I am a big fan of the Manitoban prairie city of Winnipeg, affectionately known as The Peg by the locals and Winterpeg by some. I’ve visited several times but never in the colder months, so when I was invited to visit Winnipeg during the winter to participate in outdoor activities whilst eating (and drinking) my way around this beautiful city, I was very keen to embrace all it had to offer. I have covered some of Winnipeg’s food scene before (see here), but it was the new craft breweries and food tours, as well as a very unique pop-up restaurant, that had my attention this time.
The Forks Market is a must-visit place for any avid foodie. One of Winnipeg’s most diverse culinary destinations, it’s open all year round and is the perfect place to escape to after a session of ice skating on the Red River Mutual Trail, or after a chilly game of ‘crokicurl’ (a sort of mix between curling and marbles), both of which are just outside the market. I’ve eaten there many times, and I love the eclectic selection of craft beers and global snacks that are on offer. The Common craft beer and wine kiosk is located in the newly renovated Food Hall, and offers over twenty craft beers and wines by the glass or in flights, supporting local breweries such as Peg Beer Co., Nonsuch Beer, Fort Garry and Half Pints Brewing Co.
Venturing out towards the West End of Winnipeg, you can take advantage of a neighbourhood restaurant tour called Around the World in a Few Blocks. These tours take you from restaurant to restaurant whilst admiring the local area and the city's famously multicultural community – the very reasonable price of $47 per person includes all the meals, non-alcoholic drinks, tips and tax. I took advantage of one of the ‘A Moveable Feast’ winter tours when I was there, traveling downtown from restaurant to restaurant on a fat bike! The foodie stops included the revolving restaurant Prairie 360, Carbone Coal Fired Pizza and global street food at the Merchant Kitchen. Fat bikes are a great way to get around Winnipeg when it's a bit slippy underfoot, and are the preferred method of transport for A Moveable Feast tours.