There are plenty of great lunch and snack options available during TEDxWinnipeg 2026 at the Desautels Concert Hall, so whether you are after a quick coffee, a light bite, or a full lunch, you should be able to find something that works for you.
In the Theatre Lobby
The canteen is located just outside the theatre doors and is the easiest spot to grab the basics. In the morning, you will find coffee, tea, muffins, and other light refreshments. Later in the day, simple drinks and sandwiches will also be available.
Please note: food and drinks are not permitted in the theatre seating area. Thanks for helping us keep the space clean and comfortable for everyone.
Outside the Theatre
Just outside the theatre entrance, you will find three food trucks ready to help with the lunch rush. This year, we have arranged for:
- Engocha Ethiopian Food Truck is the city’s first-ever Ethiopian food truck serves authentic Ethiopian cuisine that will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Addis Ababa. The menu features a variety of traditional dishes including injera (a spongy sourdough flatbread) served with savoury stews like their signature dish, doro wot – a spicy chicken stew made with berbere spice, onions, garlic and ginger. Vegan options also a-plenty! The super friendly owners love sharing their culture with others and are always happy to chat about food or Ethiopia. Use Facebook for locations and updates.
- The Little Eggplant is the result of generations using traditional ingredients in our family kitchens. We created everything from scratch and with a purpose. Our inspiration for this comes from Italy’s street food scene, particularly their deli style cafés and food trucks. These places are known for serving tasty panini and desserts in every city throughout the country..
Our goal is to bring that same warmth and feel to the streets, offices and homes of Winnipeg. We use only the best products to create delicious food for all to enjoy. Our pride flows and is evident in the preparation of our menu items. We prepare our sauces and vegetable marinades from scratch with the utmost diligence and care. - Extreme Fries is bringing extremely good fries to the streets of Winnipeg, satisfying fried cravings in one fell swoop. A food truck that’s dedicated to that perfect fry form, featuring hand cut potatoes deep fried to golden brown perfection, they’re making ’em on the spot to ensure you’re getting the most flavorful fries around. But that’s not all. Extreme Fries recognizes that fries are best paired with burgers, so they’ve got those too. Get an all beef patty loaded with homemade chili and oh so much cheese, or sink your teeth into their meaty hot dog. Enough said, so we’re moving on to the fries. Sure, they’re the sidekick, but Extreme Fries is out to make ’em the main attraction by dousing ’em in gravy and cheese curds for classic poutine too good to resist. Oh, and they’ve also got onion rings, pierogis, and their best selling deep fried pickles. If all this sounds good to you, what are you still reading this for? Instead, find Extreme Fries on the streets of Winnipeg, or invite ’em to cater your next event. It’s an extremely good way to find satisfaction.
Looking for More Options?
If you are in the mood for something different — or just want to avoid the busiest lunch lines — University Centre is only a short walk north and offers a wide range of choices, including:
- Tim Hortons on the main floor
- Starbucks on the second floor
- Subway (Campo level)
- TPZA (Campo level)
- Burrito Splendido (Campo level)
- Popeye’s Louisiana Chicken (Campo level)
- AFV Kitchen (Campo level)
- The Grill (Campo level)
- Healthy Kitchen (Campo level)
All of the above are located at University Centre, and here is a short two minute walking map to get there.
There is also a grab-and-go shop in Campo at University Centre near the lower entrance if you need something fast and easy.
If you head a short distance south of the theatre past the food trucks, you will also find Pembina Hall, where The Fresh Food Company offers a sit-down lunch option.
TEDxWinnipeg is a full day of big ideas, so be sure to take a break, refuel, and enjoy the food trucks and campus options around you.