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 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!

North End Breweries

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, a 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 to stay or go.
As for the food, specials changes quite regularly and your basic share plates can be found: pretzels with a decadent cheese sauce, nachos, pulled pork sandos and lots more heart plates. Their beer selection is always solid with crowd pleasers.

Kettle River Brewing & Provisions

Provisions Kitchen at Kettle River Brewing in Kelowna's North End Brewing District

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.
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 DM or email 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 from a rib feast with cornbread to the whole duck with shiitake mushroom pie – it is a full meal that you can take home OR stay to dine in. You just can’t miss your opportunity to reserve!

Vice & Virtue Brewing

Vice and Virtue is one of those breweries you might recognize or admire their beer can art and labels. I love their new brews and artwork they come up with using local artists. Vice and Virtue is also an iconic Kelowna brewery. Their menu is heavy on BBQ and smoked items like the burnt ends we had in the video above or even tofu and chicken wings. It is an approachable menu that pairs great with their beers.
They are also really great at mastering hybrid brews – beer and wine combined together to make grape ales.

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. From the wings to the jalapeño poppers wrapped in bacon, 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.

BNA Burger & BNA Bowling

bowling at BNA + Bowl in Kelowna's best restaurant

I know, this one is obvious. Everyone goes to BNA from the taproom with vintage video games and 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.
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.

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 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.
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.

Further Afield

Copper Brewing – The Landmark District

Copper brewing in the Landmark area of Kelowna

Porter's is Kelowna's most creative brunch menu in the Landmark district

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.

Barn Owl Brewing – Lower Mission

Barn Owl brewing in the lower mission of Kelowna

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 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.

Shoreline Brewing – Pandosy Village

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.