Solera
Luxe Lounges
Looking for a lounge to slake your thirst without sacrificing a gastronomic experience? Winnipeg’ s top talents are producing dishes that go beyond a burger and basic fries. The arrival of Snack Häus, led by chef Dustin Pajak has evolved Low Life Barrel House into a legitimate dining destination, pairing playful plates with the taproom’ s beer and wine program. Deeply seasoned lamb meatballs are sharpened by piquant piri piri. Whipped eggplant grounds the plate with silkiness. A subtle juxtaposition of modern and retro décor and an energetic vibe makeup the magnetic appeal of Rudy’ s Eat and Drink. Here nostalgia comes in the form of timeless classics with added flair. Try delicately sliced beef carpaccio heightened untraditionally with orange, soy pearls, pickled mustard and sriracha aioli. Upon walking through Bailey’ s front doors, diners are embraced by elegance, enveloped in comforting warmth of impeccable service and classic cuisine. Its lounge, reminiscent of a Victorian English pub, sets the scene for the menu’ s stellar marbled steaks. The medallions of beef marchand de vin are extraordinary for lunch or dinner. A luxe bohemian utopia awaits at Nonsuch Brewing Co. Yes, the beer is amazing, but the food menu has gastronomes flooding through the door. New school deviled eggs don’ t stop at Dijon piquancy. The kitchen’ s version; a surprise antipasto centre layers a classic tomato spread into the mixture for a full flavour explosion. Smith is a well-executed mix of Canadian comforts inside Inn at the Forks. Striped Hudson Bay blanket banquette seating, tree stump tables and deer antler chandeliers transform a corporate hotel into a stylish woodsy cottage. Opt for the province’ s preferred catch and enjoy lightly pan-fried pickerel dressed in brown beurre blanc and crowned with a generous green onion nest. Past the discreet bookshelf decoy entrance at Solera, martinis are appropriately icy, cocktails are fragrant and enchanting, and nibbles are revelatory. Scallop crudo practically melts in your mouth, enlivened with tangy orange vinaigrette, pickled onion, plump dollops of trout roe shining like bubbles, and pops of chili oil. bestlist
The Terrace Dining Room 3975 Portage Ave, 204-885‐3330. Overlooking the racetrack at Assiniboia Downs, a multi-tiered room gives every table a superb view. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
INTERNATIONAL /
CONTEMPORARY
Blaze Restaurant & Lounge Delta Winnipeg, 350 St. Mary Ave, 204‐944‐7259. Sophisticated cuisine is served in a contemporary hotel setting. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V Bonnie Day 898 Westminster Ave, 204-786-8411. A dynamic menu of comfort foods, and sourdough pizza earns its place as best in class. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Bull and Filly 1763 Henderson Hwy, 204-560-2946. Inspired, French leaning dishes and attentive service elevate the neighbourhood ' s culinary status.
WA, LP, IA, A, M, V
Capital Grill and Bar 275 Broadway, 204-416-1144. Downtowners clink glasses in the sleek, dining room over Chef Wayne ' s comforting cuisine. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Damecca Lounge 305 Madison St, 204-306-1130. Globe-trotting dishes like chicken karaage sliders and mushroom pappardelle have established this as a crowd pleaser. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V deer + almond 85 Princess St, 204‐504‐8562. Chef Mandel Hitzer takes a formal tasting menu and refashions it as a playful education in global cooking in an artsy space. WA, LP, IA, M, V James Avenue Pumphouse 2-109 James Ave, 204-560-5210. Set within a former 1906 fire station this is a crowd pleaser for out of towners and locals alike. Try the super-sized perogy. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V, ATM Junction 59 Roadhouse 1615 Regent Ave W, 204-654-3345. Southern-style eats in a rustic, prairie atmosphere, complete with wooden barrels and grain elevator murals. Molcajete is a hit. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Next Door 116 Sherbrook St, 431-887-2337. Well designed watering hole serves smart dishes, and impressive veggie presentations to hipsters and hopheads. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Nola 101-300 Tache Ave, 204-505-0760. Fusion for the modern era uses global flavours and local ingredients. Smoked goldeye salad and Japanese karaage fried chicken should not be missed. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V Oval Room Brasserie Fort Garry Hotel, 222 Broadway, 1-800-665-8088. This swish lounge boasts opulence while the kitchen presents stellar scratch-made sensations. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V, ATM
28 TASTE Winnipeg’ s Culinary Guide 2026-2027