5 Best Lunch Restaurants in Winnipeg
Lunch is as important as breakfast, especially if you’re working or studying and need energy for the rest of the day. Of course, packing lunch is practical, but eating out also has its benefits.
Having lunch at restaurants is convenient if you’re away from home or too busy to cook. It’s also a fun way to spend time with family and friends during the day.
If you’re looking for the best lunch restaurants in Winnipeg, we’re here to help! We’ve compiled a list of Winnipeg’s top lunch restaurants to help narrow down your choices.
But before we delve into our list, let’s look at the factors we considered in choosing the best lunch restaurants in Winnipeg and the average cost of this service.
Average Cost of Digital Marketing Agencies in Winnipeg
Here is the average costs of digital marketing agencies in Winnipeg.
The Best Lunch Restaurants in Winnipeg
We have rated our top picks before rounding up this list to help you find the best lunch restaurants in Winnipeg. Here are the factors we considered:
Now, here’s a list of the best lunch restaurants in Winnipeg.
1. Peasant Cookery
| Criteria | Rating |
| Food selection and quality | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Cost | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
If you’re looking for a restaurant that offers upscale comfort food, you should book a reservation at the Peasant Cookery.
This restaurant is located at the heart of the Exchange District, a strategic location for locals and tourists alike. It also has a cozy ambiance that we love.
Its patio is excellent for an outdoor ambiance if you want a laidback lunch break with family or friends. Of course, even if you’re eating solo, you can still enjoy your lunch break under the sun.
Aside from its cozy ambiance, we love its extensive lunch menu made from fresh and local ingredients. It also specializes in French-inspired cuisine, so you can taste Paris a little when you visit them.
We love its pickled vegetables that are made in-house. Its housemade bread is also to die for, so grab some when you visit this restaurant.
Its in-house bakery serves fresh and hot bread every day, which is a plus!
Melissa Makarenko has worked in several hotels before becoming this restaurant’s executive chef. So, you can be assured that you can get that five-star food quality when you dine here.
Aside from a full course meal, enjoying wine at lunch won’t hurt. We love Peasant Cookery’s list of carefully selected wines, local beers, and craft cocktails.
However, notify your server if you have any food-related allergies before ordering. Its kitchen is not nut-free or gluten-free, so you should be careful.
Pros
- Offers upscale comfort food
- In-house pickling and bakery
- Has delivery options
- Online orders and reservation
Cons
- Available for five days online
- Late opening hours on Saturdays
- Non-nut-free and non-gluten-free kitchen
Customer Reviews
Excellent food quality
” Phenomenal food. Amazing presentation and wonderful staff. We had a variety of apps and mains, all of which were 10/10. ” – Kelly Gallant, Google Reviews
Cozy ambiance
” Service is attentive. Menu choices are excellent. They do what they do very well and don’t stray from it.
The patio is great with a choice of two sides depending on the amount of sun you’d like. The decor is unique and lends a vintage classy vibe.
Loved it and will be back for oyster night! Oh! And the cocktails are also unique and very tasty. Try it out. ” – Troy MacDonald, Google Reviews
2. Bistro Dansk Restaurant Ltd.
| Criteria | Rating |
| Food selection and quality | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Cost | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
If you’re a fan of European food, especially Danish cuisine, you should check the Bistro Dansk Restaurant.
This restaurant has been serving authentic Danish dishes since 1977. We love its cozy and charming atmosphere as it will give you a glimpse of Denmark’s rich culture without leaving Winnipeg.
We also love its baguette, which is baked fresh daily. So, order one if you’re planning to get your Monday brunch.
Aside from its authentic Danish cuisine, the restaurant also serves authentic European dishes. You can try its full course meals, from its rich soups to its special Chicken Schnitzel.
Another great thing about this restaurant is how it offers lunch specials for big groups with a maximum of 45 people. Not all restaurants can accommodate many customers at a time, so this is a point for it in our book.
Unfortunately, it only accepts walk-ins and doesn’t offer reservations. So, there’s no assurance that you can get seats for everyone if you’re dining with a big group.
Nevertheless, we think that Bistro Dansk is still worth visiting for its excellent food choices and charming ambiance.
On top of that, it’s famous for serving generous portions that customers love. Prior diners tell us that its lunch servings are enormous enough to eat again for lunch the next day.
We think serving generous portions is one of its advantages over other lunch restaurants, especially for families or groups. Its menu also includes vegetarian dishes, which is another plus!
Pros
- Has 45 years of experience
- Specializes in Danish and European cuisine
- Offers lunch specials for big groups
- Serves generous portions
- Has vegetarian dishes
Cons
- Available for five days only
- No lunch reservations
Customer Reviews
Generous food portions
” Best Danish restaurant in the city let alone one of the best restaurants in the city. Extremely amazing staff and owners and the food matches that quality.
Portions are large so you will have lunch for tomorrow and it will taste just as good. I come here often with family and groups and no one ever leaves with even close to a bad experience.
Know the owners and they pour their heart and soul into the food and service. ” – Reilly L. Coad, Google Reviews
Excellent food quality
” Excellent portions for the price. Delicious food. The seafood chowder was amazing. Lots of seafood in a very creamy flavorful broth. The schnitzel was just perfect. ” – M, Google Reviews
3. Cafe Carlo
| Criteria | Rating |
| Food selection and quality | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Cost | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Next on our list is a charming Canadian restaurant located in Winnipeg’s Little Italy neighborhood.
Cafe Carlo has been the Winnipeggers’ go-to place since 1989 for its warm and comfortable atmosphere. Its décor and interior evolved from its “rummage sale chic beginnings” to the cozy vibe we love today.
Of course, its lunch menu is the highlight. We love how it offers an extensive list of Italian and Asian-inspired cuisine on top of its daily specials.
If you’re going for a light meal, there are many soups, salads, and sandwich options on the menu. But if you’re going for a heavier lunch, you can order the pasta dishes.
The restaurant uses in-house and high-quality ingredients, with all its pasta dishes made from scratch. We love fresh and authentic cooking, so this is another pro.
On top of that, it has an excellent list of wines and cocktails. You can choose from its list of day wines and craft beers to enjoy with your full course meal.
On the downside, its lunch hours are only available on Fridays. This restaurant opens at five in the afternoon from Mondays to Sundays, offering customers limited options.
Fortunately, it has delivery, pickup, and takeout options. Not all lunch restaurants in Winnipeg offer these options, so this is one of its advantages.
Plus, it also provides catering services. If you’re planning an event, whether it’s a birthday celebration, wedding reception, or a simple gathering, this service will come in handy.
Pros
- Has over 30 years of experience
- Opens everyday
- Italian and Asian-inspired dishes
- Accepts online orders and reservations
- Has delivery, takeout, and pickup options
Cons
- Limited lunch hours (Fridays only)
- No lunch specials for delivery
Customer Reviews
Professional service
” Very warm welcome. Excellent friendly service provided by Ashley.
Nice ambiance. We had the very tasty seafood chowder and the delicious, generous bruschetta.
We appreciated the fresh, quality ingredients. The beers on tap were also very good. ” – Gisele Verrier, Google Reviews
Amazing food and wine collection
” Always an amazing experience at this place. Amazing food and even more amazing service. Love the wine collection! Best place for pasta!! ” – Roop Sandhu, Google Reviews
4. Marion Street Eatery
| Criteria | Rating |
| Food selection and quality | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Cost | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Marion Street Eatery is a locally-owned restaurant in the heart of St. Boniface. It serves quality comfort food, perfect for lunch with family and friends.
One thing we love about this restaurant is its wide range of food choices, ranging from a lunch menu to a kids’ menu. It even offers a weekend menu, perfect for Sunday brunch dates or lunch catchup with friends.
Its menu list has gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options ideal for people with dietary restrictions. Plus, you can ask your server to make some menu items for gluten-free or vegetarian dishes, which is impressive.
It also has cocktails, hot drinks, mimosas, wines, and beers. So, you have many options to enjoy your happy hour a little bit early.
Another great thing about Mario Street Eatery is its relaxing ambiance. Customers tell us that it has a comfortable atmosphere, whether you’re hanging out at the bar or having a full-course lunch.
It also serves good coffee, perfect for that caffeine kick to fuel your remaining work hours.
While the restaurant offers convenient takeout options, it doesn’t have a delivery service, which is a disadvantage over other restaurants.
Fortunately, it’s open six days a week. It also has early opening hours so you won’t miss your brunch or lunch on weekdays or weekends.
It has online chat support that you can use to contact its staff anytime. However, it doesn’t accept reservations, so make sure to come early during peak hours.
Pros
- Extensive lunch menu
- No reservations required
- Offers dine-in and takeout
- Family-friendly menus
- Offers gluten-free and vegetarian options
Cons
- Closed on Tuesdays
- No delivery option
Customer Reviews
Excellent food choices
” Great spot for lunch. Food to satisfy carnivores and vegans.
Tasty options and very generous portions. Friendly staff.
Excellent for casual Sunday brunch with a large group but would recommend calling ahead. No delivery service is available so dine-in only.
The brisket hash is large enough to share especially with an extra poached egg (comes with one). The salad is sizable enough that a half order should be enough as a full meal.
The Bohemian Wrapsody is tasty with a hint of heat from the sriracha sauce. Great choice as a flavorful vegan lunch option. ” – L. Lau, Google Reviews
Relaxing atmosphere
” Great place for brunch!! Relaxing atmosphere at the bar or table with a great cup of coffee! Their Ruben is pretty damn tasty with beer caramelized onions. ” – Terry Gent, Google Reviews
5. 529 Wellington Steakhouse
| Criteria | Rating |
| Food selection and quality | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Ambiance | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Cost | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★(5/5) |
| Convenience | ★★★★☆(4/5) |
Who says you can’t have Tour de Beef for lunch, right? If you want to try one of Winnipeg’s best steak dishes, you should book a reservation at 529 Wellington Steakhouse.
Its lunch menu has a wide selection of soups, appetizers, salads, and sandwiches. You can also order fresh fish and seafood, which customers love.
Of course, it serves top-notch steak dishes using certified Canadian prime beef. Customers tell us that although it’s on the pricey side, the whole dining experience is worth it.
It also has a wine list, which is our favorite. So, if you want a deluxe lunch date, you can pair your steak with this restaurant’s best wines.
Aside from its famous Tour de Beef, the restaurant is also known for its historic charm. It is located at the Ashdown House, built by Winnipeg architect J. H. G. Russell in 1913.
So, we think that dining in this restaurant is more than just a culinary experience. Over the years, 529 Wellington Steakhouse has become Winnipeg’s premier fine dining restaurant for its excellent food and unique ambiance.
It’s, therefore, no surprise that it has received numerous awards and accolades. It received the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award List and the Winnipeg Nightlife Awards for Best Steakhouse.
It was also awarded the Wine Spectator Best Award of Excellence from 2004 to 2020.
However, we wish that it could offer more convenience to customers. It currently doesn’t have online booking or delivery options.
While this is not necessarily a deal-breaker, we wish that it could consider offering delivery options or more convenient booking in the future.
Pros
- Premier steakhouse in Winnipeg
- Offers Tour de Beef
- Lunch hours on Tuesdays – Fridays
- Recipient of awards and accolades
- Extensive wine list
Cons
- Closed on Sundays
- No delivery option
- No online booking
Customer Reviews
Excellent food quality
” I’ve probably been here at least thirty times, and I have never left disappointed. It’s one of the best restaurants in the city, and definitely also one of my favourites.
They serve excellent food, and they are also very consistent. The service I’ve received has also always been fantastic.
It is definitely not a cheap place to go to, but the whole experience is worth the price. For dessert, I highly recommend the bread pudding! ” – Michal Brichacek, Google Reviews
Cozy ambiance
” Serene patio set in lush greenery. Friendly, amazing, informative staff, I loved hearing about the history of the building.
The food was cooked to perfection. Everything tasted divine. The coffee was perfect. ” – Isabella Oghieakhe-Olatubji, Google Reviews
FAQs about Lunch Restaurants in Winnipeg
And that concludes our list of the best lunch restaurants in Winnipeg! If you’re hosting an event for more people, check out our list of the best catering services in the metro.