Thanh Huong 534 Sargent Ave, 204-774‐8888. French‐accented North Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine is on offer at this West End spot. The satay beef soup is a triumph. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Viva 505 Sargent Ave, 204-772‐3167. Family-owned and operated West End hot spot. Traditional favourites like deluxe vermicelli and bánh mì are highlights. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
WORLD FOOD
Reflecting Winnipeg’ s ethnocultural diversity, this category represents our top choices from the many small, primarily family‐run restaurants in town. The decor at most of these is simple. The food is representative of the owner’ s culture, often with astonishingly low prices that reflect the simplicity of the service and surroundings, not the quality.
Affinity Vegetarian Garden [ Chinese ] 100‐208 Edmonton St, 204-943‐0251. With 88 dishes, this small eatery has the most diverse vegetarian menu in town. IA, M, V Aroma Bistro [ Asian Fusion ] 741 St Mary’ s Rd, The Forks Market, 204‐691-6364. Chinese pork wontons, chili oil and“ la la” seasoning are the three essential ingredients forming the stellar dishes here. IA, M, V Ashur 584 Pembina Hwy # 19, 204-275-3939. Counter order Middle Eastern specialties like rotisserie-cooked meat, fresh falafel and kebabs offered in a casual setting. A, IA, M, V Asian Hot Pot [ Asian Fusion ] 740 Corydon Ave, 204‐615‐8878. Do-it-yourself-deliciousness in the form of soups simmer at the table. 20 broth options and 70 plus ingredients to add. WA, LP, A, M, V Baraka Pita Bakery [ Lebanese ] 1783 Main St, 204‐334‐2004. This North End gem offers falafel, shawarma, pita pizzas and specialty dips along with Middle Eastern sweets. WA, IA, V, M Beaurivage Bistro [ Lebanese ] 637 Corydon Ave, 204-691-6999. Charming Lebanese eatery with a prix fixe dinner menu. Try kibbeh, a delicious spiced beef croquette.
WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
BMC Market [ Mexican ] 1113 Henderson Hwy, 722 Osborne Street, 204-306-4188. Bargain spot for some of the city’ s best tacos and quesadillas. A tiny but impressive shelf of Mexican specialties. IA, M, V
Di Caribbean Grill 3025 Pembina Hwy, 204-306-0620. Spicy recipes of Jamaica and surrounding islands deepen our relationship with Caribbean cuisine in the suburbs. A, IA, M, V bestlist
Emerald Palace [ Chinese ] 704 Sargent Ave, 204‐788‐4573. Authentic fare served up in a bustling atmosphere. Try the famous fried butter chicken. WA, A, IA, M, V Gojo [ Ethiopian ] 533 Sargent Ave, 204-615-0785. Fresh injera is perfect for scooping up vibrant flavours like lamb tibs cooked with spiced butter. Veggie combos are stand out. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V, ATM Golden Loong [ Chinese ] 2237 Pembina Hwy, 204-504-6766. Housemade noodles, in soup and in stir-fries are the attraction here, but venture beyond to extraordinary flavours. WA, LP, IA, V Hello Asian Fusion [ Chinese ] 753 Corydon Ave, 204-221-8001. Noodles, soups and a line up of whimisical dishes that nod to Hong Kong cuisine including spicy ramen.
WA, LP, IA, V
JC’ s Tacos and More [ Mexican ] 187 Henderson Hwy, 204‐414‐9187. This cheerful colourful restaurant rewards diners with house-made juices pupusas, tortas and tacos.
WA, IA, V, LP, M
Les Saj [ Middle Eastern ] 1038 St. James St, 204-219-8939; 1857 Grant Ave, 204-414-3771. This is the first restaurant in Winnipeg to cook using a saj, a dome-shaped hot surface for baking flatbreads covered in za’ atar, meat or cheese. WA, IA, M, V Mesob [ Ethiopian ] 200‐121 Osborne St, 204-284‐3194. Platters of Ethiopian and Eritrean food are worth the often lengthy wait. LP, IA, V Pho Kim Tuong [ Vietnamese ] 856 Ellice Ave, 204‐661‐8888. An exhaustive menu of Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai specialties. Rich, savoury broth makes soups here divine. WA, IA, M, V Pho No. 1 [ Vietnamese ] 141 McPhillips St, 204-943‐7449. Charming Vietnamese noodle soup house with hundreds of menu options of hot, simmering broths.
WA, LP, IA, V
Sargent Taco [ Mexican ] 698 Sargent Ave, 204-505-1121. Understated counter service nook offers an exceptional menu of take-out tacos, flautas, quesadillas and churros. WA, IA, M, V Smoke’ s Poutinerie [ French Canadian ] 131 Albert St, 204‐253‐2873; 400-855 Regent Ave, 204‐255‐2873. Mounds of fries, rich homemade gravy and cheese curds are just the base. WA, A, IA, V, M Tito Boy [ Filipino ] 730 St Anne’ s Rd, 204-414-8486. An abundance of traditional Filipino fare like pancit and lumpia is served along with twists on brunch fare like ube mochi Belgian waffles in a quaint setting. A, IA, M
WORTH THE DRIVE
Since all of the following restaurants are located outside the city limits, it is suggested that you call ahead for hours and reservations.
Beach Boy Restaurant 70 1st Ave, Gimli, 204‐642‐7560. In the centre of the main hub, find local favourite serving fresh lake fish and casual Greek specialties. Order at the counter and enjoy the bustle of the beach crowd while you wait.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
Chinos 824 Main St, Steinbach, 204‐326‐9053. Set inside a greenhouse, this charming spot serves wood-fired pizza, wine and house made gelato. On-site gift shop is a souvenir seeker’ s delight. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V Casa Bianca 22 Murray Ave, Winnipeg Beach, 204‐389‐5007. Fine dining in cottage country. Veal provides velvety texture to chef Alex Vaziri’ s outstanding spaghetti bolognese.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Gull Harbour MB-8, Division No. 18, Hecla Island, 1-204-279-2180. A stunning lakeside view offers the perfect setting for seasonal fare, including the pickerel tacos and herbaceous, lemony pickerel chowder. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Hermanos 637 Princess Ave, Brandon, 204-717-1195, Tuck into steak topped with zippy chimichurri and other South American classics at the beloved Winnipeg brand in a new city. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Kris’ Fish & Chips 78 1st Ave, Gimli, 204‐642‐8848. This fun, casual eatery is locally revered for fresh-caught pickerel fried in a light golden batter. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V Lady of the Lake 135-B 17th St, Brandon, 204‐725‐4181. This kitchen is a must-stop for wholesome country food. Mix-andmatch furnishings add playful charm to the spacious dining room.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
Lake Of The Woods Brewing Co 750 2nd St S, Kenora, 807‐468‐2337. Former fire station transformed into local watering hole. On-site brewery and a vast menu of brewpub fare.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
Livery Barn Mennonite Heritage Village, Hwy 12, Steinbach, 204‐326‐9661, open May-Oct. This cafeteria-style restaurant serves hearty Mennonite fare at reasonable prices.
WA, SP, IA, M, V
Whytewold Emporium 190 Gimli Rd, Whytewold, 204‐389‐4567. This rustic garden pergola setting is renowned by cottagers for crêpes filled with fresh fruit. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
40 ciao! / aug / sep / two thousand twenty-six