There are quite a few new Kelowna restaurants and as a local I couldn’t be more happier to put this list together. Frankly, since 2020 and all the closures since, I have been feeling a bit disenchanted with our food scene. There are various reasons why I feel this way, from closures to lack of variety and missing ethnic cuisines – but I do feel some sense of renewal as our food scene begins to wake up. Some of the city’s biggest foodie themes this year seems to be sandwiches and desserts with a bit of bougie restaurants thrown into the mix. It is now becoming more common to find high prices that rival Vancouver dining. I’d like to think the creativity and quality stand up to the big city but you be the judge. Tell us in the comments what you think about Kelowna’s changing food scene!

New Menus & Hot Deals

Angel’s Share at Crown and Thieves in West Kelowna: Under the new head chef Andrew Byrne, Angel’s Share is taking a different direction than it did under Chef James Holmes (previously Salt & Brick among others). The new menu is more grown up but still has some style and playfulness to match that of the its home of Crown & Thieves. Get the cheese ball for a new take on wine and cheese pairing. The beef burger with bone marrow bordelaise or browned butter BC Halibut are also solid choices to go alongside the wines.

Nature’s Table at Summerhill Winery: The restaurant at Summerhill has passed through so many chefs over the years with unique menus, some good, some not so much. Last year was probably my favourite with hearty dishes. This year, Nature’s Table (formerly The Bistro) has been taken over by Unconventional Hospitality Group (Pretty Not Bad, Salt & Brick) with a new menu featuring more shareable yet approachable dishes. A new larger charcuterie has also been returned – the charcuterie circa 2008 at The Bistro still lives on in my mind as the best ever. Fresh bread, 3 cheese options and a good selection of Italian meats are on offer. While the lingcod was good, next time I am getting the steak or Dan Dan noodles.

Pick Thai’s Hot Pot:  For $35.95 per person you can experience an all you can eat Hot Pot on Saturdays only with reservations required. With two Soups base (chicken both and Tom Yum soup) with a choice of Beef or Pork and includes prawns, fish balls, fish tofu, fried balls, imitation crab sticks, Vermicelli noodle and seasonal veggies. A minimum of 2 people must participate.

Provisions at Kettle River Brewing: I still believe that Provisions is one of Kelowna’s best restaurant or dining experiences. Each week Provisions releases a new “Big Board” menu that needs to be reserved prior to the weekend to ensure a spot. You can dine in or take out. The food is always creative and unlike anything being served up in the Okanagan. If you make one reservation, make it a Provisions Big Board!

Olympia Greek Taverna: This old favourite in Rutland has returned after a major rebuild from a devastating fire. Now they are back offering their most beloved classic Greek dishes including the show stopping Saganaki, dolmades, pizza and my family’s personal favourite, rich lasagne with meat sauce.

Bouchon Bistro’s $55 Burger: If you really want to splurge head to Bouchon’s Bistro, under new management and new menu items including the brie burger where you can add foie gras to make it a whopping $55! It is super decadent and will make an evening you won’t soon forget. 

Xing Yun Dim Sum: Although this dim sum restaurant near the airport opened in 2023, their head chef experienced an unfortunate injury. April of 2024 Xing Yun was able to reopen with their chef now back at it. Perhaps the best dim sum in the city at an affordable price, you should check out Xing Yun!

New Kelowna Restaurants for 2024

31 Charkay in West Kelowna: West Kelowna’s newest restaurant has opened this year inside the Grizzli Winery. You can experience family style dining while surrounded by their vineyard and the impressive architecture. The interior is chic and modern reflecting the contemporary Canadian cuisine that leans more towards Italian-style dishes.

Table 19 at Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna: Formerly Sarazen’s, the new Table 19 is a golf course restaurant franchise that can also be found at Whistler’s Nicklaus North Golf Course and Victoria’s Olympic View Golf Club. Kelowna’s Okanagan Golf Club has underwent renovations and a full redesign of the restaurant. Their reimagining is perhaps the most elevated golf course menu in the valley rivalling that of Predator Ridge.

El Salvador Bar & Grill: Newly opened in April, this is a first for Kelowna with a restaurant bringing us cuisine from El Salvador in the Pandosy neighbourhood! I can’t wait to try their pupusas, a delicious specialty I tried while adventuring around Grand Central Market! See video below!

Chaitainment: This new small bistro-style restaurant specializes in chai teas but also a hodgepodge of other items. While I am disheartened at the overuse of AI on their website for images, I have heard good things so I am adding them to the list. I will update you once I have the chance.

Polene Bakery & Bistro: One of Kelowna’s best sandwiches. I used to think it was Mediterranean Market’s subs – which are very good – but the incredible fresh breads and high quality ingredients at Polene are truly unmatched. Classic sandwiches like the jambon & brie on fresh baguette will transport you to the streets of Paris. 

Fancy’s Cold Cuts & Cocktails: I wasn’t kidding when I said that Kelowna’s newest craze is all about sandwiches. Another new restaurant is Fancy’s offering sandwiches like Mortazza, a pistachio and mortadella sandwich topped with honey and made with pizza dough from Jack Knife. The big tuna on San Franciscan sour dough is stacked high with provolone. 

Derrick’s Steak House: Kelowna’s latest fine dining restaurant is actually a very touching tribute to the owner’s father and his love of Hy’s steak house. Derrick’s has taken over the vacant restaurant space left by the iconic RauDZ. I was able to experience Derrick’s for my birthday. I really enjoyed the truffled tenderloin au poivre with brandy cream and mushrooms and the Hy’s inspired cheese toast. Maybe skip the $12 baked potato.

The Mission Creamery: Kelowna’s newest ice cream shop is in the mission next door to The Eldorado Hotel, inside the new Aqua building. This small shop offers a quick grab and go space with a few outdoor tables. There’s something for everyone as they specialize in small batch and made from scratch ice cream. My kiddos devoured the “Unicorn Toots,” while my husband and I enjoyed two scoops of cold brew in a waffle cone.

D’Spot Desserts: This new franchise location in Kelowna is for those who have a major sweet tooth. Everything from crepes, waffles, cakes, sundaes, skillet cookies and literally so much more. It is dessert taken to the extreme.

pin this for later!