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
BarBeque
Famous Dave’s
11 Reenders Dr, 204-504-7200.
This roadhouse style joint is famous for
its low and slow smoked ribs served
with classic sides like cornbread muffins.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
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
Bistro
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.
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
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
48
ciao! / dec/jan / two thousand nineteen
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. 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 serving creative dishes packed
with regional ingredients, like pickerel
cheeks. WA, LP, SP, A, 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
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 with lemon and
oregano. WA, LP, SP, 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 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 and a signature bison
burger. WA, SP, IA, M, V
Clementine Café
123 Princess St, 204-942-9497. Trendy
underground nook has stellar offerings
for breakfast and lunch, including
locally-roasted coffee and a lineup of
morning cocktails. LP, A, IA, M, V
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 served with dairy
free cheddar. WA, SP, A, IA, M, V
Feast Café Bistro
587 Ellice Ave, 204-691-5979. This spot
pays tribute to Manitoba’s Indigenous
groups with a menu rich in bannock,
bison and berries. Try the squash pizza.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Forth
171 McDermot Ave, 204-505-7073. This
sun dappled café inside an Exchange
District heritage building is home to
local roaster Dogwood Coffee Co. Head
downstairs for slick cocktails at night.
LP, SP, IA, M, V
Lark
91 Albert St, chewcatering.ca.
This bright contemporary café/food
store features a seasonally-inspired
menu. Satisfy cravings for nutritious
nibbles with salads, sandwiches and
pastas. LP, IA, M, V
Marion Street Eatery
393 Marion Street, 204-233-2843.
Elevated comfort food. Try the mac &
cheese or pancakes drizzled with apple
whiskey caramel sauce.
LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
The Oakwood
660 Osborne St, 204-475-4250. Sleek
decor and a commitment to local
sourcing elevates this neighbourhood
favourite. Filling breakfasts, twists on
comfort food and indulgent desserts are
top picks. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Stella’s Café & Bakery
Seven locations, stellas.ca. Famous
breakfast items like the Mexican breakfast
alongside a vast selection of entrées.
Bread and jam available for purchase.
WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V
The Tallest Poppy
103 Sherbrook St, 204-219-8777.Located
in the Sherbrook Inn, this comfort food
with-a-twist diner serves soul food
inspired eats with decidedly northern
ingredients. Buttermilk fried chicken is
excellent. LP, SP, IA, M, V
Casino dining
Loft 180
484 McPhillips St, 204-957-2500.
Step away from the casino floor to
experience a space where enticing
cocktails, live entertainment and a
variety of gaming come together. WA,
LP, A, IA, M, V, ATM
Mango’s Restaurant
1 Ocean Dr, Off Hwy 59, Scanterbury,
MB, 1-877-775-8259. Canadian and
tropical delights served in a 1920s-style
setting at South Beach Casino. Chef
Richard de Krijger’s new menu is worth
the drive. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Toukie’s Lounge
1425 Regent Ave W, 204-223-6439.
Nestled in Club Regent Casino’s game
centre, serving lunch and dinner with
cocktail specialties like the Bahama
mama bull dog. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Chinese
Dim Sum Garden
2677 Pembina Hwy, 204-269-7799.
More than 50 types of dim sum
available here. À la carte Szechuan
and Cantonese favourites like shark fin
dumplings delight. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Kum Koon Garden
257 King St, 204-943-4655.
The city’s largest restaurant is a
Chinatown institution that packs in
patrons for dim sum lunches. Exotic
Cantonese chow attracts diners.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V