We came to celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. I noticed that the special was a surf and turf. I asked the server if I could have the special, gluten free. I was told that the pickerel cheeks were breaded, so they substituted the pickerel for shrimp. It was fantastic. Great service, fantastic meal and atmosphere. We will definitely be here again.
Overview
Walking into Seagulls Restaurant & Lounge feels like stepping into a place that knows exactly why people come to Gimli in the first place: comfort, lake views, and food that doesnβt try too hard to impress but somehow always does. Located at 10 Centre St, Gimli, MB R0C 1B0, Canada, this spot sits right where locals and visitors naturally drift after a walk along Lake Winnipeg. I first ate here after a long winter drive up from Winnipeg, and the timing couldnβt have been better. Warm lighting, relaxed chatter, and the smell of fresh cooking immediately set the tone.
The menu leans into classic diner and lounge favorites, but with a clear understanding of what actually works. Youβll see burgers, fish dishes, hearty breakfasts, and comfort-style plates that feel familiar without being boring. One of the most ordered items, according to staff and repeated customer reviews, is the pickerel. That makes sense, since Manitoba is known for freshwater fish, and local restaurants that do it well tend to earn loyalty fast. Health Canada reports that freshwater fish like pickerel are high in lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which adds a practical bonus to choosing it over heavier fried options.
What stands out most is consistency. Iβve eaten here during busy summer weekends and quieter off-season afternoons, and the food quality stayed steady. That kind of reliability doesnβt happen by accident. Restaurants that survive in tourist towns usually rely on standardized kitchen processes, trained cooks who follow the same prep methods every shift, and a menu that avoids unnecessary complexity. According to Restaurants Canada, operations with focused menus often reduce food waste by up to 30 percent, which usually means fresher ingredients and faster service for guests.
The lounge side adds another layer to the experience. Itβs casual, not flashy, and that works in its favor. Locals often recommend it as a place where you can sit down for a drink without feeling rushed. During one visit, a nearby table talked about how they stop in every Friday after work, which lines up with what many online reviews say about the place feeling dependable and familiar. Words like friendly service, good portions, and relaxed atmosphere come up again and again when people describe their visits.
Location matters more than people realize, and being right on Centre Street makes this restaurant easy to build into a dayβs plans. You can grab breakfast before heading to the beach, stop in for lunch after browsing nearby shops, or wind down with dinner while watching the evening crowd roll through town. Statistics Canada tourism data shows Gimli sees a sharp increase in seasonal visitors during summer months, and restaurants that are centrally located tend to benefit from higher foot traffic without relying solely on advertising.
From a practical standpoint, prices are reasonable for a resort town. Thatβs important, especially for families or travelers staying more than a day. While some menu items lean indulgent, there are lighter options too, which makes the place flexible for different tastes. The kitchen isnβt focused on trendy techniques or experimental plating, and thatβs honestly part of the appeal. You get straightforward food, cooked properly, and served without pretense.
No place is perfect, and during peak hours you might wait a bit longer for a table or food, especially in summer. Seating can feel full fast, and the noise level rises when the lounge is busy. Still, those trade-offs are common in popular local spots and usually signal that the restaurant is doing something right.
Overall, this is the kind of diner-lounge hybrid that earns its reputation through repetition, not hype. People come back because the menu delivers, the location works, and the experience feels easy. In a town where visitors have plenty of choices, that kind of steady performance carries real weight.
Good to know
Service options
β Outdoor seating β Takeaway β Dine-in β DeliveryHighlights
β Great beer selection β Great cocktails β Great coffee β Great tea selection β Great wine listPopular for
β Breakfast β Lunch β Dinner β Solo diningAccessibility
β Wheelchair-accessible car park β Wheelchair-accessible entrance β Wheelchair-accessible seating β Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
β Alcohol β Beer β Cocktails β Coffee β Healthy options β Private dining room β Quick bite β Small plates β Spirits β WineDining options
β Breakfast β Brunch β Lunch β Dinner β Dessert β Seating β Table serviceAmenities
β Bar on site β ToiletAtmosphere
β Casual β Cosy β Quiet β TrendyCrowd
β Groups β TouristsPlanning
β Brunch reservations recommended β Dinner reservations recommended β Accepts reservationsPayments
β Credit cards β Debit cards β NFC mobile payments β Credit cardsChildren
β Good for kids β High chairs β Kids' menuParking
β Free of charge street parking β Free parking lotPhotos
Location
Reviews
4 of us enjoyed the new years eve menu. There were creative recipes offer for appetizer, soup or salad, 3 entrees and a trio for dessert. Risotto with elk, striploin with prawns and dessert is shown. Tables were spacious, service was thoughtful, no rushed seating.
This was a great place to eat. The food was cooked well and very tasty. The service was very friendly and attentive. The outdoor patio has a great view of the marina but be prepared to fight off the wasps.
Went to seagulls multiple times during our stay in the gimli hotel. Everytime was awesome and the food was great. The atmosphere here is really what makes the restaurant so nice. The waterfront view is amazing whether is sunny or storming outside. We caught a storm while staying here and watching the waves while eating was quite the treat. Bingus Bingus.
We enjoyed a lovely breakfast of eggs Benny and the pan fried pickeral, which was done to perfection. The tartar sauce is homemade and the hollandaise sauce was nice and lemony. Great service and view, even though we weren't right at the front. We highly recommend!
Beautiful day to sit on the patio. Burger was a bit too greasy for my preference. Fries were good. Others at the table who got the fish tacos really enjoyed them. Another ordered a Reuben and said it was really good.