Winnipeg | Restaurants - Page 458

wags_in_the_peg · #**9141** Posted **Jan 29, 2026, 7:43 PM**

Schwarma Khan in Exchange went "on vacation" around xmas and hasn't re-opened. I know this brings much joy to some of you as you're not a fan of owner, but another lost restaurant in Exchange is not beneficial. It was quite brisk during lunch hour and I visited at least 1x week. I hope they back open soon

cheswick · #**9142** Posted **Jan 29, 2026, 8:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

Schwarma Khan in Exchange went "on vacation" around xmas and hasn't re-opened. I know this brings much joy to some of you as you're not a fan of owner, but another lost restaurant in Exchange is not beneficial. It was quite brisk during lunch hour and I visited at least 1x week. I hope they back open soon

Pretty sure "closed for vacation" or "closed for renovation" often just a permanent closure but they're liquidating their assets or something along those lines.

neutroniks · #**9143** Posted **Jan 29, 2026, 8:27 PM**

Probably to funnel funds into his grift as an MP, so he doesn't have time to manage them anymore. I'd gladly have Ramallah, Baraka or Bladys move into that space.

FactaNV · #**9144** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 10:27 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by neutroniks

Probably to funnel funds into his grift as an MP, so he doesn't have time to manage them anymore. I'd gladly have Ramallah, Baraka or Bladys move into that space.

A Baraka downtown would be elite.

bomberjet · #**9145** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 3:29 PM**

Ramallah is great. Pretty happy they opened the location on Munroe a few years back.

drew · #**9146** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 3:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FactaNV

A Baraka downtown would be elite.

I had Baraka for the first time recently.... and I was underwhelmed.

Still looking for a shawarma replacement on the same level as ShawarmaTime on Ellice and Altanour.

Parti in the Back · #**9147** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 3:52 PM**

Different type of shawarma but Danook down the street on Albert is great.

CoryB · #**9148** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 4:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biff

I thought the Merchant kitchen was going in the former grocery space in TNS.

From social media it is fairly clear Mottola Grocery (ground level TNS) has pivoted and reopened as an event space. It was being marketed for Christmas parties in December and this week has made posting about a singles event for Valentines.

I am not certain but I think the attached kitchen may be doing prep and backend work for the second floor food hall.

FactaNV · #**9149** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 5:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

I had Baraka for the first time recently.... and I was underwhelmed.

Still looking for a shawarma replacement on the same level as ShawarmaTime on Ellice and Altanour.

Blasphemy

neutroniks · #**9150** Posted **Jan 30, 2026, 6:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

I had Baraka for the first time recently.... and I was underwhelmed.

Still looking for a shawarma replacement on the same level as ShawarmaTime on Ellice and Altanour.

The next time you're at Baraka, get the Beef Pita Pocket w/ extra sauce & add hot sauce (if you're into that. If you don't like heat, forego the hot sauce)

MB204 · #**9151** Posted **Feb 13, 2026, 11:07 PM**

Oakwood Cafe has posted to their Instagram account that they will be closing March 8th

Wpg_Guy · #**9152** Posted **Feb 14, 2026, 12:53 AM**

Lemon Tree in south st vital is also closing.

horrorbro123 · #**9153** Posted **Mar 5, 2026, 4:09 PM**

Gogi Korean BBQ Is Coming To Winnipeg

trueviking · #**9154** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 3:42 PM**

I never understood why people liked the oakwood cafe.

Authentic_City · #**9155** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 4:32 PM**

Last time I was at Baraka, I didn't think it was as good as I remembered it. Maybe an off day.

Anyone tried Habibiz Cafe (1373 Portage)? I noticed they opened second place down the street, Habibiz Express (1839 Portage, in the former Santorini space), so they must be doing okay.

neutroniks · #**9156** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 4:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueviking

I never understood why people liked the oakwood cafe.

Agreed. I went once because some people local to the area raved about it and google reviews looked favorable.

Went once and had the most bland meal with sub par service and never went back lol

Sheepish · #**9157** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 6:15 PM**

Green Falafel on Grant is great.

CoryB · #**9158** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 8:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Authentic_City

Anyone tried Habibiz Cafe (1373 Portage)? I noticed they opened second place down the street, Habibiz Express (1839 Portage, in the former Santorini space), so they must be doing okay.

I heard Habibz is connected to the family the operate most of the local Food Fare locations.

bussche · #**9159** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 9:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drew

I had Baraka for the first time recently.... and I was underwhelmed.

Still looking for a shawarma replacement on the same level as ShawarmaTime on Ellice and Altanour.

Agreed, I don't I understand the hype. Those 2 were my favs as well.

Currently I go to Danook or Aladin's.

neutroniks · #**9160** Posted **Mar 6, 2026, 9:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bussche

Agreed, I don't I understand the hype. Those 2 were my favs as well.

Currently I go to Danook or Aladin's.

Depends what you order. I personally don't get the shawarma or the platters from Baraka. I got to Ramallah for their platters (who by the way had a wicked $5 deal on their chicken platters yesterday. They also often have BOGO deals on their platters.

Its much like how I go to different Vietnamese restaurants depending if I'm ordering Pho or a Vermicelli bowl or Bo Bun Hue.

Each restaurant has their strengths, esp the middle east ones haha.