Tre Visi Café 926 Grosvenor Ave, 204‐475‐4447. Chef owner Heather’ s Italian- Mediterranean cuisine includes one of the city’ s most sumptuous gnocchi. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Vera Pizzeria 670 Osborne St, 204‐222‐6306. 20-seat South Osborne space with a simple menu of superb lightly topped Neapolitan-style pizza. LP, IA, M, V
ITALIAN /
CONTEMPORARY
Bellissimo 1‐877 Waverley St, 204-489‐0495. This sophisticated neighbourhood spot offers sublime spinach agnolotti stuffed with mascarpone and spiced squash. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Café Carlo 243 Lilac St, 204-477‐5544. This cozy, chic and consistent bistro serves dishes spiked with equatorial tastes and textures. Regulars ask for the fette chile. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Cibo Waterfront Café 339 Waterfront Dr, 204‐594‐0339. Renovated heritage space boasts one of the best views in the city. Standouts include arancini balls in a fragrant tomato sauce and 10 different bruschettas. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Harth 1-980 St Anne’ s Rd, 204-255-0003. South suburban locale draws with its stunning tapas-style menu designed by chef Brent Genyk. Italian delicacies like house-made pasta are stand-outs. WA, LP, IA, M, V Nicolino’ s 4‐2077 Pembina Hwy, 204-269‐5004. Owner Nick Zifarelli oversees a menu of rustic Italian classics. Tangy béchamel is a revelatory addition to the Lasagna Emiliana and housemade pasta keeps diners loyal.
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Parcel Pizza 221-A Stradbrook Ave, 204-421-6711. Stylish art-deco inspired restaurant serves gourmet pizza on New York-style crust. Zany flavours, and creative shareables add a creative twist. A, IA, M, V Passero 774 Corydon Ave, 204-219-7300. Chef driven dining opens at night with thoughtful offerings such as the roasted pork belly and ricotta gnocchi. WA, LP, IA, M, V Tommy’ s Pizzeria 842 Corydon Ave, 204-219-7499. Sleek interior gives a New York diner vibe for Detroit style pizzas and Italian classics. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Vida Cucina Italia 222 Broadway, 204-899-5721. Chef Rosanna Marziale brings pedigree and Michelin starred dishes from Campania to this crowning jewel of the Fort Garry Hotel. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V bestlist
JAPANESE
Asoyama 1717 Kenaston Blvd, 204‐487‐4222. This sushi spot in the south suburbs bursts with options, in a modern traditional space. Japanese noodles and grilled seafood. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Blüfish 179 Bannatyne Ave, 204-779‐9888. This chic sushi spot in the center of the city balances sophistication with a dose of fun. Try playful pan-seared cuttlefish with ginger-laced teriyaki sauce. LP, A, IA, M, V Cho Ichi Ramen 1151 Pembina Hwy, 204-615-8832. Building the most flavourful bowl of ramen is this restaurant’ s mission. The pork tonkotsu broth is cooked for 12 hours. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Ichiban 189 Carlton St, 204-925‐7400. Teppanyaki-style fresh entrées are cooked with panache by talented chefs. A sushi bar featuring more than 20 rolls is also available.
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Wasabi 588 Broadway, 204-774-4328; 3-1360 Taylor Ave, 204‐415‐7878. New‐school sushi is taken to creative heights. Stunning rolls use premium ingredients, leaving a lasting impression. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Yujiro 1822 Grant Ave, 204-489‐9254. Chef Edward Lam brings his stylish approach to traditional dishes and rolls. Try the delicate kaisou salad, mixed seaweed bathed in yuzu dressing. WA, LP, IA, M, V
KOREAN
IGI BBQ & Sushi Bistro 10-1875 Pembina Hwy, 204‐477‐9909. It’ s all about table-top, do-it-yourself barbeque at this all-you-can-eat restaurant. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Kiwa 10-2077 Pembina Hwy, 204-261-3131. Classic dishes like bibimbap, jigaes and chicken wings with sweet and spicy sauce, deliver bold flavours. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Little Korea 519 Ellice Ave, 204-783-5188. Tiny space with a contemporary vibe serves classics from South Korea. Knowledgeable servers assist new adventurers. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
MEXICAN
Carlos & Murphy’ s 129 Osborne St, 204-284‐3510. Mexican cantina serves taco salads, hot wings, chimichangas and loaded Carlos nachos. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V La Roca 155 Smith St, 204‐615‐9605. The light and fresh flavours of coastal Mexico shine in taco trios, bright ceviche and the city’ s best margaritas. Go late if looking to party. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
MIDDLE EASTERN
Al Basha Cafe 1566 Pembina Hwy, 204-306-8544 Lively music and hospitality set the tone for a tasty Middle Eastern meal. Sharing plates allow more selection from an enormous menu. A, IA, M, V. Ashur 584 Pembina Hwy # 19, 204-275-3939. Middle Eastern specialties like rotisserie-cooked meat, fresh falafel and house-made kebabs offered in a casual setting. WA, A, IA, M, V. Les Saj 1038 St. James St, 204-219-8939; 480 Portage Ave, 204-788-4477; 1857 Grant Ave, 204-414-3771; 2589 Pembina Hwy, 204-615-6006. This casual eatery cooks using a saj, a dome-shaped hot surface for baking flatbreads. WA, IA, M, V
Winnibakes 1765 Kenaston Blvd, 204-488-1632. Inspired flatbreads emerge from a brick oven worth crossing the city for. Phyllo wrapped pies offer a new twist on shawarma. WA, A, IA, M, V Yafa Café 1785 Portage Ave, 204-221-1636. This artistic space serves street food like manakeesh, a flatbread with sweet or savoury toppings, and an extensive list of drinks, including a honey cardamom latte. WA, A, IA, M, V
PUB / CANTINA
Amsterdam Tea Room 103-211 Bannatyne Ave, 204-295-7728. Trendy spot with a cool vibe lurles with boozy teas, and Euro-style sharing plates. LP, SP, IA, M, V Bar Accanto 100-300 Tache Ave, 204-505-0761. The luxe bistro setting hints at the artistic and exciting food coming out of the kitchen at this new hot spot.
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Brazen Hall 800 Pembina Hwy, 204‐453‐7980. House-made brews on tap at the stylish spacious pub. The extensive menu includes modern snacks and entrées. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Commonwealth 456 Main St, 204-306-8011. Faux foliage adds coziness to this former bank space. A globally inspired menu offers plenty of mod hits. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Confusion Corner 500 Corydon Ave, 204-284‐6666. This sleek, casual restaurant and lounge attracts a young, hip crowd. Innovative menu changes seasonally.
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Darling Bar 171 McDermot Ave. Cocktails flow, tapas rules, and music vibes at this hipster hotspot. Snag one of the few seats on the rooftop for the best view of the city’ s historic center. LP, SP, IA, M, V
32 ciao! / summer / two thousand twenty-five