Two city eateries in running for best new restaurant list

Two neighbouring Winnipeg restaurants have landed in the national spotlight just six months after opening.

On Tuesday, Baby Baby (137 Osborne St.) and Shirley’s (135 Osborne St.) were named among 31 finalists in the running for a spot on Air Canada’s 2025 Best New Restaurants list.

For Chris Gama, co-chef and partner at Baby Baby, it’s a meaningful accolade after years of behind-the-scenes labour.

“It’s been a lot of work,” says Gama, who co-owns the restaurant with Raya Konrad, Daly Gyles and Nick Gladu. “We’re really proud of ourselves and we’re really proud of our team… because it takes all of us to build something nice,”

Baby Baby and Shirley’s both opened in March and worked closely during renovations to restore and divide the Osborne Village storefront previously home to Basil’s, Black Rabbit Bistro and several other short-lived concepts.

On the south side of the building, Baby Baby serves boutique cocktails and shared plates in a whimsical dining room created by Winnipeg studio Fireside Design Build.

To the north, Shirley’s chef and owner Renée Girard specializes in fine-casual fare, including handmade pasta and homemade pickles.

Gama is glad Girard is getting her due.

“It’s really, really nice to see her get this kind of recognition, especially since it’s her first restaurant. She put a lot of herself into this,” he says.

The kudos run both ways.

“I’m honoured to be on that same platform as them; they’re people I’ve looked up to my whole culinary career,” Girard says of the Baby Baby ownership group.

Opening Shirley’s — named after Girard’s grandmother — has been a lifelong dream made possible by encouragement from friends and family. Making it on Canada’s best new restaurants list is the cherry on top.

“You’re damn right I’m proud of it and every single one of my team members should be proud of it, too,” Girard says.

Osborne Village’s new generation of dining options have been well represented on the Air Canada list in recent years, with Crumb Queen and Andy’s Lunch (166 Osborne St.) landing on the Top 10 in 2024.

“It’s nice to see the village getting acknolwedged because we couldn’t have been successful if it wasn’t for the support we’ve had from the neighbourhood,” Gama says.

Girard agrees.

“This is a great thing for our city and it’s a great thing for the community and Osborne Village,” she says. “We’re finally being recognized in the Prairies and I think that’s very special and well deserved.”

The annual Air Canada Best New Restaurants list includes dine-in eateries opened between May 2024 and April 2025, nominated by a panel of national culinary professionals. The Top 10 list will be revealed on Nov. 17 in Toronto

eva.wasney@winnipegfreepress.com