Deer + Almond continues to prove why it’s one of the best—if not the best—dining spots in Winnipeg. We visited for their special 4-course Valentine’s Day experience and were blown away from start to finish.

We started with champagne and oysters that were, quite literally, the best I’ve had in the city. They were huge and served with two garnishes: one with a beautiful herbal, spicy kick and another with a delicate wine base. The 'Onion on Everything' lavash was a highlight—essentially a perfect cracker loaded with cream cheese and seasoning—and the mussel pie was equally flawless.

For the mains, the spinach-infused noodles were easily the best part of the night, though the grilled steelhead trout was a close second—fresh, refreshing, and served in a perfectly balanced broth. We also loved the contrast of the pinto bean quesadilla and the grilled pork belly with beluga lentils.

We finished with a coconut sundae (a personal favorite as a coconut lover) and a unique 'burnt toast' dessert that had a hint of bacon, which added a savory depth I wasn't expecting but loved. The vibe and ambiance were on point, and the customer service felt deeply personal. A truly top-tier experience.

– dhruvraj raulji

Visiting Winnipeg from Vancouver and went for Valentine’s Day. Excellent food and wine pairings! Really impressed with the interesting pairings and overall flavours. Didn’t disappoint.

Our server, Sydney, could benefit from more product knowledge training. I was envious of the couple beside us at the bar being served by the blonde bartender who was providing table side service and was very informative. I know Valentine’s Day is busy, but not offering us a wine pairing or suggestions was disappointing. I only knew of this because I had read the menu beforehand. When I asked where the Riesling was from, she responded that it was from the Forks Market. I’m not asking where to buy it – I was asking what the wine region was from. That, and everyone got a chocolate bonbon during billing except for us. Please pour the wine at our table (or across the bar is difficult, come around pout it by us so also ask questions and see the bottle). The service really killed it for me and as a server, I was a bit disappointed for a restaurant of this calibre. Would have been a better experience if we experienced more hospitality.

– Steph Sia

I heard this spot is listed among the Top 100 Restaurants in Canada 🇨🇦, but the reviews are pretty divided. Some people rave about the food, while others feel the flavors don’t quite justify the price. Their dinner menu is 4 dishes for $90 per person, which felt a bit steep for me, so I asked for the à la carte menu instead (still pricey though 😅).

Since I wasn’t too hungry after having a drink earlier, I went for two small plates:

🥣 Pepe’s Grandma’s Chicken Soup

This one is on the more affordable side. It tastes like a Mexican-style chicken soup 🇲🇽 with a hint of jalapeño—but wow, the spice really kicks in 🌶️🔥.
The broth didn’t fully impress me… it had a slightly “gamey” aroma, like something wasn’t cleaned properly. But the chicken itself was incredibly soft and tender, which saved the dish.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

🦌 Deer Carpaccio

It’s rare to see venison on a menu, so I had to try it. The plate comes with fresh fruits, blueberries, and greens, plus a crunchy texture from nuts—almost like puffed rice.
The venison was so delicious, and you absolutely have to eat everything together for the full experience ✨.
Halfway through I realized… isn’t this basically their signature dish inspired by the name Deer & Almond? And honestly, it deserves that spotlight — beautifully balanced and truly memorable ❤️.

Food-wise, it was a great experience, but I’m giving the restaurant 4 stars because the service lacked some attention to detail. With better service, it could’ve been perfect.

– GSTonyTseng