I was so intrigued when I heard about Ocean Bites. It is run by Oleh and Liudmyla, a young Ukrainian couple who moved to Winnipeg three years ago. They just opened their doors in January 2026 right in the heart of the Exchange District.
The space is cozy, the music features modern-day remixes of old hits (at a perfect volume where you can actually hear yourself think), and the vibe is unique. Hearing Ukrainian spoken by the staff and customers while watching them roll sushi in an open-concept kitchen is a really cool cultural blend you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
The Taste Test
Here is the breakdown of what we ordered during our visit:
Salmon Tartare
This dish was delicate and beautifully plated—my friend fell in love on her very first bite. It is served with rice chips that are denser than a traditional Chinese lobster cracker, but the texture pairs well with the salmon.
Miso Ramen Tempura Shrimp
This came with a surprisingly tasty broth. Looking around the room, this is clearly a popular item for diners, and it easily beats many ramen noodle bowls I’ve had at other Asian restaurants in town.
The staff were incredibly sweet and automatically split our bowl into two separate dishes for sharing without us even asking.
California Tuna & Sakura Rolls
These sushi rolls are packed to the brim, and highly photogenic. Each roll looks like a piece of art placed on a black plate, creating a great contrast of colours.
Fair warning: you need to commit and eat each piece in one single bite, or it will completely fall apart.
Sakura Rolls (R) | CAD$19.99
Speaking of sushi rolls, I was chatting with a friend from Ukraine who moved to Winnipeg around the same time as the owners.
She mentioned that back home, restaurants put a massive amount of cheese in their sushi rolls. Because she didn’t find that at Ocean Bites, she initially thought it wasn’t to her liking.
It just goes to show how much tastes and food trends vary around the world! I told her I am the exact opposite—I prefer my sushi rolls without cheese. I reminded her that while she will find some cream cheese rolls here in Canada, tons of cheese isn’t the norm.
It was a neat moment highlighting different cultural preferences. She laughed and agreed to give Ocean Bites another try since she loves sushi.
The Dessert MVP: Handmade Mochi in Winnipeg
The absolute MVP of the night. Liudmyla makes these fresh by hand. The skin is soft, and the flavours are intense. We lucked out because they had every single flavour available that night.
We tried a mix:
- Pear & blue cheese
- Raspberry & chocolate
- Mango & matcha
Boy, were they good. It was my friend’s first time ever trying mochi, and she loved it. I enjoyed them immensely and am already plotting to try the other flavours next time.
The Sashimi Situation
Oleh mentioned to us that their BC oysters are very fresh, prompting my friend to declare she wants to return in the near future just to try them.
However, if you are a traditional sushi lover, you are going to instinctively look for a sashimi section. You won’t find one here. Instead of a traditional assorted sashimi platter, Ocean Bites currently offers three specific sashimi items hidden in the Appetizer section:
- Salmon (5 pcs)
- Tuna (5 pcs)
- Salmon (4 pcs) and tuna (4 pcs) mix
Hopefully, they will add a dedicated platter to the menu one day.
Want to see exactly what the vibe and dishes look like in action? Check out my Youtube short below to join me on my visit!
Restaurant Information
📍 61 Albert St, Winnipeg, MB
🌐 https://oceanbites.ca/
🚗 Paid street parking is available on Albert St, or you can park in one of the convenient indoor parkades nearby if you want to skip the street hunt.
📞 I made a reservation ahead of time, but you don’t have to
Looking for More New Winnipeg Spots?
If you want to discover more new culinary spots that launched this year, check out my recent post: 5 New Winnipeg Restaurants You Need to Sink Your Teeth Into and Discover Winnipeg’s Latest Culinary Spots.
👉 My friend and I paid for our own meal. I don’t accept free meals or restaurant sponsorships.