8 Winnipeg Restaurants You Have to Try

Housed in a restored 1913 mansion, 529 Wellington is the place to go for special occasions and romantic dinners. The steakhouse is known for high-quality cuts of Canada Prime beef—a designation given to a very small percentage of Canadian beef. In addition to mouth-watering steaks, the menu includes smoked Manitoba goldeye, lobster tails, giant prawns, au gratin potatoes and side dishes portioned for two.

Why You Should Go: It’s one of the best steakhouses in Winnipeg.

Dine with views of the Red River at Cibo Waterfront Cafe, a great destination for dinner and drinks. Choose from Mediterranean-inspired dishes like carbonara pasta, bruschetta with ricotta and figs, thin-crust pizza topped with house tomato sauce or meatballs with pesto and mushrooms. It’s not just the views outside Cibo that are impressive—the restaurant’s interior features exposed brick and old machinery left over from the building’s days as an industrial pump house.

Why You Should Go: The river views from the dining room are phenomenal.

Foodies flock to deer + almond in the Exchange District for small plates served in a modern space. Lunch and dinner selections showcase the chef’s love for experimentation, with creative dishes like pickerel with roasted pumpkin, barbecued parsnips with walnut butter, and pork belly with pineapple and red chili paste earning rave reviews from locals and visiting celebrities. Vegetarians and vegans will find plenty of options, too.

Why You Should Go: Inventive, shareable small plates make deer + almond one of Winnipeg’s best restaurants for foodies.

Family-owned and operated at this downtown location for more than 25 years, East India Company Pub & Eatery is the place to go for some of the best Indian food in Winnipeg. Tandoori dishes, spiced curries, flavorful biryanis (blends of rice, protein and vegetables), chutneys, pickles and other appetizers are available à la carte or on the daily buffet.

Why You Should Go: The lunch and dinner buffets are a bargain, with dozens of traditional Indian appetizers, entrées and desserts for one low price.

If you’re not sure what sort of food you’re in the mood for but you want to sample the best of local Winnipeg cuisine, head to The Forks Market. Renovated brick buildings once used for horse stables now house dozens of food vendors offering burgers, hot dogs, poutine, ramen noodles, fish and chips, Caribbean roti, Sri Lankan curries and all-day breakfasts. After your meal, check out the market’s sweet treats, which include doughnuts, ice cream, specialty espresso drinks and cinnamon buns.

Why You Should Go: This bustling food hall has lots of cheap places to eat, shop and sip.

Dine in a converted 1914 train car at this local favorite, where the waitstaff speaks fluent French. Located in Winnipeg’s French district, Resto Gare is an excellent choice for a romantic meal or a celebratory dinner while on vacation. The menu changes seasonally but features foie gras, steak frites, seafood crêpes, beef bourguignonne and other updated French dishes. Thursday nights feature live jazz music in the main dining area.

Why You Should Go: It’s one of the most romantic restaurants in Winnipeg, offering French cuisine at an affordable price.

Widely considered one of Winnipeg’s best restaurants, Segovia Tapas Bar & Restaurant shines with a contemporary take on traditional Spanish tapas. Menu items combine unique ingredients like radishes, beets, smoked mackerel, octopus and tuna tartare in unexpected ways. For dessert you’ll most definitely want to try the dates topped with mascarpone, pistachios and maple syrup.

Why You Should Go: This Osborne Village tapas restaurant is perfect for date nights and large groups.

Linger over small plates, handcrafted cocktails and late-night charcuterie boards at SMITH, the chic restaurant and lounge inside Inn at The Forks. This isn’t your average hotel restaurant: expect smoked lox and farm-fresh eggs for breakfast; buttermilk fried chicken burgers and steak bulgogi for lunch; and fresh oysters, arctic char and rabbit ravioli for dinner.

Why You Should Go: Weekend brunches and a solid cocktail list (with non-alcoholic options as well) draw a crowd at this restaurant in The Forks.

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