My Winnipeg City Guide - The best coffee shops in Winnipeg

From the perfect micro-foam to the best danishes, Winnipeg's independent coffee shops are simply unforgettable. Discover the best coffee in Winnipeg thanks to this guide!

A cup of coffee with latte art in the shape of a heart on a round black saucer, placed on a white surface, reminiscent of the artistry found in the best coffee shops Winnipeg offers.

The moment when...

There's that moment when you're standing in line at the counter, your hand reaching out to clasp around that long-awaited cup.

You can just feel the heat emanating through the sleeve, enveloping the tips of your fingers.

Sense the smell, wafting from your cup just as much as from the bags of coffee strewn all over the place.

Hear the clanking of a thousand little spoons on a thousand little cup edges, heralding the coming of that first sip.

And you feel secure with the knowledge that you are not alone in your love of coffee.

These are the markings of a good independent coffee shop: and in Winnipeg, you are never too far from an excellent cup of java.

This is my foodie guide for the best coffee in Winnipeg. What are your favourites?

Thom Bargen Coffee

A barista stands behind a counter in one of Winnipeg's best coffee shops. The menu on the wall lists various drinks, while a glass case displays pastries and muffins. A coffee grinder and equipment are also visible on the counter, showcasing their commitment to quality brews.

Thom Bargen, 64 Sherbrook St, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B3

When Thom Bargen opened down the street from my old apartment in Winnipeg, I knew it was love at first sight.

My first cup from Thom Bargen was purchased mid-fight with G, when I left our apartment in tears and in serious need of a pick-me-up... and then I discovered that I left my wallet at home.

Two people sit at a high counter in one of the best coffee shops Winnipeg has to offer, working on laptops. The space boasts large windows letting in natural light, a wooden countertop adorned with plants, metal stools, and a sleek coffee machine visible on the left.

Despite (and perhaps because of) my disheveled appearance, the guys behind the counter let me grab the two coffees to go on credit. I still credit Thom Bargen's delicious coffee for saving my relationship that day.

A modern coffee shop in Winnipeg shines with an espresso machine, coffee grinders, and brewing equipment on wooden shelves. White hexagonal tiles grace the walls while potted plants add greenery. Hanging lights warmly illuminate what many consider one of the best coffee shops in Winnipeg.

Parlour Coffee

Parlour, 468 Main St, Winnipeg, MB R2H 1E9

This coffee shop was the first independent third-wave coffee shop to open in the city, and in the eyes of many, it is still the best coffee in downtown Winnipeg.

This minimalist shop has a clean, uncluttered look, strange opening hours and a limited menu, but the quality of the ingredients and the seriousness with which these guys take their coffee knows no equals.

Little Sister Coffee Maker

Little Sister Coffee Maker, 470 River Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3L 0C8

Buoyed by the success of big brother Parlour, Little Sister Coffee Maker opened less than a year later to a collective sigh of relief.

With more seating space and a welcoming atmosphere, Little Sister offered Parlour's great coffee, with none of its pretentiousness.

Fools & Horses

A barista in a yellow sweater prepares a drink at the counter of one of Winnipeg's best coffee shops. Various coffee-making equipment and menu boards are visible in the background. The setting is well-lit with natural light, highlighting the cafe's cozy charm.

Fools & Horses, 379 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0T9

The new kid on the block of Winnipeg's indie coffee scene is Fools & Horses. With a decor slightly reminiscent of a Greek bath, this place is a stunner.

A man in a yellow sweater expertly crafts coffee at one of the best coffee shops in Winnipeg, working an espresso machine on a counter adorned with jars. In the background, three people chat as framed certificates decorate the well-lit wall under overhead lights.

A man sits alone at a table in one of Winnipeg's best coffee shops, holding a cup. The cafe boasts industrial decor with exposed ductwork. Wooden shelves on the right display various products as sunlight streams through a window, casting shadows on the walls and floor.

A small glass cup of coffee, reminiscent of the creations found in the best coffee shops in Winnipeg, is topped with latte art in the shape of a heart and placed on a dark saucer. The background is slightly out of focus.

Add to it a decaf selection that has expectant hipster mommies squealing with joy, Fools & Horses is a beautiful reprieve from the busy professional life that will have you wishing you lived right around the corner.

Forth

Several people are seated at tables in a cozy café, one of the best coffee shops Winnipeg offers, with exposed brick walls. Some are using laptops, while others chat or sip beverages. A vase with flowers decorates one of the tables.

Forth, 171 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0S1

The newest venture from the Parlour team, Forth is their biggest gamble - and it just may prove to be their biggest success.

The beautiful space on McDermot avenue is not just a coffee shop, but also a co-working office, an art gallery, a subterranean craft cocktails bar and a roastery.

Suspended wooden shelves with various potted plants, including leafy greens and succulents, are displayed in a modern interior reminiscent of the best coffee shops Winnipeg has to offer. Behind the shelves, industrial elements like exposed pipes and sacks complement the fluorescent lighting above.

In other words, it's a freelancer's wet dream. So if this gorgeous new space doesn't get your creative juices flowing, you just might be in the wrong business.

Café Postal

A white laptop displaying a document sits on a wooden table. Next to it, there's a white coffee cup on a saucer, reminiscent of those found in the best coffee shops Winnipeg offers, and a ceramic teapot with a speckled design. The blurred background suggests an inviting indoor setting.

Café Postal, 202 Provencher Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R2H 0H3

The only independent coffee shop outside the Downtown-Osborne-West Broadway triangle, Café Postal has all the pizzaz and craftsmanship of its brothers (and sister).

It's located in the heart of Winnipeg's French area, and if you close your eyes and ignore the harsh Franco-Manitoban accent, you just might think you are in the 9th arrondissement.

Coffee and Cafes in Winnipeg

Clearly there is not a shortage of fantastic coffee shops to try on your next visit to Winnipeg, Manitoba. Reach me on Facebook or Instagram to tell me about your specialty coffee experiences!

If this post has made your mouth water for a good cup of coffee, but you can't travel all the way to Winnipeg right away, try making our chia white coffee or white Russian coffee mocktail at home with homemade chia syrup. For fall flare, try my pumpkin spice latte with pumpkin simple syrup.

For more travel guides to Winnipeg, check out some of the best new restaurants in Winnipeg guide and my Winnipeg-inspired beet latkes recipe.

Discover the best restaurants in Toronto, my favorite eats in Quebec, or my guide to the Quebec cider route in the fall.