Kelowna’s Best Restaurants: A Local’s Guide

Best Restaurants in Kelowna

Okay, so where should you actually eat in Kelowna? If you don’t want to scroll through every category below, start with these. I’ve included a mix of longtime local favourites and newer restaurants. Some are great for a casual dinner, while others are places I’d save for a nice dinner.

You really can’t go wrong with any of these.

• Waterfront Wines: Waterfront Wines has been around forever (well, not literally), and there’s a reason it’s still one of Kelowna’s go-to restaurants for a really good dinner. The menu changes with the seasons and makes great use of Okanagan ingredients. It’s also quite small, so this is definitely one I’d make a reservation for rather than hoping for the best.
• Wildling: Wildling is much newer to Kelowna, but it didn’t take long for people to start talking about it. It’s a tiny restaurant and wine bar in the north end, and the menu is constantly changing depending on what’s available. You can order à la carte, but you can also basically hand dinner over to the kitchen and let them decide. Personally, I think that’s way more fun.
• Kin & Folk: Come here with people who are willing to share their food because you’re going to want to try everything. Kin & Folk has lots of Asian influences, with everything from dumplings and bao to noodles and larger plates. (And definitely get the chili shrimp dumplings.) It’s lively without feeling too fancy, so I really like it for date night or dinner with friends.
• Home Block at CedarCreek: If we’re classing it up a little, Home Block is hard to beat. The restaurant overlooks CedarCreek’s vineyard and Okanagan Lake, so you get a pretty spectacular view while you eat. The menu changes seasonally and is designed around the wines, and yes, it’s definitely pricier.
• Gather Restaurant: Korean and Italian food together sounds a little questionable, but Gather really pulls it off. You’ll find pasta and gnocchi alongside bibimbap and Korean-inspired dishes, and somehow it just works. This is another good option for ordering a bunch of things and sharing.
• Frankie We Salute You!: Frankie is completely plant-based, but please don’t skip it just because you’re not vegan. The food is really good. They use tons of local Okanagan ingredients and get incredibly creative with vegetables. Their smoked carrot “lox” is still one of my favourites.
• Central Kitchen + Bar: Central is easily the most casual restaurant here and I usually think of it when I want a fantasticly good burger. They get pretty creative with their toppings, and it’s a great choice when you want good food without turning dinner into a whole fancy affair.

Best Breakfast & Brunch in Kelowna

Brunch is loved in Kelowna, especially on the weekends when some of the most popular spots can have a lineup out the door (get your reservation!). You’ll find everything from classic eggs bennies and huge breakfasts to soufflé pancakes, breakfast ramen, and freshly baked sourdough.

Whether you’re looking for a big breakfast before heading out for the day or a long, lazy brunch with a mimosa, I definitely think these Kelowna brunch spots are worth trying.

• Bohemian Café: The Boh is basically a Kelowna institution. Everything is made from scratch, and the menu has plenty of big breakfasts alongside bennies and sweeter options. I love their smoked salmon benny, and it’s right on Bernard Avenue if you’re spending the day downtown.
• Porter’s: Go here when you want brunch that’s a little… different. Their menu has Japanese soufflé pancakes, maple miso breakfast ramen, chicken and waffles, and really good bennies on buttermilk biscuits. It’s locally owned and located in the Landmark District beside Copper Brewing.
• Diner Deluxe: Right across from Gyro Beach, Diner Deluxe is a great choice for brunch before a beach day. The menu is modern diner food with big cinnamon buns, bennies, French toast, bowls, and plenty of brunch cocktails.
• Sunny’s: Another downtown favourite with a more playful take on diner food. Breakfast is served all day, and their menu is more creative than your standard bacon and eggs. It’s right on Bernard Avenue near the waterfront and gets busy on weekends.
• The Office: Weekend brunch here is a lot of fun, especially if you like a good flight. They have mimosa flights along with seasonal cocktail flights, and the brunch menu has breakfast tacos, loaded burritos, avocado toast, and bacon jam French toast. Brunch is only available on weekends, so plan accordingly.
• Vice & Virtue: Another brewery that has a really good weekend brunch. Their menu has pulled pork hash, bennies, and brown butter waffles, plus a mimosa flight with four different flavours.
• Tasty Loop Cafe: Don’t let the outside fool you. Tasty Loop doesn’t look like much from the parking lot, but the food is really good and there’s actually a lot more space inside than you’d expect. The menu is huge, with classic breakfasts alongside bennies, skillets, waffles, French toast, and some fun options like Korean poutine and the Seoul Street Benny. Come hungry because the portions are big!

Best Patios in Kelowna

Patio season is one of the best things about summer in Kelowna, especially when you can sit right beside Okanagan Lake with a drink in hand! There are so many patios around town, but these are a few of my favourites.

• Maestro’s at Manteo: This is still one of my favourite patios in Kelowna because you’re right on Okanagan Lake. The menu is Mediterranean-inspired with lots of seafood, pasta, and shareable plates, plus they do a really good happy hour. If you can get a table outside on a sunny summer evening, even better.
• Perch Sky Lounge: Perch gives you a completely different view of Kelowna from the rooftop of the Innovation Centre. Head up around sunset for drinks overlooking downtown and Okanagan Lake.
• Oak + Cru: Located along the waterfront at the Delta Grand, Oak + Cru has a beautiful lagoon-side patio that feels a little removed from the busier parts of downtown (even though it is right downtown). The menu is huge, with everything from burgers and bowls to share plates, and they have a great happy hour. You can even pull up by boat!
• King Taps: King Taps has one of the livelier patios downtown, with a great view of Okanagan Lake and the waterfront. They have a HUGE selection of beer on tap, and pizza is a big part of their menu. It’s a good choice when you want drinks and dinner somewhere with a bit more energy.
• Hotel Eldorado: I can’t talk about Kelowna patios without mentioning the Eldorado. The Boardwalk sits right beside the lake and marina, and you can even arrive by boat and dock outside. The menu has lots of steak, seafood, and Okanagan wine, and it’s great for a nicer lunch or dinner by the water.

Best Breweries in Kelowna

Kelowna’s craft beer scene has grown a lot over the last few years, especially in the North End where you can easily walk between several breweries. There are way too many to include them all, so these are a few of my favourites when you want good beer and food.

• Red Bird Brewing: Red Bird has a huge space, a great patio, and live music happening all the time. It’s especially fun in the summer when the outdoor area is packed! Food-wise, it’s mostly wood-fired pizza (which is delicious). There are a few other things on the menu, but come hungry for pizza.
• Jackknife Brewing: Jackknife is probably the most unique brewery on this list. They specialize in Nordic-inspired and experimental beers, and the tap list is always changing. But you have to get a pizza while you’re here (it’s won awards). They make thin-crust pizza plus deep-dish squares and have some really good vegan options too. The whole place has a punk and heavy metal vibe, and they regularly host live shows.
• The Office Brewery: The Office is especially fun for its flights, and they change it up seasonally so there’s always something new to try. They’re known for cocktail and dessert flights, and even pickle flights are a thing now. I’m also a big fan of their tacos, especially the brisket tacos, so don’t just come for the drinks!
• Vice & Virtue: The food here is just as good as the beer. Their pork belly burnt ends are DELICIOUS, and a lot of the menu combines smoked meats with an Asian-inspired spin. If you’re really hungry, they also have an Asian barbecue platter loaded with smoked meats and house-made sides.
• Buffalo Rouge: Buffalo Rouge has an entirely plant-based food menu alongside their own craft beer. The space is smaller and more laid-back than some of the big North End breweries, so it’s a good spot when you want a casual beer and some vegan pub food.
• BNA Brewing: Probably the most entertaining brewery on this list. BNA is inside a century-old former tobacco building downtown, and there’s even a bowling alley, bocce court, and retro arcade upstairs. The restaurant has a full dinner menu too, so it’s an easy place to spend the whole evening here rather than just stopping in for a beer.

Best Vegan & Plant-Based Restaurants in Kelowna

Kelowna has some really good plant-based food, including a few places that are worth visiting even if you’re not vegan.

• Frankie We Salute You!: Probably my top pick for plant-based food in Kelowna. It’s in the Landmark District and has a really creative menu that changes with the seasons and uses a lot of local Okanagan ingredients. You’ll find everything from burgers and bowls to salads and share plates
• Naked Café: A longtime Kelowna favourite right downtown on Lawrence Avenue. The menu is basically vegan comfort food, with everything from burgers and bowls to perogies and cauliflower tacos, plus brunch and pizza later in the day. Make sure to try the poutine!
• Buffalo Rouge Brewing: Buffalo Rouge has an entirely plant-based food menu alongside their own craft beer. It’s more vegan pub food than health food, which means you can dig into things like their Reuben or Kentucky fried tofu, which is one of my favourites. They also have a dedicated gluten-free fryer, which is great if you need gluten-free food too.

Best Pizza in Kelowna

I’m pretty picky about pizza, and thin crust or wood-fired is always going to win for me. Luckily, Kelowna has some really good options, whether you want proper Neapolitan pizza downtown or a wood-fired pizza with a cider or beer.

• Antico Pizza Napoletana: One of the best spots for traditional Neapolitan pizza in Kelowna. Their pizzas are cooked quickly in a super-hot wood-fired oven, so you get that thin, soft crust with the most beautiful char. They use a lot of imported Italian ingredients too.
• Famoso Italian Pizzeria: Famoso is another great option for Neapolitan-style pizza, with a soft, thin crust made from long-fermented flour and cooked quickly in a super-hot Italian oven. I’ve never had a bad pizza here!
• La Vela Pizzeria: Another great choice for wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, right on Bernard. It’s family-run and has more than just pizza, with pasta, appetizers and Italian desserts too. Highly recommend!
• Upside Cidery: This is such a fun place to go for pizza in the summer. Their wood-fired pizzas are creative too, with toppings like prosciutto, apple, and brie or mushrooms with truffle pesto. They also have vegan and gluten-free options.
• Curious Cafe: Curious is another downtown option with a big wood-fired oven and thin, Neapolitan-style pizza. Their menu has a lot more than pizza, so it’s especially good when you’re eating with people who don’t want pizza (not that I understand that at all).
• Red Bird Brewing: Yes, I’m repeating Red Bird, but their pizza is too good not to include here, too. Their wood-fired pizzas have a thin, chewy crust and interesting topping combinations. Plus, pizza, a beer and live music on the patio is a pretty great summer night.
• Jackknife Brewing: A local fav for pizza lovers! Their pizzas have a thin, chewy crust with plenty of char, and there are some really good vegan options too. Add in a constantly changing tap list and the punk and heavy metal atmosphere, and you’ve got a pretty fun pizza night.
• Mystic Pizza: This is a small local pizza truck that you’ll often find at Barn Owl Brewing (but not always; check their schedule), and they make naturally fermented sourdough pizza using locally milled BC flour. The dough gets a 48-hour cold ferment before being hand-stretched and stone-fired!

Best Burgers in Kelowna

Sometimes you just want a really good burger, and luckily Kelowna won’t disappoint you! You’ll find everything from messy gourmet burgers piled with toppings to crispy-edged smash burgers and classic pub-style favourites.

• Central Kitchen + Bar: If we’re talking burgers in Kelowna, Central has to be on the list. They’re known for their burgers and have won Best of Kelowna multiple times. The menu gets pretty creative too, with options like My Boy Blue with blue cheese and prosciutto, or Peach for the Stars with bacon, peach chutney and goat cheese.
• BNA Burger: If you want a smash burger, head to the BNA Tasting Room downtown. These are much simpler than Central’s loaded burgers, with crispy-edged patties, potato buns and classic toppings. Grab some fries and a BNA beer, and you’re set.
• Copper Brewing Company: Copper has a whole section of double-patty smash burgers, and they don’t exactly hold back on the toppings. You can keep it normal or go for the Full Send, which piles three patties with bacon, back bacon, cheese, and a fried egg. Their fresh-cut fries are really good too.

Best Coffee Shops in Kelowna

Kelowna has a great local coffee scene, whether you’re looking for really good specialty coffee or a cozy café where you can hang out for a while. A few local roasters have also opened new locations around the city, so you definitely don’t have to rely on Starbucks for your morning coffee.

• Craft 42 Roasters: My all-time favourite! They roast their own beans and take the coffee pretty seriously, with pour-overs and coffee tastings alongside the usual espresso drinks.
• Bright Jenny: Bright Jenny is one of Kelowna’s best-known local coffee roasters, but I also love it as a bit of a “third space.” Their Kirschner location is huge, with plenty of room to hang out with a coffee for a while. They roast their own beans locally, have a great selection of drinks and food, and have a few locations around Kelowna.
• Pulp Fiction Coffee House: Easily the most unique coffee shop on this list. Pulp Fiction is part café, part rare bookstore, and part antique shop, with rooms full of old books, art, clocks, and all sorts of things to look through.
• Black Rabbit: A tiny neighbourhood café in the Lower Mission with great espresso drinks, pastries, and a little outdoor patio. It’s much smaller than some of the other coffee shops on this list, which is part of the appeal.
• Komorebi Cafe: If you’re a matcha person, you have to check out Komorebi. This little Japanese-inspired café on Cawston specializes in matcha and hojicha, with lots of fun seasonal drinks and Japanese desserts. The space is full of plants and doubles as an art and wellness studio, so it’s quite different from your typical coffee shop.
• Red Bird Roasting: Yep, the same Red Bird as the brewery! Their roastery is just across the street and focuses on small-batch, specialty coffee. You can grab anything from a latte to a single-origin pour-over, and they even offer small guided coffee tastings if you want to learn more about what you’re drinking.