Winnipeg City Guide

DOWNTOWN Winnipeg’s downtown has experienced an exciting revitalization. The city’s new arena, the Bell MTS Place, is drawing people back to the area, with new hotels, restaurants and bars opening rapidly, while older storefronts are spiffying up. Try The Merchant Kitchen in the stylish Alt Hotel.

THE EXCHANGE Winnipeg’s historic Exchange District has become a real arts hub, with new tech companies complimenting the galleries and condo developments. Add to this the area’s proximity to the bulk of the city’s entertainment venues, and it’s no surprise the streets are overflowing with restaurants and bars. Deer + Almond sets the creative standard, and Peasant Cookery impresses with house-made charcuterie. Clementine offers the most innovative breakfast and lunch options, while Chosabi is the choice for casual Asian. Across Main Street look for options like Carnaval Brazilian BBQ and The Mitchell Block.

CORYDON AVENUE Once known as Little Italy for its abundance of trattorias, the strip is now home to many sushi restaurants. But java lovers can still enjoy an Italian espresso; gelato fans head to Nucci’s Gelati; and the street is still one of the best for a sunny drink on a terrace or for a leisurely stroll. Further west down Corydon, Chew (and its Store Next Door bakery) and Enoteca rub elbows with popular Italian/pizza eateries Bonfire Bistro and Mona Lisa.

CHINATOWN The enormous Chinatown gate on King Street welcomes visitors to Winnipeg’s original Chinese neighbourhood which features a cultural centre, Asian grocery stores, and both tiny and grand traditional Chinese restaurants, reasonably priced and offering many tasty dishes, as well as Sunday dim sum.

BONIFACE Across the magnificent Esplanade Riel over the Red River is Winnipeg’s francophone community, rich in culture, and home to the French-language university and bookstores, unique shops and cafés. A stroll up Provencher Boulevard takes you to Promenade Café and Wine, Chocolatier Constance Popp, Café Postal and the lively nightspot, Le Garage Bistro. Around the corner is Le Croissant and La Belle Baguette French bakeries.

SHERBROOK STREET Once a little shabby, this strip between the Maryland Bridge and Broadway is now a burgeoning restaurant district with a strong community spirit. Newcomer Sherbrook Street Delicatessen cozies up next to Stella’s popular café and bakery. The Tallest Poppy offers comfort while Boon Burger attracts the vegan. Thom Bargen Coffee and Tea offers the very best warming drinks.

OSBORNE VILLAGE/SOUTH OSBORNE Still a hipster haven, The Village is chock-a-block full of unique shops and ever-changing restaurants, highlighted by tapas-slinging Segovia , meat-lovers’ NuBurger,The Cornerstone and Little Sister pouring hot coffee around the corner. Nearby in Crescentwood, check out chef Scott Bagshaw’s Asian-French fusion place Máquè. Down the way — well quite a way — South Osborne is livenened up with ultra-creative Oxbow.

ACADEMY ROAD With its friendly and classy neighbourhood feel, Academy Road entices with exclusive and specialty clothing shops, welcoming outdoor patios and popular restaurants like Fusion Grill, Pizzeria Gusto and Inferno’s Bistro.

WEST END Ellice and Sargent Avenues are dotted with inexpensive hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries reflecting the diverse makeup of the neighbourhood — Vietnamese, Indian and Ethiopian among them.

THE FORKS Marking the historical meeting place of aboriginal peoples at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, The Forks is still a gathering place for shopping and outdoor activities year round,with a range of eateries. The Common is a new craft beer and wine kiosk in the renovated Food Hall, enhanced by eateries like The Red Ember for pizza and inventive-Italian Passero (another Bagshaw venture). In season there is a Sunday Farmers’ Market, 11 am – 4 pm.

ST. NORBERT MARKET The granddaddy of them all, this enormous market just south of the perimeter features some of the region’s finest farm-fresh produce, meats, baked goods and crafts. Live music. Saturday 8 am – 3 pm, Wednesday 11 am – 4 pm in season. Now Saturday 10 am – 2 pm bi-weekly in winter. 3514 Pembina Hwy, St. Norbert.

DOWNTOWN BIZ FARMERS’ MARKET A vibrant urban buzz, Thursday, 10 am – 3 pm in season, Manitoba Hydro Plaza. Inside at Cityplace in winter, 333 St. Mary Ave.

THE FORKS MARKET Marking the historical meeting place of aboriginal peoples at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, The Forks Market offers an array of fresh produce indoors to compliment the rows of specialty food shops, food court as well as shops selling hand-made and imported stuff. Now home to a seasonal outdoor market on Sunday, 11 am – 4 pm.

WOLSELEY FARMERS’ MARKET Neighbourly vibe on a shaded plaza, Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm in season, 980 Palmerston Ave.

JARDINS ST. LEON GARDENS Outdoor market offering “real” fruits and vegetables in season. 419 St. Mary’s Rd.

CRAMPTON’S FARM PRODUCE Features local, organic produce, meat and house-made breads. 1765 Waverley Ave.

For all local listings visit www.fmam.ca

DE LUCA’S 950 Portage Ave. www.deluca.ca

MARY JANE’S COOKING SCHOOL 252 Arlington St. www.maryjanescookingschool.org

THE FOOD STUDIO 3200 Roblin Blv. www.foodstudio.net

RED RIVER COLLEGE CULINARY WORKSHOPS Various locations. www.rrc.ca

AVIVA www.avivahealth.com

d.a. NIELS 485 Berry St. www.danielsgourmetkitchenware.ca

THE HAPPY COOKER 464 Stradbrook Ave. www.thehappycooker.ca

Winnipeg’s great tastes

o Bothwell Cheese
o Braman’s Greens
o Chocolatier Constance Popp
o City Bread Rye
o Cornell Creme
o Eadha Bread
o Flora and Farmer
o Greenland Gardens
o Gunn’s Bakery
o Jeanne’s Cake
o Morden’s Chocolates
o Nature’s Farm Eggs
o Old Dutch Potato Chips
o Perogies
o Pickerel
o Sleepy Owl Bakery
o Smoked Goldeye
o Tall Grass Prairie Bread Company
o The Pennvloaf Bakery
o Trappist Cheese

Winnipeg’s great drinks

o Barn Hammer Brewing Co.
o Farmery Estate Brewery
o Fort Garry Brewing Company
o Half Pints Brewing Co.
o Little Brown Jug
o One Great City Brewing Company
o Torque Brewing