Dairy-Free Manitoba: Recommended Restaurants, Stores & More

Last update in August 2023! Manitoba might be small in population, but it’s a big province with quite a few dairy-free dining options. Truthfully, most of of them are concentrated in the capitol city of Winnipeg, just an hour or so north of North Dakota and Minnesota. Nevertheless, we’ve used the boundaries of Manitoba to create this ever-growing guide to restaurants, bakeries, cafes, and ice cream shops that are friendly to dairy-free diners. It’s a collection based on research and reader recommendations (send yours!).

We Update Continuously! You can ignore the original date on this post going forward. We update the information below whenever we’re alerted to a new recommendation, change, or closure.

Photo from Cocoabeans Gluten Free

Dairy-Free Manitoba: Recommended Restaurants & Shops

Thanks to Eastern European influences, kielbasa sausage and perogies are popular in Manitoba – the former is usually dairy-free, and we have a few options below for the latter. You will also see Lake Winnipeg gold eye – the local fish – smoked or easily prepared without dairy on many menus. And of course, burgers, baked goods, and even vegan ice cream are in good supply in this chilly province.

We’ve listed these recommendations alphabetically by city and then by the restaurant or shop name. For large chains with locations throughout the state, see the Major Restaurant & Grocery Chains section below. We have dedicated posts with dairy-free details for many of the big guys.

⭐️ = Restaurant is either dairy-free, has a dairy-free menu, has dairy-free labels on their menu(s), or lists top allergens with menu items. (At the time of our last review.)

Brandon

Courtney’s Cake Creations – This is a custom cake, cupcake, and specialty sweet shop for all occasions. They are able to accommodate dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free needs, and we’ve also read they can do vegan desserts on request.
Fast Fired – This build-your-own pizza chain is primarily found across the Canadian Prairies. All of their pizza doughs are vegan, and they also offer dairy-free cheese alternative. They also offer salads and wraps.
Forbidden Flavours – This local cafe offers almond, oat, and soy milk alternatives for their coffee drinks, and is known for offering dairy-free treats and holiday options.
Freshii – As the name implies, this chain focuses on fresh cuisine, mostly in the form of bowls, salads, wraps, and smoothies. They offer a detailed allergen menu, and each menu category has at least one or two dairy-free options, ordered as is. But most items can be ordered without dairy easily, since all of their bases, proteins, broths, and toppings (aside from cheese) are made without milk (at the time of our review). Just verify the sauces, as a few contain milk-based ingredients.
Pita Pit – See our Dairy-Free Pita Pit Guide for full details.
Real Canadian Superstore – Their house brand is President’s Choice, which has been a Canadian innovator in dairy-free products. They offer plant-based cheesecake, sour cream, yogurt, and more in their giant stores. They also carry quite a few major dairy-free brands (like Earth Balance, Silk, and So Delicious) and some Canadian brands, like Sweets from the Earth, Daiya, and Little Northern Bakehouse.
Red Swan Pizza – They offer vegan cheese, which you can order on their traditional, thin, or regular gluten-free crust. Their classic pizza sauce, a few other sauces, and their veggie toppings are dairy-free. They offer a plethora of protein options, so be sure to reference their allergen guide carefully. They also have dry ribs, chicken bites, wings, and potato wedges available without dairy.
Shawarma Queen ⭐️ – This Mediterranean Kebab house labels their menu for dairy-free and gluten-free guests. They offer a good selection of kebabs, bowls, and other classics.
The Chilli Chutney – They clearly label vegan dishes on the menu at this Indian restaurant, and have a good handful of options. Several additional dishes are dairy-free (and gluten-free), which contain meat and/or seafood.
The Chopped Leaf – They offer a big menu of hand-crafted salads, grain bowls, wraps, sandwiches, soups, and more. They clearly indicate allergens, and even indicate dairy-free options. They have a good selection for dairy-free, gluten-free, and even vegan guests, plus build your own choices.
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt – This froyo chain typically has a couple rotating dairy-free flavours, which can be sorbets and/or creamy soy-based varieties.
Two Farm Kids Natural Foods – This local store offers supplements, personal care, and various special diet foods and drinks. Their inventory includes a lot of Canadian and even local brands, with breads, broths, snacks, and more. They have many dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and keto foods.
Wok Box – This is a fresh Asian chain in Canada that is special diet friendly. They offer an allergen guide with their nutrition information, and naturally, most of their Asian menu is dairy-free. They also label which items can be made vegan and/or gluten-free.

Dauphin

Nutters Everyday Naturals – This is a Canadian natural food store chain that carries a good selection of dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and other special diet foods.

Navin

Pita Pit – See our Dairy-Free Pita Pit Guide for full details.

Oakbank

We All Have Cravings Etc – They offer take home products and a meal service that accomodates special diet needs with dairy-free options for meals, perogies, soups, and casseroles. They have both gluten-free and wheat-based options.

Oak Bluff

Bee Boyzz Honey & Meadery – For a fun and tasty outing, head to Manitoba’s first and only bee-to-bottle meadery. This family-run business specializes in liquid, creamed and flavoured honey varieties, along with traditional, melomel and metheglin meads (a fermented honey alcohol beverage that’s naturally dairy-free and gluten-free).

Portage la Prairie

Chronic Tacos – See our Chronic Tacos Dairy-Free Menu Guide for full details.

Selkirk

The Mighty Kiwi – This juice bar and cafe actually has vegan cheese boards and cheesecakes! They also serve thick dairy-free smoothies and bowls, sandwiches and paninis, soups, salads, and more. They do serve some cheese at this vegetarian restaurant, but most of their menu is, or can be made, dairy-free and vegan. They also label for gluten-free guests.

Steinbach

Pita Pit – See our Dairy-Free Pita Pit Guide for full details.
Real Canadian Superstore – Their house brand is President’s Choice, which has been a Canadian innovator in dairy-free products. They offer plant-based cheesecake, sour cream, yogurt, and more. They also carry quite a few major dairy-free brands (like Earth Balance, Silk, and So Delicious) and some Canadian brands, like Sweets from the Earth, Daiya, and Little Northern Bakehouse. These stores are huge and tend to be more bargain-priced than a lot of other grocers.

Winkler

Real Canadian Superstore – Their house brand is President’s Choice, which has been a Canadian innovator in dairy-free products. They offer plant-based cheesecake, sour cream, yogurt, and more. They also carry quite a few major dairy-free brands (like Earth Balance, Silk, and So Delicious) and some Canadian brands, like Sweets from the Earth, Daiya, and Little Northern Bakehouse. These stores are huge and tend to be more bargain-priced than a lot of other grocers.
Red Swan Pizza – They offer vegan cheese, which you can order on their traditional, thin, or regular gluten-free crust. Their classic pizza sauce, a few other sauces, and their veggie toppings are dairy-free. They offer a plethora of protein options, so be sure to reference their allergen guide carefully. They also have dry ribs, chicken bites, wings, and potato wedges available without dairy.

Winnipeg

A Little Pizza Heaven – This local pizza chain offers dairy-free cheese, vegan bacon and pepperoni, and has a whole menu of vegan pizzas. Most of their regular pizzas can be made dairy free.
Aschenti Cocoa – They hand-craft their chocolate, from bean to bar, and offer dairy-free and vegan options. This company states they are completley nut-free and gluten-free, too.
Bindy’s Caribbean Delights – Their menu is liberally dotted with vegan options, and even more items are made without dairy. Jerk seasoned dishes dominate their entrees, but they also offer other curries, salads, roti, and more.
Black Market Provisions – This market offers a full menu of premade foods to go. They have many vegan items, including soups (many!), salads, some baked goods, house-made vegan ice cream, house-made vegan feta, dairy-free butter, and more. They have a few additional dairy-free items (just ask!) and gluten-free options are labeled.
Bluestone Cottage – Their expansive breakfast and lunch menu might look quite dairy-ful, but they offer Daiya cheese, tofu sour cream, and three milk alternatives (coconut, oat, and soy) to make many dairy-free dishes. They also offer an array of dairy-free lattes and smoothies. Gluten-free options are also available.
Bridge Drive In (BDI) – This seasonal ice cream shop now offers dairy-free soft serve made with lupin beans.
Chaeban Ice Cream – This local ice creamery sells hand-crafted flavors by the jar, which includes several dairy-free and vegan flavors. Most are made with a rich almond milk base, but they also dabble in coconut milk.
Chaise Cafe & Lounge – Their menu doesn’t scream dairy-free, but this restaurant is known for being quite accommodating to both dairy-free and gluten-free guests. They serve steaks, seafood, and pasta pomodoro, and can even serve dairy-free and vegan diners with their Prix Fixe menu.
Cocoabeans Gluten Free ⭐️ – This dedicated gluten-free bakeshop, cafe, and restaurant clearly labels dairy-free and vegan items on their menus, and can make most items dairy-free. They offer brunch, a full lunch menu, and of course, lots of baked goodies. They also have a full coffee bar offering soy, coconut, oat, and almond milks.
Country Perogy Shop – Most of their meaty perogies contain cheese, but they usually have a vegan variety or two on hand. They also carry Amanda Lynn’s gluten-free perogies, which often include dairy-free options.
Dug & Betty’s Creamery – This small-batch ice cream shop rotates in several vegan flavors. They offer sorbets and creamy varieties in decadent flavours, like Oatmeal Apple Caramel Crunch and Coconut Milk & Cookie Dough.
Eiffel Tower Pastry Shop & Catering – Run by a mother-daughter duo, this bakery offers a huge assortment of vegan cakes, slices, cookies, twists, and more.
Fast Fired – This build-your-own pizza chain is primarily found across the Canadian Prairies. All of their pizza doughs are vegan, and they also offer dairy-free cheese alternative. They also offer salads and wraps.
Fête Ice Cream & Coffee ⭐️ – They have some vegan ice cream flavors on their “always menu,” like London Fog and Honeycomb, which are made with oat milk and coconut cream. But they also churn “just dairy-free” flavors made with a creamy French-style egg base. They also make dairy-free and vegan Oreo ice cream pies and mint chocolate chip ice cream cake. And they do offer milk alternatives for coffee drinks.
Food for Thought Catering ⭐️ – This local caterer covers breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and party bites, and they label all of their items for dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian, and “gluten friendly” needs online. Their dairy-free options are plentiful with muffins and pastries for breakfast, various sandwiches, salads, entrees, and even desserts.
Freshii – As the name implies, this chain focuses on fresh cuisine, mostly in the form of bowls, salads, wraps, and smoothies. They offer a detailed allergen menu, and each menu category has at least one or two dairy-free options, ordered as is. But most items can be ordered without dairy easily, since all of their bases, proteins, broths, and toppings (aside from cheese) are made without milk (at the time of our review). Just verify the sauces, as a few contain milk-based ingredients. They have multiple locations in Winnipeg.
GoodLocal – This is an online shop for local companies in Winnipeg, that delivers. So you can buy a range of items from one company. They have a vegan section on their site with a good selection of options, from perogies to seed butters. We’ve even seen dairy-free, gluten-free pizzas available!
Gunn’s Bakery – This is a kosher dairy bakery, but they do have some pareve products, like turnovers, apple jacks, bagels, and breads. They also carry some gluten-free and dairy-free treats from Sweets from the Earth. And they usually have some vegan soups available.
Jugo Juice – This Canadian chain blends smoothie with almond milk or coconut water. Just be sure to skip the protein – they use whey. They also serve some wraps and salads that can be ordered dairy free.
Kawaii Crepe – At all three of their Winnipeg locations, this creperie serves several sweet and savory vegan crepes with gluten-free options. They even have dairy-free ice cream and dairy-free fudge as a Nutella substitute. You can also custom order some of their regular crepes on vegan crepes.
Keto Treats Bakery – I you need low sugar, than this is a sweet spot. They do use dairy in many of their products but also offer a few specifically dairy-free treats, like cookies and donuts.
Leopold’s Tavern – They have a plant-based section on their menu, which includes onion rings, poutine, burgers, nachos, and quesadillas. Some additional items on their menu can be ordered without dairy.
Meyer’s Gluten Free – This is a gluten-free grocer and pharmacy. They offer a good array of specialty brands, including dairy-free favorites.
MoNUTS Cafe ⭐️ – MoNuts are healthy vegan and gluten-free “donuts” made with Rolled Oats, Brown Rice Protein, and Natural Peanut Butter. They’re also low sugar. They have staple and weekly flavors – some are quite creative! They also have a small savory vegetarian menu that is mostly vegan and dairy-free.
Nuburger – They stack them high at this local burger chain. They offer vegan burgers with housemade chickpea patties, and several beef burgers and chicken burgers can be made dairy-free without cheese. Just be sure to carefully specify dairy-free with your order.
Oh Doughnuts – They have two locations, each offering a handful of vegan flavors and vegan and gluten-free flavors. The options are unique, like Blue Raspberry Sour Patch Kids, Nanaimo, Almond Joy, and Salted Caramel Popcorn. But if you’re craving a classic, they offer Vanilla Sprinkle and Chocolate, too. They have two locations in Winnipeg.
Perogy Planet – Their dough is made simply with flour, water, canola oil, and salt, and they have a whole range of vegan perogies. They usually have a couple dairy-free meat perogies, too, just ask! Beyond perogies, they have vegan cabbage rolls and roti, and a few other dairy-free options.
P.F. Chang’s – Their menu isn’t as dairy-free as you might expect, but it’s still a popular spot. So we’ve made this Dairy-Free Guide to P.F. Chang’s.
Pita Pit – See our Dairy-Free Pita Pit Guide for full details.
Quesada – They offer a great allergen and special diet filter online to help plan your order. This is a build-your-own burrito, burrito bowl, or taco spot. At last check, their meats and meat alternatives were dairy free (the fish items contain dairy), as were both types of beans, rice, and all toppings, except cheese and sour cream. All of their salsas, guacamole, and most of their sauces are also dairy-free, and they even have a special vegan sauce.
Real Canadian Superstore – Their house brand is President’s Choice, which has been a Canadian innovator in dairy-free products. They offer plant-based cheesecake, sour cream, yogurt, and more. They also carry quite a few major dairy-free brands (like Earth Balance, Silk, and So Delicious) and some Canadian brands, like Sweets from the Earth, Daiya, and Little Northern Bakehouse. These stores are huge and tend to be more bargain-priced than a lot of other grocers.
Red Swan Pizza – They offer vegan cheese, which you can order on their traditional, thin, or regular gluten-free crust. Their classic pizza sauce, a few other sauces, and their veggie toppings are dairy-free. They offer a plethora of protein options, so be sure to reference their allergen guide carefully. They also have dry ribs, chicken bites, wings, and potato wedges available without dairy.
Second Cup Coffee – This is a franchise with a few locations around the city. They offer oatmilk and almondmilk, and can make dairy-free house specialties like maple lattes. They also serve some dairy-free smoothies, and offer some baked goodies like dairy-free, gluten-free breakfast cookies and treats from Sweets from the Earth.
Sub Zero – They offer dairy-free and vegan ice cream bases and mix-ins. See our Sub Zero Dairy-Free Menu Guide for more details.
Sweet Impressions – This nut-free and peanut-free bakery offers a huge range of vegan (dairy-free and egg-free) cookies, cupcakes, and cakes. They also take custom orders and frequently bake for birthdays and weddings.
The Mighty Kiwi – This juice bar and cafe actually has vegan cheese boards and cheesecakes! They also serve thick dairy-free smoothies and bowls, sandwiches and paninis, soups, salads, and more. They do serve some cheese at this vegetarian restaurant, but most of their menu is, or can be made, dairy-free and vegan. They also label for gluten-free guests.
Thyme Cafe & Books – Peruse their used book section while waiting for your order. Everything on their menu is dairy-free and vegan, including soups, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, salads, and bowls.
Tutti Frutti Frozen Yogurt – This froyo chain typically has a couple rotating dairy-free flavours, which can be sorbets and/or creamy soy-based varieties.
Verde Juice Bar – This local shop blends an array of smoothies and bowls with almond milk and coconut milk. They also serve savory lunch bowls, toast, raw snacks, and coffee drinks (with nut milk for an extra charge). Most of their menu is dairy-free and vegan, but they do use yogurt, milk, or cheese in a few items.
Vita Health Fresh Market – This is a local natural food store chain with full grocery and lots of special diet and unique organic foods. They also have a deli with sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, and meal prepped foods. They are labeled for vegan, and include additional dairy-free options. They have several locations in Winnipeg.
Wok Box – This is a fresh Asian chain in Canada that is special diet friendly. They offer an allergen guide with their nutrition information, and naturally, most of their Asian menu is dairy-free. They also label which items can be made vegan and/or gluten-free.
YenKitchen – All of the food at this Vietnamese spot is dairy-free, including the Banh Mi – except for the garlic butter bread/crisps, which are a strong detour from the rest of the menu! They also have a full vegan menu. But use caution with the drinks, as many contain milk. They do offer oat milk lattes, some dairy-free smoothies, and options for bubble tea.

Photo from Perogy Planet

This Guide is Continuously Updated with Recommendations

We welcome you to recommend other dairy-free friendly restaurants. Leave a comment or contact us and tell us why you like a certain restaurant. Restaurant owners and employees are also invited to reach out and let us know how you welcome dairy-free customers.

Please kindly let us know in the comments if any of these restaurants close. We want to keep this list current for you, but aren’t always notified when a restaurant closes. Let us know and we will quickly update!

This Guide is for Informational Purposes Only

Menus, ingredients, kitchen procedures, management, and restaurants are subject to change at any time. Always read the menu and discuss your dietary needs with the staff before ordering. Make sure that they can accommodate your situation.

There is always a risk for potential cross-contamination of allergens in any commercial kitchen. If cross-contamination is an issue for you, always speak with the manager to ensure that your meal can be safely prepared. Listings here do not guarantee that a restaurant is safe enough for your individual needs. Only you can make that decision.

Manitoba: Great Spots for Dairy-Free Eats in Winnipeg, and Beyond