22 Best Restaurants in Okanagan Wine Country, British Columbia
Sorry! We don't have any recommendations for Okanagan Wine Country right now.
Like the California wine regions, Okanagan has attracted gourmands, and the restaurants reflect that. They also benefit from the amazing fruit harvest here. From summer to fall, every month reaps a harvest of different fruits, from cherries and plums to nectarines, peaches, and several varieties of apples.
Ratio Coffee & Pastry
This laid-back coffee shop is a Vernon gem. They feature a different pastry every day of the week, from eclairs (Tuesday), cakes (Wednesday), and doughnuts (Friday). Arrive early, these delicious masterpieces sell out quick (especially on Donut Friday).
Sonora Room Restaurant
Start with a picture-perfect backdrop overlooking the vineyards, add a contemporary market-driven menu, top it off with expert service, and the result is one of the Okanagan's finest dining experiences. With its high-beamed ceilings and wood floors, the interior is rustic, but the best seats are on the terrace looking out across the fields. The menu changes every year but you might find dishes like seared tuna with beets or duck breast with parsnip and sweet potato. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily from May through mid-October, but keeps more limited hours off-season.
Recommended Fodor's Video
15 Park Bistro
Part of the swanky Watermark Beach Resort, this restaurant sits on the water and has terrific views. Guests from other resorts head here for a night out, grazing on appetizers like tuna tostadas and cheese and charcuterie antipasto. More substantial dishes, such as lobster ravioli, are offered for dinner. Many of the featured wines are limited editions from local wineries, so if you didn't taste them during your afternoon touring, you may find them here.
Bliss Bakery and Bistro
Bouchons Bistro
Lots of windows and crisp white-linen tablecloths make this restaurant as bright as a French café, and the menu offers an array of classics. Signature dishes include a mouthwatering bouillabaisse containing everything from fresh rockfish and cod, to scallops, shrimp, and mussels; and a hearty cassoulet that includes duck confit, smoked pork belly, and Toulouse sausage over a navy bean ragout.
Home Block at CedarCreek Estate Winery
With amazing views overlooking Okanagan Lake, Home Block, the restaurant located inside Cedar Creek Estate Winery, serves a locally inspired menu alongside limited-edition wines. The menu is always changing, but past favorites include crispy artichokes with mushrooms or sockeye salmon with charred asparagus. In the summer, snag a seat on the amazing outdoor terrace.
Midtown Bistro
This charming little bistro in downtown Vernon serves up delicious local fare amid beautiful artwork, feel-good music, and warm colors. The pear and goat cheese salad is just divine.
Old Vines Restaurant
This contemporary eatery at Quails' Gate Winery is open throughout the year, making it a good choice for off-season visits. When the weather is fine, you can dine on the patio overlooking the lake. Menu choices are a balance of seafood, meat and options for vegetarians, too. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable about wine pairings.
Oliver Eats Ltd.
Phoenix Steak House
Located in downtown Vernon on the main drag, Phoenix Steak House is owned by a husband and wife team, and serves excellent steak, alongside plenty of seafood options (the crab cakes are divine), pasta, salads, and more. The vibe is cozy, intimate, and romantic.
RauDZ Regional Table
Summerhill Sunset Organic Bistro
The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry
Located at Spirit Ridge Resort on the traditional land of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation, this restaurant's name and menu is largely inspired by its Indigenous roots. The "Root" offerings range from maple roasted delicata squash to bannock with a white bean sumac spread, The "Fish" options include salmon, lingcod, and clams, The Bear (aka meat) will have you feasting on bison and duck, and as for The Berry (dessert), get ready to dig into honey and pear pavlova and assorted homemade sorbets.
The Bench Market
The Bistro at Hillside Winery
Hillside Winery's straightforward lunch menu—salads, sandwiches, and pastas—is presented with style. It tends to get busy; so reservations are encouraged. The evening vibe is more intimate, making this a good choice for traditional favorites like wild Pacific halibut or clam risotto.
The Black Antler
This trendy downtown restaurant and cocktail bar serves fantastic comfort food (think chicken wings, coconut prawns, pastas, and more). They also have an extensive cocktail list and plenty of great vino and suds from the surrounding wineries and breweries. The vibe and the decor are fun.
The Patio
On a lovely terrace looking out over the vineyards at Nk'Mip Cellars, this restaurant offers shady respite from the desert heat. The menu includes salads, cheese plates, and other light meals, and dishes sometimes feature Indigenous influences, such as wild salmon or bison steak. Like many winery dining rooms, this one is outdoors and closes when the weather turns. Although it's primarily a place for lunch, it serves dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings in July and August.
The Patio Restaurant at Lake Breeze
A seat at this beautifully landscaped patio is one of the hottest tickets in town, so plan on an early lunch if you hope to get a table. Among the wine-friendly dishes, you might find smoked trout, or a duck burger topped with slaw. Or simply spend the afternoon sharing a charcuterie plate. The tables are outdoors, meaning the restaurant closes in inclement weather. Reservations are accepted for groups of six to 12 people.
The Terrace at Mission Hill
Waterfront Wines Restaurant
The kind of laid-back place every neighborhood should have, this bistro and wine bar concentrates on small—and larger—plates paired with local wines. Appetizers range from wagyu tartare to grilled broccoli and broccolini salad. If you're in the mood for something heartier, you might try the duck breast with ricotta gnocchi or the tender flat iron steak.
Wayne & Freda
This charming little coffee shop in downtown Penticton, named after the owners' grandparents, serves everything from your standard cup of java to smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, healthy veggie-packed bowls, and more. The perfect spot for a morning cup of coffee to-go, a quick afternoon bite, or a longer day of catching up on emails or reading a book.