A short drive to Beausejour is an easy road trip for real-deal, southern-style barbecue. Blue Haze Barbecue serves its meats smoked to perfection in a café-style space. Carolina pulled pork, Texas brisket and smoked turkey breast are typical lunch specials. The standout sandwich is the B-Town Club slathered with house-made mango jam. Sweet iced tea rivals iced cold beer as the go-to beverage here. Leave room for mile high banana cream pie.
Address: 318 Fourth St N, Beausejour
They come from far and near to Whitemouth for hot spinach dip, house-made fettuccine alfredo and the signature Spicy Radish burger with spicy mayo, pickles and New Bothwell jalapeño jack cheddar. Dinner specials like prime rib nights and pistachio-crusted haddock don’t disappoint. Hearty, seasonal soups and house-made pie are legitimate lures.
Address: 141 Railway Ave, Whitemouth
Slabs of freshly made fudge and jaw-dropping cakes welcome patrons to Le Beau Café & Fudgerie in Beausejour, tempting diners before lunch is even ordered. But it would be a real shame to miss the loaded baked potato soup or fresh pineapple, ham and mozza panini. Opt for a take-out box for baker Pam’s lemon pavlova.
Address: 30 Third St S, Beausejour
Julia’s Place is home away from home in Manitoba’s cottage country. Joanna, the Matlock restaurant’s matriarch, is as baba-esque as they come – all she wants is to make sure you are fed and full! Dinner usually involves a hearty Hungarian goulash, a bowl of Joanna’s colourful beet borscht or a plate of ever-popular potato-cheddar perogies.
Address: 30 Gimli Rd, Matlock
Located in a restored Winnipeg Beach home, chef-owned Casa Bianca delivers Italian fine dining amid quaint cottage surroundings. For dinner try succulent seafood pasta or a traditional favourite like rich veal scallopini or classic chicken parmesan. Vinio varieties hail from all over the world. Book ahead to make a reservation at this sought-after spot.
Address: 22 Murray Ave, Winnipeg Beach
In the centre of Gimli’s main hub, find local favourite Beach Boy serving lake fish, casual Greek specialties and ice cream. Line-ups out the door of people angling for a table is the norm at this charming spot. Order a pickerel burger made with freshly caught fish at the counter and enjoy the bustle of the beach crowd while you wait.
Address: 70 1 Ave, Gimli
The cafeteria-style restaurant at Steinbach’s Mennonite Heritage Village serves ample portions of hearty Mennonite fare like vereniki, borscht and foarma worscht (pork sausage) at reasonable prices. The ambiance of the early-1900s Russian Mennonite village is best enjoyed while snacking on freshly made rhubarb plautz or a still-warm cinnamon bun.
Address: 231 MB-12, Steinbach
Whytewold Emporium, Winnipeg Beach’s garden pergola restaurant, is renowned for world-class crepes filled with fresh fruit or local meats. A popular destination for thin-crust pizza, this eatery is a relaxing Interlake spot, offering live entertainment, garden centre and antique shop along with good eats.
Address: 190 Gimli Rd, Matlock
Del Rios’ husband and wife duo – Mexican-born Mennonites – brought the best flavours from both worlds to Winkler more than a decade ago. A pit stop at this small-town grub-hub rewards with juicy beefsteak stuffed tortillas, locally farmed beans and eggy kielke noodles made on site topped with cream gravy and fried onions. Try a slice of lush chocolate, lemon or coconut cream pie for dessert.
Address: 644 Main St, Winkler
