Overlooking the River Valley, Wîhkwêntôwin acts as one of Edmonton’s oldest residential neighbourhoods.
Wîhkwêntôwin, formerly Oliver, was given its current name in January 2025, which means “circle of friends” in Cree. This rich and diverse neighbourhood is home to several excellent restaurants, things to do, and is centrally located with easy access to anywhere in the city.
The hub of a neighbourhood has a lot to do and even more to see, so we’ve made a list of some of the best things to check out in Wîhkwêntôwin.
Where to eat
Cutting through Wîhkwêntôwin is the popular Jasper Avenue, a hot spot for many shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs.
In terms of food? Wîhkwêntôwin is definitely one of the neighbourhoods in Edmonton that excels at it.
For ramen lovers out there, Wîhkwêntôwin has more than a few exceptional options. Hu’s Noodle Nook is a ramen spot for its excellent broth and noodles, and Tokiwa Ramen is a notable name within Edmonton, known for selling out quickly due to its popularity.
If you’re more into Italian, this neighbourhood is home to Olia, one of Chef Daniel Costa’s restaurants within the city. This classic Italian spot serves fresh pasta dishes using seasonal products for maximum flavour.
Here are some more options that might tickle your fancy:
Where to shop
Wîhkwêntôwin gives easy access to 124th Street, a street filled with food, activities, and most importantly, places to shop.
Ascendant Books is one of Edmonton’s best metaphysical stores, specializing in gemstone jewelry and everything mind, body, and spirit. They feature in-person reading occasionally, which you can keep an eye out for on their Instagram.
Just a block north of the neighbourhood is Listen Records, one of the best places to go for great music. This new and used vinyl shop boasts about having the best selection within the city, offering everything from pop hits to obscure sounds.
What to do
For the summer, the Wîhkwêntôwin outdoor pool is open, welcoming everyone to jump in for a swim. The pool is currently open for business every day of the week, but please check the City of Edmonton’s website for the latest pool status.
Keeping it outdoorsy, Wîhkwêntôwin is home to many parks like Oliver Park, Paul Kane Park, and the stunning Grant Notley Park, which overlooks the gorgeous River Valley.
During the night, this neighbourhood has many bars and pubs and hosts a lively nightlife scene that’s sure to get your heart racing. The local gay bar Evolution Wonderlounge has just opened up its new location off Jasper Avenue, EVO. It is relocating permanently to Wîhkwêntôwin, as they are planning to close its old location in Fall 2025.
This neighbourhood grows and changes each and every year, but it continues to act as one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the city.
From small shops to big clubs, Wîhkwêntôwin has everything to give, so don’t miss out on what this neighbourhood is offering.
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