat
yourself to house-made crispy sesame
fries. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Daly Burger
619 Corydon Ave, 204‑284‑4944.
A 50’s feel retro diner with a classic
menu of burgers, cheese dogs and
super thick shakes, WA, IA, M, V
Half Moon Drive-In
6860 Henderson Hwy, 204‑757‑2517.
Big burgers slathered with chili and
hand-cut fries, hot dogs and ice cream
are perennial favourites throughout
the decades. Outdoor picnic tables
offer a river view. WA, SP, IA, M, V
Market Burger
645 Corydon Ave, 204‑505‑2510.
Hip hangout serves up mouthfuls
of Manitoba with locally sourced
ingredients from cheese and meat to
buns and beers. IA, M, V
Nuburger
Four locations, ilovenuburger.com.
Decidedly local ingredients and spirit.
Healthy, fresh twists on the classic
burger and options for all dietary
restrictions served in bright and
modern spaces. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Tipsy Cow
285 Portage Ave, 204-944-8928. This
bistro’s menu proudly highlights local
ingredients and regional blends. Also
carries a wide selection of local spirits
and craft beers. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
CAFÉ
Across the Board Game Café
211 Bannatyne Ave, 204‑691‑3422.
Choose from more than 1,000 board
games to play, or simply enjoy drinks,
snacks, sandwiches and delicious
entrées in this bright space. LP, IA, M, V
Buffalo Stone Café
1961 McCreary Rd, 204-989‑8370. Relax
lakeside at FortWhyte Alive with hearty
sandwiches, soups and a signature
bison burger. WA, SP, IA, M, V