Winnipeg is a city of intersections. North and South, East and West, Past and Present. From the city’s earliest days after the Metis people negotiated Manitoba’s entry into Confederation in 1870 until the last immigration hall closed in 1969 Winnipeg was the heart of immigration into western Canada. While no longer as vital to immigration as it once was, it is still a city that sees thousands of newcomers every year.
The city’s food scene is reflective of its diverse diaspora communities, with local favourites that have endured for fifty years or more coexisting alongside franchises as well as exciting new ventures that opened in the middle of a global pandemic and beat the odds through rave reviews and mass community support. There’s a new surprise around every corner, and that’s especially true of the area around Pemmi-Con’s venue.
— Nicholas Vincenten
Near Pemmi-Con
Distances from the Main Entrance of the RBC Convention Centre
* = Accessible by Skywalk from RBC Convention Centre
East India Company
349 York Ave – 70m | 11:30AM-9:30PM Monday to Friday
Winnipeg’s oldest five-star buffet, East India Company has been serving its family style of Punjabi cuisine with both a la carte menus ($14-20 per dish) and an all-you-can-eat buffet ($30 per person) for over fifty years. Opens late on Saturdays at 4:30PM. Spices are mild even by Western standards, so be sure to ask if you want something spicier.
Bagelsmith
185 Carlton St – 140m | 9AM-4:30PM Monday to Saturday
Having first opened in 2020, Bagelsmith has since expanded to three locations around town. Montreal-style bagels differ from the New York variety by being thinner, denser, and baked in a wood-fire oven, with a wider hole and honey in the dough and water. Broad variety of bagels and toppings, prices ranging from $3-$13.50.
Ichiban
189 Carlton St – 170m | 5-9PM Monday to Sunday
A local fixture for the past forty years, Ichiban serves both sushi and teppanyaki. The sushi is between $6-13 per roll, while the teppanyaki service is more expensive at $42-57 per meal but provides several side dishes. Also accessible via the building’s elevator.
Oscar’s Deli
175 Hargrave St – 210m | 7AM-2PM Monday to Saturday
A traditional Jewish deli first opened in 1929 and operating continuously (though not always under the same owner) since, Oscar’s offers traditional deli fare alongside less traditional items like burgers and hot dogs. Prices range from $7-18 per meal.
Elephant & Castle
350 St. Mary’s Ave. – 270m | 11:30-12AM – until 1AM Thurs-Sat
While the pub grub isn’t going to be wowing anyone, Elephant & Castle can’t be beat for convenience – it’s open late and is inside the Delta. Some of the staff are sci-fi fans too.
Affinity Vegetarian Garden
208 Edmonton St – 290m | 4:30-9PM Monday to Saturday
While relatively tucked out of the way, Affinity is larger than it looks from the outside and offers a wholly vegan menu of Chinese fare with many gluten-free options available. Lunch service features a by-weight buffet, with dinner being typical ($12-20) prices.
Hargrave Street Market
242 Hargrave St – 300m* | 8AM-10PM Monday to Sunday
This sleek hyper-modern food hall offers a broad cross-section of what Winnipeg has to offer; from burgers and tacos to pizza and ramen with a coffeeshop, Australian-style brunch café, and a wine-and-cocktail bar rounding off the second floor. The main floor is a specialty Italian grocer if you’re looking for snacks or preprepared meals for later.
Cityplace
333 St. Mary’s Ave – 400m* | 7AM-7PM [Not all options] Monday to Saturday
The closest spot for more affordable fare, Cityplace features cheap chains like A&W and Tim Horton’salongside local gems like Human Bean, Bodegos, and Za Pizza Bistro.
Shawarma Khan
392 Graham Ave – 450m | 11AM-2PM Monday to Friday
Owned and operated by retired Blue Bomber Obby Khan, Shawarma Khan offers massive portions for their prices along with a range of vegetarian and vegan options
Near Holiday Inn & Suites
Distances from Portage Avenue entrance of Holiday Inn | +850m for distance from convention
Stella’s
460 Portage Ave – 90m | 7AM-10PM Monday to Sunday
Best known for its all-day breakfasts, Stella’s is a popular dining spot for university students and local office workers with a variety of sandwiches, curries, and pastas on offer. Pricier than is typical for Winnipeg at $10-24 per meal, but with large portions.
Sushi Gen
500 Portage Ave – 90m | 11AM-10PM Monday to Sunday
Sushi Gen is a mainstay with the university crowd on account of its incredibly cheap lunch specials. Two six-piece rolls, a salad, and miso soup for around $10 per meal.
Banh Mi King
510 Portage Ave – 130m | 11AM-8PM Monday to Saturday
Very affordable (no meal is more than $12 without sides), Banh Mi King cures their meats in-house and offers a range of traditional and unconventional Vietnamese cuisine
Junior’s
558 Portage Ave – 260m | 11AM-11PM Monday to Sunday
For over sixty years this car hop style diner has maintained a loyal following through low prices, consistent quality, and being the inventors of the Fat Boy (a burger topped with chili) – a Winnipeg original seen in many of the city’s long-lasting Greek family diners.
Winnipeg Highlights
Distances from the Main Entrance of the RBC Convention Centre
The Forks Market
1 Forks Market Rd. – 1.3km | 7AM-10PM Monday to Sunday
Full of unique local shops the Forks Market also features a massive and diverse food court, including a full service bar. Highlights include Red Ember Commons for pizza, Nuburger for burgers, and Passero for fine dining. Very busy on weekends so plan ahead.
Feast Café Bistro
587 Ellice Ave – 1.5km | 11AM-10PM Tuesday to Saturday
Much closer to the Holiday Inn & Suites (-850m from the distance), Feast is a community-minded business that utilizes key elements and ingredients of Anihšināpē cuisine to produce popular Western fare like pizzas, burgers, and pasta
Baked Expectations
161 Osborne St – 1.6km | 12-10PM Monday to Sunday | NO CREDIT
A neighbourhood fixture for over forty years, Baked Expectation is the place to go if you enjoy cake and they have a surprising variety of drink options as well. Nestled in the heart of Osborne Village it is absolutely surrounded by bars and restaurants open late.
Across the Board
211 Bannatyne Ave – 1.4km | 11AM-10PM Tuesday to Sunday
While the food is good and the teas (stocked by Amsterdam Tea Room around the corner) are excellent, the real reason people come to Across the Board is its immense board game inventory of over 1,600 titles. Pay $10 to stay and play as many games as you’d like.
Fine Dining
Distances from the Main Entrance of the RBC Convention Centre
Deer + Almond
85 Princess Street – 1.2km | 5PM-10PM Tuesday to Saturday
One of Winnipeg’s most celebrated tasting menus, Deer + Almond offers à la carte service at the bar top and a four course tasting menu starting at $77 per person.
529
529 Wellington Crescent – 2.4km | 11:30AM-2PM & 4:30-10PM – Sat/Sun dinner only
The converted Ashdown mansion has been Winnipeg’s most popular traditional steak house for the past twenty years, regularly winning awards year after year. Not for the diner on a budget. Entrees start at $37 and can go up to $99.
Sous Sol
222 Osborne St. – 1.9km | 5PM-12AM Wednesday to Saturday
Behind a door at the back of a red brick building, down a flight of stairs, and behind a nondescript door is one of Winnipeg’s best kept culinary secrets. Sous Sol’s tight and expertly executed French menu is elevated by prairie ingredients and candlelit ambiance. Due to the nature of the building, this restaurant is only accessible by a flight of stairs.
Two Hands
116 Sherbrook St. – 1.7km | 4-11PM Mon/Wed – 11-12AM Thurs-Sat (10PM Sun)
116 Sherbrook is home to both a dining room and a taproom, each with a loosely multicultural fusion menu popular in up-and-coming pubs. The menu changes regularly, and Sundays feature a brunch menu. There is also a chef’s table tasting menu available, but details of such a reservation are between you and the chef, booked by email.
Coffee
Manitobans drink an average of three cups of coffee daily – double the American average!
Distances from the Main Entrance of the RBC Convention Centre
Fools & Horses
Locations at Hargrave Street Market & The Forks Market
Serves a broad range of Canadian coffees and teas with a rotating feature roaster
Thom Bargen
250 Kennedy St. – 500m | 7AM-4PM Monday to Friday
Local coffee roaster with an in-house bakery based out of this location. This location managed to outcompete both a nearby Starbucks and a Second Cup – no easy feat!
Harrison Coffee Co.
25 Forks Market Rd. – 1.3km | 8AM-9PM Monday to Thursday
Local coffee roaster. This location is open until 11PM Friday to Sunday.
Rosé
474 Main St. – 1.4km | 10AM-3PM & 5PM-10PM Mon-Fri – Sat 12-11PM Sun 12-5PM
A pandemic debut that has quickly grown to be a charming secret, Rosé is a cozy space designed to mimic the vaudeville theatres once common in Winnipeg. Transitions to a wine & cocktail bar in the evening. Decent selection of tartines and small plates ($13-35).
Colosimo
140 Provencher Blvd – 1.6km | 7:30AM-4PM Monday to Friday – Sat 8-4PM
Local coffee roaster with a pandemic debut, this location is known for its especially cozy seating. Colosimo is a Direct Trade company, purchasing directly from their growers.
Currency conversion as of 07 May 2023 – US$1 = CA$1.34
