Kum Koon bestlist
Multi Culti Mavens
Our cultural diversity is exemplified in a multitude of ethnic cuisines charts the epicurean landscape of Winnipeg. Restaurateurs enrich the food scene with their ideas, challenge the limits and in turn, transform dining into a new era of globally inspired eating. Here are the city ' s notable leaders.
Scot McTaggart virtually created the Manitoba regional fine dining category when he opened Fusion Grill in 1996. Today his unwavering commitment to sourcing local products continues to define the culinary space at a high bar. Experience the far east in the heart of the west at East India Company. The Mehra family introduced a generation of conservative diners to the deep riches of the spice route with an all-hits buffet in 1967. Today, every detail is considered at this spectacular setting serving practiced family recipes. Geoffrey Young opened Kum Koon in 1978 to serve recipes beloved by Winnipeg’ s Chinese population but missing from the city’ s restaurant scene. Extensive dim sum lunches and multi-course banquets attract foodistas to this enormous dining room honouring the long-held traditions of Chinese cuisine. Tme-honoured recipes taught from a chef of the king of Thailand to chef Sumruoy Poomrat capture the famous harmony of spicy, sweet, salty and sour tastes at Siam Thai. Signature golden cups filled with minced veggies and poached shrimp are an exquisite must. Lime, mint and lemongrass punctuate each bite. Sashimi die-hards are rewarded with chef owner Ed Lam’ s beautifully garnished plates at Yujiro. Unexpected ingredients like softshell shrimp, crawfish and ribeye steak win fans, while imaginative flavours and textures showcase the kitchen’ s expertise. Tito Boy, a delightful taste of the Philippines oozes tradition and relies on age-old family recipes to impress. Opt for sweet barbequed pork skewers and enjoy grilled tender bites of pork spiced with piquant gochujang paste presented on a leaf topped wooden board. In 2003, chef Fern Kirouac turned fine dining sensibilities on its ear by opening In Ferno’ s Bistro in the heart of the city’ s Francophone quarter serving moderately priced French-Mediterranean dishes in a casual atmosphere. The accessibility of Fern’ s format continues to act as a gateway, prompting new diners to discover French cooking.
Frankie’ s Italian Kitchen 505 Sterling Lyon Pkwy, 204-410- 4980. Hailing from the west, this stylish outpost serves the kind of food that brings big Italian families together. Sicilian breaded arancini is divine. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V Mona Lisa 1697 Corydon Ave, 204-488‐3687. The cuisine of the Grande family’ s southern Italy home has been offered for more than 30 years at this casual neighbourhood restaurant.
WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V, ATM
Monticchio 684 Osborne St, 204-477‐4773. This South Osborne mainstay serves traditional recipes in a contemporary space.. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Pasquale’ s 109 Marion St, 204‐231‐1403. This longstanding destination treats all as family. Old-fashioned recipes keep diners raving. The rooftop patio is a summer hotspot. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Shorty’ s Pizza 53 Maryland St, 204-779-7968. Giant New York-style pies pair with nodini garlic knots at the iconic intersection in Wolseley. LP, A, IA, M, V 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 fare, like the 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. Those in the know come for stellar beef tenderloin, and 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
26 TASTE Winnipeg’ s Culinary Guide 2025-2026