This one’s for all our Okanagan adventurers. Our Lakeside Loungers. Our Vineyard Voyagers. Our Penticton Pilgrims. OK, enough alliteration, but seriously, finding truly exceptional dining in this lakeside gem can be tricky. That’s why we’ve scoured the streets, from Main to Front, to bring you these 11 spots where every meal feels like a celebration of the valley’s bounty.
Highway 97 Brewing Company
$$ | (250) 493-0323 | WEBSITE
Heroes come in many forms. Brewers. Chefs. Servers. For you, hops. And when you’re looking for a hero at a perilous time of crisis—getting a serious beer craving on a Friday afternoon—Highway 97 Brewing Company has got your back. This chill and relaxed brewpub in Penticton has a wide selection of beers that you can pair with most of the food. So it’s perfect whether you’re after excellent wings, or a meatlovers flatbread and mac n cheeze with pulled pork moment.
Kin & Folk
$$ | (778) 531-6170 | WEBSITE
Outside of David Attenborough documentaries and songs with the word ‘folk’ in the title, it’s hard to find unanimous crowd-pleasers. But Kin & Folk is one of them. This ever-popular restaurant has a great ‘everyone welcome’ philosophy that applies to everything from the gorgeous interior to the menu.
As well as gluten-free desserts like the Creme Brulee with chantilly cream and white chocolate, there are also plenty of delicious drinks including a good selection of cocktails and wine by the glass.
Gusto Ferrari
$$ | (250) 493-1288 | WEBSITE
Gusto Ferrari is likely Penticton’s most celebrated Italian spot, and it’s easy to see why. Their classic margherita pizza runs about fifteen dollars, with other pies coming in just under that mark. The Okanagan eatery rarely has an empty table, particularly on weekends when locals are craving that authentic taste. The open kitchen design isn’t something you encounter often, either, and makes that family dinner feel a bit more theatrical.
Oh, and you can watch the chefs prepare everything from scratch right before your eyes.
Ruby Blues Winery
$$ | (250) 276-5311 | WEBSITE
First off, props to Ruby Blues Winery for having one of the most engaging wine tastings of all time. We salute this experience and more importantly, we salute how delicious the wines are at this funky spot overlooking the lake. As well as your crisp white classics, it serves things like sweet wines with beautiful complexity, bubbly with lovely character, and well-priced options that won’t break the bank.
Knowledgeable staff like Geraldine and Kerry encouraged, with their excellent explanations and friendly humor making the $10 tasting fee feel like a steal when waived with purchase.
Hungry Bear Power Bites Cafe
$ | (250) 274-2702 | WEBSITE
Traveling solo? Manageable. Having to settle for stale airport snacks? Unacceptable. Enter Hungry Bear Power Bites Cafe, a warm and welcoming spot right at the airport, where the go-to grilled cheese is made with non-processed ingredients and importantly, topped with crispy bacon. This place has a whole host of made-fresh options and although the homemade soups are an easy win, it’s extra convenient that you can order ahead and have it delivered past security too.
The main seating area is a big communal situation with other travelers, so grab a window table if you want to watch the planes while you enjoy your cinnamon bun.
The Barking Parrot Bar
$$ | (250) 493-9753 | WEBSITE
As fun as spending your Friday night in a sterile chain pub staring at overpriced craft beer menus is, an evening at The Barking Parrot Bar is better. It’s entirely dedicated to the best of the basics—juicy beef dip sandwiches, rich French onion soup, and reasonably priced drinks. And you can get any of them with friendly, efficient service from the roaming server.
On weekend nights taking your drink and grabbing a spot near the great DJ is the move, with music that appeals to all generations making it popular, though quieter on Sundays. The beachfront location offers decent dining at typical prices, even if the atmosphere feels somewhat seedy and not very inviting.
Lala ji’s Indian Cuisine
$$ | (250) 493-6633 | WEBSITE
When you want solid, dependable, spice-perfected Indian food, and mango lassi to cool things down—you go to Lala ji’s. This cosy Indian spot is a popular destination in Penticton, so the chances are you’re close enough to wander in for a meal or take some home. The food is authentic, there’s vegetarian options available too, and you can request special preparations for any of the menu items.
GINZA SUSHI & POKE
$$ | (250) 493-0303 | WEBSITE
The fact that Ginza Sushi & Poke’s kitchen operates downstairs while seating unfolds upstairs should give you a sense of the thoughtful design at this modern Japanese spot in Penticton. It’s become our go-to sushi destination in town, and after one bite of the cowboy tuna roll or those perfectly charred Brussels sprouts, you’ll understand exactly why. The only thing that might give you pause is the price—platters run around $45—but most agree it’s worth every penny for the quality.
Come evening you can expect soft lighting, luxurious finishes, and a welcoming atmosphere that makes it a lovely place to linger.
Tube Steak Boogie
$ | WEBSITE
Food trucks in Penticton fall into three categories: quick bites, mobile restaurants, and actually memorable. Tube Steak Boogie is the latter. This local spot not only has our hearts and lifelong commitment to its homemade ice tea, but it makes some of the best tender pulled pork and crispy potatoes in BC. Heads up, you can find them parked by Home Hardware.
SARHAD DHABA TAKEOUT & CATERING LTD
Our favourite thing to do at Sarhad Dhaba—the cozy, inviting spot that feels like a warm hug—is to order some Palak Paneer, Paneer Butter Masala, and Samosa, and settle in for a family dinner. So it’s handy that some of our favourite dishes at this Indian takeout are vegetarian—the rich and authentic Palak Paneer, creamy Paneer Butter Masala, crispy Gobi, and a flaky Samosa that’s the edible equivalent of comfort food.
Elma
$$ | (236) 422-3562 | WEBSITE
If Elma was a person we’d let them pick our vacation destinations every year. A high compliment, we know. But as they say, the view is the window to a restaurant’s soul. Or something. The point is, this fine dining spot by the lake is serene, stylish, and alongside those stunning beach vistas, there are so many vegan and gluten-free options you might actually get the opportunity to be indecisive.
Think green hummus bursting with herbs, lentil kofte, octopus that melts in your mouth, and handmade baklava that will fill that dessert-shaped hole in your culinary life.