The Best Dishes We Ate This Year in the Okanagan
It's difficult to find a restaurant that does everything right. And, while many of these Okanagan spots land on our 'best restaurant' lists, not all hit the mark. So, if you're going to take our advice, give these dishes a shot when you visit.
Ginger Scallion Crab Noodles at Kin and Folk in Penticton
The Ginger Scallion Crab Noodles at Kin and Folk restaurant in Penticton epitomize perfection—a harmonious union of noodles and sauce complemented by sweet crab, crispy garlic and fermented black beans. They suggest sharing it, but we wouldn’t.
Warm ‘Holler Honey’ Buns at The Restaurant at Poplar Grove in Penticton
Image courtesy of @poplargroverestaurant
Freshly baked bread has a way of winning over hearts, and the rendition at The Restaurant at Poplar Grove is special. Their tear-apart boules arrive piping hot, adorned with a touch of honey and sprinkled with fresh Maldon salt, accompanied by a side of creamy cultured butter.
Spaghetti Carbonara at Gather in Kelowna
Image courtesy of @gatherkelowna
Gather Kelowna - a local Korean-Italian gem dishes up their rendition of Spaghetti Carbonara and we just about cried eating our last bite. With the addition of soy sauce to the pancetta, cream and parm, each bite is perfectly satisfying yet slightly unexpected.
Louis Pizza at Skinny Duke’s Glorious Emporium in Kelowna
If you’re in Kelowna and craving a hot, crusty pie, we highly recommend the Louis Pizza from Skinny Duke’s Glorius Emporium. With toppings like Prosciutto cotto, grilled green olives, Italian asiago, and warm truffle honey nothing can go wrong…
Choripan at A Taste of Argentina Food Truck in Penticton
For its size, Penticton has some great food—winery restaurants and fancy small plates—but very few perfectly poised plates can beat A Taste of Argentina’s Choripan. Chorizo sausage on a French bread bun, covered with chimichurri—what more could you want?
Chicken Karaage Sushi Burrito from Koya in Penticton
Image courtesy of @koyapenticton
Chicken thighs fried in rice flour meet perfectly cooked rice, accompanied by crisp lettuce, cucumber, sesame dressing, and teriyaki sauce—all snugly wrapped in soy paper. Dip alternating bites into their house-made sesame dip and spicy mayo for the ultimate flavour bomb.
Squash Mochi "Rice Gnocchi" at Kin and Folk in Penticton
Kin and Folk restaurant frequently appears on our 'best of Okanagan' lists and with good reason. Their Squash Mochi “Rice Gnocchi” featuring 5-spice squash puree, brown butter, pickled daikon, crispy sage, and garlic, achieves a perfect balance of chewy gnocchi, creamy squash, a tang of vinegar, and a comforting warm wisp of spice.
The Burger at OROLO Restaurant in Penticton
If you find yourself in Penticton and craving a gourmet burger, OROLO Restaurant has you covered. The menu description speaks volumes: a dry-aged grass-fed beef patty, melted cheddar, smoked Fresno aioli, peppered arugula, fried shallots, bacon and onion jam, and house-made pickles, all served on a house-made milk bun.
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