10 Amazing Kelowna Restaurants You Should Try
Are you looking for the best Kelowna restaurants to visit during your trip? We have hand-picked what we consider to be the best of the best. Being set in a large city, there is an array of cuisines.
Whether you’re looking for fine dining, happy hour, Canadian cuisine, or a budget-friendly option, the restaurants in Kelowna will not disappoint. The food scene in Kelowna is continuously growing, and enjoying a meal out is one of the best things to do in Kelowna. What better way to explore the area than through the stomach?
Best Kelowna Restaurants
The Home Block Restaurant
- Cuisine: Fine dining
- Price: $$$
- Address: 5445 Lakeshore Rd
- See Menu
Cedar Creek Estate Winery has a beautiful and modern restaurant named the Home Block Restaurant. This fine-dining restaurant is led by chef Neil Taylor, who uses various ingredients harvested on their land. When that isn’t possible, they source their ingredients from local farmers, ranchers, and foragers.
We highly recommend choosing the 3-course or 5-course menu options. The menu is inspired by their high-quality wine, which makes for the perfect pairing. This experience fills up quickly in the summer months, and the ingredients are sourced in small batches, so be sure to book in advance.
This is by far the best dining experience in Kelowna! It is not to be missed between the high-quality dining, the perfect wine pairings, the knowledgeable staff, and the beautiful ambiance.
Old Vines Restaurant
- Cuisine: Authentic Okanagan experience
- Price: $$$
- Address: 3303 Boucherie Rd
- See Menu
Old Vines Restaurant is located at Quail’s Gate Winery, one of the best wineries in Kelowna. Found in West Kelowna, as you arrive at the front entrance of the winery, the restaurant can be found to the left of the main building.
As you walk in, you can sit inside or on their patio. I highly recommend choosing a table on the patio when possible, as it offers breathtaking views of the vines and the lake. Not to mention, the patio itself is beautifully decorated with flowers.
I have been to Old Vines Restaurant multiple times over the years, and it has offered consistently delicious food and notable wine. I highly recommend getting the Artisan Charcuterie from the lunch menu and asking for some of their homemade fruit compote and extra sourdough bread. It is a match made in heaven!
If you’re heading to Old Vines Restaurant for dinner, it is essential to make reservations in advance, as it books up quickly in the summer months.
Craft Beer Market
- Cuisine: Pub style
- Price: $-$$
- Address: 257 Bernard Ave
- See Menu
Craft Beer Market has the best happy hour in town, running all day on Sundays! The best time to head to Craft Beer Market is during summer, as they have a notable rooftop patio. The patio is nicely designed, with occasional misters to keep you cool on those warm summer days.
Between the happy hour special and great views, this is my favorite spot to head on Sundays. I would head elsewhere for a meal if your timing doesn’t align with their specials.
| Monday-Thursday | 2 pm-5 pm and 9 pm-close |
| Friday-Saturday | 2 pm-5 pm |
| Sunday | All day |
Cactus Club Cafe Kelowna Yacht Club
- Cuisine: High-end chain restaurant
- Price: $$-$$$
- Address: 1370 Water St #1
- See Menu
Cactus Club in Kelowna is one of my top spots to head to when I am in the area. This spot is less about the food and more about the views. As you enter the restaurant, you will notice that all water-facing walls are in the open air, allowing for an indoor/outdoor experience.
This open-concept restaurant offers beautiful views of the marina, lake, and surrounding mountains. They offer a happy hour every day from 2 pm to 5 pm and 9 pm to close. The bellini is a fun drink from their happy hour menu while watching the boats cruise by. As for food, you really can’t go wrong with their spicy ahi roll.
Cactus Club will have a lineup out the door in the peak of the summer months. Though you can be added to the waitlist, beat the line by making a reservation.
Krafty Kitchen + Bar
- Cuisine: Casual farm-to-table
- Price: $$
- Address: 281 Lawrence Ave
- See Menu
Krafty Kitchen + Bar is the best place for brunch in Kelowna. On Saturdays and Sundays, they offer “Hip Hop Brunch.” It runs from 9am to 2pm. During that time, hip-hop music plays, the staff dresses in their favorite hip-hop attire, and the brunch items are named after famous throwback hip-hop songs.
In our opinion, the best items on the menu are the bowls. We had so much trouble choosing which ones to try! We recommend making early reservations for the hip-hop brunch, as it can be hard to get in without one.
Karat Chocolate
- Cuisine: Chocolate and pastry boutique
- Price: $$$
- Address: 1526 Ellis St
- See Menu (the menu changes)
Karat Chocolate is a great spot to try out for an afternoon pick-me. As soon as you walk in, you are captivated by their showcase, which displays unique and vibrant chocolates, desserts, and pastries. One of their main focus is to create fresh and handmade treats. They also take pride in using ethically sourced and high-quality local ingredients.
This location offers custom cake orders. This is a great spot to consider if you’re in Kelowna for a celebration. That said, be sure to call them in advance to give them enough time to bring your vision to life. What I loved most about heading to Karat Chocolate was the chance to try new and innovative desserts that I had never been exposed to. Their handmade goodies are truly a piece of art!
BNA Brewing Co.
- Cuisine: Brewery and bites
- Price: $-$$
- Address: 1250 Ellis St
- See Menu
BNA Brewing Co. is an enjoyable place to head to for a pint and a bite (see what I did there?!) Their beer is brewed right on-site. In addition, you can bring your own wine to BNA for a $25 corkage fee. I love this location because it has a large food menu, considering it is a brewery.
They also have many gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options. This brewery is conveniently located in downtown Kelowna. I love walking by the water after enjoying a bite to eat and a drink from BNA Brewing Co.
Erica Jane
- Cuisine: Farm-to-table
- Price: $$$
- Address: 1187 Sunset Dr #2
- See Menu
Erica Jane is a unique and stand-out dining experience in Kelowna. The space offers a modern fine dining experience. Chef Braun takes pride in putting forward farm-to-table dishes and is dedicated to offering long-term sustainability in his kitchen.
I can’t possibly choose a single favorite dish at Erica Jane. A few must-tries are the oysters, the beer tartare, the New Zealand Lamb Rack, and the Hokkaido Scallops. This spot is not to be missed!
Bai Tong Thai
- Walking Cuisine: Thai
- Price: $-$$
- Address: 275 Bernard Ave
- See Menu
Bai Tong Thai is a casual, hole-in-the-wall style restaurant with incredibly flavourful and rich food. Walking by, it doesn’t look like anything to ring home for, but the food is undeniably delicious. This is the best Thai restaurant in the Kelowna area.
What I like most is how big of a menu they have, allowing you to try a new option every time you are there. It is the perfect place to go when you want a casual, filling, and flavourful meal.
Bernie’s Supper Club & Cinema
- Cuisine: Dinner and a show
- Price: $$
- Address: 353 Bernard Ave
- See Menu
Bernie’s Supper Club and Cinema is a unique Kelowna experience as it offers note-worthy dining experiences that can be enjoyed during one of their movie showings.
Bernie’s is located in a 100-year-old building that is loaded with character. The cinema is like no other, with only 40 spots, comfortable and spacious seating, side tables, and a unique and quaint atmosphere. They offer a mixture of old and new movies, ensuring an option that will please everyone.
TOP TIP: The cinema offers "Toonie Tuesdays" with two dollars off local craft beer, wine and movies. Their Tuesday night showings are at 6:00pm and 8:45pm.
It is still worth the visit if you were just looking to grab a bite to eat. Their elegant dining room makes for a spot to bring a date. Their broad menu allows you to choose between more upscale or casual options.
On top of being a cinema, they also offer live events, such as comedy nights.
The Best Things to Do in Kelowna
Now that you’ve made a game plan of which Kelowna restaurants to try, it’s time to decide what activities to do while you’re in the area. This city has so much to offer! There is no shortage of options between water activities, endless wineries, arts, and culture.
Here are some of our favorite things to do while we’re in Kelowna:
- Do a winery tour with a private shuttle
- Rent a paddleboard and take it out on Okanagan Lake
- Spend an afternoon on the beach
- Hike Myra Canyon
