King Cob Market Pub — Restaurant in Winnipeg

Jeremy - Local Guy

The King Cob Market Pub adds a missing piece to Winnipeg’s soul.

What was desperately lacking in the West End was a character bar, as you might find in The Exchange, like The Yellow Dog for example. The King Cob Market Pub fills that sociological niche.

Each order is a sculpture, prepared with devotion by a chef who cares about food, and cares that you enjoy your order with your full senses, rather than following a corporate spec. Darryl’s Cajun Chicken Kaiser is the greatest creation in the history of the universe. Or, it would have been except for the four-day work week and pizza. So… third greatest. Oh, and coffee. Okay, fourth greatest. Still, that ain't bad, considering how old and vast the universe is.

There are no TVs. Don't arrive expecting to watch the game. Here, food and drink, like the conversations and connections you may strike up, are part of a shared encounter, rather than the fill’em-and-bill’em approach of other establishments, whether it's McDick’s or a top-tier steak joint. All the taps pour Winnipeg craft suds. Y’know what? Bring your twin flame here for date night.

Come on Wednesdays for live music by locally sourced, 100% authentic artists. The Cob also features “takeover nights”. It's a cool, smart idea to pair up with local pop-up kitchens like Loaf & Honey and local breweries like Kilter to highlight their fare and wares.They also have a sweet little hideaway patio, hidden from heat and traffic.

You will meet the trio who strive to make The King Cob Market Pub a unique, groovy and delightful hangout, sort of like Göbekli Tepe, only smaller and more recent:

Darryl, the sculptor I mentioned earlier, master of the indoor smoker. A passion to make The Cob the place you didn’t know you needed lies behind his inviting yet focussed demeanor.

Bernard, for whom the adjectives simply pile up: distinctive and fascinating, staggeringly handsome, intelligent and funny. Teller of tales, drawer of draughts.

Then there's Megan, who you can find behind the bar or sitting on top of the dessert freezer. Megan is quite possibly the flux-capacitor of the whole shebang.

What can I say? I...

Great beers, yummy food with creative edge (they smoke their own meats, and have southern flare) plus good music curation. Neighbourhood pubs were banned from Winnipeg's evolution. They forced Hotel Bars instead which bred unaccountability, off-sales, and focussed on bigger business on busy streets. Small pubs become neighbourhood social hubs without strippers, desperate hotel rooms, parking lots and such. The West End needs this, and more...

Love the vibe and the cozy atmosphere.

We went here for Burger Week and they have the Crab Shack Stack in collab with Raw Bar Oyster Co. WOW! The burger is really delicious! Never had fried soft shell crab in a burger before and it was so delicious! All the toppings worked well together. We also got the oysters and it was good!

The bartender/server was really amusing and friendly.

Would love to go back here and try their regular...