One of the best parts of travelling is finding great places to eat. But if you're a bona fide foodie, getting as close as possible to the gourmet action is what it's all about.
In B.C.'s South Okanagan, Penticton stands out as a cornerstone of the region's culinary culture. From locally sourced ingredients on menus at family-run restaurants to charming markets and the annual Penticton Peach Fest, there's plenty to sink your teeth into (literally and figuratively).
Behind every limited-edition brew from Tin Whistle Brewery or stall at Penticton Farmers' Market, there are wonderful people to meet and fascinating histories to uncover. Here are eight experiences to delight even the most insatiable foodie in your friend group.
Penticton Peach Festival
Penticton Peach Fest
When: 5-9 August, 2026
Address: Okanagan Lake Park - 86 Lakeshore Dr. E., Penticton, BC
Why You Need To Go: Peaches first reached the South Okanagan way back in the 1890s, and every summer since 1947, Penticton has hosted the annual Penticton Peach Festival earning its nickname of "Peach City." What started as a celebration of the local peach harvest has become one of Canada's largest free family festivals.
Live music, carnival rides, a parade, aerial show, sandcastle competition, motocross, beach volleyball tournament, Miss Penticton, local food trucks, and countless peach-inspired culinary creations around the city make it an essential summer experience for food lovers and families alike.
Penticton Farmers' Market
Penticton Farmers' Market
When: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., every Saturday from 18 April-31 October, 2026
Address: 100 Main St., Penticton, BC
Why You Need To Go: Penticton's fresh produce history goes way back with its first apple trees planted around 1869 and with researchers at the nearby Summerland Research & Development Centre breeding apples since 1924 and sweet cherries since 1936.
Suffice to say — the fresh produce from the Penticton Farmers' Market, operating since 1991, is an absolute must-try. Plus, the farmers' market is a wonderful place to meet the faces behind the food, whether it's a juicy locally grown berry or peach, a toothsome loaf of bread or perfectly brewed coffee.
Get your hands on the freshest Okanagan produce while supporting Penticton's growers, farmers and makers.
Dickinson Family Farm
Dickinson Family Farm
Courtesy of Dickinson Family Farm
When: May-October
Address: 17208 Bentley Rd., Summerland, BC
Why You Need To Go: Thanks to cherry breeding at the Summerland Research & Development Centre, 80% of the world's cherry varieties originate from this region. You can pick your own cherries at the nearby Dickinson Family Farm, with six varieties to choose from as well as a photo opportunity with the world's tallest tripod orchard ladder.
The first Dickinson Family Farm was founded in 1912. Today, it's home to a campsite set amongst the orchards so you can come for the u-pick cherries and even stay the night.
Elma Restaurant
Elma Restaurant
Courtesy of Visit Penticton, Courtesy of Elma
When: 5-8:30 p.m., Sunday-Thursday; 5-9:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Weekend Brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday-Sunday.
Address: 994 Lakeshore Dr. W., Penticton, BC
Why You Need To Go: What makes Penticton's food community so special is that the produce you find at the market and in local orchards is also used by local restaurateurs, breweries and wineries to make creations that are undeniably "Penticton."
Inspired by co-owner Ayse Barluk's Turkish background, Elma Restaurant uses local ingredients to create shared dishes like the Elma pide (with apple, camembert and caramelized onion) and sour cherry sarma (vine leaves stuffed with sour cherry and rice).
The restaurant takes its name from the Turkish word for apple, chosen to honour its heritage and the local fruit orchards. Their bright space also features tiles and décor sourced from Turkey.
When you visit, ask about the Black Sea Motel next door (owned by Barluk's family for almost 50 years) and garnish your meal with a sprinkle of local history.
Tin Whistle Brewing
Tin Whistle Brewing Co.
Courtesy of Gord Goble/Penticton Beer Blocks
When: 3-8 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday
Address: Unit 118, 1475 Fairview Rd., Penticton, BC
Why You Need To Go: Tin Whistle Brewing, named after the historic Kettle Valley Railway locomotive and originally opened in a railway museum, has the proud title of South Okanagan's original brewery.
Since opening in 1995, they've used local produce like cherries, peaches (of course), blueberries, and even mushrooms to create exciting local beers. Not only do they have a long history, but they're also future-forward — becoming B.C.'s first carbon-neutral brewery in 2021 and operating as a zero-waste facility.
Creatively using leftover local ingredients like the grape skins from the wine harvest (in their Wasted Grape series of beers) or sake rice leftover from sake brewing (in their Cherry Blossom Japanese Lager), means innovative flavours are always on the menu. Plus, you can visit them every Friday for a new and exciting experimental beer launch.
Blue Bee Orchard
Blue Bee Orchard
Courtesy of Blue Bee Orchard , Courtesy of La Petite Abeille Cider
When: March-October
Address: 1085 Fleet Rd., Penticton, BC
Why You Need To Go: Blue Bee Orchard is a hidden gem offering an experience found only in the Okanagan. Boasting vast, unobstructed views of Okanagan Lake, it's home to La Petite Abeille cidery, pear and cherry orchards, beehives, and Plot Twist Farm’s permaculture garden.
From tours and workshops to landscape design services and community-supported agricultural food boxes, Plot Twist Farms has a lot to offer. They also partner with local chefs who showcase local farmers on their plates, so there's a good chance your meal features flavours from this biodynamic, chemical-free, no-till farm.
You'll also find La Petite Abeille Cider, which takes its name from "The Little Bee" in French, made with high-quality, hand-picked fruit cultivated on site.
Desert Flower Honey
Desert Flower Honey
When: All year
Address: 1250 Naramata Rd., Penticton, BC
Why You Need To Go: If you see honey on a menu in Penticton, there's a good chance it's from just around the corner. With over 400 native bee species in the Okanagan-Similkameen, it's an amazing area for honey and other hive products.
Founded by Tim Bouwmeester in 1995, Desert Flower Honey produces high-quality honey and supplies it to local wineries and restaurants. Tim also teaches introductory beekeeping courses.
You can find Desert Flower Honey at the Naramata Farmers' Market, select local stores and at their roadside stand, right off the Kettle Valley Rail Trail.
Hillside Winery & Bistro
Hillside Winery & Bistro
Courtesy of Wei With Photography/Naramata Bench Wineries Association
When: 12-6 p.m. (wine shop), 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (bistro lunch) and 5-8:30 p.m. (bistro dinner), Wednesday-Sunday
Address: 1350b Naramata Rd., Penticton, BC
Why You Need To Go: One place you can find Desert Flower Honey is next door at Hillside Winery & Bistro, where the bees also help out in the vineyards by encouraging pollination, preventing rot and keeping pests away.
Originally an apricot orchard in the 1900s, Hillside is one of the original two wineries established on the Naramata Bench and is certified by Sustainable Winegrowing BC.
The Bistro menu was created with a focus on small plates, allowing guests to indulge in a unique sharing experience with a melody of local and foraged flavours. The menu changes seasonally, but if you see the baked feta with local honey and crostini, don't pass it up.
When you go out to eat in Penticton, nearly every taste you savour can be traced back to innovations by the original farmers, apiarists, chefs, brewers and vignerons of the region.
A visit to Penticton is about more than tasting delicious food — it's also about meeting and connecting with the people who built and continue to grow the distinct cultural flavour of the South Okanagan.
To learn more about foodie experiences in Penticton, check out Visit Penticton's website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Narcity does not condone the overconsumption of alcohol. If you're going to drink alcohol, please do so responsibly and only if you're of legal age.