Guidebook for Kelowna
Food Scene
The new "it" spot! Always buzzing with great folks, tasty food, bevvies and a live DJ in the evenings.
199 locals recommend
Cactus Club Cafe Kelowna Yacht Club
1370 Water StThe new "it" spot! Always buzzing with great folks, tasty food, bevvies and a live DJ in the evenings.
Great atmosphere, interesting décor including an indoor bocce court and busy shuffleboard. Constant rotation of in-house craft brews and great food. Tasting lounge and growler fills next door.
270 locals recommend
BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery
1250 Ellis StGreat atmosphere, interesting décor including an indoor bocce court and busy shuffleboard. Constant rotation of in-house craft brews and great food. Tasting lounge and growler fills next door.
We all know Earls. This one has a gorgeous view of the lake and West Side, right downtown by the Sails and waterfront. Fantastic rooftop patio (reservations recommended).
61 locals recommend
Earls Kitchen + Bar
211 Bernard AvenueWe all know Earls. This one has a gorgeous view of the lake and West Side, right downtown by the Sails and waterfront. Fantastic rooftop patio (reservations recommended).
A neighbourhood favourite. Fantastic panini, great friendly casual atmosphere and in-house baked goodies. I'm a sucker for the raspberry roulade.
45 locals recommend
Bliss Bakery - Ellis Street
1289 Ellis StA neighbourhood favourite. Fantastic panini, great friendly casual atmosphere and in-house baked goodies. I'm a sucker for the raspberry roulade.
Locally owned popular coffee spot with in-house roasted coffee and baked goodies. Cool character indoors with exposed brick and beaten-up comfy leather couches. Wonderful folks, too.
56 locals recommend
Bean Scene Coffee Works
371 Bernard AveLocally owned popular coffee spot with in-house roasted coffee and baked goodies. Cool character indoors with exposed brick and beaten-up comfy leather couches. Wonderful folks, too.
Espresso drinks, tea, pulp fiction art, books and antiques, all in a groovy retro atmosphere.
39 locals recommend
Pulp Fiction Coffee House & Robbie Rare Books
1598 Pandosy StEspresso drinks, tea, pulp fiction art, books and antiques, all in a groovy retro atmosphere.
Named the ‘Best Okanagan Restaurant’ at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards the last seven years in a row. Fresh local ingredients, outstanding wine, beer and cocktails.
84 locals recommend
Waterfront Wines Restaurant
1180 Sunset DrNamed the ‘Best Okanagan Restaurant’ at the Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards the last seven years in a row. Fresh local ingredients, outstanding wine, beer and cocktails.
The local favourite. The chefs are zen, the owners are very friendly, the sushi is top quality (as is the cooked stuff). Whoever picks the music has great taste, too (usually Motown/funk).
36 locals recommend
Momo Sushi Downtown
377 Bernard AveThe local favourite. The chefs are zen, the owners are very friendly, the sushi is top quality (as is the cooked stuff). Whoever picks the music has great taste, too (usually Motown/funk).
THE best place for brunch. Delicious everything, all made in-house (sausages, homemade strawberry jam at each table and available for purchase along with fresh giant cookies), perfectly fresh fruit. Well worth the lineup.
146 locals recommend
Bohemian Café & Catering Co.
524 Bernard AveTHE best place for brunch. Delicious everything, all made in-house (sausages, homemade strawberry jam at each table and available for purchase along with fresh giant cookies), perfectly fresh fruit. Well worth the lineup.
Food that is rooted in the work of local farmers and artisans. In-house hand-crafted premium charcuterie shop and great place for brunch/lunch/dinner.
65 locals recommend
Salt & Brick
243 Bernard AveFood that is rooted in the work of local farmers and artisans. In-house hand-crafted premium charcuterie shop and great place for brunch/lunch/dinner.
Great selection of craft beers, interesting interpretations of classic comfort food, wood fire pizza, friendly service, great atmosphere.
58 locals recommend
Curious Cafe
1423 Ellis StGreat selection of craft beers, interesting interpretations of classic comfort food, wood fire pizza, friendly service, great atmosphere.
An elegant French bistro in the heart of Kelowna's Cultural District offering French regional comfort food in a casual elegant European ambiance. The food, wine and service are superb -- and the owners/founders, who you'll find there nightly, are incredibly gracious and sweet.
61 locals recommend
Bouchons Bistro
1180 Sunset DrAn elegant French bistro in the heart of Kelowna's Cultural District offering French regional comfort food in a casual elegant European ambiance. The food, wine and service are superb -- and the owners/founders, who you'll find there nightly, are incredibly gracious and sweet.
Authentic Thai cuisine located in the heart of downtown Kelowna. They are the original and continue to be voted the best Thai restaurant in the central Okanagan. Fresh food, friendly atmosphere, reasonable prices and great service. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
19 locals recommend
Bai Tong Thai Food
275 Bernard AveAuthentic Thai cuisine located in the heart of downtown Kelowna. They are the original and continue to be voted the best Thai restaurant in the central Okanagan. Fresh food, friendly atmosphere, reasonable prices and great service. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available.
Asian-fusion restaurant/café just down the street. A local favourite for its authentic, fresh offerings, friendly service, great portions and all-day breakfast. Always bustling and buzzing.
61 locals recommend
Mad Mango Cafe
551 Bernard AveAsian-fusion restaurant/café just down the street. A local favourite for its authentic, fresh offerings, friendly service, great portions and all-day breakfast. Always bustling and buzzing.
Over 165 vendors showcasing the bounty of the Okanagan Valley, from locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy, to homemade foods, artisan baking and handcrafted pottery, jewellery, woodwork, soaps and more! Open Saturdays and Wednesdays from 8am - 1pm, May to October.
120 locals recommend
Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market
1800 Springfield RdOver 165 vendors showcasing the bounty of the Okanagan Valley, from locally produced fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy, to homemade foods, artisan baking and handcrafted pottery, jewellery, woodwork, soaps and more! Open Saturdays and Wednesdays from 8am - 1pm, May to October.
Drinks & Nightlife
Excellent locally crafted spirits; fun, knowledgable staff, great place to pop in for a tasting, bites and people watching downtown.
72 locals recommend
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery
5204 24 StExcellent locally crafted spirits; fun, knowledgable staff, great place to pop in for a tasting, bites and people watching downtown.
All-natural unpasteurized beers, sure to satisfy some of the most discriminating craft beer drinkers & judges. Fun place to enjoy fine beer and play some Trivial Pursuit.
57 locals recommend
Tree Brewing Company
1346 Water StAll-natural unpasteurized beers, sure to satisfy some of the most discriminating craft beer drinkers & judges. Fun place to enjoy fine beer and play some Trivial Pursuit.
Another local favourite, known for its comfortable pub fare, hearty burgers and fresh, healthy salads. I always go for the Tuna Stack with a glass of the Peller Sauvignon Blanc. Live DJ some Friday/Saturday nights.
57 locals recommend
The Train Station Pub
1177 Ellis StreetAnother local favourite, known for its comfortable pub fare, hearty burgers and fresh, healthy salads. I always go for the Tuna Stack with a glass of the Peller Sauvignon Blanc. Live DJ some Friday/Saturday nights.
The neighbourhood local. Celebrate tasty takes on pub classics, delicious cocktails, and conversations comfortably. Cozy space inside; always a busy, happy patio.
100 locals recommend
Central Kitchen + Bar
1155 Ellis StThe neighbourhood local. Celebrate tasty takes on pub classics, delicious cocktails, and conversations comfortably. Cozy space inside; always a busy, happy patio.
Sophisticated atmosphere in a micro-sized bar with exposed original brick walls, farm-to-table tapas, craft beers and tasty cocktails. Just a few doors down from its older sister restaurant, RauDz.
50 locals recommend
Micro Bar & Bites
1500 Water StSophisticated atmosphere in a micro-sized bar with exposed original brick walls, farm-to-table tapas, craft beers and tasty cocktails. Just a few doors down from its older sister restaurant, RauDz.
A brand new craft brew house doing micro batches, so there is a wide variety to experiment with. Expect to feel like you walked over to your neighbour's house to try some craft beer while listening to vinyl in their garage (because that is literally what it is). Open Friday - Sunday afternoons until 8pm (for now -- they're that new).
42 locals recommend
Kettle River Brewing Co
731 Baillie AveA brand new craft brew house doing micro batches, so there is a wide variety to experiment with. Expect to feel like you walked over to your neighbour's house to try some craft beer while listening to vinyl in their garage (because that is literally what it is). Open Friday - Sunday afternoons until 8pm (for now -- they're that new).
Sightseeing
Start here and enjoy the boardwalk. Beautiful for a stroll, bike ride, people watching, and of course the view. If you're lucky, someone will be playing one of the outdoor pianos.
67 locals recommend
Waterfront Park
1200 Water StStart here and enjoy the boardwalk. Beautiful for a stroll, bike ride, people watching, and of course the view. If you're lucky, someone will be playing one of the outdoor pianos.
Daily public cruises with full food and bar services departing from The Sails at the foot of Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna (corner of Abbott St.).
12 locals recommend
Kelowna Visitor Centre
238 QueenswayDaily public cruises with full food and bar services departing from The Sails at the foot of Bernard Avenue in downtown Kelowna (corner of Abbott St.).
Entertainment & Activities
In the heart of downtown Kelowna and at BC's oldest winery location; part of Calona Vineyards. Tasting room with local artisan foods available. Every Friday until October, they host their "Happy Hour" from 5 - 7pm which includes live music, $5 glasses of wine and gourmet snacks.
53 locals recommend
Sandhill Wines
1125 Richter St In the heart of downtown Kelowna and at BC's oldest winery location; part of Calona Vineyards. Tasting room with local artisan foods available. Every Friday until October, they host their "Happy Hour" from 5 - 7pm which includes live music, $5 glasses of wine and gourmet snacks.
Arts & Culture
Just three blocks away you can find the Kelowna Community Theatre, Kelowna Art Gallery, The Rotary Centre for the Arts and Prospera Place. Start at the Laurel Packing House / BC Wine Museum for VQA wines and tasting pairing with local artisan cheeses.
12 locals recommend
Cultural District
Just three blocks away you can find the Kelowna Community Theatre, Kelowna Art Gallery, The Rotary Centre for the Arts and Prospera Place. Start at the Laurel Packing House / BC Wine Museum for VQA wines and tasting pairing with local artisan cheeses.
VQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wine shop with educational tastings/bites on the first Thursday of every month. Knowledgable, friendly staff; award-winning BC wines.
18 locals recommend
The Laurel Packinghouse
1304 Ellis StVQA (Vintners Quality Alliance) wine shop with educational tastings/bites on the first Thursday of every month. Knowledgable, friendly staff; award-winning BC wines.
Essentials
Open 7am - midnight, just down the street at 697 Bernard Ave. Includes pharmacy. Shopper's Drug Mart located next door.
78 locals recommend
Safeway Downtown Kelowna
697 Bernard Ave Open 7am - midnight, just down the street at 697 Bernard Ave. Includes pharmacy. Shopper's Drug Mart located next door.
Great beer, spirit and wine selection and a modest 10-15% mark up from the BC Liquor Store make it a solid place to pick your poison if you aren't passing by the BCL.
14 locals recommend
Metro Liquor Trainstation
1175 Ellis StGreat beer, spirit and wine selection and a modest 10-15% mark up from the BC Liquor Store make it a solid place to pick your poison if you aren't passing by the BCL.
Known for the best subs, made-to-order (very busy at lunch time). Great selection of mediterranean grocery products, big selection of olives, antipasti, meats, cheeses, pasta. Take your time to browse.
20 locals recommend
Mediterranean Market
1570 Gordon DrKnown for the best subs, made-to-order (very busy at lunch time). Great selection of mediterranean grocery products, big selection of olives, antipasti, meats, cheeses, pasta. Take your time to browse.
Getting Around
A seven-minute walk to the main transit exchange. There are also bus stops at either end of the block; one on Doyle and others on Bernard.
15 locals recommend
Queensway Exchange station
QueenswayA seven-minute walk to the main transit exchange. There are also bus stops at either end of the block; one on Doyle and others on Bernard.
A means to discover local hotspots, amazing people and the beautiful beaches of Kelowna. A lock, helmet, and baskets come with every rental.
Loop Cruiser
A means to discover local hotspots, amazing people and the beautiful beaches of Kelowna. A lock, helmet, and baskets come with every rental.