MORRIS: Winnipeg’s Top 5 Best date night restaurants – voted by you!

Article content

Last week, Winnipeg Sun readers cast their votes for the best date night restaurants in the city, with 15 nominees vying for the top five spots.

Article content

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

Leading the pack with the most votes was 529 Wellington, a long-time favourite for an elegant night out. Harth Mozza & Wine Bar came in second, followed by Cafe Carlo, Langside Grocery and Sous Sol rounding out the top five.

Here are Winnipeg’s top five date night restaurants — chosen by you!

1. 529 Wellington Steakhouse

529 Wellington has set the standard for fine dining in Winnipeg. Located in a historic mansion on Wellington Crescent, the steakhouse offers premium cuts of steak, fresh seafood, and an array of appetizers and sides, but above all, it’s known for its impeccable service. It’s the only restaurant in Manitoba where you’ll find Canadian Prime beef — less than half of the top 1% of beef in Canada is awarded this prestigious distinction.

Article content

For those looking to elevate their dining experience, 529’s ‘Tour de Beef’ offers expertly guided selections of cuts, doneness, and sides. Their classic Caesar salad, prepared tableside, is widely reviewed as the best in the city — especially when enjoyed on their stunning riverside patio in the summer.

When 529 Wellington opened its doors in 2001, owner Doug Stephen’s goal was to offer the best wine list in Canada. Their wine program is renowned, boasting over 700 selections and a cellar of more than 17,000 bottles!

529 Wellington has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for its exceptional wine selection — the only restaurant in Manitoba, and one of few in Canada, to hold this distinction since 2003. The steakhouse has also been recognized with the Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award for exceptional dining and the Winnipeg Nightlife Award for Best Steakhouse.

Article content

Article content

Doug Stephen, owner of 529 Wellington and Wow Hospitality Concepts, shared in an interview with me on Thursday: “Since day one, our mission at 529 Wellington has been to provide an exceptional dining experience, from the finest cuts of steak to offering Winnipeggers access to a thoughtfully curated global wine selection. Being recognized as Winnipeg’s top date night restaurant means so much to us, as it comes from the people we love serving. This honour belongs to our entire team, whose passion and dedication make every meal at 529 truly special.”

When it comes to an upscale dining experience perfect for date night, Winnipeggers have spoken — 529 Wellington reigns supreme.

529wellington.ca

2. Harth Mozza & Wine Bar

Article content

For those seeking an authentic Italian dining experience, Harth Mozza & Wine Bar is a go-to choice in St. Vital for a romantic night out. With its warm, intimate atmosphere and handmade Italian dishes, this cozy spot has quickly become a local favourite.

Their menu goes beyond pasta and wine, featuring house-made cheeses, wood-fired proteins, pizzas, and seasonal vegetables, all crafted with a focus on simple, time-honoured Italian techniques. Guests can enjoy expertly prepared dishes that celebrate bold flavours and high-quality ingredients.

Of course, no visit to Harth is complete without exploring their impressive wine selection. With a focus on Italian and Old World wines, their carefully curated list offers the perfect pairing for every dish. Winnipeggers rave about the duck confit tagliatelle, and the ever-evolving menu keeps each visit fresh and exciting — making Harth a must-visit for food lovers looking for an unforgettable night out.

Article content

harthwpg.com

3. Cafe Carlo

Located on Lilac in the heart of Corydon, Cafe Carlo is a beloved spot known for its charm, comfort, and incredible food.

At Cafe Carlo, the philosophy is simple — great restaurants should be “about the food.” They focus on real cooking, preparing everything from scratch in-house with quality ingredients to create dishes that are both comforting and crave-worthy.

Their legendary Fett Chile — a fettuccine dish with chicken, chorizo, cashews, and roasted red peppers in a chile cream sauce — proves that some traditions never go out of style.

And it’s not just Winnipeggers who love it. Cafe Carlo was the only restaurant in Manitoba featured on OpenTable’s Top 100 List in 2021. With over three decades of excellence, it remains a staple in Winnipeg’s food scene and a top pick for a romantic night out.

Article content

cafecarlo.com

4. Langside Grocery Cocktail Bar

Looking for a spot with a little mystery? Langside Grocery’s intimate setting, craft cocktails, and storied past make it an ideal setting for a romantic evening in West Broadway.

Located in a historic three-storey brick building constructed in 1912, this former neighbourhood grocery store sat vacant for years before being restored by the Armstrong family and re-opening in 2017. Their dedication to restoring the building earned them the Special President’s Award from Heritage Winnipeg, recognizing their work in revitalizing a piece of the city’s history.

Now, Langside Grocery is a hidden gem with speakeasy vibes, known for its low-lit, cozy atmosphere and handcrafted drinks. Its elevated small plates menu makes it the perfect spot for a relaxed yet memorable date night. In 2020, it was named one of Canada’s Top 50 Best Bars — an acknowledgment of its passion for creative cocktails and exceptional service.

Article content

The Armstrong family shared, “Many thanks to our fantastic staff (past, present & future) for their pursuit and dedication to their craft, we are proud of the accomplishments we have all achieved!”

langsidegrocery.com

5. Sous Sol Restaurant & Cocktail Bar

Rounding out the Top 5, Winnipeggers said oui oui to Sous Sol, a tucked-away restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Osborne Village. Known for its speakeasy atmosphere, French-inspired dishes, and signature cocktails, it offers a unique, intimate experience — what’s more romantic than that? With no exterior signage and a discreet entrance leading downstairs, it feels like a hidden getaway, making it the perfect setting for a date night.

The menu spotlights dishes like Croquettes, Boar Chop Dijonnaise, and their creamy Potatoes Dauphinoise, while the cocktail list is equally impressive, featuring handcrafted beverages and an extensive selection of zero-proof options. For something extra fun, share a flaming Volcano Bowl — a cocktail that’s literally on fire!

With its moody ambience, expertly mixed drinks, and amazing food, it’s no wonder Winnipeggers have made Sous Sol a top contender for the best date night spot in the city.

www.soussolosborne.com

What’s Your Go-To Date Night Spot?

That’s the list — Winnipeg’s best date night restaurants, chosen by you! A big thank you to Winnipeggers for making these spots the top choices — your votes truly reflect the best of our city! Did your favourite make the cut? Do you have a hidden gem that deserves a mention? Let us know in the comments!

Article content