When winter threatens to plunge us into despair and heading out of the house is a chore in itself, it’s always good to motivate yourself to try something new and bring a fresh perspective to a dreary season. One of our favourite things about living in Winnipeg is the vast array of high quality, locally owned coffee shops that bring a quick caffeine run to a whole new level. It doesn’t hurt that these spaces cropping up all over downtown and central Winnipeg have been designed to make the most of Winnipeg winter light and provide a space to relax and enjoy the indoors with friends and family.

We’ve put together a list of our 5 favourite shops and some of the best features of each:

Thom Bargen (Kennedy St)

Nestled on the corner of Graham and Kennedy, Thom Bargen’s second location is lit by floor to ceiling windows and a living wall with hanging vines and plants adds to the atmosphere of tranquility and peace. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a latte and take in the bustling surroundings of downtown Winnipeg. They also have delicious pastries and some fancy toast options that will definitely make your mouth water.

Parlour Coffee (Main St)

Parlour Coffee has been around for a while, but it’s still one of our favourite downtown coffee shops. An Americano from Parlour will satisfy your caffeine cravings and the gorgeous wood accents around the space make it a great spot to relax and people watch. Parlour also has a rotation of art on display from local and international artists which gives an air of sophistication to a quick coffee run.

Forth (McDermot Ave)

Forth is a one stop shop when it comes to great coffee, delicious food, interesting art, and even live DJs from time to time. With plenty of seating, it’s also a great place to go with a larger group. Take some time to wander around the space and appreciate the way they’ve maintained the character of the old building it inhabits while adding modern, organic touches.

Miss Browns (William Ave)

Miss Browns makes a delicious latte and some of the best sandwiches in Winnipeg. Don’t go just for the coffee – make sure you try some of their delicious food offerings as well. And if you’re a subway tile lover, Miss Browns definitely merits a great Instagram photo.

Fools & Horses (Broadway)

Another light filled spot that you can’t miss when doing the Winnipeg coffee shop rounds is Fools & Horses. The whole shop is surrounded by huge windows and it’s almost impossible to feel any sort of winter blues with a light, airy atmosphere and friendly staff. Bonus? They also serve wine and beer.

If you’re not a Winnipeg native, we also happen to really love a spot in Brandon, Manitoba called Fraser Sneath Coffee. It’s another great coffee shop combining beautiful interiors with delicious coffee to make an average coffee run the highlight of your day. If you’re in Brandon, make sure you don’t miss this lovely little shop.

Winters may be cold in Winnipeg, but we’re lucky to live in a place with such a unique and thriving coffee culture. We hope you find some time this winter to enjoy these beautiful spaces that bring interior design and coffee together in a way that makes it not quite so hard to be stuck indoors during colder months