If you are searching for a Chinese restaurant in Winnipeg, especially authentic Cantonese food in the south area, I recently tried a place that might be worth your attention. This is my honest review of Riverview Garden Restaurant , a popular spot for people looking for Chinese food in Winnipeg with a more traditional flavor.
A few days ago, I visited Riverview Garden Restaurant, located at 3564 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB. It’s known among locals for serving Cantonese-style dishes, and I wanted to see if it really stands out as one of the best Chinese restaurants in Winnipeg.
First Impressions of This Chinese Restaurant in Winnipeg
The restaurant is located in the south end of the city, which is convenient if you live near Pembina. The interior is simple and traditional, nothing fancy, but it feels like a typical Chinese family-style restaurant.
Service was pretty standard—no complaints, but nothing overly impressive either. The focus here is clearly on the food rather than the atmosphere, which is actually what I expect when visiting a good Chinese restaurant in Winnipeg.
Dish 1: Herbal Duck
The first dish I ordered was the herbal duck.
This dish included duck meat and tofu skin. To be honest, the flavor was not exactly what I expected. I’ve had herbal dishes before, like the herbal lamb ribs at Xin Rong Fa, which had a strong and distinctive herbal taste that I really enjoyed.
However, the herbal duck here was a bit different. The sauce flavor was stronger than the herbal taste itself, so the “herbal” aspect didn’t really stand out.
That said, it was still a tasty dish overall. The duck was well-cooked, and the sauce made it very good with rice.
👉 Rating: 7.5/10
Dish 2: Hakka Style Salted Chicken
This dish was actually a surprise.
Normally, I’m not a fan of dishes like white cut chicken. I usually find them bland or slightly “gamey.” But this Hakka-style salted chicken was different.
The chicken was well-seasoned and had real flavor inside the meat. The texture was also much better than typical white cut chicken—it was firm, slightly chewy, and had a nice bite.
It completely changed my expectation. Honestly, I liked it much more than traditional white cut chicken.
👉 Rating: 8.5/10
Dish 3: Golden Salted Egg Yolk Shrimp
The golden salted egg yolk shrimp was easily one of the highlights of the meal. Each piece was perfectly fried to a crispy golden exterior while keeping the shrimp inside tender and juicy. What really makes this dish stand out is the rich salted egg yolk coating—it adds a deep, savory aroma with a slightly grainy texture that sticks to every bite. The balance is just right: not overly greasy, not too salty, but incredibly flavorful and addictive. If you’re exploring a Chinese restaurant in Winnipeg and enjoy bold, comforting flavors, this is definitely a dish worth ordering and sharing at the table.
👉 Rating: 9/10
Dish 4: Sweet and Sour Pork
The sweet and sour pork is a classic crowd-pleaser and one of the most approachable dishes on the menu. The pork is lightly battered and fried to a crisp, then coated in a glossy sauce that delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. Each bite has that satisfying contrast—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside—with a bright, fruity flavor that’s not too heavy. It’s the kind of dish that both adults and kids love, making it a safe and popular choice at any Chinese restaurant in Winnipeg, especially if you’re dining with family.
👉 Rating: 9/10
Dish 5: Green Beans with Minced Pork and Olive Vegetable
This dish was a solid choice.
The green beans were deep-fried first, giving them that classic dry-fried texture. The flavor was rich, slightly salty, and very appetizing.
It’s one of those dishes that goes perfectly with rice, and it’s hard to go wrong with it.
👉 Rating: 8/10
Complimentary Dessert: Fried Taro
At the end of the meal, the restaurant gave us a complimentary dessert—fried taro.
It was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a light sweetness. A nice way to finish the meal.
👉 Rating: 8/10
Overall Food Review of This Chinese Restaurant in Winnipeg
Overall, Riverview Garden Restaurant offers a mixed experience.
Some dishes, like the Hakka salted chicken and green beans, were definitely highlights and showed why this place is considered a solid option for Chinese food in Winnipeg. However, other dishes like the fried pork intestines were disappointing and could be improved.
So, is this one of the best Chinese restaurants in Winnipeg? I would say it’s worth trying, especially if you enjoy Cantonese-style home cooking, but it may not be perfect across every dish.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a Chinese restaurant in Winnipeg, especially in the south area, Riverview Garden is worth a visit.
- Good for: family-style dining, Cantonese dishes
- Must-try: Hakka salted chicken, green beans
- Skip (maybe): fried pork intestines
👉 Overall Rating: 7.5/10
If you’re exploring different Asian cuisines in the city, you can also check out my review of the best Thai restaurant in Winnipeg here.
