We're crazy about these Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet restaurants!

Here are the best Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet options I (and family and friends) have found – the places we love and locals have made a year-round success for the reliably good food, service and value each delivers.

Most (but not all) are good family choices.

For Sunday brunches you will want to make reservations -- they can often sell out!

Most opulent Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet - The Palm Room

The Fort Garry (one of Canada's railroad heritage hotel treasures) presents a Sunday Buffet feast.

This is for you if you want to eat like royalty from some earlier, more opulent (and leisurely) century with a mind-boggling spread of breads, meats, smoked fish, egg dishes, fruits and deserts, including a magnificent chocolate fountain, all to be enjoyed while a jazz duo plays well-mannered standards from the first floor balcony (shown in the photo).

The only way to describe this classic Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet is glorious indulgence. Or maybe “marvelously preposterous” comes closer, as Noah Richler wrote in The Toronto Star recently.

Occasionally, an added perk is seeing celebs, in town to perform or make a movie.

One Mother's Day a few years back, while trying to decide what to add to my plate, I happened to look up and there was actor Kirstie Alley, doing pretty much the same thing while also telling a young lad that no he could not do something or other because she was his mother, that's why -- and then she turned to smile and respond kindly to another startled fan.

Just one more reason Brunch at The Fort Garry is a not-to-be-missed Winnipeg experience.

222 Broadway, Winnipeg. Reservations: 942-8251.

The Current, Inn at the Forks

The Current is a quieter, more intimate urban chic atmosphere.

Here, the aim isn’t to wow you with magnificence, but to offer a smaller selection of carefully chosen and expertly-prepared dishes, using mainly local ingredients, thoughtfully and creatively presented.

In the past, I've raved about their Sunday Brunch which, sadly, is no longer offered.

However, this is still a great weekend choice, with many of the popular brunch items available a la carte every Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. while you enjoy the warm atmosphere, the picture-window views of The Forks, the polished and yet relaxed service, and a memorable meal.

This is a good choice for family occassions.

Every weekend at Inn at the Forks, 75 Forks Market Road, Winnipeg. Reservations: 944-2445.

ASD Dining Room at Assiniboia Downs

ASD is Assiniboia Race Track, which is just west of the Perimeter (from downtown, drive west on Portage. You’ll see the entrance sign on the right).

A racetrack might not be where you'd expect to find one of the best Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet spreads, but you will, but only on holiday and special occassion Sundays (such as Mother's Day)

There is no racing on Sundays, but on the brunch days go a bit early so you can visit the thoroughbreds during a barn tour before brunch, which is included.

You get an enticing array of salads, a custom omelette bar, waffles, pork back ribs, carved ham, chicken, fresh fruit, pies and cheesecakes, all accompanied by a pianist on the baby grand.

Offered some Sundays and holidays 11 to 2 during the racing season (May to early October).

3975 Portage Ave., Winnipeg. Reservations: 885-3330.

Find out about brunches and events at Assiniboia Downs

Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet at the casinos

Both casinos offer enticing buffets.

The food is good. The ambience interesting. There’s plenty of free parking. Not to mention casino buzz. The only reason you might not go is that, unfortunately, kids and teens aren’t welcome.

This is because these restaurants are inside Winnipeg casinos and, by law, only people age 18 up are allowed in gaming areas. As Ryan in Hospitality explained to me with genuine regret, these two restaurants are, therefore, an adults-only pleasure.

That said, Winnipeggers do truly love a bargain, and the lunch or dinner buffet at Winnipeg casinos is one of the best in town.

For $9.65 (plus tax) weekdays and Saturdays you get a choice of entrees, salads, veg, two soups-of-the-day, and dessert (except Wednesdays at Michele’s and Sunday Brunch at both Michele’s and Royal Palms…read on).

Michele’s Restaurant at McPhillips Street Station

Daily buffet with daily specials 11 to 9 p.m. There is usually chicken, pasta and one or two meat entrees (the day we went it was tender roast pork loin) plus veg, salads, and good desserts.

This is satisfying, filling food where the emphasis is on comfort food rather than chef artistry.

Especially popular on Wednesdays at dinner for that day’s special, always prime rib (which is $22 plus tax). Also often busy for the Sunday brunch buffet (also $22).

Be prepared to wait (well worth it!) especially at dinnertime on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Call for the recorded message of today’s buffet offerings.

McPhillips Street Station, 484 McPhillips St., Winnipeg. 982-3791.

Royal Palms Restaurant at Club Regent

This Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet option is similar to Michele’s but with a Mayan theme at Club Regent Casino.

Call for what’s on the buffet today.

Club Regent Casino, 1425 Regent Ave., Winnipeg. 982-3793.

More Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet options

Charisma of India

Here you get a dinner buffet – all you can eat, any night of the week for $17 (plus tax) or at lunch Monday to Saturday for $13 (plus tax).

There are always 17 to 20 mains on offer – and both take-out and delivery are available.

And on the second and fourth Saturday of the month, you also get the show – belly-dancing!

No reservations required.

83 Sherbrook (at Wolseley).

Blaze Bistro & Lounge

Buffets aren’t a frequent event here, but they are staged for special dates, such as Mother’s Day Brunch (in 2012 it is Sunday, May 13 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) only by reservation: 944-7259.

Located in the lobby of Delta Winnipeg, 350 St. Mary Ave.

East India Company

This is a beautiful restaurant downtown with South Asian art and beautiful food, very popular with Winnipeggers at dinner and business people/convention goers at lunch.

The lunch buffet, Mondays to Fridays, is $14 or if you go for dinner, daily, it’s $19 for a wonderful, memorable meal at what is widely praised as the best East Indian Restaurant in Winnipeg.

While there are other vigourous contenders in the Winnipeg Brunch and Buffet category, we have to agree that the East India is special. 349 York Ave., Winnipeg. 947-3097.

Kokeb

This is a friendly Ethiopian restaurant has a daily vegan buffet of traditional Ethiopian cuisine, including many dishes made with lentils, peas and cabbage.

Or order platters to sample a wider variety of traditional Ethiopian fare. Everything here is delicious and four people can dine well for $40.

Don’t miss the strong, distinctive Ethiopian coffee.

330 Ellice Ave., Winnipeg. 784-9267

Palatal Yakiniku

For something completely different, go to this (quite possibly unique) combined Mongolian buffet and Japanese barbeque.

With Asian décor and costumed hostess and food servers, this is another place to go for the experience as well as the food, which is not only delicious, but (with extremely little fat used) also health-aware.

The buffet is offered daily. South of Downtown near University of Manitoba at 2790 Pembina Highway, Winnipeg. 989-7200.

Aalto's Garden Cafe

Family restaurant with theme buffets in an indoor garden setting at all Canad Inns hotels.