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The Merchant Kitchen

The Merchant Kitchen, 314 Donald St., Winnipeg

4.7
RESTAURANT RATING: 
WONDERFUL
4.7 out of 5 (110 Ratings)
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1.0 miles Canada Life Centre
About The Merchant Kitchen
The Spotlight on The Merchant Kitchen

Bold Global Flavors in the Heart of Downtown Winnipeg

Modern, stylish, and full of energy, The Merchant Kitchen is a globally inspired restaurant located right in downtown Winnipeg. Just a short walk from major concert venues and the Canada Life Centre, this hotspot blends street food-inspired dishes with upscale flair. With a dynamic open-concept space and hip urban vibe, it's a favorite for both locals and visitors looking for vibrant flavors in a laid-back atmosphere.

Why Concert-goers love it

Location is everything—The Merchant Kitchen is ideally situated for grabbing a bite before a show. The kitchen is known for its efficient service, making it easy to enjoy a full meal without stressing about time. The atmosphere is buzzy but not too loud, so it’s easy to keep the pre-show hype going without shouting over your plate. There’s also a great cocktail list to kick off your night.

Who this Restaurant is great for

  • Groups of friends looking to share plates and try new flavors
  • Solo travelers wanting a stylish but welcoming spot before the show
  • Couples making a romantic evening out of dinner and a concert
  • Fans who want a lively, urban setting to get in the mood
  • Budget-conscious music lovers—there’s a range of price points with sharable dishes

What People Say

Reviews on TripAdvisor and OpenTable consistently praise the creative global menu, with standouts like Korean fried chicken, tacos, and inventive noodle bowls. Guests love the vibrant energy of the space and often highlight the fast, friendly service, which is perfect for concert nights. Many say it’s their go-to spot before heading to a show or game.

Areas for Improvement

Some guests note that the noise level can rise during peak hours, so it may not be ideal if you're looking for a quiet conversation. And while most dishes hit the mark, a few reviewers mention that certain plates can feel a bit pricey for the portion size—though the bold flavors generally make up for it.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for globally inspired food, a cool downtown vibe, and quick service just minutes from your concert, The Merchant Kitchen checks every box.

Average Price
$31 to $50
Cuisine
Global, International
Dress Code
Casual Dress
Opening Hours
Lunch
Mon-Fri 11:30 am-4:00 pm
Dinner
Mon-Wed 4:00 pm-10:00 pm
Thu-Sat 4:00 pm-11:00 pm

The Merchant Kitchen Customer Reviews

Overall Average Score: 
Pleasant (3 out of 5)

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3

Pleasant - 3.0 out of 5

Jody, Winnipeg

If you want a quick eat this is the place to go. We came here before a play and gave ourselves 1.5 hours to eat before we had to leave. I didn't even have my coat off or even sat down and the waiter was there wanting to know about our water order. We ordered wine and they wanted our food order at the same time - we asked her to give us some time. We got the wine and she was back right away to get the food order. Our food came almost instantly. We don't go out to eat fast and run - we were very disappointed that our dinner was over so quickly and we had to kill time before our play. It is also a very noisy place if there are large groups as there were that night, due to a Jets game being on later. Once they all left for the game it was a relief. I would not go back here again.

Liked: The food is very good.
Disliked: We were rushed through our dinner.

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

The Merchant Kitchen is #61 of 2102 things to do in Winnipeg

5 of 5 stars5 out of 5
By: Voyage01374923015, Brandon, Canada
Mon 16 Jun, 2025
l Had the dan dan noodles and the tacos. Both were very good. The alcoholic and non alcoholic margaritas were very tasty. Great place to grab a bite before a concert or game

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5 of 5 stars5 out of 5
By: Jann M, Sydney, Australia
Wed 24 Jul, 2024
l Really enjoyed eating here! Cool place, excellent service, the local draft beers were great - and the Thai fried rice was incredibly good! Right beside my excellent hotel, the Alt and way better than...

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5 of 5 stars5 out of 5
By: MButtner, Vancouver, Canada
Sat 16 Sep, 2023
l Food and service were great. The menu is varied, ranging from dan dan noodles to tacos and everything in-between. The drink list includes some excellent mocktails as well as beer, wine, etc. The...

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The Merchant Kitchen 314 Donald St., Winnipeg