Restaurants

Bistro

Dessert Sinsations
505 St. Mary Avenue, 284-4661
This charming bistro is known for its creative dishes and heavenly desserts. Try one of numerous gourmet burgers like bacon white cheddar, mushroom poutine made with sweet potato fries or a sky-high lemon torte.

LO Bistro
330 Kennedy Street, 943-5581
Located inside the HI Winnipeg Downtowner, this casual lunch spot attracts adventurous eaters from in town and out of town. The all-vegetarian menu features clever concoctions such as tofu mole negro. Attached LO Pub is a popular spot for live music once the sun sets.

The Tallest Poppy
631 Main Street, 957-1708
One of the best brunches in the city, where the bread is always baked fresh and local ingredients are sourced. Various lunch offerings include items such as grilled cheese made with goat cheese on house-made challah and juicy bison burgers. Menu changes daily.

Cafes, Cafeterias and Delis

Cafe Asante
Concourse – 2 Lombard Place, 956-5996
This little lunch spot does both take out and sit down service perfect for fuelling you through the afternoon. Try the outstanding tandoori chicken sandwich for a hearty, creamy and slightly spicy treat.

Casa Burrito
520 Portage Avenue, 774-2272
Delicious, filling and even healthy, this colourful spot offers stuffed burritos sure to satisfy your Mexican cravings. A world of choice awaits as you select your own fillings.

Exchange Cafe
137 Bannatyne Avenue, 688-3341
Authentic Italian espresso and warm grilled paninis are the specialty of this hip cafe. Fill up on roast chicken and prosciutto panini and top it off with a crunchy biscotti.

The Fyxx
101 – 310 Broadway, 989-2470
One of the top spots to get your java fix for locals in the know. Features a wide variety of whimsically named sandwiches like Basil’s Fowlty Tower and iTuna. Also a good selection of fresh baked goods and specialty coffees.

Grace Cafe
510 Main Street, 793-7568
Located inside City Hall, this small café focuses on healthy, eco-friendly eats. Try the traditional bannock with bison burger or the piquant arriba taco salad. All to-go containers are biodegradable.

Human Bean
251 Donald Street (Millennium Library), 943-6687; The Forks Market, 947-3777
An enormous selection of specialty teas and coffees, perfect for afternoon sipping while flipping through the latest bestseller or people watching at The Forks. Delicious baked treats satisfy any sweet tooth.

The Matador
256 – 393 Portage Avenue, 947-3080
This popular lunch spot is named after its star dish, the Matador salad. A combination of leafy greens, ground beef, taco chips and cheese doused in a to-die-for dressing, so coveted they sell it by the tub to take home.

Marcello’s Market and Deli
360 Portage Avenue, 415-6783
Located inside the Manitoba Hydro building, Marcello’s serves up a variety of home style dishes including salads, soups and pizza in a European market-like setting. Also a coffee bar, desserts and a small selection of groceries perfect for a stop on your way home.

Oscar’s Deli
175 Hargrave Street, 947-0314
This lunchtime hot spot is packed on weekdays and after trying a sandwich, you’ll know why. The bread is always dangerously fresh, the meats sliced daily and the salads are so big they might last two lunches. The Greek is loaded with more kalamatas and feta than you can shake an olive branch at.

Second Cup
254 Edmonton Street, 956-7535
One of the most popular spots in the heart of downtown for your morning pick-me-up. Features cozy seating by the fireplace alongside all your favourite mochas and ‘cinos. Delicious baked goods as well.

Soups, Sandwiches and More
428 Graham Avenue, 947-2026
A spacious and bustling lunch spot with something for everyone. Try the delicious cranberry turkey wrap or French onion soup. Also many sandwiches and baked goods to pick from.

Twist Cafe
392 Graham Avenue, 66TWIST
Boasts an outdoor patio and free wifi, plus tons of healthful options including delicious fresh sandwiches, hearty soups and vegetarian options that even meat eaters reach for. Their sandwich platters are always a hit at meetings.

Underground Cafe
54 Arthur Street, 956-1925
Home of the world-famous Sun Burger—one of the best veggie burgers in the city. This quaint cafe packs them in at lunch with their lovingly-prepared sandwiches and entrées.

Casual

Alexis Grill
258 Kennedy Street, 989-2247
If you’re on a diet, keep walking. If not, this burger joint is a downtown must-try. The freshly made burgers are tasty and juicy and the fries are cooked to perfection.

Cherry Creek Café
219 – 393 Portage Avenue, 947-2233
A great place to stop for a quick bite to take back to the office on the way through Portage Place or to stop for a sit down meal and drink. Be sure to try the garlic bread, it’s greasy, huge and delicious!

Danny’s All Day Breakfast and Brunch
152 – 1 Forks Market Road,956-0056
Perfect for those who want their eggs on the other side of noon too. All the traditional favourites on offer such as eggs Benny, as well as cute and yummy silver dollar pancakes.

The Don Restaurant
120 Donald Street, 947-6644
Known for great breakfasts and brunch, fill up on pancakes, eggs and pork.  Also a selection of Mennonite dishes such as gloms kuak.

The Ground Floor Urban Diner
Main Floor – 190 Smith Street, 949-0376

Located on the main floor of the Place Louis Riel featuring all day breakfast and hearty lunches like chicken soup with potsticker dumplings, fresh cut fries, or a homemade veggie burger with crispy onions, sautéed crimini mushrooms and sun-dried tomato pesto.

Jackpot Cafe
125 Garry Street, 947-0017
Try your luck at this cozy spot located inside the Western Canadian Lottery Corporation Building.  A great place for lunch, pop in for a sandwich, a coffee break or a chance to go for the big one.

King’s Head Pub
120 King Street, 957-7710
A top spot for beer and live music, this traditional English pub serves up grub like crispy fish and chips as well as East Indian delicacies like chickpea roti and firey lamb vindaloo. Try scotch eggs for a real taste of British charm.

The Line Up
63 – 333 St. Mary Avenue, 415-7045
A top lunch spot with counter service and the option to eat-in. Try flavourful an filling falafel wraps or fish and chips served in newspaper just like they do in Britain. Watch as they prepare your vegetable stir-fry right before your eyes. Finish it off with the best deep fried ice cream in town.

Mitzi’s Chicken Finger Restaurant
250 St. Mary Avenue, 943-9770
Get there early for a table at lunch because everyone clamours for their lightly battered crispy, crunchy house-made chicken fingers. Chinese menu items are also available.

Mondragon Bookstore & Coffeehouse
91 Albert Street, 946-5241
The Exchange District staple serves up delectable vegan fare in an eclectic environment. Stunning desserts and a can’t-miss southern fried tofu burger are highlights.

The Original Pancake House
1 Forks Market Road, 947-5077
One of the most popular breakfast spots in the city, you can’t leave without trying the signature apple pancake. Also try a selection of crepes and waffles as well as traditional breakfast plates. Serves lunch as well.

Paddlewheel Restaurant
6th Floor – 450 Portage Avenue, 783-2112
Located on the top floor of the Bay Downtown, this enormous cafeteria features a salad bar, grill, baked goods as well as hearty offerings like pot roast and mashed potatoes.

Wagon Wheel Lunch
305 Hargrave Street, 942-6695
Ask any Winnipeggers where to get the best clubhouse in the city and they’ll probably say the Wagon Wheel. The secret is turkey roasted in house daily.

White Star Diner
58 Albert Street, 947-6930
Delicious, simple diner food made from scratch is served up in this tiny space. Sample amazing pulled pork with homemade barbeque sauce and delectable reubens. Top it off with a milk shake blended with real fruit.

VJ’s Drive Inn
170 Main Street, 943-2655
Home of the best fat boy in the city, VJ’s has been drawing in crowds for decades. Line up for their crispy fries or burgers smothered in chili and mayo and topped with heaps of lettuce and tomato.

Chinese

Affinity Vegetarian Garden
100 – 208 Edmonton Street, 943-0251
Offering up all-vegan Chinese fare, the buffet is a big hit with lunchers. Fill your plate with delectable curried eggplant, sweet potato tempura and sweet and sour “pork” and pay by weight. Menu options also available with the crispy black mushrooms a must-try.

Hu’s on First
One Portage Avenue East, 982-7426
One of the best views in the city overlooking the infield at Canwest Park, this Asian-inspired restaurant is a crowd pleaser with dishes from China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Features a variety of stir-frys, noodle and rice bowls as well as a good selection of seafood dishes.

Kum-Koon Garden
257 King Street, 943-4655
Not only is it Winnipeg’s largest restaurant, it also serves up the best dim sum lunch in town and delectable Cantonese specialties each night. It’s no wonder why this place is always packed.

Logan Corner
257 Logan Avenue, 957-7288
One of the city’s best for serving up authentic Chinese fare. Pan-friend shrimp tossed with walnuts and mayonnaise sauce is a must-try.

Ming Court
236 Edmonton Street, 949-1087
Northern Chinese food served in a elegant setting. Known for their outstanding soups, don’t miss the shredded pork made with Chinese mushroom version. Also try the deep-friend bean curd with sweet and sour sauce for a satisfying combination of salty and sweet.

Contemporary

4 Play Sports Bar & Grill
210 – 323 Portage Avenue 221-5297
Fun and food offered in a buzzing atmosphere. Try hearty nachos, burgers and wings beneath a towering 24-ft screen that’s all sports, all the time.

Bailey’s Restaurant
185 Lombard Avenue, 944-1180
A lush wooden interior is the backdrop for classic dishes like perfectly-cooked steaks, rack of lamb and creamy basil salmon.

Beachcombers
162 – 1 Forks Market Road, 948-0020
Perfect for family get-togethers this spacious dining room offers nautical décor and dishes for everyone. Breaded shrimp, salmon with mango sauce and bright, colourful cocktails leave everyone smiling. In the summer, head out to the patio to watch the river go lazily by.

Bombolini Wine Bar
326 Broadway, 943-5066
Sister restaurant to the award-winning Amici, this casual bistro serves up simple Italian classics.

The Chocolate Shop
268 Portage Avenue, 947-9109
Home to a culinary school specializing in Aboriginal dishes, this is Winnipeg’s oldest restaurant operating since 1918. Specialties include bison peppercorn steak or bison stew served in bannock bowls.

Don Pedro’s
114 Market Avenue, 956-7465
The colourful space serves up sizzling Tex Mex specialities like flautas, burritos and chimichangas. Don’t miss the spicy sopa Azteca or smoky Baja shrimp tacos.

EAT! Bistro
274 Garry Street, 949-1231
Located inside Aqua Books, this girly space serves up appetizer sized plates, finger foods and some of the best desserts in town. Sample the light and airy onion rings with a choice of over a dozen dipping sauces, decadent daily frittatas or crispy chickpea fritters. Finish it off with a divine lemon cupcake.

Hermanos Restaurant
179 Bannatyne Avenue, 947-5434
One of the most unique dining experiences in the city where Latin cuisine meets Manitoba ingredients. Try Peruvian ceviche made with pickerel. Also, sample Argentinian-style steaks, empanadas and traditional paella.

Muddy Waters Smokehouse
15 Forks Market Road, 947-6653
A great spot for gathering with friends for a post-work drink. Situated at The Forks, the menu features dozens of chicken wing flavours like curry chicken, mole and cherry cola. Also a wide variety of barbeque favourites such as burgers, ribs and steak.

Palm Lounge
222 Broadway, 942-8251
Located inside the Hotel Fort Garry, this elegant space replete with crystal chandeliers will take you back to another time. Sip on premium martinis while snacking on the antipasto platter and enjoying the tinkling of a live pianist.

Fine Dining

Amici Restaurant
326 Broadway, 943-4997

One of most elegant spots for classic Italian cuisine in the city, Amici has garnered numerous awards and rave reviews. Don’t miss the lobster wrapped in pancetta, roasted lamb rack or creamy tiramisu for dessert.

The Current Restaurant and Lounge
75 Forks Market Road, 944-2445

An eclectic menu featuring numerous made-in-Manitoba ingredients is back dropped against a beautiful view of The Forks and nearby rivers. Sample port infused French onion soup, cabernet chicken and pan-seared pickerel in the elegant water-inspired dining room.

Hy’s Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar
Main Floor – 1 Lombard Place, 942-1000

Steaks cooked to perfection are the specialty in this opulent restaurant that has been a Winnipeg staple for more than 40 years. Try strip steak with Hy’s own steak sauce or filet mignon with gorgonzola. The bar is a favourite with the power suit crowd.

Lobby on York
295 York Avenue, 896-7275

Barb and Dale Yuel, former proprietors of Tavern in the Park, have pulled out all the stops delivering a New York restaurant experience right in downtown Winnipeg. With its spectacular dining room replete with blue and copper hued water-themed decor, it’s clear that every detail is attended to. Delicious warm focaccia and herbed butter is delivered post-haste to your table as you try and decide what to sample first. We love the downtown burger (naturally), but we also can’t get enough of the corn brulee, seared ahi tuna or duck confit quesadillas. Tuck into the sleek bar and sample fresh sushi or a creative cocktail. Oyster Thursdays (just $1-$1.50 per oyster) are quickly becoming legendary. It starts at 4pm and goes until the last morsel is devoured.

Restaurant Dubrovnik
390 Assiniboine Avenue, 944-0594

Housed in a charming character home, this high-end spot is legendary amongst Winnipeggers for its classic, expertly-prepared dishes. Specialities include foie gras served on brioche, lobster bisque and chicken Dubrovnik, stuffed with shrimp and wild rice and doused in a creamy shallot sauce.

Sydney‘s at The Forks
215 – 1 Forks Market Road, 942-6075

Famous for their ever-changing five-course, prix fixe menu and spectacular views, this is the perfect spot for a special evening out. Watch out for sweet potato gnocchi, cream of crimini soup or butter lacquered chicken supreme with mole sauce.

The Velvet Glove
2 Lombard Place, 985-6255

Located inside the Fairmont Winnipeg, this restaurant pairs seasonal flavours with Manitoba flair. Specialties include Stonewood elk with garlic rosemary spaetzle, spring lamb with Bothwell cheddar croquette and pickerel with coconut rice.

Food Courts

cityplace
333 St. Mary Avenue

Located on the second floor of cityplace, this popular food court offers Indian, Chinese and Thai food as well as burgers, baked goods and pizza.

The Forks Market
1 Forks Market Road

A celebration of diversity, the Forks Market vendors serve up treats from all over the globe including Caribbean, Sri Lankan, Ukrainian, Greek, and British. Also mini-donuts, ice cream and juice bars.

Portage Place Food Court
309-393 Portage Avenue

Located on the main floor of Portage Place Shopping Centre, this bustling food court offers up fresh sushi, pitas, burgers, pizza and Mexican fare.

Winnipeg Square
360 Main Street

Located beneath Portage and Main with entrances Portage, Main, Fort and Graham. Offers Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese vendors as well as subs, pizza and burgers.

Indian

East India Company Pub & Eatery
349 York Avenue, 947-3097

The city’s first Indian food can be credited to East India Company and more than 20 years later, it’s still the go-to spot for upscale butter chicken and tandoori. The lunch and dinner buffets are both spectacular; watch out for outstanding malai kofta and biryani.

Ivory Restaurant
200 Main Street, 944-1600

All your Indian favourites are served in this elegant and contemporary dining room. Lunch and dinner buffets offer delicious creations such as vegetable korma, lamb vindaloo and petite, crispy samosas.

Japanese

Edohei Sushi & Japanese Restaurant
355 Ellice Avenue, 943-0427

Known as the father of sushi in Winnipeg, Chef Ono continues to turn out top-notch creations. Take a seat at a traditional low table and tuck in for baked beach oysters, domburi bowls or omkase, a spontaneous multi-course dinner of the chef’s choice.

Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar
189 Carlton Street, 925-7400

Entertainment and cuisine come together in downtown’s only teppanyaki dining room. Dine on delicious offerings of fried rice, meat and vegetables as you marvel at the tricks of your personal chef. Traditional Japanese offerings as well as a sushi menu.

Samurai Japanese
110 – 330 Portage Avenue, 944-0333

An elegant black and red dining room is the perfect backdrop for creative Japanese dishes. Sample the scallops wrapped in bacon or crispy fish and chips roll. The chef will even prepare a surprise dinner if you ask for it.

Yuki Sushi
554 Main Street, 956-2849

Located inside the McLaren Hotel, this quaint sushi spot offers delicious fare at amazing prizes. Pick up a lunch special for a quick bite or even take home a heaping tray for dinner on a Friday night.

Other Ethnic

Famena’s (Jamaican)
295 Garry Street, 947-6502
Stuffed rotis, light and flaky Jamaican beef patties and aromatic curries are the specialities of the new Famena’s. Located inside the retro-cool diner space of the Garry Street parkade, it’s big on charm and low on prices, making it a great option for lunch.

Kokeb Restaurant (Ethiopian)
330 Ellice Ave, 784-9267

Hearty spiced dishes, as well as a great vegetarian buffet make this a must-try. At dinner, sample one of the enormous platters heaped with lentils, meats and vegetables on top of fluffy injera bread. The dark, rich Ethiopian coffee is an experience replete with its own ritual.

One Night in Bangkok (Thai)
207 Edmonton Street, 777-0888

The décor will make you feel as though you’ve wandered off the streets of Thailand and the endless lunch buffet will leave you stuffed and satisfied. Each and every dish is worth a taste.