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48 Hours in The South Okanagan: Your Essential Drinking and Dining Guide

by Eater Staff
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by Eater Staff

Here in Vancouver, we're just a few hours drive (or quick flight) away from some of the most lovely wineries in Canada - aw, go on - the world. We asked Westender restaurant critic Anya Levykh to put together an essential weekend guide.
Covert%20Farms%20vineyard.JPG
[Photo via Covert Farm Vineyard/Anya Levykh]

In the midst of B.C. endless rains, it's easy to forget that we have actual desert, located in the sunny south Okanagan region that encompasses Oliver and Osoyoos. These locales aren't on the scale of Kelowna, but when it comes to dining and drinking, it's a big bag of choices. Here's a list - in no particular order - of essential stops during your 48 hours in the South Okanagan.


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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Covert Farms

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300 covert pl., Oliver
BC V0H 1T0, Canada
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A 700-acre organic farm and winery owned by three generations (and counting) of the Covert family. Come for the peaches and patty pans; stay for some wine and charcuterie on the wine lounge patio.

2. Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Winery

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32830 Tinhorn Creek Rd., Oliver
BC V0H 1T0, Canada
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One of the best patios and views in the South Okanagan, Miradoro is part of Tinhorn Creek Winery and is home to chef Jeff Van Geest, who puts out locally-sourced dishes that change depending on what the farmers/producers bring in. Try one of the Neapolitan-style pizzas from the stone hearth oven, like the fennel sausage with mushrooms, parmesan, garlic and chillies, paired with Tinhorn’s Pinot Noir.

3. Road 13 Vineyards

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13143 Oliver Ranch Road, Oliver
BC V0H 1T0, Canada
(250) 498-8330
(250) 498-8330
Visit Website
“It’s all about the dirt.” Good “dirt” leads to good soil, which leads to really good grapes... which lead to really good wine. This little castle on the hill has a lovely garden patio facing rows upon rows of those good grapes. Pull up for an afternoon tasting paired with a little charcuterie and indulge in some serious sipping.

4. Joy Road Vineyard Kitchen

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4318 Black Sage rd, Okanagan-Similkameen C
BC v0h1t1, Canada
(250) 498-0666
(250) 498-0666
Visit Website
Joy Road Catering owners Dana Ewart and Cameron Smith are known for their winery dinners and Penticton Farmers Market appearances, and now have a more permanent location at Black Hills Estate Winery. The shipping container kitchen serves up al fresco meals overlooking the vineyards. Try the charcuterie plate, with Joy Road’s own Berkshire pork, or the faro and cucumber salad, paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

5. Dolci Deli & Catering

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8710 Main St, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V4, Canada
(250) 495-6807
(250) 495-6807
Visit Website
Founded by two master patissiers and chefs, check out the shady back patio for a fantastic breakfast of house-baked German breads with eggs and house smoked bacon, killer lattes and fresh fruit slushies.

6. Jojo's Café

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8316 Main St, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V0, Canada
(250) 495-6652
(250) 495-6652
Visit Website
Sometimes you just need a good coffee and a sandwich. Jojo’s serves up awesome java and sandwiches stuffed with quality proteins, like their house-roasted turkey, and a daily rotating selection of soups that are better than your mom’s.

7. The Wine & Tapas Bar @ Watermark Beach Resort

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15 Park Place, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V0, Canada
(250) 495-5500
(250) 495-5500
Visit Website
Located in Watermark Beach Resort, this popular wine bar and patio offers small plates with an all-B.C. wine list. Don’t miss the house-made, pan-roasted sausages with apple and caramelized onion pierogies, or the lamb meatballs with mint-pea puree and smoked cheddar.

8. The Lake Village Bakery

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6511 Main Street, Osoyoos
BC V0H, Canada
250.495.3366
250.495.3366
Visit Website
Dessert is the most important meal of any day. Lake Village is known for their artisan breads, but make sure to stop by and try some of the pastries or desserts, like the sourdough croissant or the sinful carrot cake.

9. Spirit Beach Cantina

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8000 45 Street, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V6, Canada
250.486.5770
250.486.5770
Visit Website
Located on the edge of the Spirit Ridge campgrounds, this privately owned little Mexican cantina serves up mighty fine tacos, tortas and the occasional ceviche. Pair with a cool beer and take in the lakefront view.

10. Spirit Ridge

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1200 Rancher Creek Road, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V6, Canada
250.495.5445
250.495.5445
Visit Website
Local, seasonal menus, wines from the surrounding Nk’Mp Cellars vineyard and other South Okanagan wineries, plus a killer view, make for a very nice evening, indeed. The coffee-rubbed bison strip loin is worth a visit, as is the peach cheesecake.
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1. Covert Farms

300 covert pl., Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Canada
A 700-acre organic farm and winery owned by three generations (and counting) of the Covert family. Come for the peaches and patty pans; stay for some wine and charcuterie on the wine lounge patio.
300 covert pl., Oliver
BC V0H 1T0, Canada
Visit Website

2. Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek Winery

32830 Tinhorn Creek Rd., Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Canada
One of the best patios and views in the South Okanagan, Miradoro is part of Tinhorn Creek Winery and is home to chef Jeff Van Geest, who puts out locally-sourced dishes that change depending on what the farmers/producers bring in. Try one of the Neapolitan-style pizzas from the stone hearth oven, like the fennel sausage with mushrooms, parmesan, garlic and chillies, paired with Tinhorn’s Pinot Noir.
32830 Tinhorn Creek Rd., Oliver
BC V0H 1T0, Canada
Visit Website

3. Road 13 Vineyards

13143 Oliver Ranch Road, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Canada
“It’s all about the dirt.” Good “dirt” leads to good soil, which leads to really good grapes... which lead to really good wine. This little castle on the hill has a lovely garden patio facing rows upon rows of those good grapes. Pull up for an afternoon tasting paired with a little charcuterie and indulge in some serious sipping.
13143 Oliver Ranch Road, Oliver
BC V0H 1T0, Canada
(250) 498-8330
Visit Website

4. Joy Road Vineyard Kitchen

4318 Black Sage rd, Okanagan-Similkameen C, BC v0h1t1, Canada
Joy Road Catering owners Dana Ewart and Cameron Smith are known for their winery dinners and Penticton Farmers Market appearances, and now have a more permanent location at Black Hills Estate Winery. The shipping container kitchen serves up al fresco meals overlooking the vineyards. Try the charcuterie plate, with Joy Road’s own Berkshire pork, or the faro and cucumber salad, paired with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
4318 Black Sage rd, Okanagan-Similkameen C
BC v0h1t1, Canada
(250) 498-0666
Visit Website

5. Dolci Deli & Catering

8710 Main St, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V4, Canada
Founded by two master patissiers and chefs, check out the shady back patio for a fantastic breakfast of house-baked German breads with eggs and house smoked bacon, killer lattes and fresh fruit slushies.
8710 Main St, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V4, Canada
(250) 495-6807
Visit Website

6. Jojo's Café

8316 Main St, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0, Canada
Sometimes you just need a good coffee and a sandwich. Jojo’s serves up awesome java and sandwiches stuffed with quality proteins, like their house-roasted turkey, and a daily rotating selection of soups that are better than your mom’s.
8316 Main St, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V0, Canada
(250) 495-6652
Visit Website

7. The Wine & Tapas Bar @ Watermark Beach Resort

15 Park Place, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0, Canada
Located in Watermark Beach Resort, this popular wine bar and patio offers small plates with an all-B.C. wine list. Don’t miss the house-made, pan-roasted sausages with apple and caramelized onion pierogies, or the lamb meatballs with mint-pea puree and smoked cheddar.
15 Park Place, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V0, Canada
(250) 495-5500
Visit Website

8. The Lake Village Bakery

6511 Main Street, Osoyoos, BC V0H, Canada
Dessert is the most important meal of any day. Lake Village is known for their artisan breads, but make sure to stop by and try some of the pastries or desserts, like the sourdough croissant or the sinful carrot cake.
6511 Main Street, Osoyoos
BC V0H, Canada
250.495.3366
Visit Website

9. Spirit Beach Cantina

8000 45 Street, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V6, Canada
Located on the edge of the Spirit Ridge campgrounds, this privately owned little Mexican cantina serves up mighty fine tacos, tortas and the occasional ceviche. Pair with a cool beer and take in the lakefront view.
8000 45 Street, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V6, Canada
250.486.5770
Visit Website

10. Spirit Ridge

1200 Rancher Creek Road, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V6, Canada
Local, seasonal menus, wines from the surrounding Nk’Mp Cellars vineyard and other South Okanagan wineries, plus a killer view, make for a very nice evening, indeed. The coffee-rubbed bison strip loin is worth a visit, as is the peach cheesecake.
1200 Rancher Creek Road, Osoyoos
BC V0H 1V6, Canada
250.495.5445
Visit Website