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Winnipeg Itineraries
In the Exchange, three fashionable eateries share the address
of 100 King Street, making it a one-stop block for foodies. The
newest entrant is Chosabi, where sushi burritos, tuna and
salmon sashimi bowls, and all manner of banh mi will see you
waiting at pretty decent lines during their lunch rush.
King+Bannatyne is the place that started a nouveau sandwich
Renaissance in the city where the hip set, business crowds and
even Mayor Brian Bowman can be found queuing for their River
City Brisket and super cheesy pressed grilled cheeses (they also
sell beer). A few blocks over is where you can go for the whole
package at Miss Browns, where silky flat whites (or wine
and beer) are accompanied by a super tasty shakshuka (for
breakfast) or all manner of delicious pressed smoked
meat sandwiches.
These new sandwiches being said, we've always had exceptional
Jewish delis where corned beef is an art form. At downtown's
Nathan Detroit's and Oscar's Deli you can always get a thick
stacked masterpiece, while just outside of the downtown core in
West Broadway, the newbie Sherbrook Street Delicatessen
is doing divine kosher food with house made bagels and lox so
good you'll almost have tears in your eyes and smoked meat
that will make even Montrealers jealous.
Back to downtown, Shawarma Khan also has it going on
with garlicky halal platters where crispy chicken or beef/
lamb is buttressed by pickled veg, tabouli and a host of other
homemade, hormone-free goodness. And don't forget about
the vegetarians who can be found worshiping at the alter of
Boon Burger, whose roster of vegan, bean-centric burgers at
their Exchange District and Sherbrook Street locations could see
carnivores swearing off meat.
Finally, from lunch to dinner Capital Bar and Grill in
Charleswood deserves a stand-alone paragraph. Chef Wayne
Martin and Greg Gunnarson have brought their high-end
comfort food concept from Vancouver to Winnipeg with
reservations now a must. Get a glass of white from the
Okanagan, or a beer from their well-curated list, and order
anything having to do with fish or braised short ribs.
DINNER
Along with the aforementioned-in-the-intro nationally acclaimed
dining spots — those being Segovia Tapas Bar, Deer + Almond
and Enoteca (both share plate restaurants) you must add
Máquè. It's the newest restaurant by Scott Bagshaw, who is
also the chef/owner of Enoteca, and on its share plates menu
you'll find tonnes of Asian umami elements like tamari and
black garlic on dishes featuring pork belly, brisket, and Brussels
sprouts, along with excellent noodle dishes like a duck confit
with Chinese sausage and egg noodles topped with fermented
bean paste.
Other worldly share plates can be found at The Merchant
Kitchen, a stylish restaurant-bar that is located in the equally
stylish ALT Hotel. This hip spot can get busy and noisy before
Jets games or concerts at the MTS Centre (which is right across
the street) while delivering big flavours on an "elevated street
food" menu whose must-haves include Korean fried chicken,
Thai fried rice and tortilla soup.
Another new restaurant that's fantastic — if you can find it —
is Sous Sol, a tongue-in-cheek French bistro/speakeasy located
in a basement in Osborne Village. The walls are plastered with
pics from old French cookbooks, the historical cocktails are
arguably the best in the city, and the ever-changing French
menu always features incredible sauces and super fun plating.
A new wave of old-school Neapolitan-style pizza has recently
taken place in The Peg, to much fanfare from local foodies.
Pizzeria Gusto was first on the scene with wood fired pizzas
(and other great dishes) seeing it listed as one of Canada's best
restaurants, while Vera Pizzeria on South Osborne has recently
risen to become one of the hottest seats in the city (both places
have patios too). The same can be said for Santa Ana Pizzeria
and Bistro in St. Vital where high quality, combined with cheap
prices, have made getting a reservation a hot ticket (i.e. book at
least a week in advance).
If you are feeling like getting tad fancy and you want to sink
your teeth into an incredible steak (or perhaps seafood), then
529 Wellington is a must. This converted stately mansion
combines impeccable black tie service, while the aged steaks
(get the rib-eye, do it!) and the a la carte sides, like asparagus
with hollandaise and sweet potato mash with maple pecan
butter, will have you indulging in the best way possible. It also
has the city's best hidden patio, located beside the Assiniboine
River in a verdant garden like setting.
The restaurant group that runs 529 – WOW! Hospitality
Concepts — also has two other can't miss rooms, those
being Peasant Cookery — an Exchange District staple
where the charcuterie, bar and patio are top notch, and DT
Kitchen+Oyster Bar — whose raw bar, located right near the
RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, is a great spot for seafood
and oysters on the half shell before a night on the town.
If you can believe it, this bit of the land-locked prairies also has
some top-notch sushi spots, with Yujiro Japanese taking the
title in our opinion for its expertly crafted, always fresh and
authentic nigiri and sashimi. The same can be said of Fusian
Experience on Academy, where reservations are more than
highly recommended due to the fabulous offerings of whelks,
uni, wagyu and other delicacies.
As well, Dwarf no Cachette in St. Boniface deserves a special
mention for over the top Japanese kawaii. Owners Yasuko and
Takekuni Akimoto are from Tokyo and have brought with them
excellent ramen along with izakaya style dishes, while the
servers even do "maid café days" when they dress up and dance
in between courses.
Just across the street on Provencher Boulevard is Promenade
Café and Wine, an excellent French bistro with a patio that
provides sweeping views of downtown that is best enjoyed with
a glass of wine in hand and a bowl of mussels.
