BC Ale Trail: The Best Breweries with restaurants in Kelowna
Did you know, some of Kelowna’s best restaurants are at breweries? And some of the most unique BC Ale Trail stops are actually the best breweries in Kelowna! You might be more used to hearing about wineries but Kelowna breweries are catching up in popularity and quality. In the last decade Kelowna has emerged as a leading brewery town thanks to our North End Brewery District and craft beer has gone mainstream. Kelowna is no longer just for wine drinkers seeking vineyard tours, it is for foodies and beer nerds too! You might know me as the former, a wine drinker seeking solace in the vines, and yes that is me through and through. But ever since my first introduction to craft beer in 2013 with a San Francisco based tour called Vantigo, as well as a trip to Ireland (Guinness tour) in the same month, I have happily added beer to my regular roster.
Kelowna has some really interesting breweries serving up experimental and delicious craft beer paired with some of the best food the city has to offer. When you do your research on where to eat and drink in Kelowna you may not immediately come across these quality establishments. Mostly because they are in the budding culinary neighbourhoods of the North End, Landmark and airport areas.
But just because you won’t find some of these breweries conveniently located next to chains like Earls and Cactus Club doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek them out. In fact these new foodie neighbourhoods are packed with places to visit and filled with locals in the know. Here are Kelowna breweries with a food focus!
Please note, Vice & Virtue has closed since our video.
The best beer tours in Kelowna
If you’re short on time while in Kelowna or are just looking for someone to do the work for you, a beer tour is your best bet. There are a couple in the city that make it easy to get around while enjoy a BC craft beverage. Here are a couple of our favourites
Kelowna Beer Tour – 3 stops – We love this guided tour via vehicle because it takes you to three of our favourites not only for beer but for food as well. This includes Kettle River Brewing which has incredible food created by the Provisions team. In fact, it is some of the best food and beer in the city!
Walking food & drink tour – If you are looking for more food, drink and culture then Kelowna’s #1 rated food tour is just the ticket. You end at BNA with a beer and are in prime walking distance to Kelowna’s North End for even more breweries! More exploration is in order after your food tour if you’re not too full!
Check out the map for each stop
Kelowna’s breweries with restaurants by area
North End & Downtown
An easy 10 minute walk from the Delta Grand Hotel (a popular yet pricey resort) sits the North End. This area, just a short 5 years ago, was strictly industrial with the exception of Sandhill Winery and BC Tree Fruits Cider. Today it is the best area to go for beer and food.
Rustic Reel
I considered adding this spot to the video, it being in the North End but we simply ran out of time.
The interior of Rustic Reel always smells like my great grandmas – freshly baking bread, cinnamon buns fresh out the oven, something savoury simmering away. The interior feels like a chic yet rustic porch adorned with patio lights, an outdoor cozy fire places roaring in the cooler months and doggies everywhere. It is a hit with families, couples and dog lovers. You can also take in their coffee and baked goods at the Tackle Box, a side entrance for those looking for a quick cuppa and baked goods to stay or go.Â
As for the food, specials change quite regularly and your basic share plates can be found: pretzels with a decadent cheese sauce, nachos, pulled pork sandos and lots more hearty plates. Their beer selection is always solid with crowd pleasers like their blonde ale or the a satisfying stout.
Kettle River Brewing & Provisions
As I mention in the video, this is our go-to in for Kelowna breweries in the North End. You ask us where to go in Kelowna and we will tell you Provisions at Kettle River Brewing no matter the question. This is quality food served in a cozy, eclectic hodgepodge of a space, and we love it. It’s relaxed yet the food you’re served is 5 star. Created by Chef Brock Bowes and Courtney Koga with their talented team, their menus are always changing from week to week. They are the most creative team in Kelowna, hands down. You never know what you’ll find from a Krispy Kreme burger to the most gorgeous plate of fish n’ chips you’ve ever come across.Â
I can’t forget to mention their big boards. Each week on Mondays their social media announces the big board which will be served on the weekends only. You’ll have to reserve yours by Wednesday to avoid disappointment because these bad boys sell out!
What is a big board? Only the most luxurious dinner for 2-4 people that changes weekly. Thing hearty dinners from a rib feast with cornbread to the whole duck with shiitake mushroom pie. You just can’t miss your opportunity to reserve!
JackKnife Brewing
Jackknife is perhaps the most recommended by locals and it is for their pizza. Their experimental beers are also very good but the New York style pizza has locals talking. Is it any coincidence that we asked two locals in the food industry and they both recommended Jackknife? My only contention I have is that they play heavy metal music, and I mean HEAVY to the point where it makes Metallica sound like a pop band. If this is your kind of music then you’ll want to spend all afternoon here.
The Office Brewery
The Office Brewery is an unsung hero that even a lot of locals don’t know about which is why we needed to add them to our video. The jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon are the best anywhere, you can’t go wrong. I also love their awesome beer glasses – just go and you’ll see what I am talking about – there’s just something about them. The vibrant almost tropical colour-scheme reflects the colourful food and plating as well.
Unleashed Brewing
This dog friendly brewery doesn’t serve food because they allow animals within their establishment – however, they have found a way to offer some of the best bites to their diners…a food truck tucked away in the back parking lot. Tori Dori is a Japanese food truck that is offering marinated chicken skewers, spicy chicken karaage and bento meals to go. You can place your order out back with them and they’ll text you when your order is ready. You’re welcome to bring it inside to drink with your Unleashed craft brews and even share it with your four legged pal.
BNA Burger & BNA Bowling
I know, this one is obvious. Everyone from locals to tourists go to BNA! From the taproom with vintage video games and the ample creative seating layout, to the airstream walk up bar in the upstairs next to the 10 pin bowling alley. There’s a lot going on at BNA without even mentioning the food.Â
In the taproom you’ll find BNA Burger serving Kelowna’s best burger combo for $20 – burger, fries and a beer of your choice. Their smash burgers are my favourite in the city if not the Okanagan Valley.
As for the dining room in the restaurant portion – opens at 5 pm – my go to after a bowling league loss was the schnitzel. Pasta, pizza, with creative and amped flavours are found in every dish.
A speakeasy in a brewery
Hello Darlin’ is BNA’s latest addition. It is a secret speakeasy tucked away behind the Airstream upstairs. It opens at 9 pm and is country themed.
Red Bird Brewing
This brewery started as a small operation and over the last few years it has morphed into a massive music venue. I love their outdoor seating (year round with fire tables) and the food is mostly handheld items like pizza, tacos and dips. I have yet to take in an event here but will let you know when I do. Otherwise, the shade provided in the outdoor seating spaces is top notch during the hot Okanagan summers.
Kelowna Beer Institute
Another brewery that I wanted to include in the video but there just weren’t enough hours in the day.Â
You’ll find Tree Brewing the closest brewery to the beach in the downtown area. Located next door to Kings Taps and the boat ramp at the Yacht club, so it is more in the Cannery or Cultural District than it is in the North End.
If you’re short on time they do have a beer tasting area but if you can grab a spot on their patio to people watch and enjoy the madness of the summertime as boaters back into the water while trying to manoeuvre through the crowds of people strolling along the boardwalk.
The food menu is solid with great lunch options from sandwiches and burgers to great wings.
Buffalo Rouge Brewing
This relatively new brewery serves vegan and vegetarian eats alongside their craft beers. It’s a tiny brewery with an unassuming exterior but it provides comforting meals with an outdoor patio and is a great spot that only locals really know about.
Railside Brewing
Ok so hear me out. Railside doesn’t have any food but they own the entire block and allow you to bring in food from their neighbours/tenants. This means you can grab one of the best sandwiches in the city from Rocket Subs then head next door to pair it with a Railside Brewing beer.
Landmark
Copper Brewing
If you’re thirsty after visiting the Kelowna Farmers’ Market – now relocated in the Landmark area – then you can walk to Copper Brewing. They have an extensive list of beers and food that is aimed to please. Gourmet hot dogs, fried chicken sandwiches or appetizers like the smash burger tacos.. you can’t go wrong. And if you’re feeling more like brunch, head next door to Porter’s for the most creative brunch dishes in Kelowna.
Lower Mission
Barn Owl Brewing
Barn Owl doesn’t actually serve food. So why is it on my list? Because they attract the best food trucks in the city. From Little Tokyo Ramen to Bunny Hugs you’ll find a line up for the food to enjoy inside or on the brewery patio. The brewery is also a historic barn that neighbours an old cemetery and a hiking trail.
Pandosy Village
Shoreline Brewing
The only brewery with a view of the beach, it is conveniently located across the popular Gyro beach in the Pandosy area. I really enjoy their beers and it is the perfect spot to enjoy a summer patio before or after a day on the water. Their fish and chips shine as well as their tacos, the menu feels like summer and I am here for it.
West Kelowna
The Hatching Post
The Hatching Post is from the mind of Jason Parkes, a local wine maker who doesn’t take things so seriously. The community is in love with his new venture, The Hatching Post. Once again, Parkes offers a unique dining and tasting experience in a building that looks like an old saloon from Tombstone circa 1880. Inside you’ll find an opulent chandelier hanging over head as customers sip unique brews and ciders and dine on the best BBQ Kelowna has to offer.
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