An unsung hero of the night out (or in) is dessert. At least it is in my house. I like to put a lot of thought into dessert if I am hosting company but find myself trying to force it on them before they walk out the door. And if I am out to dinner restaurants are usually trying to force it on me but I am often too full to partake. Enough already! Let’s make room for dessert. Let’s eat dessert first. That’s exactly what this round up is all about. These special places in Kelowna that make you want to skip an appetizer or even dinner and head straight for dessert.

If you try any of these recommendations please let me know by tagging me on IG and telling me what YOU think!

1. Sandrine French Chocolate & Pastry

If you’ve been following me for long in my decade history of this website then you’ve probably heard of Sandrine. She provides the Okanagan with an authentic taste of French pastries and chocolate. No one can beat her buttery traditional croissants, her macarons are perfection, cakes are an evening show stopper and chocolates make the perfect host/hostess gift. I made sure her macarons were served at my wedding dessert table as well!

2. Karat Chocolate + Pastry

Perhaps the most impressive collection of pastries in the entire British Columbian province is Chef Julian’s creative designs at Karat Chocolate. He began making chocolates in the basement of Mission Hill Winery Learning to Cook in Wine Country, British Columbia with the help of friend Chef Chis Stewart. Karat Chocolate started with only $400, 6 chocolate moulds, a few bags of chocolate and no machinery! You’d expect to find his work gracing the windows of a larger city like Vancouver or Montreal but we couldn’t be more thankful that he stuck around Kelowna. Some of his work is so pretty it’s hard to crack into it! 

3. QB Gelato

Did you know that only 2% of the world’s gelato makers create their gelato from scratch? Otherwise it is powders and premixes with artificial ingredients and colours. We are so lucky to have QB Gelato, one of the 2%ers that make their gelato from local seasonal ingredients and from scratch! They not only make some of Canada’s best gelato, they also create cakes and the best butterscotch pot de creme which you can order online and present to your guests at home like you made it…Not saying I did that last Christmas!

4. 350˚ Bakehouse & Cafe

Have I told you how much I love donuts? It’s a secret love affair really. When people discover my weakness they tend to exploit it and bribe me in donuts. One of the best places in Kelowna to grab a dozen is 350˚ Bakehouse & Cafe downtown Kelowna on Fridays only. 

5. Parlour Ice Cream

Everyone’s favourite! A more traditional Kelowna dessert for those evenings you want to grab and go. Parlour is creating handcrafted ice cream on site and with locally sourced ingredients. Their line ups are famously long but so worth the wait! Right now you can order using Door Dash or Skip The Dishes and get ice cream delivered to your door. Perfectly located across from the city beach park in downtown Kelowna it is too tempting to grab a few scoops and walk along the promenade.

Don’t forget to tag in in your Kelowna dessert adventures on IG or Facebook! Let me know what you think!