12 TASTE Winnipeg ’ s Culinary Guide 2019-2020
32
TASTE Winnipeg ’ s Culinary Guide 2019-2020
‘ WHERE SHOULD WE EAT ?’…
FAST FACTS
55,000 Total circulation - Annually
Delivered through Tourism Winnipeg , Travel Manitoba , WAA - Airport Info and Tourism Information Centres citywide .
Digitally available via Joomag on ciaowinnipeg . com & peguru . ca
taste winnipeg ’ s culinary guide 2019-2020
what ’ s hot now • destination dining
• restaurant directory
… is the favourite question asked by more than 2 million Winnipeg visitors every year , and an increasing number of them are arriving with an intent to dine in the city ’ s best restaurants .
These ‘ culinary tourists ’ look for a reliable list of the city ’ s best places and recommendations from local editors of food media .
This resource is Taste Magazine .
Designed to direct convention delegates , tour groups , business people and vacationers to the best neighbourhoods and the best places , Taste Magazine is the best place to find Winnipeg ’ s favourite restaurants in one handy guide .
FEATURES
BEST RESTAURANTS
A list of Winnipeg ’ s best restaurants created by editors of Ciao ! and WHERE Winnipeg .
EDITOR ’ S PICKS SIDEBARS CULINARY NEIGHBOURHOOD DISTRICTS VIBRANT RESTAURANT ADS
winnipeg ’ s best list
The definitive taste 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 . Restaurant details are subject to change without notice . 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 A l ’ Epi de Blé 1757 Main St , 204-334-2526 . Bakes up pastries of Provence , French cakes and hearty loaves of bread . IA , M , V La Belle Baguette 248 Ave de la Cathedrale , 204-219- 2123 ; 1850 Ness Ave , 204-219-9688 . Pastry Chef Alix Loiselle makes everything from rustic loaves to delicate patisserie . WA , SP , IA , M , V Bronuts C-100 King St , bronuts . ca . Trendy spot serving fluffy handmade donuts and specialty coffee drinks . WA , SP , IA , M , V High Tea Bakery 2103 Portage Ave , 204-775-0264 . Customdesigned cakes , dainties and cookies for all occasions . WA , SP , IA , M , V Oh Doughnuts 326 Broadway , 204-615-0802 ; 1194 Taylor Ave , 204-477-1276 ( WA ). Flavours change daily at this gourmet donut shop . Vegan and glutenfriendly varieties . A , IA , M , V Pennyloaf Bakery 858 Corydon Ave , 204-452-2957 . Cozy bakery offers artisan bread baked in a wood-fi red oven , along with cookies and more . WA , SP , IA , M , V Pinky ’ s Bakeshop 439 Stradbrook Ave , 204-453-CAKE . Boutique bakery offers a rainbow of fl avoured cupcakes , ice cream and Thai-fusion desserts . WA , A , IA , M , V
S Squared Pâtisserie 3416 Roblin Blvd , 204-914-5112 . Decadent layered mousse-based cakes , cakes , choux and tarts alongside croissants and other French specialties . WA , A , IA , M , V Sleepy Owl Bread 751 Wall St , 204-417-6444 . Daily breads , buttery fruit danishes and pastries made with local ingredients . WA , A , IA , M , V Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company 859 Westminster Ave , 204-783-5097 ; The Forks Market , main floor . Organic sourdough , rye and cracked wheat . Dairy- and egg-free baking . WA , IA , M , V
BAKERY CAFÉ Cocoabeans Bakeshop 774 Corydon Ave , 204-918-5313 . Glutenfree 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 housemade 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 freshout-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 . Housemade breads 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 . The scratch kitchen serves BBQ favourites alongside classic American 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 comfort food like 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 what ’ s hot
HEREE
Winnipeg is a restaurant city . From buzzed about dining rooms to quiet neighbourhood nooks , a stellar dining scene has its roots in the land and its people .
REGIONAL INGREDIENTS
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 local chain does double duty as 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 with an emphasis 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 wonderful desserts . On-site pâtisserie counter . WA , LP , SP , A , IA , M , V Prairie ’ s Edge 2015 Main St , 204-284-7275 . New eatery nestled in the greenery of Kildonan Park offers creative dishes packed with regional ingredients . Pickerel cheeks are a flavour-packed treat . 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 Steve ’ s Bistro 3123 Portage Ave , 204-831-5531 . Tuck into hearty portions of Mediterraneaninfluenced cuisine , like tangy housemade olive tapenade and fall-off-thebone rack of lamb with lemon and oregano . WA , LP , SP , A , IA , M , V
Winnipeggers have a killer spread of tastes at their fingertips due to the environmental diversity of our province
.
Manitoba is a land of contrasts — the vast prairie grasslands of the central plains support one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world , the boreal forest reaches toward the Arctic tundra , Hudson ’ s Bay drains a vast basin of inland lakes and a migratory bird flyway connects hundreds of acres of vibrant wetlands . Within the city , you ’ ll find plates incorporating ingredients and inspiration from the province ’ s wild natural habitats .
PRAIRIE : Manitoba is known for its flat , sweeping prairie overhung by
an awe-inspiring sky . Acres of rich soil proved to be ideal for growing a wide range of edible crops . Produces : Wheat , oats , canola , hemp hearts , pulses ( pictured )
WETLANDS : The province ’ s marshy wetlands teem with life
, including beavers , birds and waterfowl . The signature ingredient from this area , wild rice , is a nutty , dark grain harvested by first nations people for centuries . Produces : Wild rice , bullrushes
TAPROOMS Barn Hammer Brewing Co 595 Wall St , barnhammerbrewing . ca . A stylish industrial space in the West End houses this welcoming taproom . LP , A , IA , M , V Half Pints Brewing Co 550 Roseberry St , 204-832-PINT ( 7468 ). Four flagship beers and seasonal specialties are on tap for sipping by taster or draught , or fill a growler to go . Free brewery tours on Saturdays . WA , LP , A , IA , M , V Little Brown Jug 336 William Ave , 204-500-0441 . Sleek taproom inside a renovated Exchange District heritage space with an open concept design that gives visitors a view of the brewery . WA , LP , SP , A , IA , M , V
Sookram ’ s Brewing Co 479-B Warsaw Ave , sookrams . com . Warehouse-turned-taproom offers flagship beers like its Pilsner Cult Classic on tap and available to take home . WA , LP , A , IA , M , V Stone Angel Brewing Co 9-1875 Pembina Hwy , 204-226-1361 . Try four core beers and a rotating selection of seasonal beer and cider . Devil May Care Brewing Company and Kilter Brewing Co also on-site . WA , LP , IA , M , V Torque Brewing Co 330-830 King Edward St , 204-941-1723 . Sample tried-and-true brews as well as a changing selection of varieties like Russian Imperial Stout , available only at the brewery . WA , LP , SP , A , IA , M , V
LAKES : There are over
100,000 lakes in Manitoba , many connected through a giant web of rivers that leads north to
Hudson ’ s Bay . fishing is a productive pastime , with
more than 30 species biting the lines of local anglers . Produces :
Northern pike , lake trout , bass , muskie , pickerel , whitefish caviar , goldeye ( pictured )
FOREST : The bountiful boreal forests of our province are a forager ’ s dream ,
producing many different kinds of
berries and edible fungi . Early settlers
were drawn by the rumour of wild
strawberries so plentiful , “ you left red
footprints everywhere you walked ”. Produces : Raspberries , cranberries , blueberries , saskatoons , strawberries , rhubarb , lobster mushrooms , morels ( pictured ), chanterelles bestlist
Beet Fritters ,
Prairie ’ s Edge
Trans Canada Brewing Co 1-1290 Kenaston Blvd , 204-666-2337 . Spacious brewpub offers large selection of in-house beers along with fresh pizza and appetizers from onsite pizzeria . WA , LP , A , IA , M , V
TASTING ROOM
Patent 5 Distillery 108 Alexander Ave , 204-995-4999 . Craft distillery serves artful cocktails using house spirits and Manitoba-made bitters alongside charcuterie plates . Reclaimed wood and stained glass give a Prohibition-era vibe . WA , LP , SP , IA , M , V
TEA HOUSE Panda Tea 2999 Pembina Hwy , 204-504-8299 ; 1041 McPhillips St , 204-505-6989 . Tea room serving milk tea , slush drinks and bubble tea in flavours like passionfruit , red bean and taro . IA , M , V Tea Story 224 Osborne St , 204-477-1102 . Bright and playful Japan-influenced space boasts an extensive list of flowering , aged , organic , and bubble teas . WA , A , IA , M , V
6
THAI Bangkok Thai 100 Osborne St , 2nd floor , 204-474-0908 . Located within the beautiful courtyard at the corner of Osborne and River , this sunlit room creates the perfect setting for exotic Thai dishes served on decorated silver tableware . LP , IA , M , V
Magic Thailand 842 Logan Ave , 204-774-0839 . Welltravelled locals in the know consider this simply styled spot a go-to for authentic Thai curries and stir fry dishes . WA , IA , M , V Sabai Thai Eatery 1113 Corydon Ave , 204-888-6508 . The succinct menu at this neighbourhood hot spot has popular standbys as well as a few contemporary house specials like pickerel cheeks in rich peanut-sesame sauce . WA , LP , SP , IA , M , V Siam Thai 587 St . Anne ’ s Rd , 204-254-7765 . This small , suburban ethnic eatery focuses its cuisine on central Thailand and uses the freshest produce . Chef ’ s specials include stir-fried chicken in chile jam . WA , LP , IA , M , V Sukhothai 191 Osborne St , 204-633-6907 . The comfortable modern interior is a good counterpoint to classic Thai cuisine . Perfect hot and sour soup keeps fans returning . WA , LP , IA , M , V
VEGETARIAN 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 . For those who can ’ t decide , try a combination plate or go for the daily changing lunch buffet . IA , M , V
Best All-Day Breakfast
Lingering over coffee and eggs in a sunlit café is a certain , simple pleasure , and Winnipeg is blessed when it comes to delightful all-daybreakers . Cilantro sauce , guac and house-made salsa add a zesty olé to Stella ’ s Café ' s Mexican breakfast . Two sunny side eggs on soft corn tortillas , accompanied with hash browns , refried beans and shredded cheddar , add
a full plate of hearty fuel for the day . feast your eyes and
palate on tempting southern treats at The Tallest Poppy , like crispy buttermilk fried chicken on Belgian waffles , both savoury and sweet with a drizzle of maple syrup on crackling , seasoned crust . Several eggs Benny varieties at The Oakwood make choosing difficult , but we recommend
wellthe roasted turkey , bacon and cheddar version . Turkey turns out to be just as perfect for soaking up creamy hollandaise and egg yolk . Though falafels have always been the signature dish at Falafel Place , other specialties keep the menu fresh . Middle Eastern shakshuka is spicy , stewed with a mix of tomatoes , onions and banana peppers , and topped with runny-yolk eggs . Toasted triangles of pita are perfect for sopping up the mix . Clementine Café reimagines breakfast with inventive flavour combinations , melding thoughtfulness and creativity with accessibility , in a trendy atmosphere . Buttery sourdough and Turkish-style poached eggs are delivered on a bed of hummus , topped with warm chilli butter and zhoug , a pesto-like Middle Eastern spice paste singing with cilantro and long-burning spice . no breakfast list would be complete without Winnipeg institution The Original Pancake House . The German-style giant apple pancake is legendary , laden with a bubbling mixture of cinnamon sugar-coated apples , but one can never go wrong with a plateful of fluffy buttermilk hot cakes topped with whipped notre Dame Creamery butter .
destination dining ng
Eat your way through these unique and diverse neighbourhoods for a tasty tour of Winnipeg
exchange district This 22-block
22-block historic neighbourhood is home to some of Winnipeg ’ s
oldest buildings and some of its most stylish , creative kitchens . Sandwiches get the royal treatment at hip corner joint King + Bannatyne . Try a playful weekly special or chow down on juicy
, tender brisket , accented simply with a swipe of mustard .
Mac and cheese are the main event at Kevin ’ s Bistro , served up in
12 different styles . The “ Hops and Blue ” is speckled with blue
cheese and caramelized onion , swimming in creamy sauce spiked with a Belgian witbier from Torque Brewery . Gauchos work the room at Carnaval , brandishing spears of sirloin cap and spicy pork sausage with knives poised and ready to Bison Nachos , slice juicy meat morsels at a diner ’ s whim , making one Saddlery on Market feel like medieval royalty . Highly addictive flavoured popcorn and salted edamame are offered as snacks for hungry gamers to munch on between turns , but excellent entrées make Across the Board Game Café worth a visit whether you ’ re itching to roll dice or not . An umami-rich soup loaded with vermicelli and tender shreds of pork is topped with cabbage and pickled veggies , offering a crisp counterpoint to the rich broth below . Saddlery on Market ’ s expansive menu is much like its ample interior , gracious in size and full of options . Bison nachos slathered with citrus crème and pico de gallo combine Winnipeg pride with international intentions .
Photography by Ian McCausland ( Beet Fritters and Smoked Goldeye )
TASTE Winnipeg ’ s Culinary Guide 2019-2020 1
downtown As the electrically
EDMONTON ST
CARLTON ST
HARGRAVE ST
EAST INDIA CO
FOOLS & HORSES
DONALD ST
BROADWAY
PRINCESS ST .
SMITH ST
KING ST .
KING + BANNATYNE
ARTHUR ST
NOTRE DAME AVE
IZAKAYA EDOKKO
PORTAGE AVE
GRAHAM AVE
GARRY ST
ALBERT ST
LA ROCA
ST MARY AVE
YORK
AVE
ACROSS THE BOARD
FORT ST
CAPITAL GRILL AND BAR
MAIN ST
MARKET AVE .
BANNATYNE NATYNE AVE
RORIE ST
LOMBARD AVE charged centre of the city , Winnipeg ’ s business district teems with dining options ranging from fast casual cafés to swanky rooms with elegance . With a sleek interior and smart menu , Capital Grill and Bar is the epitome of classy comfort food . Generouslysized Dungeness crab cakes are crispy and golden , perfect for dunking into roasted garlic aioli . Everything from the menu to the lounge-like interior at La Roca exudes authentic contemporary Mexican cuisine . Eight varieties of tacos on offer range from traditional carnitas to grilled fish tucked into tortillas or lettuce wraps . East India Co delivers a rich sensory experience rivalled only by a trip to India . Submerged in a creamy sauce , slices of house-made cheese sandwich thin layers of nuts , raisins and cardamom in the paneer pasanda . Gleaming glass and chic marble make up the hip Fools & Horses coffee shops . The Modbar brewing system sees baristas pulling espresso shots from sleek chrome ‘ taps ’. Izakaya Edokko ’ s sleek curved booths and gleaming sushi bar set the stage for Chef Masa Sugita ’ s elevated street eats . Okonomiyaki and a huge selection of delicate sushi rolls are superb .
TASTE Winnipeg ’ s Culinary Guide 2019-2020
KEVIN ' S BISTRO
MCDERMOT
AVE
SADDLERY ON MARKET
CARNAVAL
WATERFRONT DR .
2021 MEDIA KIT Fanfare Magazine Group | 12