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]
— New restaurant
— Summer Patio
WA — Wheelchair accessible
LP — Licensed premises
A — American Express
IA — Interac
M — MasterCard
V — Visa
ATM — Bank machine on‐site
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
BARBEQUE
Famous Dave’s
11 Reenders Dr, 204-504-7200. This
roadhouse-style joint is famous for
its low and slow smoked ribs. The
scratch kitchen serves BBQ favourites
alongside classic American sides.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
BISTRO
Baked Expectations
161 Osborne St, 204‐452‐5176. The
menu lists comfort food, 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
family-friendly restaurant and trendy
lounge. Pizzas are drawn from a woodburning
oven that clinches the flavour
and ambience. LP, 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 bechamel.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
winnipeg’s bestlist
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 wonderful
desserts. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Prairie’s Edge
2015 Main St, 204‐284‐7275. Eatery
nestled in Kildonan Park greenery offers
creative dishes packed with regional
ingredients. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Saucers Cafe
570 Academy Rd, 204‐489‐9204.
Sandwiches, salads, wraps, pizzas,
specialty coffees and teas. Try the
roasted vegetable bruschetta with goat
cheese and tart balsamic reduction.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Steve’s Bistro
3121 Portage Ave, 204‐831‐5531. Tuck
into hearty portions of Mediterraneaninfluenced
cuisine, like tangy housemade
olive tapenade and fall-off-thebone
rack of lamb. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
BURGERS
Dairi-Wip Drive-In, 383 Marion St,
204‐233‐5144; Mrs Mike’s , (closes
for winter around mid-Oct) 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,
(usually closes for winter around late
Dec) 409 Manitoba Ave, 204‐589‐4419
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, V, M
Nuburger
472 Stradbrook Ave, 204‐888‐1001;
1-1650 Kenaston Blvd, 204-615‐2009;
2-1596 Regent Ave W, 204-219-5134.
Healthy, fresh twists on the classic
burger and options for all dietary
restrictions served in bright, modern
spaces. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Tipsy Cow
285 Portage Ave, 204-944-8928.
This menu proudly highlights locally
sourced ingredients and locavores will
appreciate familiar regional blends
used. Also, 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 or simply enjoy snacks,
sandwiches and entrées in this bright
and bustling 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, IA, M, V
Clementine Café
123 Princess St, 204‐942‐9497. Trendy
underground nook has stellar offerings
for breakfast and lunch, including
fresh baking and a lineup of morning
cocktails. LP, A, IA, M, V
Feast Café Bistro
587 Ellice Ave, 204-691-5979. This
spot’s menu pays tribute to Manitoba’s
Indigenous groups. Try the squash
pizza topped with white sauce and
pine nuts. WA, LP, A, M, V
Forth
171 McDermot Ave. This well-designed
café inside a heritage building houses
local roaster Dogwood Coffee Co. Head
to the downstairs bar for slick cocktails
and charcuterie. LP, M, V
Lark
91 Albert St, Chewcatering.ca.
Linger over lunch or grab a quick bite
from a seasonally-inspired menu of
salads, sandwiches and pastas.
LP, IA, M, V
Marion Street Eatery
393 Marion St, 204‐233‐2843. Elevated
comfort food. Try gourmet mac &
cheese with bacon and pretzel topping.
LP, A, IA, M, V
The Oakwood
660 Osborne St, 204‐475‐4250.
Sleek decor, local ingredients, filling
breakfasts, comfort food and indulgent
desserts at this neighbourhood
favourite. WA, LP, A, 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. LP, IA, M, V
CAFÉ/BAKERY
Cocoabeans Bakeshop
774 Corydon Ave, 204-918-5313. Glutenfree
café caters to all dietary restrictions,
like the vegan Caesar bowl served with
dairy-free cheddar. WA, A, IA, M, V
Cottage Bakery
1382 Pembina Hwy, 204-284-3602
Vintage bakery feel exudes from this
longstanding stop. Be it breads, pies or
pastries, bakery freshness lives here.
WA, A, IA, M, V
The Frenchway
238 Lilac St, 204‐421‐9002. Sandwiches
served on crunchy baguettes and
fresh-made desserts are ready to enjoy
at this bakery and café specializing in
breakfast and lunch. WA, IA, M, V
Stella’s Café & Bakery
1895 Grant Ave, 204-488‐7810;
116 Sherbrook St, 204‐477‐5556;
1463 Pembina Hwy, 204-275-2001;
340 Provencher Blvd, 204-477‐8393.
James Armstrong Richardson
International Airport, 2nd Floor,
204‐779‐1415; Plug In Gallery,
460 Portage Ave, 204‐772‐1556. Famous
breakfast items like baked eggs and
the Mexican breakfast alongside vast
selection of entrées, soups, sandwiches
and homey curries. WA, LP, IA, M, V
32
ciao! / summer / two thousand twenty