Best List, Weekend Warrior, What To Eat & Where To Eat It

Best Restaurants Worth the Drive

Sometimes it is important to get the hell out of dodge. Fortunately for Winnipeggers, there are plenty of places worth traveling to for a change of scenery and a great supper. Whether you are looking for a pit stop to quell that peckish feeling on the way back from a day at the beach or a delicious idea in itself, these choice spots beyond the perimeter are worth driving to for their good eats – and are within an hour and a half away.

Blue Haze Barbecue

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

Spicy Radish

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

Le Beau Café & Fudgerie

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

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

Casa Bianca

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

Beach Boy

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

Livery Barn Restaurant

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

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

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