The 5 Best Japanese Restaurants in Winnipeg So Good You’ll Come Back Again and Again
Finding an amazing sushi roll or a cozy bowl of ramen can turn any regular evening into a great food adventure. Winnipeg’s food scene is packed with choices, so it can be tough to know where to start.
If you’re a food lover craving perfectly sliced sashimi or planning a fun night out with friends, the city has plenty of tasty options to try.
Lucky you, we’ve explored local favorites and put together this list of the best Japanese restaurants in Winnipeg. Meet the places for awesome flavor, real techniques, and unforgettable vibes, no matter your budget.
How much does Japanese food cost in Winnipeg?
A meal at a local Japanese spot in Winnipeg typically runs between $15 and $50+ per person, depending heavily on whether you choose a quick, casual lunch bowl or an upscale sit-down feast.
| Dining Style | Expected Spend (Per Person) |
| Fast-Casual & Quick Bites | $10 to $18 |
| Standard Casual & A La Carte | $20 to $35 |
| All-You-Can-Eat (AYCE) | $30 to $35 |
| Premium & Fine Dining | $40 to $60+ |
1. Peacock – Kitchen & Drinks
Website:https://www.peacockwinnipeg.com/
Address: 1822 Grant Ave.
Contact: 204-489-9254
Hours: Fri & Sat, 5 pm – 11 pm | Wed & Thu, Sun, 5 pm – 10 pm
If you’re craving a creative, seafood-focused dinner that goes way beyond basic sushi rolls, you need to check out Peacock – Kitchen & Drinks.
This spot serves up unique small plates and impressive main dishes, like bluefin tartare on mochi flatbread or softshell crab with a smooth, rich bisque.
They love using high-end ingredients, like shima-aji (striped jack) and charcoal-grilled sea bass, so their dishes are packed with bold, layered flavors.
It’s a perfect place for a group of friends who want to share modern, upscale plates in a gorgeous setting.
Just know that the main courses are on the pricier side, usually between $38 and $45, so it’s a bit of a splurge. Also, make sure to plan ahead because they’re closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Customer Reviews
A Winnipeg Japanese favorite
This is a popular Japanese restaurant in Winnipeg. The overall color and temperature of the restaurant is very comfortable. The food was excellent, especially the fried shrimp tempura. Bao bun is an American style, very different from Japanese style. Signature champion noodles and hakata ramen are different from their Japanese counterparts in Nagasaki and Hakata. Although I prefer the Japanese style, I have to say that yujiro has given their ramen another soul that is still outstanding! Just a reminder, make sure you make a reservation if you’re going to eat here.
- Z H | Google Review
Fresh, beautiful sushi worth the reservation
Oh my god! It’s incredibly delicious, beautifully presented, everything is fresh. This was our first visit, and how I regret that we ate disgusting sushi for eight years and never got around to coming here. The restaurant is clean and beautiful, and the restrooms are clean too. We’ll only come here for sushi from now on. Reserve a table in advance as tables there fill up quickly.
- Ashley | Google Review
2. Edokko Japanese Food
Website:https://edokkojapanesefood.com/
Address: 532 Waterloo St.
Contact: 204-306-3333
Hours: Tue to Sat, 11:30 am – 2 pm, 5 pm – 9 pm
Edokko Japanese Food’s menu is huge, with all kinds of traditional Japanese dishes. This includes inside-out rolls, bento boxes, and tasty donburi rice bowls.
We visited during lunch, and we were impressed by how fresh and expertly prepared the seafood was. That’s because the chefs treat seafood with a lot of care, offering a great variety of sashimi and nigiri, like perfectly sliced hamachi and premium saba.
If you want to go all out, you can even try their deluxe sashimi platters.
Just know it can get pricey, with the biggest ones reaching up to $78.50. Another thing to watch out for is their in-house ordering system, which sometimes goes offline, so you might want to check before you order.
Customer Reviews
Deluxe bento was the star
I was so sad when they closed their St. Mary’s location which was just across the street from where I work. But so happy when they re-opened at their current location. We usually order nigiri and rolls but we decided to try some other things on the menu. The baby octopus dish was delicious and the scallops were lovely. But the star of the show was the Deluxe Special Bento combo. I liked how you didn’t know exactly what you were going to get and everything was divine.
- Mariver Pineda | Google Review
Cozy spot with authentic sushi
I visited this sushi restaurant and was blown away. The sushi was incredibly fresh and delicious, but the standout dish for me was the tuna nigiri (chu toro) – it was simply amazing (not pictured because I ate it before taking a picture). The potato croquettes were crispy and delicious, with a great balance of flavors. The restaurant itself is small but has a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for delicious and authentic sushi.
- Mel | Google Review
3. Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Pub
Website:https://lakeviewhotels.com/restaurants/ichiban-japanese-steakhouse/
Address: 189 Carlton St.
Contact: 204-925-7400
Hours: Wed & Thu, Sun, 5 pm – 9 pm | Fri & Sat, 5 pm – 9:30 pm
Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse & Pub has been a local favorite downtown for over 50 years, bringing a lot of history and energy to the city’s food scene. This spot is perfect for birthdays or big group outings since the whole place has a lively atmosphere.
What really makes it stand out is the interactive teppanyaki dining, where chefs chop, flip, and cook your meal right in front of you on a big grill. It’s a fun, high-energy experience that feels like dinner and a show all at once.
If you prefer a calmer setting, you can eat at a regular table or hang out in the fusion pub area, where you’ll find options like teriyaki poutine.
Just remember, the teppanyaki grills have shared tables, so you’ll probably be sitting right next to other groups.
Customer Reviews
Teppanyaki show with quality ingredients
If you enjoy a bit of a show in the form of teppanyaki and high quality ingredients, you’re going to enjoy Ichiban’s environment. Whether it’s a special occasion, or a congratulatory evening the environment will keep you smiling and engaged as the chef’s cook your meal right infront of your eyes!
- Alex Wilkins | Google Review
Great spot for a different night out
If you are looking for a different experience when out with friends…try the Ichiban Japanese steakhouse. You have to make reservation though.The food is prepared right there and it was fun for us! We loved the experience and would be back!!!
- Floweezy S | Google Review
4. GaiJin Izakaya
Website:https://www.gaijinizakaya.ca/
Address: 2-1575 Regent Ave.
Contact: 204-615-6868
Hours: Mon & Tue, 4:30 pm – 9 pm | Wed & Thu, 12 nn – 9 pm | Fri & Sat, 12 nn – 9:30 pm | Sun, 12 nn – 8 pm
If you love the lively, late-night vibe of a Japanese tavern, GaiJin Izakaya is the spot to visit. This place takes the izakaya experience to the next level with a cool, lounge-like atmosphere.
They have a menu that goes way beyond basic sushi. You’ll find all sorts of inventive options, including creative onigirazu (sushi sandwiches), smoky charcoal skewers, and rich ramen bowls like their spicy tonkotsu.
They’ve also got a great selection of sake and Japanese beers, making it a perfect place for couples or friends to relax and share some drinks.
Unfortunately, groups of six or more will have an automatic fifteen percent tip added to the bill, so keep that in mind. Also, if you ask for custom changes to your meal, there’s usually a small extra charge on your final bill.
Customer Reviews
Large, flavorful ramen portions
What a great place to experience ramen. The portions are large and flavorful. I had the chicken karage and it was delicious. Get a combo and you can try an appetizer with your ramen. I suggest takoyaki. With a group of 4, we spent around 100 bucks. Good deal!
- Dungeontraveler | Google Review
Still delicious after all these years
Last ate here with my family pre-pandemic and we were back again last Friday for lunch. Food still tastes fantastic as before! Highly recommend the tonkotsu ramen but their other ramens like tantan and miso were good as well according my other family members who got the other types of ramen. Great selection of specialty rolls as well
- Ann F. | Google Review
5. Ocean Bites
Website:https://oceanbites.ca/
Address: 61 Albert St
Contact: 204-504-6111
Hours: Tue to Thu, 11 am – 9 pm | Fri, 11 am – 10 pm | Sat, 12 pm – 10 pm | Sun, 12 pm – 9 pm
Ocean Bites has a cozy, family-owned feel that makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in. The restaurant is run by Oleh and Liudmyla, a husband-and-wife team with over 14 years of kitchen experience.
They’re all about beautiful presentation and perfect timing, serving up hearty, comforting rolls along with treats like house-made crème brûlée.
It’s a great spot for downtown workers looking for a quick, satisfying lunch or anyone wanting a relaxed dinner before heading out for the night.
And if you’re in the mood for more variety afterward, you’ll find some awesome Indian restaurants and ice cream shops close by.
Just remember, they’re closed on Mondays, so you’ll need to wait until Tuesday to dine here. Their delivery service is also only available in downtown and the nearby neighborhoods.
Customer Reviews
Good value sushi in Downtown Winnipeg
Tried Ocean Bites in downtown Winnipeg this afternoon. Ordered the Special Sakura Sushi and miso ramen. The sushi was fresh and good value for the price. The miso ramen had a rich broth and was satisfying. The place was clean, and the service was good. location is super convenient right in downtown.
- HONGWEI FU | Google Review
You can taste the care in every dish
I’ve been to this place twice already and tried four different sushi sets as well as the salmon ramen and different mochi – everything was absolutely amazing 🤤 The fish is incredibly fresh and high quality, and the flavors are perfectly balanced. Over the past four years, I’ve tried sushi at more than 20 different popular places in Winnipeg, as well as in many major cities across Canada, and honestly, this is the best sushi I’ve had in Canada. You can truly taste the care, freshness, and quality in every dish. Highly recommend ❤️
- Daria Sorokina | Google Review