winnipeg’s bestlist
The definitive Ciao! 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. Although information
is updated every issue,
restaurant details are subject
to change without notice. If
you have visited a restaurant
that should be considered for
addition to this list, please
e-mail your recommendation to:
[email protected].
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
BARBEQUE
Lovey’s BBQ and Smokehouse
1‑208 Marion St, 204‑233‑RIBS (7427).
This casual eatery boasts 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
huge chalkboard 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, SP, IA
Black Rabbit
135 Osborne St, 204‑615‑1130.
This fresh new open provides
superbly executed plates with global
influence. Mussels, in a white wine
sauce, with shallots, fresh herbs and
a crispy baguette are a standout.
WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Bonfire Bistro
1433 Corydon Ave, 204‑487‑4440.
Famous for wood-fired artisan pizzas,
this is the perfect place to unwind.
Try the spicy Bonfire Hawaiian,
with capicollo ham and fire-roasted
pineapple. WA, LP, 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
34
ciao! / feb/mar / two thousand sixteen
Dessert Sinsations Café
505 St. Mary Ave, 204‑284‑4661.
This sunny café features gourmet
comfort food alongside owner
Barbara O’Hara’s renowned desserts.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Era Bistro
85 Israel Asper Way, 204‑289‑2000.
Located in the new Canadian
Museum for Human Rights, this
open concept room serves locally
inspired fare with an emphasis on
sustainability. WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Le Garage Café
166 Provencher Blvd, 204‑237‑0737.
This casual eatery in the heart of the
French Quarter offers sophisticated
tastes for lunch, dinner and late
night. Live music scheduled.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
Prairie Ink Restaurant &
Bakery
Grant Park Shopping Centre,
204‑975‑2659. Cozy retreat inside
McNally Robinson Booksellers.
Healthy fare for all tastes. Extensive
fresh juice selection and wonderful
desserts. Also an on-site pâtisserie
counter. WA, LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Saucers Café
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
Mediterranean-influenced cuisine,
like tangy house-made olive
tapenade and fall-off-the-bone rack
of lamb with lemon and oregano.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
BURGERS
Boon Burger
79 Sherbrook St, 204-415‑1391;
141 Bannatyne Ave, 204-504-5394.
This all-vegan burger café serves
up a range of house-made patties.
Treat yourself to house-made
organic iced tea and crispy sesame
fries. LP, SP, A, IA, M, V
Market Burger
645 Corydon Ave, 204‑505‑2510.
Hip hangout serves up mouthfuls
of Manitoba with locally sourced
ingredients from cheese and meat
to buns and beers. IA, V, M
Nuburger
472 Stradbrook Ave, 204‑888‑1001,
1-1650 Kenaston Blvd,
204‑615‑2009. Healthy, fresh twists
on the classic burger housed
in a bright and modern space.
Pick from locally sourced bison,
beef, chicken, or veggie patties.
WA, LP, A, IA, M, V
CAFE/BAKERY
BerMax Caffé + Bistro
4-1800 Corydon Ave, 204‑691‑0044.
One of the few spots in Canada to
serve famous illy coffee. Specialty
drinks as well as kosher baked goods,
and bistro style menu. WA, IA, M, V
Crème DeL’Essence
1833 Inkster Blvd, 204-694-2225.
Chef RJ Urbano fuses Filipino
and Italian cuisine to create fresh
fusion fare. Try the house made ice
cream or chicken and fluffy waffles.
WA, IA, M, V
Feast Cafe & Bistro
587 Ellice Ave, 204-691-5979.
This cozy spot pays tribute to
Manitoba’s Indigenous groups, with
a menu rich in bannock, bison and
berries. WA, LP, IA, M, V
Jolly Friar Café
112 Marion St, 204‑233‑4475.
Housed in the Norwood Hotel, this
cozy spot turns out comfort food with
neighbourhood flavour like split pea
soup and shepherd’s pie. WA, LP, IA,
A, M, V
La Cuisson Café
774 Corydon Ave, 204‑691‑6046. This
café offers Japanese-British-French
fusion with items like matchaflavoured waffles, English style high
tea and coffee prepared by siphon
filter. WA, SP, A, IA, M, V
Sana Souphouse
387 Graham Ave, 204‑942-2854. This
cozy spot serves soups, sandwiches
and salads using locally-sourced
ingredients. Breakfast and brunch
menu available. WA, IA, M, V
The Tallest Poppy
103 Sherbrook St, 204-219-8777.
Newly located in the Sherbrook
Inn, this diner serves breakfast
and lunch favourites like chicken
and waffles with a new dinner
menu. LP, IA, M, V
Rustic Restaurant & Bakery
2615 Portage Ave, 204-504-4025
This quaint cafe serves desserts like
red bean and green tea cake, as well
as dumplings and noodle soups.
WA, LP, IA, M, V
Stella’s Café & Bakery
1895 Grant Ave, 204-488‑7810;
166 Osborne St, 204‑453‑8562;
116 Sherbrook St, 204‑477‑5556;
340 Provencher Blvd, 204-477‑8393.
James Armstrong Richardson
International Airport, 2nd Floor,
204‑779‑1415; Plug In Gallery,
460 Portage Ave, 204‑772‑1556.
Famous breakfast dishes like the
Mexican breakfast alongside a
selection of entrées, hearty soups,
sandwiches, and homey curries.
Housemade breads and preserves
available for purchase by the loaf
and jar. WA, LP, SP, IA, M, V