Why You Should Spend Your Next Break In Winnipeg

When you think about traveling in Canada, Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto are probably the first cities that come to mind. Winnipeg isn’t necessarily very far up on the list— heck, for many, the city isn’t even on their list. But hear me out, as someone who visits the city semi-regularly: even though Winnipeg is smaller than most cities in the country, it has plenty of great attractions and an ever-evolving food and drink scene that deserves some love.

How to Get There

A flight to “the Peg” from anywhere in Canada takes no longer than five hours, so you can expect to reach the city by the afternoon and begin your holiday. But if you have time to spare and prefer a scenic route, VIA Rail’s Western Canada route is the way to go. This 2-day-1-night train journey takes you through the lush forests of Greater Sudbury or the majestic Rocky Mountains in Alberta, depending on where you depart. You’ll pull in at Winnipeg’s historic Union Station, which was designed by Warren and Wetmore— the same architects who worked on New York’s Grand Central Terminal.

Where to Stay

Fort Garry Hotel

Built in 1913, the Fort Garry Hotel is one of Winnipeg’s most iconic and longest standing buildings. The hotel boasts luxurious guest rooms and state-of-the-art amenities, as well as hosting weekly jazz concerts in the fall. Sink into a plush king-sized bed complete with soft Italian linens after a long day of exploring Winnipeg’s downtown area. If you’re not in the mood to eat out, the hotel is home to popular Italian restaurant Vida Cucina Italia, and treat yourself to a decadent spread of water buffalo cheeses, fluffy bread, and beef tenderloin tartare. fortgarryhotel.com

Address: 222 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C0R3

Inn at the Forks

Located just a stone’s throw away from The Forks (read more about this Winnipeg highlight below) and the Canadian Museum For Human Rights, Inn at the Forks is a sleek and modern hotel complete with the luxe Riverstone Spa. Each room is sized around 350 square feet, and features a custom glass vanity in the bathroom. Those who enjoy splurging on accommodation can opt for the signature luxury suite located on the top floor, where you’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the Red River and The Forks. innforks.com

Address: 75 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C0A2

Fairmont Winnipeg

Fairmont needs no introduction— this hotel brand has been around since 1907, and is known for its elegant furnishings and impeccable service. Fairmont Winnipeg is situated in the historic Exchange District, and offers over 300 rooms including spacious suites with separate living areas. The hotel is also home to Le Petit Chef, an immersive culinary journey that combines the art of animation with an exquisite menu. fairmont.com

Address: 2 Lombard Place, Winnipeg, MB R3B0Y3

What to do

The Forks

This long-standing food and goods market is filled with a wide variety of unique shops selling handmade products and delicious bites. Browse through Manitobah’s collection of intricately designed mukluks and moccasins, gorgeous ceramics at Forks Trading company, and drop by McNally Robinson to pick up your next read of the month. Stuff yourself with hearty Filipino food at Basta and walk it off at the Johnston Terminal Antique Mall. Located in the basement, this antique store features vintage lifestyle goods, accessories, and even old toys and comics. Even if you don’t end up buying anything, browsing through the store’s collection is always fun. thejohnstonterminal.com

Address: 25 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg, MB R3C4Y3

Opening hours: Monday–Thursday 11a.m.–6p.m.; Friday 11a.m.–8p.m.; Saturday 10.30a.m.–7p.m.; Sunday 11.30a.m.–6p.m.

Assiniboine Park

Exploring Assiniboine Park and all it has to offer easily takes up a full day, no matter which season you visit. During warmer months, the Lyric Theatre hosts a variety of performances including jazz, ballet and music. In the winter, enjoy ice skating on the pond with your loved ones, or relax and unwind with a community cedar barrel sauna session. A trip to the zoo during winter isn’t wasted either— expect to see animals like polar bears and snow leopards roaming around. If you prefer the indoors, the lush indoor garden, The Leaf, takes you through four distinct biomes that showcase flora and fauna from various regions of the world. assiniboinepark.ca

Address: 55 Pavilion Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3P2N6

Winnipeg Art Gallery

The Winnipeg Art Gallery is one of Canada’s leading art galleries, featuring a whopping 27,000 artworks spanning centuries and cultures. Here, visitors can see the detailed works of art by female Inuk artist Omalluq Oshutsiaq in the exhibition Omalluq: Pictures from my Life, or explore Threads of Kin and Belonging: A Trinnipeg Live Mixtape Project, a collaborative project between Indigenous Nations and Black communities on Treaty One Territory. From classical works to more contemporary art, this vibrant art gallery is a must-visit. wag.ca

Address: 300 Memorial Boulevard, Winnipeg MB R3C1V1

Opening hours: Wednesday–Sunday 11am–5pm

Manitoba Museum

Take a trip to the past and explore Winnipeg’s history at the Manitoba Museum. The region’s ever-changing landscape is told through nine different zones, such as the Earth History Gallery and the Boreal Forest Gallery. Experience the Parklands region of Manitoba and check out the contemporary Indigenous stories and Treaty exhibits, as well as life-sized replicas of the various living organisms of the Carberry Sand Dunes. Don’t forget to take pictures of you aboard the Nonsuch— the first trading vessel of Hudson’s Bay Company. manitobamuseum.ca

Address: 190 Rupert Avenue, Winnipeg MB R3B0N2

Opening hours: Tuesday–Sunday 10a.m.–4p.m.

Exchange District

This national historic site in Winnipeg is now one of the liveliest neighbourhoods filled with independent businesses and amazing dining options. Unleash your inner child at Toad Hall Toys, a 40-year-old toy store that features a unique selection of toys, miniatures, and puzzles, or celebrate maximalism at Tara Davis Studio with her playful and vibrant art style that’s sure to brighten anyone’s day. Café-hoppers, don’t worry, the Exchange is also rife with local cafés like Mas Coffee Co and Parlour Coffee. exchangedistrict.org

Address: 492 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B 1B7

Where to Eat

Sous Sol

Date night plans don’t have to be paused when you’re on holiday, and this hidden restaurant along Osborne Street is the perfect place for a romantic dinner. Sous Sol offers crispy croquettes ($16), melt-in-your-mouth beef tenderloin ($39), and gnocchi served with sautéed mushrooms, toasted walnuts, and topped with a tangy roasted red pepper sauce. Exceptional food aside, take time to admire the gorgeous silverware and various antique decor scattered all over the restaurant. soussolosborne.com

Address: 22-222 Osborne St, Winnipeg, MB 43L1Z3

Opening hours: Wednesday–Thursday 5p.m.–12a.m.; Friday–Saturday 5p.m.–1a.m.

Myrna’s Café and Catering

Winnipeg is home to Canada’s largest Filipino community, so not trying their cuisine would be a disservice to both the community and the city. Enjoy authentic Filipino dishes at Myrna’s Café and Catering, and trust us when we say that you will leave with your stomach bursting. Myrna’s offers 16 types of silog (Filipino breakfast) that are all delicious, but the lechonsilog ($12.50) should not be missed. Think succulent pork belly with a gorgeous golden-brown crust served with garlic fried rice and a citrusy dipping sauce made with soy sauce, vinegar, and calamansi juice. instagram.com/myrnascafe 

Address: 833 Sargent Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3E0C1

Opening hours: Monday–Friday 8a.m.–4p.m.; Saturday 7a.m.–4p.m.; Sunday 7a.m.–2p.m.

Yafa Café

Big portions and affordable prices are always a win in our book, and Yafa Café’s dishes are also delicious to boot. This casual restaurant serves up Arabic street food-inspired dishes like falafel, shawarma, and manakeesh. For a hearty meal, opt for the sawani kofta ($22.99), where ground beef and lamb are baked in tomato sauce and topped with fork-tender potatoes, parsley and roasted almonds. Complete your meal with Yafa Café’s rendition of a basbousa ($5), where the fluffy cake made of semolina is soaked in a sweet honey syrup. instagram.com/yafacafe

Address: 1785 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3J0E8

Opening hours: Daily 11a.m.–11p.m.

Deer and Almond

Deer and Almond has been climbing the ranks on Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants list since it first appeared in 2021. Last year, the restaurant made its way up to 39th place, making it the highest achievement a Winnipeg restaurant has ever placed on the list. Opened by celebrity chef Mandel Hitzer, Deer and Almond offers a rotating four-course dining experience menu (from $90) with dishes like a smoky bison tartare, succulent duck stuffed cornish hen complete with fried rice and salsa nergra, and a coffee profiterole topped with a rich coffee liqueur-infused crème anglaise. deerandalmond.com

Address: 85 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB

Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday 5p.m.–late

Clementine

This brunch café sees queues outside its door even on weekday mornings, and for good reason. Clementine serves up hearty brunches that leave you stuffed for a good portion of the day. Think thick-cut braised bacon in maple syrup for a tinge of sweetness sitting atop fluffy buttermilk biscuits and perfectly poached eggs ($16). Or even crispy golden-brown buttermilk fried chicken drenched in a tangy jerk spiced honey and served with of housemade sourdough toast ($18). If you still have room for dessert, we recommend the refreshing yogurt panna cotta ($8) to finish your meal. clementinewinnipeg.com 

Address: 123 Princess Street, Winnipeg, MB R3B1K8

Opening hours: Daily 9a.m.–2p.m.

Where to Drink

Rosé Coffee and Wine

Café by day, wine bar by night, Rosé Coffee and Wine is a cozy, romantic spot that serves up small plates and a wide selection of wines. Get the most bang for your buck by ordering the wine flight ($35), where you can try four wines of your choice. We recommend the rosé mulled wine— the typically fruity and light rosé is infused with cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar for the perfect blend of sweet and spicy notes. No wine tasting would be complete without food, and the charcuterie board ($37) knocked us out with a delectable spread of cheeses, cured meats, and tangy fruit compote. rosecoffeeandwine.ca 

Address: 474 Main Street, Unit B, Winnipeg MB R3B1B6

Opening hours: Monday–Thursday 4.30p.m.–10p.m.; Friday–Saturday 4.30p.m.–12a.m.

BabyBaby

This new cocktail spot is the talk of the town, and for good reason. BabyBaby offers bespoke cocktails starting from $15, including the tropical and fruity Baby Hurricane that blends Jamaican rum with pineapple, lime, and housemade Fassionola. Those who love 7-11’s lemon and orange slurpees will enjoy BabyBaby’s boozier version: an amaretto sour slushie that combines the sweet Italian liqueur with whiskey, and zesty lemons and oranges. As for bites, look forward to dishes like chili potato mantis ($20), pickerel beignets ($14), and whole sea bass ($45) paired with a passionfruit beurre blanc and topped with pistachio. babybabyrestaurant.com 

Address: 137 Osborne Street, Winnipeg MB R3L1Y4

Opening hours: Sunday–Monday, Thursday 5p.m.–11p.m.; Friday–Saturday 5p.m.–12a.m.

Good Neighbour Brewing Co. and Next Door

Knock back draft beers at Good Neighbour Brewing Co., Winnipeg’s first all-female and 2SLGBTQ+-owned brewery. Good Neighbour offers delicious beers starting from $5 (what a steal!), and unique flavours like a blueberry blonde ale and a Mexican-style amber lager combined with caramel and roasted malts. While the everyday beers are yummy as always, the seasonal beers are the reason for our return each trip. The Irish cream coffee stout is a must-try, where milk stout meets fresh ground coffee to form a refreshing and smooth concoction that leaves you ordering seconds and thirds and fourths… Don’t worry, you can always sober up with a spicy rendang short rib ($31) at Good Neighbour’s restaurant Next Door, located, well, next door. goodneighbourbrewing.com 

Address: 110-116 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg. MB R3C2B4

Opening hours:

Brewery: Monday 12p.m.–4.30p.m.; Tuesday–Thursday 12p.m.–9.30p.m.; Friday–Saturday 11a.m.–10.30p.m.; Sunday 12p.m.–5p.m.

Next Door: Sunday–Thursday 9am–11p.m.; Friday–Saturday 9a.m.–1a.m.