“Where to eat in Winnipeg—anything new?” you ask. I checked out four new spots that opened in Q1 2026.
My YouTube video at the end shares what we ordered, prices, and full reviews.
1. Sakura BBQ & Hotpot
All-you-can-eat BBQ and hotpot together—finally 😊
They opened on Jan. 23, 2026, taking over the former Snow and Moon Dessert Café space (and before that, XS Cargo). We went within the first week and got 10% off for their opening promo.
The décor is inviting with a Japanese theme. There were seven of us, so we sat at two tables side by side.
You order hotpot soup bases and some ingredients by scanning a QR code at the table, though the selection is a bit limited.
There’s also a small cooked food section with rice, gyoza, chicken wings, fries, edamame, Korean rice cakes, fried rice, and vermicelli. The wings, fries, and gyoza were standouts.
Since they just opened, they’re still working out some kinks—which is fair. The self-serve area is split into hotpot and BBQ sections, and it can feel a bit tight when it’s busy. Some items ran out quickly, but staff were friendly and working hard to keep up.
BBQ-wise, the top shelf has seafood (mussels, squid, shrimp), while the lower shelves are meats (beef, pork, lamb, chicken). A lot of the marinated beef was lean and cut thick, making it a bit tough. Go for fattier, thinly sliced cuts for better flavour and tenderness.
💰 AYCE Dinner
Adult: $45.99 | Senior: $34.99 | Child (7–12): $25.99 | Child (4–6): $12.99
They also serve lunch.
Pro tip: don’t wear anything fancy—you’ll leave smelling like BBQ 😆
2. Peacock Kitchen & Drinks
https://www.peacockwinnipeg.com/
This spot had buzz since late 2025 when the owners of Yujiro announced the change. It opened in early Feb 2026, and reservations have been tough—small space, around 10–12 tables.
We went at the end of March. Service was friendly and knowledgeable.
It’s tapas-style, with Asian fusion dishes that feel creative and well thought out. A great addition if you like sharing plates and trying different things.
That said, if you’re very budget-conscious or just want a straightforward meal, this might not be your spot.
Not gonna lie… I still kind of miss Yujiro.
CAD$45
CAD$45
3. Fusion Sushi & Thai
https://www.instagram.com/fusion_sushithai_winnipeg/
Took over the old Hotly Pot on McPhillips—same owner, same décor.
Service was super attentive—the highlight of the night.
Like before, you order everything on an iPad. The All-you-can-eat menu is huge… I wanted to try everything 😂.
We ordered a mix of Japanese and Thai:
Miso & Tom Yum soup — self-serve (same station as drinks + ice cream)
Shrimp dishes were all on point:
• Coconut shrimp + tempura — light, crispy, tender
• Shrimp with broccoli — flavourful, not overcooked
Other hits:
• Chicken skewers, baked mussels, chicken katsu, wings — all solid
• Spicy salmon + spicy tuna rolls — enjoyable
Just okay:
• Wonton soup — good filling, bland broth
• Surf clam + tuna sashimi — fine
• Salmon sashimi — slightly frozen
Would not order again:
• Beef short ribs — lacked flavour, not tender
• Basil beef — overcooked, didn’t like the taste
• Seafood ramen — weak broth, salty egg, noodles off
• Green curry chicken — tasty but overcooked
• Rainbow roll — could be fresher
Overall, I’d go back for more sushi and sashimi—we barely scratched the surface.
💰 AYCE Dinner: CAD$39.99 (includes drinks + ice cream)
4. State & Main (Empress)
https://www.stateandmain.ca/en/locations/mb/winnipeg/655-empress-street
I haven’t been to their Regent location, but this one took over the old Preservation Hall space.
It’s spacious, with a big lounge area and lots of TVs—great for catching games. Open until midnight on weekdays and 1 am on weekends.
The menu is similar to Joey’s or Moxie’s – casual, crowd-pleasing dishes.
The food was decent and the overall vibe is relaxed and social.
The Posh Foodie 