Cafe Carlo is a friendly, unpretentious Canadian bistro located in Winnipeg’s Little Italy neighborhood. Cafe Carlo’s warm, comfortable atmosphere has been a staple in Winnipeg’s dining scene and continues to be considered among the city’s best restaurants since it was established in 1989. The atmosphere and the décor have evolved from the restaurant’s humble “rummage sale” chic beginnings. The owners and employees believed that a great restaurant simply was meant to be “about the food”. The passion of the very first employees and their love of food & drink remain intact to this day. We want to share the foods and beverages we love, that the world loves, with each of our guests.
"I love their Papp Curry. This is our 2nd time here in two months because we enjoy that dish so very much. It is a very busy little restaurant, so if you're looking for something quiet, I do not recommend this place. It was VERY loud and noisy, due to their layout. The service was very good. Never once was I without. We also really recommend their bruschetta. FYI: We paid just over $100.00 for a glass of wine, coke, appetizer, starter salads, and main dishes for two."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Food was so-so. My gnocchi was dry as thought it had sat under a warmer and my wife's pickerel was overdone. Soup's were very good. Service excellent."
Dined on 6/15/2013
2013
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"We were disappointed this experience with a very average seafood penne from the menu. The special veal scallopine was much better. I usually have the fett chile but wanted to try something different and left disappointed. Usually our experience is much more positive. Lovely service and ambiance otherwise."
Dined on 6/10/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, notable wine list
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"We celebrated a birthday with friends at Café Carlos. When we first arrived we thought it was a bit loud, but we quickly got used to the noise. Food was fantastic! We had the fish tacos as an appetizer...delicious! The seafood chowder was perhaps the best I've ever had! Our entrees were excellent and the portions very generous, all 4 of us had to take the rest of our dinners home. Our server was excellent as well, just the right amount of attention. We were at the restaurant for 2 and 1/2 hours...the time flew by!! Look forward to our next meal at Café Carlos!!!"
Dined on 6/01/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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"My wife and I had such a wonderful experience at Cafe Carlo. We both have been raving about this place to our friends. The food was amazing and the atmosphere was very pleasant. We will be heading back very soon to try more of their dishes. The wine menue was huge! And decently price pointed. The staff were very kind and the service was excellent"
Dined on 5/26/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, hot spot, special occasion
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"Excellent food and a great ambiance, the wine was delicious. Now we know why we liked it so much a long time ago. We promise not to wait this long again to return."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, special occasion
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"The food was good but certainly not for the diet conscious.....lots of butter & oil. Quantity of food was generous as well but not overwhelming. Good selection/variety on the menu. Not your typical fare. Service was very attentive. It's a small restaurant but the tables are spaced well enough that you aren't in another table's conversation."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for lunch, special occasion
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"The noise of the room - and one rowdy table in particular - ruined an otherwise lovely dinner. Love the food but thought that group should have been spoken to so that the rest of us could have enjoyed our meal. Couldn't talk to the people I came with so I can't say I would return to Cafe Carlo on a Saturday night. Too bad as the food and wine list are first rate. Sometimes, it is necessary to deal with rude people in order meet the needs of the other diners..."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"There was a group of people who cam in after we were seated and they were very noisy. We found it hard to talk to each other and found that everyone else in the restaurant talked louder to be heard. Otherwise we really enjoyed the dining experience."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner with a couple who had never been to Cafe Carlo. We were celebrating my husband's birthday and chose to dine here based on the fact that it truly is one of our favorite restaurants. We had our first date here, and years later we also got engaged here as well (21 years ago). The food was excellent...the featured pasta with the chorizo sausage has always been one of our faves. The service was classy and very good. It was a little on the loud side but we are a little on the loud side too so we didn't really notice till later in the dinner. Good Times! Terry Acland"
Dined on 20/04/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"The food was very good. The service wasn't. We had reservations for 7:45, we ended up being seated by 8:15. Missing ingredients on the salad, had to wait for service, didn't get the bread everyone else got, had to wait for water. The various staff were apologetic on all fronts, but we were tired of having apology after apology. The food quality more than made up for the service and mistakes of the evening. I would go back, but not for awhile. Lots of competition in Winnipeg!"
Dined on 20/04/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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My only complaint was a reservation of 6 that entered your restaurant approximately 9 p.m. that were extremely loud and I felt it appropriate that the restaurant staff ask them to 'tone' it down a bit. While we enjoy energetic atmosphere, their noise level was almost at a loudness, where we had to shout at our guests sitting across the table from us to be heard. It was quite rude, in fact.
Other than that, for our first visit we enjoyed it and will definitely come back for another visit."
Dined on 13/04/2013
2012
Special Features: special occasion
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"We had some really wonderful mussels and everything else was equally delicious.Our waitress was pleasant and she had our shared items split for us which is so thoughtful.The only problem is the noise level which at times was so terrible we actually couldn't hear the person across the table.I know it is not the restaurant's fault when a group comes in and thinks they are the only people there and they become louder and louder as the evening progresses .I'm not sure what could cushion noise but that would be my only concern as a restaurant owner.But I would like to thank you for the consistent quality of food."
Dined on 13/04/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, great for lunch
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"There was four of us and the food was excellent. This was our (my wife and I) first time at Cafe Carlo. We were taking our son and daughter-inlaw out for supper and Cafe Carlo was their choice because they have always enjoyed the food so much when they have eaten there. We would have to agree with their choice as the food was excellent and the service was too. Our only complaint was that the noise level by 7 p.m. was almost deafening. It was hard to have a good conversation which I feel is part of a good dining experience. I had read some of the others reviews and I see that it has been a problem for others as well. I'm sure we will return but perhaps come a little earlier when it isn't so full."
Dined on 06/04/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"Good dining experience, though overall I don't think the food+service was worth the money. Good for a date or to impress though highly impractical otherwise."
Dined on 01/04/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Pur favorite restaurant. Third visit in the past 4-5 months. If only it were even a bit less noisy. (not sure how you accomplish that) This time it was really tough to talk within our table"
Dined on 23/03/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem, hot spot
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"There was a very lively, dynamic feel the night we went - we really enjoyed the bistro vibe. Service was just great, attentive but not hovering. Our appetizer spring rolls were a nice surprise - even very tastier than expected - will def come back for them for a light bite. We had the brown bag red for $30 - which ended up being a great deal. Both our pastas were delicious - my butternut squash ravioli was extremely tasty. Skipped dessert and coffee to find a change of venue - if this restaurant had a bigger/separate lunge area that would have worked for us, but still, it works very well as a neighborhood favorite. This restaurant works as a romantic spot (get lost in each other amid the busyness) and as a really fun 2-3 couple outing."
Dined on 16/03/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Had lunch here with my mom. Found it to be cozy and comfortable and we enjoyed ourselves so much we lost track of time. We both had the chefs special which was 3 small sliders (hamburgers) with bacon jam. They were so yummy. And it included soup. I had seafood chowder which was loaded with a variety of seafood such as shrimp, clams, scallops, salmon. It was like a lunch on its own. My mom had the soup of the day which was lemon chicken rice which she also enjoyed thoroughly. Probably the only down side was it took a long time to get coffee refills. The server was on her own and was working hard. But the wait wasn't a big problem because we weren't in a hurry and we were enjoying our leisurely time. Highly recommend and would def return"
Dined on 08/03/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, special occasion
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"I have several food allergies. The chef/kitchen always takes very good care of me. So nice to eat a worry free TASTY meal. Kudos for taking allergies seriously, and treating me with respect. I'll be back."
Dined on 01/03/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Continues to be one of the premiere hidden gem date restaurants of the city. The quality of food is exceptional and the atmosphere is intimate yet energetic. Highly recommended."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, hot spot
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"This was our first visit to Cafe Carlos an it was marvelous! We took our Grandpa there for lunch for his 87th birthday and we loved it. The food was unique and not heavy, perfect for lunch. The atmosphere was quiet and quaint. Service was fantastic!! Looks like a great "date place", would love to got back and try many other dishes and their crazy two page wine list! Can't wait to spread the word about this place."
Dined on 21/02/2013
2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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