Best Casual Eats in the Okanagan
- Tricia B
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
The Okanagan Valley may be best known for its wineries, but there are plenty of great places to eat when you’re looking for something more relaxed. From casual restaurants in Penticton to bakeries, ice cream stops and quick bites throughout the South Okanagan, you’ll find plenty of delicious options between wine tastings and days by the lake.
Here are some of our favorite casual dining spots in the Okanagan for an easy lunch, laid-back dinner or sweet treat.
Top Picks for Casual Eats
Penticton, BC
A modern take on Mediterranean cuisine
This stylish Turkish restaurant has a simple, elegant vibe. Their cocktails are outstanding, and their food is served meze style, which is best shared with friends to experience a broad assortment of tastes. Enjoy their Turkish breads and dips, lamb, fish and vegetarian options - all bursting with mediterranean flavours.
The restaurant is on two levels, and spacious enough to host a group.
Penticton, BC
Best soup and sandwiches
Soup and sandwich lovers will be astounded by the amazing menu and quality of ingredients — making this hands-down one of the best places for lunch in the area. They also offer salads for a healthier option and they make it easy to do combinations as they offer small size portions of their soups and salads. Highlights include the Cubano sandwich, pulled chicken and dumpling soup, tomato parmesan soup and smoked salmon nicoise salad.
This place is not to be missed but note it has limited hours and only open weekdays 11am-5pm. They also do catering for events.
Okanagan Falls & Penticton, BC
Best sweet treat and family fun
Who doesn't love ice cream? It's especially delicious on a hot, sunny day which are aplenty in the Okanagan in the summer. With an enormous selection of flavours, the toughest part is deciding what to get! The servings are generous so even the 'single scoops' are more like a double. At the Okanagan Falls location, there's also a gift shop with candy and gift items. Line ups are frequent, but it's worth the wait.
Oliver, BC
Best carb-worthy bread
We saved the best for last! This is the most amazing bakery that's hidden in a winery. If you are in the South Okanagan area in Oliver, be sure to check out Platinum Bench Winery for an outdoor wine tasting accompanied by samples of their legendary artisan sourdough bread.
This epi style bread is braided which makes it easy to pick apart and eat on the go. The line-ups start at opening in the morning, so be sure to arrive before noon before they sell out.
Choose from these mouth-watering flavours:
Double cream brie with pear preserves
Sopressata and swiss cheese
Gorgonzola and fig preserves
Asiago cheese
Chocolate strawberry balsamic
Our favourite is the asiago cheese, but they are all delicious and many people order one of each! Best eaten warm, fresh out of the oven. Yum.
