Osborne Village: A hip one-stop destination for your every desire

Osborne Village has long been known for its food, shopping and hip neighbourhood. Change is inevitable — and while many businesses and restaurants have come and gone through the years, the strip is being revitalized with a host of great new boutiques and eateries. Check out the spots featured on this (incomplete) list or view a complete directory on the Osborne Village Biz website at osbornevillage.com

 

Shopping: clothing, housewares and trinkets

Where else in Winnipeg can you shop Japanese specialty items, plants, clothing, posters, housewares and more? An afternoon spent in Osborne Village may leave your wallet feeling a bit light, but it’s also one of the best areas in the city to find unique fashions and nicknacks.

Wild Planet is an Osborne Village institution, selling band tees and posters. If you went through an alternative phase in your youth (or maybe it wasn’t just a phase), you likely know it well.

• Another pair of long-standing businesses are Gags Unlimited (great for any costume parties or Halloween shopping) and Urban Waves (jewelry, records, accessories and more).

Verde Plant Design will satisfy all enthusiastic plant parents with a beautiful selection of plants, pottery and nicknacks, along with workshops.

• Serving Winnipeg for over 40 years, The Happy Cooker remains the go-to place for pro kitchenware.

• Located just around the corner from the main strip, Shakti sells beads, copper wares, incense, teas and more.

• Shop Take Care has its second location on Osborne, with a selection of gently used (and totally unique) clothing.

• Looking for more ways to shop for specialty teas and coffee? Stop into The Canister and be amazed at the selection.

• New on the block is Terra Brasilis, Winnipeg’s first Brazilian market.

• Unique Bunny sells skincare, makeup, stationary and other items imported from Japan and Korea. You can spend quite a bit of time in here looking at products you won’t find anywhere else — like unusual flavours of KitKats and all the Pokemon-themed items you could dream of.

Rooster and Silver Lotus are sister stores with high-quality jewelry, clothing and leather shoes. Also in the family is Small Mercies, a fairly new addition to the street with a gorgeous interior that you have to see to believe. The space holds a coffee shop and a fantastic selection of beautiful jewelry, floral arrangements and housewares.

Out of the Blue is an Osborne Village staple, with gorgeous women’s fashions, jewelry and housewares.

• Located above Little Sister Coffee Maker, Style Bar pulls together a great collection of all the trendiest women’s fashions.

 

Dining: Vietnamese, sushi, pizza and chocolate

A day spent in Osborne Village also means a day spent eating great food — with options for every price point or craving.

• Arriving in the morning? Get your coffee fix at Little Sister Coffee Maker or Small Mercies. For the health conscious, Green Carrot (currently offering only pick-up or delivery) is where you’ll find nutritious juices made with quality ingredients.

• There are two great options in the village for Thai food: Bangkok Thai (currently only offering delivery or pick-up) and Sukhothai (ask any Thai food lover and they’ll tell you their favourite).

• For daytime dates, imagine yourself sipping lavender tea and eating waffles at Tea Story Cafe. For dinner dates, head to Sous Sol for a swanky atmosphere and gourmet dishes.

• Cheap eats can be found at A Little Pizza Heaven (garlic crust is the best crust), Spicy Noodle House and Kawaii Crepe (with both savoury and sweet options).

• The newly opened Pho Hoang has one of the nicest interiors on the block, and great food to go with the beautiful atmosphere. The spring roll vermicelli is a must-try!

• Having a hard time picking a restaurant for your family? Cornerstone has everything from burgers and salads to pork belly and butter chicken on the menu.

• For amazing Ethiopian cuisine, look no further than Massawa. Sushi craving? Naru Sushi or Wakoya Sushi — you can’t go wrong.

Carlo’s & Murphy’s is a classic spot for margaritas and Mexican food year-round.

• Satiate your sweet tooth at the legendary Baked Expectations (which has some delicious sandwiches and fries, too).

• Pick up cupcakes and macarons from small-batch bakery, Pinky’s Bakeshop.

• Have all your chocolate dreams come true at the quaint Chocoberry Dessert House, where you can indulge in chocolate fondues, waffles and the most decadent hot chocolate.

• Known for its lively nightlife scene, Osborne Village is often bustling on a Friday or Saturday night. Not a club or bar person? The Toad in the Hole is an Osborne institution. Grab a pint here and unwind in a classic pub atmosphere.

 

Please remember to stay safe by keeping six feet of physical distance from others, gathering in group sizes in accordance with public health guidelines, avoiding crowds and staying home if you’re sick.

— For more Manitoba travel ideas please visit www.travelmanitoba.com