Driving for Dessert: The Gallery Café in Moose Jaw
Right in Moose Jaw’s downtown you’ll find the Yvette Moore Gallery, the exclusive home of renowned artist Yvette Moore’s artwork. It’s also home to The Gallery Café – an in-house restaurant and favourite local spot for lunch and dessert.
Photo courtesy of Tourism Moose Jaw
Housed in the historic 1910 Land Titles Building, which is a municipal heritage property, The Gallery Café and Yvette Moore Gallery offer a setting rooted in old-world charm. The Gallery Café itself is certainly a lovely place to visit for a meal or dessert, with high ceilings and tall windows that give it a sense of grandeur.
Photo by the Yvette Moore Gallery
“There are maps hanging on the café walls, which are original land surveying maps from the [Moose Jaw] area,” said Sarah Moore, who is Yvette’s daughter and also the Creative Director for the gallery. “The tables in the café were the former office tables for the Land Titles Building too, so it’s a glimpse of the past.”
Dessert at The Gallery Café often means enjoying classic prairie treats, all made in-house. Think gingerbread with lemon butter, Grandma’s bread and butter pudding – “just how Grandma serves it” – and a saskatoon berry crepe topped with gourmet ice cream. You’ll even find a gluten-free black bean brownie on the dessert menu.
Photo by Elevate Photography
“The menu is mainly classic, favourite recipes. People who have been coming here for years have their favourites that they always order,” Moore said, noting that the focus of the lunch menu is on healthy staples, often with a prairie twist.
Homemade soups, artisan salads and ciabatta sandwiches make up the bulk of the lunch menu, with some items featuring Saskatchewan ingredients too. Try the rhubarb spinach salad for something lighter, the mushroom potato dill chowder (or their rotating daily soup feature!), or one of the sandwiches like the chicken, brie and pear ciabatta, which features Gravelbourg mustard. Either way, once you’ve enjoyed dining at The Gallery Café, there’s plenty more to see.
Photo by Elevate Photography
“Yvette’s artwork is exclusive here, so you can’t get it anywhere else,” Moore said. “And then we have a collection of work from over 30 other artisans across Canada. They’re all hand-created art pieces. People who come from all over the world are amazed by the quality, and I think it’s true to Saskatchewan.”
Photo by Elevate Photography
Make it a day trip or a weekend
Turn dessert at The Gallery Café into a day trip or a weekend and explore what Moose Jaw has to offer.Where to stay
There are plenty of hotels in Moose Jaw. To stay downtown, check out the Grant Hall Hotel, which is a historic landmark, originally built in 1927. Moose Jaw is also known for the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa, which is also in the downtown and features the largest therapeutic geothermal mineral water pool in Canada.
What to see/do
Moose Jaw’s downtown is the place to be, filled with plenty of charming shops, cafés, restaurants and more. As an added bonus, many of these spots are also walking distance from Yvette Moore Gallery. Take a stroll through the beautiful Crescent Park, which has many walking paths, along with an outdoor pool and spray park. The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery is also located in the park offering an art gallery, heritage gallery and public events, it’s a must-see for all ages!
Photo by Elevate Photography
If you’re interested in doing some browsing and shopping, Cranberry Collective Boutique is a popular spot for women’s and children’s clothing, along with giftware and home goods. Then, check out Prairie Bee Meadery, Saskatchewan’s first craft meadery. Its honey wine comes in many flavours, including rhubarb and cherry. For your daily coffee fix, visit Evolve, where you’ll find plenty of beverage options, plus desserts and a light breakfast and lunch menu. You’ll also want to visit The Mad Greek, which is a Moose Jaw favourite, known for its boneless Greek ribs and pizzas. There are even family-size meals – perfect if you’re visiting with a large group.
Photo courtesy of Tourism Moose Jaw
Bonus points
If you want to see Moose Jaw in an entirely unique way, check out a Trolley Tour. The trolley is up and running for the 2022 season, and offers Daytime Trolley Tours, Trolley Ghost Tours, and even a Trolley True Crime Tour. Book ahead for this popular attraction!
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Yvette Moore Gallery is located at 76 Fairford Street West in Moose Jaw, SK. For more information and hours, visit its website. The Gallery Café is also featured in Naomi Hansen’s book, Only in Saskatchewan: Recipes & Stories from the Province’s Best-loved Eateries. Visit www.naomihansen.ca for more information.
Author: Naomi Hansen
