From traditional recipes to modern fusion, you’ll find numerous Indigenous-owned and operated restaurants in Manitoba. Here are a few Indigenous foodie adventures, compiled by travel writer Brenna Holeman:
Feast Café Bistro, Winnipeg
Feast Café Bistro in Winnipeg’s West End serves “modern dishes rooted in First Nations foods.” Featuring seasonal yet bold flavours that highlight the best of Manitoba’s ingredients, owner and executive chef Christa Bruneau-Guenther has spent two decades expanding her knowledge of Indigenous foods. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you’ll find an amazing array of meals that feature Indigenous foods with a twist; a great example is their eggs “banny”, which is two poached eggs served on traditional bannock with the option to add smoked salmon, bison sausage, and more. Other standouts include bannock pizza, “tipi” tacos, Manitoba pickerel sliders, and bison chili.
Prairie Berry, Glenlea
Found only a short drive south of Winnipeg, Métis-owned Prairie Berry is home to The Patch, Manitoba’s only spot for farm-to-table dinners held in a berry patch. While the farm was once home to a u-pick field, owners Matt and Jen now focus on specialty dining experiences every summer. While the window to enjoy Prairie Berry in all its glory is short - dinners are only held in the two-to-three-week picking season at the beginning of July - it is absolutely worth it to experience a delicious meal in a field bursting with strawberries. The four-to-seven-course meals are prepared by local chefs that feature Manitoba ingredients; past dinners have included bison cutlets, bannock, and, of course, strawberries.
Sharecuterie, Winnipeg
Ojibway-owned and operated, Sharecuterie is an artisanal charcuterie café and wine bar that features seasonal, locally sourced ingredients (like Manitoba-made Smak Dab mustard). Owner Cassandra Carreiro wanted to share her love for local food while creating a space for people who enjoy culinary craftsmanship and fine wines, which led to Sharecuterie’s grand opening in 2023. Keep your eyes peeled for in-store workshops and events, too. Sharecuterie also specializes in catering and delivery, featuring everything from the original charcuterie boards to vegan and lactose-free versions. There are even charcuterie bouquets and a picnic experience!
Bistro on Notre Dame, Winnipeg
If you’re craving comfort food with an elevated twist, Bistro on Notre Dame in Winnipeg’s West End is the place to be. Featuring local, sustainable, and responsibly sourced food, owner and chef Dean Herkert aspires for Bistro on Notre Dame to bring together people from the local community. On the menu, you’ll find unique dishes that blend international flavours with Indigenous ingredients, like chilaquiles verde made with bison chorizo or the Waldorf salad made with crusted walleye and local fruit. Other standouts include the Boolet (bison and elk meatballs with grilled vegetables and batch gravy) and the Jambalaya (made with bison chorizo, peppered turkey, whitefish, and wild rice). And make sure to save room for dessert, especially the mouthwatering peanut butter and chocolate chess pie!
Indigenous Eats Food Truck, Brandon
Launched in 2021, the Indigenous Eats Food Truck started as a project of the Brandon Friendship Centre. Focusing on bannock as a staple in both meals and snacks, the truck can be found in downtown Brandon but often travels to nearby spots for festivals, fairs, and other events; past years have seen the Indigenous Eats Food Truck in Virden, Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, and Carberry. Enjoy quick bites such as taco in a bag, a fried bologna sandwich, or baked bannock, while the Deadly Uncle Burger remains a bestseller for a reason!
Promenade Brassierie, Winnipeg
Head to the heart of St. Boniface for a taste of Métis cuisine. Aiming to bring the flavours of their French-Métis heritage to life, Promenade Brasserie features meals that use only the freshest ingredients from around the province. Producing dishes that combine tradition with sustainability, you can expect owner and Red Seal Chef Jay Lekopoy’s menu to be full of locally sourced items, including pemmican tartare with Saskatoon berries, bison short rib ragu with roasted carrots, and pan-seared pickerel with wild rice risotto. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, don’t miss the weekend specials, which include the Eggs Benedict with arctic char served on bannock or the unbelievably delicious chicken and waffles.
Shelley’s Indigenous Bistro, Winnipeg
Owned and operated by Vince Bignell, a member of Mathias Colomb First Nation, Shelley’s Indigenous Bistro in Winnipeg's north end has quickly become a go-to spot for locals. Known for its friendly service and hearty portions, the restaurant serves pizza, burgers, wings, poutines, and “riceys”, which are fried rice dishes. Many of the dishes combine Indigenous flavours with a modern-day angle; take, for example, the Bannock Taco Pizza or the Deadly Aunty Burger (which is a burger with triple patties, triple bacon, and triple cheese on a bannock bun). There’s also a North Ender pizza made with bannock and Ukrainian kubasa, a true blend of the flavours of Winnipeg.
Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre, Thompson
Opened in the spring of 2023, the restaurant in Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre in Thompson is all about community. Serving homemade soups, sandwiches, burgers, shepherd’s pie, pierogis, and other comfort foods, the Ma-Mow-We-Tak Friendship Centre restaurant is a place where everyone is welcome to share a hot meal and a friendly conversation. Keep an eye out for the daily specials, especially the platters, as they often include bannock tacos, bannock burgers, chicken wings, and more. Indigenous owned and operated, the restaurant was born from a successful catering service in the city; today, the restaurant’s profits go toward creating more programs and services for the Indigenous community in Thompson.
Nonsuch Brewing Co., Winnipeg
Nonsuch Brewing Co. is an award-winning brewery that is also a Métis-Francophone majority-owned business led by CEO Matthew Sabourin. Known for its delicious beer and absolutely gorgeous taproom in the Exchange District, you’ll often find items on the Nonsuch menu that are inspired by traditional Métis meals and ingredients. It’s also home to one of Winnipeg’s best burgers according to voters, simply named “Le Burger”, which is a must-try for foodies in the city. Always looking to give back to the local community, Nonsuch is involved in fundraising for Main Street Project, working with Métis Employment and Training, and many other community outreach programs. The brewery also offers a variety of unique on-site experiences! Engage in a hands-on guided adventure crafting beer bannock, delving into the rich history of Louis Riel while savouring a selection of Nonsuch’s finest brews.
Fire and Water Bistro, Buffalo Point Resort
Buffalo Point Resort, found in Lake of the Woods, is a place where people go to golf, fish, and take advantage of the beautiful natural surroundings. The resort is also home to a welcoming restaurant called the Fire and Water Bistro, the perfect place to unwind after a day of activity. With numerous classic menu options, the view over the lake as you dine is absolutely stunning (especially if you snag a spot on the patio in summer). Cozy up next to the fireplace as you enjoy a burger, wings, salad, or a soup and sandwich combo. The resort is also a National Indigenous Award Winner for Inspiring Indigenous Culinary, so you know you’ll be tucking into a great meal while you’re there.
Manoomin Restaurant, Long Plain First Nation/Winnipeg
Located inside the Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport Hotel, Manoomin Restaurant is one of Manitoba’s newest Indigenous restaurants. Red Seal Chef Jennifer Ballantyne’s menu is inspired by her childhood on Opaskwayak Cree Nation, and you’ll find many of the restaurant’s meals are made with bannock, pickerel, bison, and local berries, grains, and seeds. Standouts include the bannock tacos, the bison chili, and the Manitoba corn-crusted pickerel served with wild rice quinoa pilaf and seasonal vegetables. Manoomin (an Ojibway word for wild rice) is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the hotel is also home to the Onishkaan Café (meaning “wake up” in Ojibway) where you can pop in for a coffee and some warm bannock and homemade jam.
The Indigenous Kitchen, Winnipeg
If you ever spot The Indigenous Kitchen food truck in Winnipeg or at a Manitoba event, make sure to try some of its fantastic food! Often found at popular events in and around the city (such as the Manito Ahbee Festival and the Manitoba Airshow), the food truck serves meals prepared with traditional Indigenous ingredients like bison, pickerel, and Saskatoon berries; signature dishes include the fried bison burger and the Guinness beer-battered pickerel. Owned and operated by Red Seal Chef Tara Hall, the truck is open seasonally from spring until autumn.
Further information can be found at www.travelmanitoba.com.