I recently visited the Okanagan for the first time. I drove up from Langley, BC with my dear friend Sara who has been to the area numerous times. She showed me all of her favorite spots, and we also found some incredible hidden gems!
I brought my camera with me on the trip, and loved being able to snap some pics of small business owners at some of the places we stopped.
Here are a handful of my favorite spots.
Mom and Pop's Farm Market
Keremeos, BC
This is a wonderful family owned and run market in Keremeos. It’s right on the main road and great for fresh fruit, ice cream, jams etc…
The owner's son Manny on his way to help customers at Mom and Pop's Farm Market.
The Farm Store
Keremeos, BC
Slightly off the main road this place is a hidden gem! We had the most incredible salad bowl here and a coffee on the patio.
District Wine Village
Oliver, BC
This was our first stop once we got to Oliver and I’m SO GLAD we came here. There are a bunch of wineries to choose from in a gorgeous atmosphere, but Winemaker’s Cut has an INSANELY DELICIOUS “Gruner Veltliner” that I highly recommend.
Phantom Creek Estates
Oliver, BC
This was hands down the MOST AMAZING winery experience I have ever had. We went to Phantom Creek two days in a row and became members on our first day. We were hosted by Blake who works in the tasting room and he truly gave us the royal treatment. His knowledge of the Phantom Creek wines and vineyards is spectacular, the winery is completely stunning, and the wine itself is to die for. The tour of the building was definitely a highlight of our whole trip. It'll blow your mind.
Blake Miller Yuckin, our tasting room and tour host at Phantom Creek Estates
Platinum Bench
Oliver, BC
Small and completely charming. Platinum Bench is the brainchild of a husband and wife team. It's about fresh homemade bread being paired with the wine!!! Yup…. A wine and bread tasting. FYI, their Rose´ is fab and the bread is delicious. They have an adorable older dog there who is lovely as well.
The Platinum Bench slogan of "come for the breads... stay for the reds" is perfect!
Black Hills
Oliver, BC
We popped in here because I love the wine and we were very pleasantly surprised that the outdoor seating area is looking out over a “water feature”. It makes you feel like you are sitting at a fancy pool party at an expensive winery in Italy or France. SO great. Their red wine tasting flight is phenomenal.
Gems and Stems at Eastside
Oliver, BC
Gems and Stems is run by a young female entrepreneur named Bailley. She is a florist and works in the back half of the store. This adorable place has coffee, ice cream, slushies, artisan crafts/jewelry, and of course, flowers! This shop is just too freaking cute. Great for morning coffee or a late afternoon treat :)
Bailley (the owner) working on a bouquet in the back area of Gems and Stems at Eastside
Oliver Eats
Oliver, BC
We wanted somewhere to eat that was healthy and chill. This was suggested to us by Bailley at Gems and Stems.
This place has tons of groceries, artisan finds, and great coffee. They have all sorts of salad type items to choose from and lots of meat dishes too. It’s picnic style food that you order at the counter which is perfect because they have picnic tables out front.
Elma
Pentiction, BC
Elma is an AMAZING Turkish inspired restaurant. The decor inside is stunning and the food is unmatched in the area. This was a place we absolutely knew we had to stop at. You definitely should too!
We ended up getting a number of items to-go and had leftovers for days!
Wayne & Freda
Pentiction, BC
Wayne & Freda is an adorable coffee shop not too far from Elma. Not only is their coffee delicious, but they also have a great veggie sandwich!
Hope this list is helpful for you as you plan your trip to the Okanagan. Let me know if you have favorite places and hidden gems that I need to visit next time I'm there!
xoxo Helenna
