From quiet corners and shady sidewalk set-ups, to lively street-front hangouts and hidden rooftops, the Exchange is the best spot in the city to patio hop. Click the map for a downloadable and printable guide, and keep scrolling to learn all about the neighbourhood’s al fresco dining.
Pictured above: Little Brown Jug
Amsterdam Tea Room
103-211 Bannatyne Ave
This patio is prime real estate. Nestled between Bannatyne Ave and Albert St, it’s centered by a majestic tree wrapped with twinkling lights, making it the ideal spot for cups of boozy tea cocktails and Dutch dishes. It also launched a new lunch menu featuring inventive sandwiches, like the steak with Lapsang tea aioli and caramelized onion.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Bailey’s
185 Lombard Ave
The upscale dining room brings its regality outdoors, with sleek smoked glass fencing along Lombard Avenue’s sunny sidewalk. Don’t sleep on the cockails—the restaurant’s veteran mixologist can whip up whatever your heart desires!
Cake-ology
85 Arthur St
Chef Austin Ryan brings experience and flavours from all over the world to his sweet little pastry shop. Grab a kouign-amann, an addicting buttery and flaky croissant-like cake, to enjoy on the peaceful cobblestoned patio.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Carnaval Brazilian BBQ
100-270 Waterfront Dr
The only patio that sits directly on Waterfront Drive, its bright citrus-hued umbrellas keep you cool and set the scene for vibrant Brazilian flavours. Gourmet sundaes served in pineapple and coconut bowls are a must!
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Cibo Waterfront Cafe
333 Waterfront Dr
Nestled behind the vibrant Mere Hotel and beside Stephen Juba Park, Cibo has the only patio in the Exchange District with a river view—an apt setting for its Mediterranean inspired menu and refreshing cocktails.
Cordova Tapas and Wine
93 Albert St
This tapas bar’s charming little sidewalk patio overlooks Old Market Square putting you in the center of all the action. Its menu of small plates is paired with an expertly curated wine list and the most expansive lineup of Belgian Beers in Winnipeg.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Corrientes Argentine Pizzeria
137 Bannatyne Ave
Go for the authentic Argentinean cheese-stuffed pizza, stay for the malbec and ample shade provided by the towering trees. Daily empanada and sandwich specials also make it a great spot to enjoy a patio meal and make it back to the office before the lunch hour is up.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Darling Bar
171 McDermot Ave
Forth Bar’s sweet successor has re-opened the beloved rooftop patio—the only public rooftop patio in the Exchange District, in fact. Exposing gorgeous sunset views of the neighbourhood’s historic skyline, it’s worth the climb.
Daanook
58 Albert St
Enjoy a taste of Syria savoury, delicious, wraps and platters, prepared with Halal meat all on a quaint sidewalk patio, taking in the beautiful mural on the side of the building!
Hermanos
179 Bannatyne Ave
After a two year hiatus, the South American restaurant and wine bar is back, blessing the neighbourhood with its sunny Bannatyne Avenue patio! Dogs are welcome.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
James Avenue Pumphouse
2-109 James Avenue
Originally built in 1906 as a pumping station to combat the frequent downtown fires, this heritage site is now a different kind of watering hole! Sip local draft and summery cocktails on its quiet patio looking onto Waterfront Drive.
Johnny G’s
177 McDermot Ave
Dubbed Wee Johnny’s Irish Pub, this McDermot Ave location has a casual back alley patio overlooking Bannatyne Ave—a true hidden gem on the patio scene! $5 beers and daily drink specials make it the best spot for after work happy hour.
Kevin’s Bistro
141 Bannatyne Ave
For the first time since opening in 2018, this gourmet mac and cheese eatery has a beautiful newly constructed patio. Enjoy a decadent bowl of lobster mac with a white wine spritzer under Bannatyne Avenue’s big shady trees.
King + Bannatyne
100 King St
Its spacious King Street patio gives ample elbow room to dig into a stacked River City Brisket sandwich and enjoy a local beer under the sun!
King’s Head Pub
120 King St
A true Winnipeg institution, this beloved pub has long been the chosen spot to meet friends for local brews and comfort food (including traditional Scotch Eggs). It’s relaxed and welcoming vibe make it the place to go when you want to feel right at home.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Little Brown Jug
336 William Ave
With the help of a local design team, LBJ overhauled its outdoor space in the quiet industrial side of the neighbourhood. High terracotta-toned walls surround curvy wood slated booths and a sweeping blue sail gives respite from the sun. It’s a cozy oasis perfect for settling in and sipping the brewery’s Belgian beers. Watch the sunset from the upper level of the patio for a cool perspective of the West Exchange.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Patent 5
108 Alexander Ave
After much anticipation, the Exchange District’s only craft distillery opened its boardwalk patio on historic Alexander avenue in 2021, and has already upped its game, building it up to create an enclosed, secluded space. The mixologist team at Patent 5 is known for their beautifully eccentric cocktail menus focusing on local ingredients and neighbourhood collaborations.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Peasant Cookery
283 Bannatyne Ave
The wraparound patio is the best spot for people watching and overlooking the action at Old Market Square. Nothing beats slurping back oysters and washing them down with a chilled glass of sauvignon blanc under the sun on buck-a-shuck Wednesdays.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Nonsuch Brewery
125 Pacific Ave
On the east side of the Exchange, this Belgian brewery has two patio options—a couple casual picnic tables at the entrance and a newly landscaped patio on the Lily St. side that feels like hanging out in an upscale campground. The addition of a standing bar and café tables on the Lily patio gives more room for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. Be the first to try small batch brews on tap by Nonsuch and its sister brewery Vessel while sharing seasonally inspired bites.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Saddlery on Market
114 Market Ave
This sidewalk patio sits on a quiet corner on east side. The restaurant serves up casual comfort food, prepared with Manitoba’s roots in mind, nodding to the heritage building’s past as a saddle manufacturer.
🐾 This patio is dog friendly!
Sam’s Place
140 Bannatyne Ave
Nestled on the quiet corner of Bannatyne and Rorie, Sam’s Place Coffee offers a sunny haven to dive into a coffee and a pastry, supported by MCC Manitoba and their work placement program. Enjoy a coffee with a cause!
Winnipeg Free Press News Café
237 McDermot Ave
The dedicated meeting place for Winnipeg Free Press Journalists, town halls and book launches, this daytime café has sidewalk seating on the (fairly) quiet corner of Arthur and McDermot.
World Famous Palomino Club
436 Main St
Since its inception in 1988, the Palomino has been the go-to nightclub for country music lovers. In 2016, it moved to the Exchange District, inheriting its predecessor’s spacious patio perfect for dancing the night away.
VA Cafe
171 McDermot Ave
Vertical Adventures’ newest outpost brings an entirely new concept to the Exchange. Soon you’ll be able to take a hike indoors once climbing structures are finished being built in the historic space. Apres climb, enjoy a cappuccino and avocado toast on the wavy bench seating that makes up McDermot Avenue’s only street-front patio.
Pocket Patios
These spots provide a seat or two to enjoy the summer sun. All dog friendly! 🐾)
Parlour Coffee – 468 Main St
Colosimo Coffee Roasters – 145 Pacific Ave
Daanook – 58 Albert St
Smokes Poutinerie – 131 Albert St
Harrison’s Coffee Co – 270 Waterfront Dr