Manitoba Restaurants Halt Lunch Service Amid Rising Costs

URGENT UPDATE: Manitoba’s restaurant landscape is facing a significant blow as more establishments cut lunch service due to soaring operational costs. The Saint Restaurant, located on Portage Avenue, is the latest to announce its new hours, now opening at 3:00 p.m., citing insufficient traffic to justify lunchtime service.

Owner Ravi Rambaran states, “A lot of our smaller peers and neighbours on Portage Avenue no longer serve lunch anymore. The traffic isn’t coming out.” He highlights a troubling shift in consumer behavior, pointing to an apparent affordability crisis that has led to diminished interest in dining out.

As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic linger, Manitoba is grappling with the largest decline in restaurant revenues across Canada. Unlike cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, which are rebounding more quickly, many Winnipeg restaurants are still struggling to regain pre-pandemic patronage.

In the past few years, there had been a slight increase in lunch business, but it has not been enough to offset the losses sustained during the pandemic. Shaun Jeffery, executive director of the Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association, emphasizes the need for a “major course correction” to help businesses operate profitably.

The ramifications of these closures are profound. “You don’t have to spend $100 or $200 to go out; you can spend $20 or $30,” Rambaran explains, urging patrons to support local eateries, particularly during the week. “Even that $20 or $30 is very much appreciated.”

In response to these challenges, many restaurants are pivoting towards takeout, delivery, and catering services to sustain their operations. Jeffery notes, “We’re working with our government and business community to try and change that trajectory and get more businesses in Manitoba.”

The situation is dire. Last year, 7,000 Canadian restaurants permanently closed their doors, and projections indicate an additional 4,000 closures in 2026 if current trends continue. As Manitoba’s food scene faces these daunting challenges, restaurant owners are calling for immediate action to revitalize the industry.

As this story unfolds, the focus remains on how local governments and business leaders will respond to the urgent needs of the province’s restaurant sector. Prepare for potential announcements and initiatives aimed at stabilizing this vital part of Manitoba’s economy. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation, as the future of dining in Winnipeg hangs in the balance.