Dining in the Okanagan
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Thompson Okanagan, British Columbia.
Bathed in sun and nourished by its many lakes and rivers, the bountiful Thompson Okanagan is alive with bright colours, sensual flavours and tantalizing aromas. Combined with the exceptional service born of a friendly, laid-back people, its abundant fresh fruit and veggie crops as well as its plentiful vineyards and wineries are important elements in the success of this area's restaurants.
SHUSWAP & THOMPSON
Finding a place to dine while visiting Salmon Arm is simple as many of its restaurants are located downtown or along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Travellers will find bakeries, cafes, pizzerias, pubs, coffee bars and family eateries as well as many major chain restaurants and fast-food outlets. The Pink Cherry is a great place to enjoy exceptional desserts and healthy, delicious meals downtown. Travelling from Salmon Arm to Kamloops, diners will find a number of restaurants in the towns of Tappen, Blind Bay, Sorrento and Chase.
The City of Kamloops and the surrounding area have a wide variety of eateries, including Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Thai, Indian, steak, seafood and family restaurants as well as numerous bakeries, pizzerias, bistros and coffee bars. One of the most popular cafes, Caffè Arianna serves traditionally prepared Italian fare in downtown Kamloops. On an evening out in the city, patrons can visit any of Kamloops' many pubs and sports bars, which offer great atmosphere and everything from traditional pub food to full menus. North of Kamloops on Highway 5/5A, in centres such as Clearwater and Blue River, travellers will find fare such as burgers, steak and pizza in family restaurants and pubs.
NORTH OKANAGAN
Often frequented for activities such as pleasure crafting, camping, house boating and fishing, the Okanagan's north sees many of its visitors travelling through the area along Highway 97/97A through Sicamous, Enderby and Armstrong or across the Kootenays on Highway 6 through Cherryville and Lumby into the City of Vernon. While these centres cater to visitors on the go with abundant eateries located along the highway, many of its gems are found off the beaten track. One such example is the award-winning Hungry Jack's Restaurant, which is situated in downtown Enderby and serves fresh, home-cooked breakfast and lunch. After a day in the sun on Mara or Shuswap Lake, many visitors and locals alike can be found at the D Dutchmen Dairy, a well known haunt in Sicamous that dishes up mouth-watering, freshly made old-fashioned ice cream.
Providing entry to the rest of the Okanagan, Vernon is a bustling city with all the conveniences, including a diverse selection of restaurants spanning Chinese, Italian, Greek, Mediterranean and fusion cuisine. For an elegant dining experience, travellers can visit the Ora Restaurant and Lounge with its trendy décor and use of fresh ingredients. Vernon also offers many bistros, cafes and family restaurants. Just up the hill is the ski resort town of Silver Star, which, while small in size, offers a number of fine dining experiences in Italian, European, continental and family restaurants, as well a couple of bakeries, a lounge and two pubs.
CENTRAL OKANAGAN
The heart of the Okanagan, this area is a tourist hotbed with its access to Lake Okanagan, bountiful orchards and many activities and attractions. At the centre of it all is Kelowna. This city has plenty of variety to offer, whether visitors are looking for fresh, healthy dining or their favourite treats. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Greek, Italian and American fare can all be enjoyed in Kelowna. During the summer months, hot weather ensures that patios across the city are full both during the day and in the evenings. The patio at the Old Vines Restaurant is no exception with its stunning views and relaxed atmosphere. This restaurant is part of the Quails' Gate Winery in Westbank and uses local ingredients to create exceptional menus. Kelowna also features a number of bakeries, cafes, bistros, pizzerias and family restaurants. Located on the west side of Highway 97, south of Winfield and just minutes from the Kelowna Airport, the well loved Jammery is known for its tasty family menu and excellent jams.
Come sunset in the Okanagan, Kelowna is the place to be. Partygoers will discover trendy nightclubs with internationally known DJs spinning the biggest hits and local talent performing at live music clubs. For a night of relaxing with friends or catching big sporting events, visitors can stop at one of the city's abundant pubs or sports bars like Rose's Waterfront Pub, which features a heated patio and is located in the Grand Okanagan Hotel.
Not just a popular destination during the ski season, Big White has much to offer visitors, including a selection of restaurants. The Kettle Valley Steakhouse, located at the top of the gondola, is just one of the delectable eateries found in the area serving prime steaks and Okanagan wine.
SOUTH OKANAGAN & SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY
South of the Coquihalla connector (Highway 97 C) down to the US border on Highway 97 are the urban centres of Summerland, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos. In Penticton, many restaurants are located along Main and Martin streets downtown as well as along the waterfront of Lake Okanagan. Restaurants vary from ethnic eateries to pasta bars to barbeque joints such as the Lost Moose Lodge Restaurant, which is set in a round log building with striking views of the lake. Many of Osoyoos' restaurants lie along Highway 3/3B east of Highway 97. Holiday-makers seeking refreshment in this hot, arid region will find solace in an ice cream parlour or juice bar, while travellers can grab a quick bite at a restaurant serving pizza or tapas such as the Bibo Wine Bar, known for its delicious meals and excellent wine selection.
Home to some of the country's finest vineyards and wineries, the region produces numerous varieties of red, white, ice and cool-climate wines as well as several other fruit-based beverages. Many of these wines are made available in local restaurants. A number of the vineyards and wineries also have restaurants located on site. South of Naramata, across the lake from Summerland, is the Lake Breeze Winery Patio Restaurant, which serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Travellers headed west on Highway 3/3B will travel through the breathtaking Similkameen Valley through Cawston, Keremeos, Hedley and Princeton. These towns feature a handful of charming restaurants and pubs such as the Hitching Post Restaurant, a family eatery that serves fresh, homemade food and hosts numerous dinner concerts.
SHUSWAP & THOMPSON
Finding a place to dine while visiting Salmon Arm is simple as many of its restaurants are located downtown or along the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1). Travellers will find bakeries, cafes, pizzerias, pubs, coffee bars and family eateries as well as many major chain restaurants and fast-food outlets. The Pink Cherry is a great place to enjoy exceptional desserts and healthy, delicious meals downtown. Travelling from Salmon Arm to Kamloops, diners will find a number of restaurants in the towns of Tappen, Blind Bay, Sorrento and Chase.
The City of Kamloops and the surrounding area have a wide variety of eateries, including Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Greek, Thai, Indian, steak, seafood and family restaurants as well as numerous bakeries, pizzerias, bistros and coffee bars. One of the most popular cafes, Caffè Arianna serves traditionally prepared Italian fare in downtown Kamloops. On an evening out in the city, patrons can visit any of Kamloops' many pubs and sports bars, which offer great atmosphere and everything from traditional pub food to full menus. North of Kamloops on Highway 5/5A, in centres such as Clearwater and Blue River, travellers will find fare such as burgers, steak and pizza in family restaurants and pubs.
NORTH OKANAGAN
Often frequented for activities such as pleasure crafting, camping, house boating and fishing, the Okanagan's north sees many of its visitors travelling through the area along Highway 97/97A through Sicamous, Enderby and Armstrong or across the Kootenays on Highway 6 through Cherryville and Lumby into the City of Vernon. While these centres cater to visitors on the go with abundant eateries located along the highway, many of its gems are found off the beaten track. One such example is the award-winning Hungry Jack's Restaurant, which is situated in downtown Enderby and serves fresh, home-cooked breakfast and lunch. After a day in the sun on Mara or Shuswap Lake, many visitors and locals alike can be found at the D Dutchmen Dairy, a well known haunt in Sicamous that dishes up mouth-watering, freshly made old-fashioned ice cream.
Providing entry to the rest of the Okanagan, Vernon is a bustling city with all the conveniences, including a diverse selection of restaurants spanning Chinese, Italian, Greek, Mediterranean and fusion cuisine. For an elegant dining experience, travellers can visit the Ora Restaurant and Lounge with its trendy décor and use of fresh ingredients. Vernon also offers many bistros, cafes and family restaurants. Just up the hill is the ski resort town of Silver Star, which, while small in size, offers a number of fine dining experiences in Italian, European, continental and family restaurants, as well a couple of bakeries, a lounge and two pubs.
CENTRAL OKANAGAN
The heart of the Okanagan, this area is a tourist hotbed with its access to Lake Okanagan, bountiful orchards and many activities and attractions. At the centre of it all is Kelowna. This city has plenty of variety to offer, whether visitors are looking for fresh, healthy dining or their favourite treats. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Indian, Mexican, Greek, Italian and American fare can all be enjoyed in Kelowna. During the summer months, hot weather ensures that patios across the city are full both during the day and in the evenings. The patio at the Old Vines Restaurant is no exception with its stunning views and relaxed atmosphere. This restaurant is part of the Quails' Gate Winery in Westbank and uses local ingredients to create exceptional menus. Kelowna also features a number of bakeries, cafes, bistros, pizzerias and family restaurants. Located on the west side of Highway 97, south of Winfield and just minutes from the Kelowna Airport, the well loved Jammery is known for its tasty family menu and excellent jams.
Come sunset in the Okanagan, Kelowna is the place to be. Partygoers will discover trendy nightclubs with internationally known DJs spinning the biggest hits and local talent performing at live music clubs. For a night of relaxing with friends or catching big sporting events, visitors can stop at one of the city's abundant pubs or sports bars like Rose's Waterfront Pub, which features a heated patio and is located in the Grand Okanagan Hotel.
Not just a popular destination during the ski season, Big White has much to offer visitors, including a selection of restaurants. The Kettle Valley Steakhouse, located at the top of the gondola, is just one of the delectable eateries found in the area serving prime steaks and Okanagan wine.
SOUTH OKANAGAN & SIMILKAMEEN VALLEY
South of the Coquihalla connector (Highway 97 C) down to the US border on Highway 97 are the urban centres of Summerland, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Osoyoos. In Penticton, many restaurants are located along Main and Martin streets downtown as well as along the waterfront of Lake Okanagan. Restaurants vary from ethnic eateries to pasta bars to barbeque joints such as the Lost Moose Lodge Restaurant, which is set in a round log building with striking views of the lake. Many of Osoyoos' restaurants lie along Highway 3/3B east of Highway 97. Holiday-makers seeking refreshment in this hot, arid region will find solace in an ice cream parlour or juice bar, while travellers can grab a quick bite at a restaurant serving pizza or tapas such as the Bibo Wine Bar, known for its delicious meals and excellent wine selection.
Home to some of the country's finest vineyards and wineries, the region produces numerous varieties of red, white, ice and cool-climate wines as well as several other fruit-based beverages. Many of these wines are made available in local restaurants. A number of the vineyards and wineries also have restaurants located on site. South of Naramata, across the lake from Summerland, is the Lake Breeze Winery Patio Restaurant, which serves Mediterranean-inspired dishes.
Travellers headed west on Highway 3/3B will travel through the breathtaking Similkameen Valley through Cawston, Keremeos, Hedley and Princeton. These towns feature a handful of charming restaurants and pubs such as the Hitching Post Restaurant, a family eatery that serves fresh, homemade food and hosts numerous dinner concerts.
Full-Service Hotel
Indoor/Outdoor Pool
Kamloops Resort
Condo-style Suites
Luxury Resort
