48 Hours in Kelowna

*Updated April 25th, 2024.

Exploring all that Kelowna has to offer in just 48 hours is a tall order. You might opt to dedicate a couple of days to wine tasting in West Kelowna or spend an entire weekend exploring downtown. As usual on Happening, this guide isn't about ticking off the major corporate wineries; instead, you'll uncover bombolonis, vintage shops, and a restaurant that serves up a fusion of contemporary Asian and Latin flavours to share.

Friday

6:30 pm: Grab a Pre-Dinner Cocktail

Located in the brewery district of Kelowna, Born to Shake maintains an atmosphere that's cool yet approachable. Their concoctions are based around their housemade syrups and bitters and are always served in the right vessel. Try the Slippery Slope which combines gin and cassis, with grapefruit juice, tart raspberry syrup and sparkling wine, or the spirit-forward Mezabout with mezcal, amaro nonino, ancho reyes, covfefe bitters, and a grapefruit twist. Cocktails are $10-19.

- 889 Vaughan Ave #110, Kelowna, BC V1Y 0H8

8 pm: Share Your Dinner

Humo Izakaya Kelowna — Photo @humoizakaya

New in 2023, Humo Izakaya is an industrial chic restaurant showcasing contemporary Asian and Latin cuisine. The chef Kai Koroll brings depth to an array of tapas and larger sharing plates in this adults-only restaurant. From the Uni Udon ‘Carbonara’ with soy cured yolk, nori, ikura, pickled shimeji, chicharon, and parm and guanciale foam to the Duck Ssam with dry-aged duck breast, confit leg, house daikon kimchi, Korean chili vinaigrette, and serrano crema. Dinner and drinks for two $150-200.

- 210 Lawrence Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6L3

Saturday

8:30 am: Have Coffee on Cannery Lane

Slowside, Sprout Bread Shop’s specialty brew bar is amongst great offerings on Cannery Lane. Indulge in a pour over with beans from high-quality international roasters and a bomboloni. Pop next door to Sprout for a fuller breakfast, most often served on their handmade sourdough.

- 1295 Cannery Ln #125, Kelowna, BC V1Y 9V8

10 a.m: Shop on Bernard Ave.

Fossello's Clothing Kelowna — Photo @fossellos

From Cannery Lane, follow Water St. all the way downtown and you’ll find Lost Together, where you can shop for hand-picked vintage clothes and accessories for both men and women. For more shopping, try Lakehouse Home Store for high-quality furniture and home decor; Family-owned and operated Mosaic Books for discounted coffee table books and cookbooks; and 1000 Palms, for high-quality women’s swimwear and accessories.

12 pm: Grab Lunch and Beer at a Local Brewery

For craft beer enthusiasts, a visit to Kelowna's Brewery District promises a treat. Kick off your tour at Vice & Virtue, a microbrewery renowned for its diverse range of unfiltered brews. Enjoy a beer flight before making your way to Red Bird Brewing for a variety of taps pouring easy-drinking brews. Don't miss the crisp Lady of the Lake Lager, and be sure to try the dill-icious pickle pizza. Beer flights and pints range from $5-12.

- Brewery District, Kelowna BC

3 pm: Walk it Off

From Brewery district head east towards the Okanagan Lake until you make your way onto the Waterfront Promenade. Follow it all the way to Kelowna City Park for great people-watching (especially on weekends), shimmering water, and packed beaches.

7 pm: Treat Yourself to dinner at Skinny Dukes

Located downtown right off Bernard Avenue, Skinny Duke’s Glorious Emporium brings a special and eclectic menu to Kelowna’s food scene. The restaurant's ambiance is like stepping into a time capsule from the 1970s, and the bold flavours are right on the money. Try the honey tamarind-braised lemongrass pork ribs, glazed in fish sauce and served on jasmine rice with a yellow curry & coconut broth, nuoc cham, and fried shallots. Or, for those who don’t eat meat, the Vikki Pizza, with burrata, pesto, Parmesan Reggiano, and balsamic reduction is a must.

- 1481 Water Street, Kelowna, British Columbia

Sunday

8:30 am: Take a Hike

Embark on an adventure to Knox Mountain Park, nestled just north of downtown. The summit towers roughly 300 meters above the high-water mark of Okanagan Lake, with the lake's shoreline stretching nearly 1,400 meters along the park's western edge. Whether you have an hour or three to spare, you'll find plenty to explore.

10:30 am: Have a Coffee Flight and Visit a Vintage Home Store

Bright Jenny’s roastery and cafe in the North End of downtown Kelowna, roasts and serves small lot coffees from all over the world. If you enjoy a lighter, fruit-forward roast, order a pour over and relax with a book. Afterward, head next door to Zangbell and Gill to browse a thoughtful collection of well-made vintage and mid-century furniture.

- 984 Laurel Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 7G5

1 pm: Go Veggie at Frankie We Salute You

Frankie We Salute You ranks high on our 48-hour list thanks to its unique vegetarian offerings that both herbivores and omnivores crave. The simple menu from Chef Brian Skinner, former owner of Vancouver’s iconic vegetarian restaurant Acorn, manages to hit all the spots, flaunting redefined classics like the Frankie Cheese Burger, or the Buffalo Tempeh Ceaser Wrap. The Market Fresh Sheet includes to-die-for plates that change frequently and never disappoint. Plates range from $12-$23.

- 1717 Harvey Ave #6, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6G3

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