30 Essential Restaurants in Kelowna (by a local foodie)

If you’re searching for the best restaurants in Kelowna or wondering where to eat in Kelowna, this is the list I send to my friends.

I’ve been exploring Kelowna’s food scene for over 20 years and writing/photographing, and filming it to share with other foodies. I’ve watched chefs grow, restaurants survive fires and pandemics, and our little lake city earn international recognition. This list isn’t trendy. It’s essential. Dining out in Kelowna is one of my main hobbies. It is part of the lifestyle of living in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley in general.

Let’s break it down by breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can plan your next foodie day properly.
I have provided a general guide of budgets as well:
$ is under $15 where you can expect to pay per person
$$ is from $16 to $29 where you can expect to pay per person
$$$ is over $30+ where you can expect to pay per person

Breakfast: Where to Start Your Day in Kelowna

These are the only breakfast spots you need to know while in Kelowna!

30. Diner Deluxe ($$)

Bright, modern, and consistently good. If you want elevated comfort brunch without it feeling pretentious, this is your spot. Conveniently located across from Gyro beach it is one of the few places I genuinely love to take my kids. There are great comfy high chairs and even step stools for kids in the bathrooms. A family favourite to sit outside and watch volleyball players across the street.

29. Porter’s ($$)

A solid mid-town staple with unusual and classic breakfast dishes like breakfast ramen or the Japanese pancakes. It is located within the Landmark District so if you time it for Wednesdays and Saturdays from April to October you can experience the Kelowna Farmers’ Market before or after your breakfast at Porter’s.

28. Sunny’s Modern Diner ($$)

Sunny’s leans into nostalgia without feeling dated. It has retro diner energy but with quality ingredients and generous portions. It’s busy for a reason so you should get there early or as soon as they open to avoid the line. It is one of the best places to grab breakfast downtown Kelowna, right on Bernard Ave. and it is beloved by locals and tourists alike.
I love their airy Benedict sauce as well as treating myself to one of their milkshakes.

27. Mount Royal Bagel Factory ($) – Bagel sandwiches and Bagels to go

Unfortunately, this spot is not open on weekends but real Montreal-style bagels, wood-fired and chewy in the centre with that slight crisp on the outside. I like to grab the rosemary and sea salt and a cinnamon bagels to pair with their incredible vanilla cream cheese. Their breakfast sandwiches are simple but excellent. There are no wrong choices here!

26. Empire Crepe ($)

A North End staple! Empire Crepe is not far from the Delta Grand Hotel, just a short walk in fact. The North End is my favourite spot to enjoy a day galavanting downtown for food, beer and shopping. If you’re wondering where to eat in Kelowna, the North End has it all! I’d start at Empire Crepe, a 100% waste free restaurant where everything is either composted or recycled after your visit. The owner, Brandi, has a wonderful personality and croons French music at times during special events. She moved all the way from Maine without ever stepping foot in Kelowna!

25. Derrick’s Steak House ($$$)

You might wondering why I am suggesting Derrick’s as a breakfast and and not a dinner pick. Derrick’s is a bougie option for sure but their breakfast menu is unlike anything in the city. If you enjoy steak and eggs they’ve got the perfect dish for you. If you enjoy steak, well to be honest it has been hit or miss for us during dinner services.

24. Sprout Bread ($)

Located across from the Delta Grand is Sprout Bread. Not a well kept secret by no means, Sprout is busy with a fast moving line out the door most mornings. Many love it for its great atmosphere as a work environment, you’ll find a sea of laptops most days. But I love it for feeling like a tourist in my own city. I treat myself to a really good coffee, something they’ve perfected, as well as any of their pastries from the brûléed donuts to their famous sourdough.

23. The Bohemian ($$)

The Bohemian Cafe has come under new ownership by the Nixon Group over a year ago. The Nixon Group owns BNA, Snowshoe Sam’s at Big White and Bernie’s Cinema & Supper Club. They’ve managed to help take Kelowna’s food scene to the next level with entertainment and quality food & drink menus that always hit. Strictly breakfast and brunch the menu is family friendly and it gets busy so make a reservation.

Lunch: Where to Eat in Kelowna Midday

22. Mediterranean Market ($) – Sandwiches

Home of the legendary $10 sandwich. Massive portions, imported ingredients, and that old-school deli charm. It’s one of the best lunch values in Kelowna and still feels like a hidden gem. It was listed as one of my top 5 sandwiches in Kelowna – I did a test of who had the quickest, tastiest and most affordable sandwich option in town. If you want to see which one is worth your lunch hour you can check it out here.

21. Little Hobo Sandwich Shop ($-$$) – Soup & Sandos

The Little Hobo Sandwich Shop serves soups, sandwiches, burgers and even burgers. It is comfort food done right and this location is consistently number one on Trip Advisor if you put any stock into that. I like this spot for a solo lunch or a brief work lunch that refuels you the way mama would approve of.

20. Hotel Eldorado ($$$)

Dining on the boardwalk watching boats drift in and out of the mini-marina is something every local and tourist should do at least once for a classic Kelowna summer experience. The cocktails hit in the Okanagan sun and a seasonal menu knows what buttons to push to evoke an iconic summer vacation core memory. The Eldorado is also a pretty solid hotel in a historic property located on Okanagan Lake (one of the few).

19. Goods Health & Wellness ($) – Smoothies

If you’ve seen Erewhon smoothies on TikTok and wished we had that here in Kelowna, this is the closest comparison. Bright, health-focused bowls and smoothies that feel aspirational but still approachable. My personal order is the Goods Girl Pink Smoothie. You can also pick up so many unique products related to health and wellness for you and the family.

18. Rocket Subs ($) – Sandwiches

Kelowna’s trendiest sandwich, you probably saw it on Tiktok first. There’s often a lineup out the door. That should tell you everything. Rocket Subs has become a local obsession for good reason with fresh bread, proper portion sizes, and serious flavour. Another one of my top 5 sandwiches in Kelowna – I did a test of who had the quickest, tastiest and most affordable sandwich option in town. If you want to see which one is worth your lunch hour you can check it out here.

17. JackKnife Brewing ($) – Pizza & Beer

Yes, they blast heavy metal music. No, they are not apologizing for it. But their pizza is elite. Winning Best Cheese Pizza at the International Pizza Expo in 2024 put them on the map internationally, but locals know this is the best pizza in the city. During the winter months they also do a cool thing in their back alley where they “scortch” their beer with a red hot poker to caramelize it.

Dinner & Drinks: The Best Restaurants in Kelowna Right Now

Get your reservations in early to avoid disappointment at the best restaurants in Kelowna!

16. Erica Jane ($$$)

Oh so fancy and THE place to take your date downtown when you want to impress. It’s white table cloth, high end service and dishes no one else is doing in the city. Some say it feels like a Vancouver restaurant but I believe it is uniquely Okanagan in their use of local and seasonal ingredients.

15. Frankie We Salute You ($$)

The best vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Kelowna. Dishes will impress you if you’re going meatless or if you’re a carnivore! Dishes aren’t trying to make veggies feel like meat, instead FWSY maximizes flavour and textures. Here, you eat with your eyes first with colourful dishes and drinks in an equally beautiful yet minimal dining room.

14. Chilango ($$)

Vacation vibes the second you walk in. Bold cocktails, my favourite tacos in Kelowna, and colourful interior perfect for your next Instagram-worthy headshot. Here in Kelowna we do have a good selection of Mexican fare and this is my preferred spot to go. The food is always delicious and service is excellent.

13. Olympia Greek Taverna ($$$)

After being rebuilt from the ashes following a fire during Covid, Olympia came back stronger. It remains the best restaurant in Rutland and an icon for locals. Generous portions and classic Greek comfort food with an olive tree at the centre of the two story dining room.

12. Roma Nord Bistro ($$$)

The best Italian food and arguably the best restaurant in Kelowna. House-made pastas, rich sauces, and that cozy, romantic dining room feel from an eccentric and enthusiastic Roman priding himself on authenticity. I always order the carbonara made with guanciale as it should be – never disappoints! Their tableside tiramisu is always a fun way to end the dinner – watch here.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by British Columbia | Okanagan best restaurants (@murissamauriceeats)

11. Home Block at Cedar Creek Winery ($$$)

Winery dining at its finest. Seasonal menus built around Okanagan ingredients with vineyard views that feel cinematic. This is where Kelowna flexes. The prix fixe menu is non-negotiable – you must order one dish from each of the 3 options (appetizer, main and dessert). The wine pairings are an additional cost and I always found it strange they serve 8 ounces instead 9 oz pours yet charge the same as everywhere else. So I suggest grabbing a bottle to share!

10. Bouchon Bistro ($$$)

Authentic French fare in an intimate space that feels like it was plucked from the streets of Paris. Duck confit, steak frites, escargot. Home of the $55 burger (adding foie gras never felt more right). It feels like stepping into a small European bistro without leaving downtown.

9. Skinny Duke’s Glorious Emporium ($$)

70s glam meets playful, punchy flavours. It’s theatrical in the best way and consistently fun for a night out. The main floor dining room is set up like a living room from the 1970s and has an immersive quality that feels…psychedelic. Food is great and it is owned by the Nixon Group behind BNA, Bernie’s and the Bohemian Cafe (all great dining options and part of this very list). As a local who has been writing about Kelowna’s food scene for over 15 years, The Nixon Group helped make Kelowna cool again and saved our food scene from the mundane.

8. Kin & Folk ($$$)

Canadian Asian inspired cuisine all served family style. I personal LOVE the tiramiso – a play on Tiramisu with the added umami of miso. This is their second location outside of Penticton and truly a top dinner reservation to snag during your visit.

7. Humo ($$$)

I’d describe Humo as a local version of David Chang’s Momofuku. The dishes feel inventive yet familiar and are served family style. The cocktails are an adventure as well. If you can, add this to your list of reservations while in the city. It is one of the very best restaurants in Kelowna.

6. Micro Bar & Bites ($$-$$$)

One of the strongest cocktail programs in Kelowna. If Micro was in any other city their cocktails would be sure to go “viral” on Tiktok but in Kelowna, people like to gatekeep a bit more. The small space makes it nearly impossible to get a spot with more than 2 people after 5 pm. I prefer to start my evening here with cocktails and incredible small plates that change frequently. It feels like a hidden European bar tucked into the city.

5. Bernie’s Cinema & Supper Club ($$$)

Dinner and a movie, but make it cool. Choose from a list of screenings to dine in the cinema at selected dates and times but if you missed one, the dinning room is perfectly suitable for movie buffs. TVs are strewn about the walls so you can guess the ,ovie clips as you sip strong martinis, enjoy bold flavours, and slices of pie you absolutely should not skip.

4. BNA Brew & Bowl \ BNA Burger ($$-$$$)

This is a two for one! BNA Burger is open in the taproom from 12 pm until 6 pm and offers Kelowna’s best smash burgers along with tastings and pints of BNA beer. BNA Brew & Bowl is their next door venue in the iconic brick building that used to be a tabbacco drying facility among other uses. If you want to bowl upstairs be sure to get your reservation in as early as possible 2-3 months in advance for the summer time or you can put your name down on a waitlist but it will most likely be late when you finally get on a lane. Otherwise, there’s an Airstream where you can grab a beer and stand or sit anywhere there’s available seating. The main floor dining room and a portion of the upstairs dining room is limited to reservations only. The fun and funky decor as well as the great food is worth a date night. If you’re a local you hang out here a lot. If you’re a tourist you’ll want to come back.

3. Wildling Wine Bar ($$$)

Another North End favourite, Wildling has an incredible selection of local and international natural wines that are unlike anything you’ve had before. Their lyrical yet laser accurate wine descriptions are on point and help you make a choice based on vibes – follow them. The food menu changes often and can’t miss!

2. Waterfront Wines ($$$)

A Kelowna institution! The foie gras has been on the menu since opening, and that consistency says everything. Classic technique, strong wine list, and steaks that never disappoint. If you’re there on Thursdays you can get the porchetta roast while quantities last and let’s face it, they never do.

1. Provisions Kitchen & Catering at Kettle River Brewing ($$-$$$)

When anyone asks me where to eat in Kelowna I always tell them to check out Provisions. The team create the most unique menus in town and they’re always changing. It is in a very chill atmosphere within a brewery surrounded by local art, some of which is painted by hand when locals reserve a cinder block on the wall to commemorate special occasions – I know because we did so for my sister’s bachelorette party in 2024.
But what is something you really shouldn’t miss is their Big Boards. They have the most delicious combinations each week – the details of these massive boards are released on Mondays and usually sell out by Thursday. In order to ensure you can reserve a Big Board for the weekend all you need to do is fill out their form online. You can either dine in or pick up on your selected date and time! It is so worth it, a true 5 star dinner in an eclectic and relaxed dining space.

These are the 30 essential restaurants in Kelowna and if you try any combination of breakfast, lunch and dinner you know you’ve visited the city like a true local.