DINING THROUGH WESTERN MANITOBA
Beyond the Highway
BY MYLES O’REILLY
Y ears ago, while running a Manitoba tourism program, western Manitoba became one of my favourite places to ride. Not because it tried to impress anyone but because it didn’t. The best experiences were usually the completely random ones. Like the glorious cinnamon buns savoured after a long ride or discovering an unexpect- edly refined dining room in a town many travellers will, sadly, pass right by. Riding Mountain National Park is well known for its lakes, trails and summer crowds, but the park has developed anoth- er identity alongside its outdoor recreation reputation — gathering spaces, destina- tion dining and restaurants worth the time to travel to. That is evident almost immediately in Onanole at the often-recommended Elkhorn Resort’s Buffalo Bar. Elkhorn Resort sits beautifully between wilderness and comfort with the look of a place built for reflection: cabins tucked into You learn a lot about a region from the seat of a motorcycle. The smell of rain on the wind, the way small towns gather to support their communities, and which roadside stops you can’t ride past without visiting. BEFORE TURNING IN FOR THE NIGHT, seek out the resort's hidden speak- easy-style cocktail bar — an unexpectedly memorable way to cap off an evening in the park.
Photos courtesy of Elkhorn Resort's Buffalo Bar
Fiveph / Dreamstime.com
50 | SUMMER 2026 | SAVOUR MANITOBA
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