Prairie Ink - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Rebecca S.

Yummy lunch break, food was tasty and came out quickly. Attentive service. I enjoyed the peanut soup. The special falafel salad needed a bit more dressing.

COMS 1.

Cafe in a Bookstore

Stumbled upon this place when looking for a lunch spot while visiting Winnipeg. Nice to see a bookstore that hasn't become the victim of big corporation cannibalization.

Food

Order the brie and date grilled cheese with a side of fries. Sandwich was buttered on the outside to my liking. Cheese was gooey which I enjoyed. The addition of the dates was good but nothing exceptional. The fries were truly unremarkable. They need something to make them stand out. An interesting seasoning, perhaps or served with some sort of dip like a chipotle mayo, for example. The fries were on the softer side rather than crispy how I like them. I get that this is all personal preference. In general, the meal was fine.

Service

Server was polite, attentive. Food was served within minutes of ordering.

Atmosphere

As someone who loves bookstores, the cafe was the perfect complement. The crowd appeared to lean to the older side - 60 plus - but that's no criticism. It made for a civil atmosphere making the place feel like it's loved and embraced by the locals.

Conclusion

If I'm ever back in town, I'd give this place a second chance but would probably try something else on the menu. Food aside, I'd support this place if only because it's a local bookstore and bookstores have been disappearing from our neighborhoods. Hope this one sticks around for many years for those to enjoy who live in the neighbourhood. Give this place your support if you're able.

Tiffany

Great service, Delicious food ! Will come back again 🙂

Evan P.

I was quite surprised by the fact that the restaurant was inside a bookstore but I thought the idea was very interesting and decided to check It out, and let me tell you. The food was exquisite, it also had such a vivid favour it was unreal. The waiter who us was super nice too. The restaurant even had a beautiful tree inside making the atmosphere very comfortable! I was totally over the moon about my experience here, especially since there's a bookstore right beside it. I highly recommend it!

Meredith D.

I’ve been to this restaurant a number of times over the past few years and have generally had good experiences, but after today, I won’t be coming back. I ordered a cold brew that came out tasting burnt and completely off — it was genuinely undrinkable. I politely asked if I could get something else instead. I wasn’t asking for a refund, just a replacement.

The server was rude and dismissive, saying, “That’s how we make it.” What exactly was supposed to taste burnt and horrible? Then she told me if I wanted something else, I’d have to pay for it — even though I had already paid, including a tip.

It’s frustrating how quickly the attitude shifted from decent service to making me feel like a problem for simply speaking up. I used to come here every month or so, but after this, I’m done. There are too many other places that actually value their customers.

Amber W.

The kids meals are amazing!! A main with either fruit, veggies or a salad and a dessert very fairly priced. The other dishes we had were amazing too 10/10 recommended this will be our new must go to stop when we come to the City.

Bibban R.

A cafe in a bookstore, just what an avid reader wants. We had a great experience, our vaccine cards and I’d very checked by a smiling hostess who escorted us inside. The tables were clean and the menu had something for everyone. It was well plated and tasty. Enjoyed my salmon sandwich with fries. The server was friendly, I gave it one star less as they were out of a lot of desserts at lunch time, definitely a disappointment for me. My sister had the apple cobbler, she loved it.she took it warm with ice cream along , was a huge helping , three of us took a few bites each to finish it.

We also tried their smoothie , it was well balanced and just the right consistency, served in a nice talk glass. The soup and salad combos are very attractively priced and the helping is pretty decent. The Greek salad was fresh and looked healthy. Would definitely recommend this for those looking for healthy options.

Post lunch we ordered Americano too , once again were impressed with the glass used for it . 5 stars for that. Did not take pics of the cafe and display case , left it for our next visit.

Would love to see there display case full , I guess with city opening this too shall happen. I’m surely going to come again and try out more salads and desserts .

Luna D. K.

Overall a decent experience with really cool location and good food. Pasta was something different I haven't had else where. It was oil based and flavourful with super healthy ingredients. Usually healthy and delicious doesn't go well together but I loved the pasta. I was also very impressed with their fries and dessert. Only thing that was so so was the Philly steak. It's nice to have a restaurant inside the bookstore which would make waiting for a table not so boring, although we got our tables right away. Parking is very easy as it is located in the grant shopping mall.