2018 Restaurant Reviews |
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Baked ExpectationsThere are few opportunities to eat dessert before the main course, but such fantasies are satisfied at Baked Expectations. |
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BellissimoSitting in the Linden Woods suburb is an Italian eatery that has become a Winnipeg institution over the past 19 years. |
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Black Bird BrasserieLike pubs, tasques, or biergartens, the brasseries of France are informal restaurants that draw locals in with simple, hearty food. An ocean away, in our prairie province, the newly opened The Black Bird Brasserie is doing a first-rate job at living up to its name. |
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Carlos & Murphy’sTex-Mex favourite Carlos & Murphy’s has been a Winnipeg mainstay for nearly three decades and continues to draw those looking for vacation tastes inside a beach cantina replica. Diverse menu options, happy hour specials and an atmosphere that feels like a tropical getaway are the ingredients for this mouthwatering must-visit. |
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Cho Ichi RamenIn Japan, alongside fish and rice, the noodle that rules is ramen. An explosively flavourful bowl of messy calorie laden noodles is the signature staple of the masses. Ramen rules, and for the last 100 years or so it’s been eaten on the daily. Styles vary by region; fatty and salty, chicken and pork, miso, shio, shoyu, distinguishing flavours of every broth. |
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Close CoStepping into Close Co. offers a distinct sense of familiarity, with friendly greetings and the smells of home cooking – a taste of the evening to come. |
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Cocoabeans BakeshopDietary restrictions have become a significant part of modern dining, persuading restaurants to create options that are free of gluten, dairy, or meat. |
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East India Co.These days, Indian food can be delivered to your home in plastic containers, or bland butter chicken can be picked up from the grocery store. While these simple solutions to your Indian food fix may cheat your five senses, there’s a superior way to enjoy this spice-laden cuisine. |
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HeliosBirthed from an ancient culture, Greek cuisine represents thousands of years of tradition. Flavours and ingredients from surrounding areas of Turkey, the Balkans and the Middle East have also influenced the Mediterranean palate. |
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HomersFor 39 years, Homers owner George Katsabanis has transported loyal crowds to the isles of Greece, steeping diners in the simple perfection of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. |
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Indulge BistroStylish hip eateries are generally associated with trendy or up and coming neighbourhoods that we all want to visit. This is a bias food snobs certainly perpetuate, anyway. |
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Le GarageSt. Boniface is undoubtedly a must-visit for historic, trend-setting and culinary treasures, and when it comes to classic French-Canadian fare, Le Garage is the hidden gem of the trove. |
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Little GoatOnce upon a time, French food meant candlelight, starched table linens, and a maître d’ in tails. But times have changed. Now, chefs are looking beyond Paris’ Michelin-starred kitchens and finding inspiration in the rustic flavours hiding beneath the lid of grandmere’s Le Creuset. |
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Miss BrownsSince 2015, Steve Tyrell and wife Jenny have leveraged their Aussie influence during the rise of all-day breakfast fare. Miss Browns, the hip fast-casual café, hits the niche market with top-notch oak-smoked meats – brisket, ham, salmon, and pulled pork – that have a phenomenal woodsy flavour while remaining tender and rich. |
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Muddy Waters EateryA staple in the American South, great barbeque is elusive in the True North. When seeking piles of smoky, tender meat and tangy sauce, one of Winnipeg’s best bets is Muddy Waters Eatery. |
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The OakwoodWinnipeg’s first cafés were small and modest facilities, influenced by Italian coffeehouses, serving a variety of coffee and light foods. |
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One Great City Co.One Great City Brewing Co’s business partners Jon Burge, Tim Hudek and Josh Berscheid have successfully added more swagger to the burgeoning food culture by combining specialty beers with globally-inflected food. |
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The OxbowResidential South Osborne, with its walkable strip of storefronts, has always held some gems, but now the neighbourhood may be hitting a trendy tipping point. Recently added to the mix of hip restos and shops is Oxbow. Wine bar vibes and beautiful, elevated small plates have combined to make this new restaurant a can’t-miss destination. |
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PasseroFood halls have surged in popularity the world over. Like their cousins, mall food courts, they offer an abundance of casual eats in convivial settings, with the added bonus of local ownership and chef-crafted menus. In this city, the Forks Common answers this trend, a sleek dining hall lined with vendors and filled with a crowd happily sharing communal tables. |
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Peasant CookeryA classically educated chef and a rustically rebranded restaurant are the essential ingredients at Peasant Cookery, which melds high-class French fare with rural influences. Chef Tristan Foucault’s throw-nothing-away practices transform typically overlooked ingredients into culinary chef-d’oeuvres. |
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Saddlery on MarketPart ode to Winnipeg’s industrial past, part contemporary restobar, Saddlery on Market draws diverse crowds to the East Exchange. On any given night, diners celebrating a private event, large groups grabbing grub post-work, and the pre-theatre throng may settle into the capacious yet comfortable space, browsing a well-executed menu that appeals to every appetite. |
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SaperaviIt’s the first of its kind in Winnipeg, and on the prairies for that matter. Georgian restaurant Saperavi, run by father-son duo Landis and Christer Henry, opened in 2016. Regions surrounding Georgia, like Eastern Europe and Western Asia, influence the cuisine of the country, so dishes aren’t entirely foreign to Winnipeggers. |
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Saucers CafeFor 18 years, Stuart Deacon and Dave Schultz have successfully helmed Saucers Cafe on Academy, serving simple yet evolved in-house specialties to a broad cross-section of the North River Heights community. |
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SegoviaSegovia Tapas Bar and Restaurant’s ability to thrive since its opening in 2009, is the consistent presentation of Spanish tapas with the complexity of flavour and elegant presentation. |
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Star GrillIt may be romantic, but even winter-loving Winnipeggers have to admit that stargazing is not a cold weather activity. For an out-of-this world date night with a warm atmosphere and delicious eats to boot, dinner at the Star Grill makes a perfect substitute. |
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Steve’s BistroIt’s clear why the Mediterranean diet has gained immense popularity after a glance at the menu at Steve’s Bistro. Fresh vegetables, pungent herbs and lean proteins are the building blocks for light, elegant dishes that celebrate fresh flavours. |
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SukhothaiSukhothai came on the scene about 20 years ago, thanks to a family that wanted to bring their ancestral home recipes to share with Winnipeg diners. Yet, the vibe is a contemporary one, with décor and service both up to today’s standards. Whether diners crave traditional Thai or want something new, Sukhothai is well-equipped for both. |
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Thanh HuongAnthony Bourdain declared Vietnam his first love and its food one of his greatest pleasures of life; a place that “grabs you and never lets you go.” |
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YujiroIn an equidistant prairie city, well away from two oceans, it’s a surprise to discover sushi restaurants that rival some of the best on either coast. Yujiro is one of these. Chef owner Ed Lam has assembled a team that introduces flavour twists while appealing equally to traditionalists. |
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