Good Eats & Great Places to Stay

• Winnipeg has the widest range of food-forward stays, from The Forks-adjacent Inn at the Forks to the riverfront Mere Hotel beside Cibo.
• Stay in Riding Mountain National Park and you’re never far from good eats. The Lakehouse is boutique hotel, cafe and restaurant. Just outside the park you’ll find Elkhorn Resort, Spa and Conference Centre, home to the nordic spa, Klar So, plus Buffalo Bar, Housekeeping (a new speakeasy culinary experience) and Klar So Bistro.
• In Whiteshell Provincial Park, Hotel at Falcon Lake put you in the same place as 1964 restaurant, Black Bear Tavern and Sinatra’s Lounge without leaving the hotel. You’re also a short drive from Nite Hawk Cafe at West Hawk Lake and Owl Wing Coffee at Falcon Lake.
• Churchill's Tundra Inn puts you close to local favourite Tundra Pub, best timed with a visit to see polar bears (October–November), northern lights (February–March) or beluga whales (July–August).

Winnipeg

Inn at the Forks

Location, location, location! The Inn at the Forks sits close to a number of attractions, including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, the neighbourhoods of St. Boniface and downtown and The Forks itself. You'll also never go hungry here, with options like The Forks Market nearby and the on-site restaurant, SMITH.

Norwood Hotel

With a central location close to both downtown and St. Boniface, Norwood Hotel has two restaurants worth a stay for. For a Parisian café vibe, book ahead at Pauline Bistro for some of the best breakfast and brunch fare around—the interior alone is worth the visit. For lunch or dinner, The Wood Tavern is a warm, welcoming space with comfort food and cocktails.

Mere Hotel

Mere Hotel is modern, trendy and pet-friendly, with critters of all types welcome to stay. Close to both The Forks and the Exchange District, it sits directly beside Cibo Waterfront Cafe, set in a historic waterfront building. Must-try dishes include the pastas and the mix-and-match bruschetta.

Churchill

Tundra Inn

Heading to Churchill for polar bears (July–November), northern lights (February–March) or beluga whales (July–August)? Tundra Inn is a favourite with both package-goers and DIY travellers. This local hangout is known for its Borealis Burger, home-cooked meals and open mic nights.

For a second dining option in town, Ptarmigan has quickly become a local favourite— open year-round with a modern menu of eggs Benedict, Arctic char, bison burgers and elk medallions.

Riding Mountain National Park

Lakehouse Boutique Hotel

Open and operating in all seasons, Lakehouse is a quintessential piece of the Clear Lake Country landscape—a boutique hotel, café and restaurant all in one. Stay here and dine on site, where the menu and cocktails change seasonally. Next door, 1929 Dining and Lounge adds a second option: upscale casual dining inside a designated provincial heritage site, with a historic dining room, a late-night lounge, and patios overlooking the lake.

Elkhorn Resort, Spa and Conference Centre

Just outside the park, Elkhorn Resort pairs outdoor adventure with genuine culinary variety. Klar So Nordic Spa anchors the property's newer wellness offering, with Klar So Bistro serving spa guests upstairs by the fire. Think smørrebrød, a Viking Bowl with Danish blue cheese dressing, and an equally long mocktail list alongside the cocktails. For a more casual, all-ages option, Buffalo Bar is open to everyone.

The standout, though, is Housekeeping. It’s a speakeasy-style cocktail bar with a genuinely surprising entrance: a door marked "Housekeeping," which at first glance is a closet full of cleaning supplies. Pulled back the curtain to reveal a completely different space. Rich green finishes, warm lighting and a fireplace give it an intimate but social feel. The food menu includes Korean chicken wings, seafood skewers and wagyu beef dumplings, and the drink menu covers both classic cocktails and a zero-proof list. Inquire about Housekeeping before you book with Elkhorn Resort to make sure it’s open during your stay.

Whiteshell Provincial Park

Hotel at Falcon Lake

Fully refreshed in 2023, the Hotel at Falcon Lake is a boutique stay located across the street from the main beach and puts three dining and drinking options under one roof: 1964, an upscale restaurant on the second floor with Italian dishes, North American classics and lake views; Black Bear Tavern; and Sinatra's lounge.

A short drive away, Nite Hawk Cafe at West Hawk Lake has been serving homemade food since 1970, known for burgers, wings, poutine and weekly steak nights, with a popular patio in summer. For coffee, Owl Wing Coffee House & Nordic Centre at Falcon Trails Resort serves specialty coffee, baking and snacks in a lodge setting with a stone fireplace and lake views—open daily year-round with the option to rent fat bikes, cross-country skis and snowshoes for all kinds of winter adventures.

Brandon

Clarion Hotel & Suites

Explore Brandon with a stay at Clarion Hotel & Suites—an indoor pool with a waterslide, proximity to local attractions and the on-site ECHO Restaurant & Wine Bar, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For another option nearby, Brown's Socialhouse Brandon is about a four-minute drive away, serving a casual, all-day menu of shareable plates, burgers and bowls in a lively bar-and-grill setting.

Opaskwayak Cree Nation

Kikiwak Inn

If you're spending more time in northern Manitoba, Kikiwak Inn is worth a look. The hotel features Indigenous elements of design throughout and home-style cuisine at the on-site 315 Family Dining restaurant.

Plan Your Culinary Adventure

This list spans the province, so timing and distance are worth factoring into your plans:

• Winnipeg's stays put you closest to the widest range of dining, with everything from Inn at the Forks to Wyndham Garden Winnipeg Airport within the city or a short drive from the airport.
• Riding Mountain National Park and Whiteshell Provincial Park are both easy weekend trips from Winnipeg.
• Churchill requires more planning ahead, whether that's timing your visit around polar bear, beluga or northern lights season.

Wherever you stay in Manitoba, good food is always easy to find.

Original blog by Breanne Sewards