what ’ s hot here
Photography by Travel Manitoba , Interlake Tourism , Bison by Scott Munn
From buzzed about dining rooms to quiet neighbourhood nooks , a stellar dining scene has its roots in the land and its people .
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 . Discover ingredients and inspiration from the province ’ s wild natural habitats on menus city-wide .
LAKES
There are over 100,000 lakes in Manitoba , many connected
through a giant web of rivers that leads north to Hudson ’ s Bay . They provide a splashy retreat for swimmers , paddlers and sunworshippers . Fishing is a popular productive pastime with more than 30 species biting the lines of local anglers . Produces : Pickerel , Northern pike , lake trout , goldeye bass , muskie and whitefish caviar .
FOREST
More than three-quarters of Manitoba is boreal forest ,
part of the largest intact forest ecosystem remaining on the planet . Remarkably , 80 percent is still highly intact and free from development and are a forager ’ s dream , producing many kinds of berries and edible fungi . Produces : Raspberries , cranberries , blueberries , saskatoons , strawberries , rhubarb , lobster mushrooms , morels , chanterelles .
PRAIRIE
Manitoba ’ s flat sweeping prairies
rewards with an unfolding scene of picturesque farmlands , fields of golden wheat , canola or periwinkle flax waving in the breeze . The rich soil that nurtures today ’ s fields was once covered with tall prairie grass that fed the bison , which provided meat for Indigenous tribes of the region . There is no greater symbol of Manitoba ’ s prairie than bison . Produces : wheat , oats , canola , sunflower , hemp hearts , pulses .
WETLANDS
The province ’ s marshy wetlands
teem with life , meeting essential breeding , nesting , nursery and feeding needs of the local wildlife population . Beavers , birds and waterfowl thrive in this habitat . Without these crucial wetlands , many species would disappear . The signature ingredient from this area , wild rice , is a nutty , dark grain harvested by First Nations people for centuries . Produces : wild rice , bullrushes
TASTE Winnipeg ’ s Culinary Guide 2023 1