Chicken wing joints in Winnipeg often fall into two camps: greasy spoons for late-night revelers, or sterile chains where flavor goes to die in a sea of generic sauces. These prairie descendants of bar-food clichés are rarely destinations we’d seek out—unless we’re desperate. But these 15 spots are glorious exceptions.
Charleswood Pizza Depot
$ | (204) 832-9711 | WEBSITE
Maybe it’s the strip mall setting, but we love getting pizza at Charleswood Pizza Depot’s take-out counter. They’re made to order, and you can choose from a wide variety of toppings, including fresh ingredients and generous cheese. We’ve tried them all, and the butter chicken is our favorite. If you want to mix things up, you can also add a bunch of other popular items to your order, like tandoori chicken and veggie pizza.
Pizza Hut
$$ | (204) 953-4129 | WEBSITE
Pizza Hut in Northgate shopping center is a takeout-only spot known for its convenient location with plenty of free parking, but there are no dine-in options on the menu. There are, however, really good pizzas, served with either the new melt with veggie lovers or homestyle crust. Also, daily specials under $17. The friendly staff is our favorite thing to experience here, with manager Poonam making every visit special through her excellent and caring service.
The hot and delicious takeout orders are both just serviceable, though some customers have noted issues with toppings and sauce. We just wouldn’t choose them over other pizza options in the market.
Boston Pizza
$$ | (204) 925-4114 | WEBSITE
Boston Pizza is a welcoming restaurant known for its good food and excellent service, and its adventurous carbonara pizza is a great choice for a family dinner or casual outing. If you’re looking for something a bit more unique, we recommend the salami, pesto, and goat cheese pizza, which is exactly what it sounds like—a bold combination of savory salami, fresh pesto, and creamy goat cheese. They also have plenty of vegetarian options and a kids’ menu with a toy at the end of the meal.
Slice’s®Pizza
$ | (204) 475-3443 | WEBSITE
You might find yourself in Winnipeg craving pizza and thinking, a slice would make this day so much better. Fortunately, Slice’s®Pizza has a spot here, and just as their reputation suggests, the focus is on affordable, delicious pies served by incredibly polite professionals. You can’t take your pizza across the city to the park, but you can enjoy the quick, easy experience while surrounded by the great group of individuals running the place.
St. Louis Bar & Grill
Plot twist: this burger joint St. Louis Bar & Grill is just as good as any fancy sit-down restaurant. The menu here is straightforward with juicy Angus burgers and crispy fries. We love the All You Can Eat Angus Burgers with cheese and bacon, as flavorful as they come, but any of their regular burgers make a perfect alternative to the usual fast-food fare. Come here when you need a quick, satisfying meal after a long day.
Or grab dinner on your way home from the Outlet Mall and make everyone in your household love you even more than they already do.
Block & Blade Restaurant and Bar
$$ | (204) 256-7625 | WEBSITE
This lively Winnipeg spot has been featured on best-of lists for years, and their current location continues to serve up the same menu: generous portions of main dishes, sandwiches, salads, and bowls that keep customers coming back. During a busy evening, you’ll see groups gathered around tables sharing plates of chicken wings and berries and brie appetizers. If we lived closer, we’d probably find ourselves among them regularly.
You can’t really go wrong with anything here, but you also shouldn’t make a special trip across town for it. There are more exciting dining destinations in the city.
Hooters Restaurant
$$ | (204) 774-9464 | WEBSITE
This is a solid spot to grab wings or tenders when you want to watch the game with friends—and they have generous portions that fill you up nicely. The food is, well, good, but the baked salt n pepper wings are the main reason to come to Hooters. Thanks to some kind of magic, they come out perfectly seasoned every time. Try not to get your heart set on the Texas Twister Melt combo, because it tends to sell out during big events, even on weeknights.
KFC
$ | (204) 987-8309 | WEBSITE
KFC makes great chicken wings with a super crispy coating, and it’s a very good thing they have this location here, because it means you can get a family bucket and enjoy it in their clean dining area. There is no wrong answer when it comes to the signature flavors, but try the hot and crispy chicken at least once. It pairs perfectly with our other favorite: the new fries.
Smitty’s Restaurant & Lounge – Winnipeg Meadowood
$$ | (204) 256-1242 | WEBSITE
Smitty’s is a popular spot for breakfast in Winnipeg. When you visit their Meadowood location, stick to traditional favorites: Basically, if it’s breakfast and it’s classic, you’re going to like it. The minestrone soup is extremely comforting and impossibly hearty, and the Caesar salad is a good alternative. Smitty’s also makes great wings, their quesadillas are like diner food in the best possible way, and the coffee is something anyone needing a morning boost should try at least once.
Pizza Pizza
$ | (204) 957-1111 | WEBSITE
Pizza Pizza makes some of the city’s best chain pizza at their location on Henderson Highway. At this spot, you can get versions of classic pies with keto crust or thin and crispy options that customers love. Pizza Pizza also ensures everyone can enjoy pizza with fresh toppings, heavenly cheese, and that addictive crunch. Come here when you’re not in the mood to eat a bunch of sandwiches.
1928 Eatery & Pub
$$ | (204) 888-2341 | WEBSITE
A good pub is an essential component of any successful dining scene, and we’re glad that 1928 Eatery & Pub anchors this one. If you’re looking for straightforward pub fare or a well-crafted burger, they have those, but the entertainment is the main draw.
The atmosphere stays lively, but you can expect to find highly engaging piano players, like dueling performers keeping the place jumping, or the unlikely but enjoyable step back in time with talented musicians creating a fun, energetic environment. The service, especially from servers like Kaitlin B, is consistently fantastic, contributing to a great experience that feels memorable despite slightly high prices.
The place is very clean, the staff is very friendly, and many visitors look forward to returning.
Pembina’s Pizza Joint
$ | (204) 421-4210 | WEBSITE
If you want your visit to this pizza joint to be filled with flavor and satisfaction, visit Pembina’s Pizza Joint. A diverse menu features well-seasoned pizzas, momos, fries, and vegetarian options that appeal to different tastes—it’s a good bet you’ll try food made by a kitchen that consistently delivers quality. The pizzas, including options like pepperoni, come with that perfect blend of sauce, browned cheese, and light crust that fills you up quickly.
Friendly staff like Karan ensure helpful service in the clean, inviting environment, while unique drinks like lime complement the meal nicely. Overall, it’s a solid choice for delicious, satisfying, and affordable food in a dependable setting.
Little Bones Wings
$$ | (204) 777-2663 | WEBSITE
When you’re in the mood to eat a bunch of wings, Little Bones Wings makes great ones, served with a vast selection of unique flavors that can be overwhelming to choose from. We’ve yet to try one we don’t love, but our favorites are the creamy garlic, because we’re always looking for a great classic flavor, and the Spicy Caribbean sauce, because any wing with that perfect kick is going to be good.
Grab a generous portion of 14 wings for around $27, or sit at the bar and get a local beer on tap and catch a game on one of the TVs—or on your lunch break. We’re not here to judge.
Red Swan Pizza
$ | (204) 306-6666 | WEBSITE
Every time we visit Red Swan Pizza, we end up ordering their signature pizza with cilantro and ginger toppings. It’s made fresh, so the crust is always perfectly crispy, and the flavors are just amazing. The pizza is large enough to share, but unless you’re getting multiple appetizers, you might want to keep it all to yourself. It’s served with their tempting desserts, and we recommend taking advantage of their amazing deals on the side.
Chester Fried Chicken (Canco)
$ | (204) 691-1700 | WEBSITE
Chester Fried Chicken’s value-focused offerings are a little hit or miss, but the battered chicken is an unquestionable hit. In fact, it’s one of the best deals in the entire city. Perfectly cooked, crispy pieces are battered to perfection and served with potato wedges that complement the meal nicely. The flavors are satisfying, in a good way. Just don’t let yourself be sidetracked by things like the car wash or gas prices, which are decent but not the main attraction.
