Get in the car and drive a few hours from Vancouver and you're in the heart of one of the world's top ten winery regions. Lucky, lucky us! The Westender's restaurant critic Anya Levykh selects Penticton's best dining - and drinking - bets.
If you've never been to Penticton, you're missing out on one of the Okanagan's most fun—and delicious—towns. Small enough that Main Street is still the main street, and large enough to encompass the Naramata Bench, with its multitude of wineries and artisan producers, there is enough here to make any gastronome and/or oenophile happy. Here are a few places to check out the next time you're in town.
Sometimes, it’s just about the wine. Painted Rock is a fairly new addition to the Naramata Bench, but with the opening of their new tasting lounge and patio, owner John Skinner has brought the visitor experience up to the level of his truly stellar wines. Enjoy the stunning view of Skaha Lake at the bottom of the vineyard, and indulge in a glass of the Bordeaux-style Icon or the deep and lusty Syrah.
Inside a heritage house that was formerly home to Granny Bogner’s, the re-imagined Bogner’s of Penticton is all about fresh, local, seasonal and sustainable. How local, you ask? Peek out the windows during the dinner to catch the kitchen staff running out to snip some greens for your salad or pluck some carrots to side with your main. The five-course patio bbq menu is a great deal on Friday and Saturday nights.
It’s been run by the same family for over 30 years, and is still going strong, serving up some of the best Greek food in British Columbia (no lie). Everything is made in-house, including the delectable dolmathes and the succulent lamb shoulder, roasted over a bed of Greek oregano branches.
It opened just a few weeks ago and is already packed to the exposed rafters. The brewery-cum-bistro offers less than a handful of taps at the moment, but the West Coast IPA is smooth and rich, and the stout rocks. Try with the rock oven-fired pizzas, like the cerveza-braised pork over root beer mole.
Not only is this one of the best farmers’ markets in the province, it’s a great place to grab a wandering breakfast and a mug of java. With dozens of bakers, growers, producers and food trucks—not to mention the recent addition of wineries—you can choose from Aussie meat pies and locally roasted coffee to seasonal fruit galettes and even artisan ice cream pops.
There are burgers, and then there are burgers. Burger 55 is home to some of the finest iterations of meat on bread in the Okanagan. It’s all about customization, and the options are endless. Do try some grilled peaches and goat cheese on the lamb burger for something extra special.
Part artisan food market, part eatery, The Bench is a great little breakfast spot that specializes in comfort food with a twist, like the fabulous “bacon and eggers” or the bennies on weekends. Add in local Backyard Beans coffee, and freshly made juices, and make sure to try the housemade doughnuts (only on Fridays).
What’s a visit to the Okanagan without some wine and cheese? Upper Bench owners and spouses Gavin and Shana Miller are the brilliance behind both the wine and cheese produced here. Pair some Gavin’s outstanding Zweigelt with Shana’s U & Brie for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Located at Poplar Grove Winery on the Naramata Bench, this hilltop resto focuses on fresh and seasonal, while offering one of the best views in town from their shady patio overlooking vines, valley, water and mountains. Try the potato cakes with tomato and avocado salsa with Poplar Grove’s Viognier.
Small-lot, terroir-driven wines paired with fantastic locally-inspired dishes make for a great lunch overlooking the bench. Chef Robert Cordonier keeps things interesting with dishes like braised pork cheek lettuce wraps and brown butter-roasted ling cod.
Sometimes, it’s just about the wine. Painted Rock is a fairly new addition to the Naramata Bench, but with the opening of their new tasting lounge and patio, owner John Skinner has brought the visitor experience up to the level of his truly stellar wines. Enjoy the stunning view of Skaha Lake at the bottom of the vineyard, and indulge in a glass of the Bordeaux-style Icon or the deep and lusty Syrah.
Inside a heritage house that was formerly home to Granny Bogner’s, the re-imagined Bogner’s of Penticton is all about fresh, local, seasonal and sustainable. How local, you ask? Peek out the windows during the dinner to catch the kitchen staff running out to snip some greens for your salad or pluck some carrots to side with your main. The five-course patio bbq menu is a great deal on Friday and Saturday nights.
It’s been run by the same family for over 30 years, and is still going strong, serving up some of the best Greek food in British Columbia (no lie). Everything is made in-house, including the delectable dolmathes and the succulent lamb shoulder, roasted over a bed of Greek oregano branches.
It opened just a few weeks ago and is already packed to the exposed rafters. The brewery-cum-bistro offers less than a handful of taps at the moment, but the West Coast IPA is smooth and rich, and the stout rocks. Try with the rock oven-fired pizzas, like the cerveza-braised pork over root beer mole.
Not only is this one of the best farmers’ markets in the province, it’s a great place to grab a wandering breakfast and a mug of java. With dozens of bakers, growers, producers and food trucks—not to mention the recent addition of wineries—you can choose from Aussie meat pies and locally roasted coffee to seasonal fruit galettes and even artisan ice cream pops.
There are burgers, and then there are burgers. Burger 55 is home to some of the finest iterations of meat on bread in the Okanagan. It’s all about customization, and the options are endless. Do try some grilled peaches and goat cheese on the lamb burger for something extra special.
Part artisan food market, part eatery, The Bench is a great little breakfast spot that specializes in comfort food with a twist, like the fabulous “bacon and eggers” or the bennies on weekends. Add in local Backyard Beans coffee, and freshly made juices, and make sure to try the housemade doughnuts (only on Fridays).
What’s a visit to the Okanagan without some wine and cheese? Upper Bench owners and spouses Gavin and Shana Miller are the brilliance behind both the wine and cheese produced here. Pair some Gavin’s outstanding Zweigelt with Shana’s U & Brie for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Located at Poplar Grove Winery on the Naramata Bench, this hilltop resto focuses on fresh and seasonal, while offering one of the best views in town from their shady patio overlooking vines, valley, water and mountains. Try the potato cakes with tomato and avocado salsa with Poplar Grove’s Viognier.
Small-lot, terroir-driven wines paired with fantastic locally-inspired dishes make for a great lunch overlooking the bench. Chef Robert Cordonier keeps things interesting with dishes like braised pork cheek lettuce wraps and brown butter-roasted ling cod.
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