Kenny Tai has been photographing food and posting his delicious findings to his Instagram account, @HeyHangryHippo, for many years now. Over the course of the next four weeks, Kenny will be sharing his favourite eats from different areas of Kelowna—this week we focus on central Kelowna and Lake Country!
With current provincial health orders prohibiting indoor dining, restaurants have adjusted their operations focusing on outdoor patio dining, take out, and delivery. Please note: people should only be outdoor dining at restaurants with their household or core bubble and restaurants only accommodate tables of six or less.
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
Celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year, Bin 4 is the place to visit for amazing gourmet burgers. Their menu has something for everyone with burger options of premium beef, free-run chicken, lamb, Ahi tuna, and plant-based and each order comes with fries and your choice of dip. My favourite is pictured above, Bin 19 - "The Big Dipper", featuring Wagyu beef, caramelized and crispy onions, swiss cheese, roasted garlic aioli, butter lettuce, and rosemary beef dip. It's one of the most popular burgers on their menu, and also the biggest! Another thing I like about Bin 4 is that they have a different burger featured each month and they ask their customers to vote to help decide what will be on the menu next.
Bin 4 currently offers patio dining on a first come, first serve basis and has take out and delivery available.
QB Gelato & Cafe
Always a literal treat to visit, QB has amazing gelato and so much more. The owners, Kevin and Victor, take pride in and excel in all areas of the business including using the best ingredients (choosing local whenever possible), hiring the most helpful staff, and keeping health and safety top of mind. From all of the goodies they have on offer, including baked goods, breads, speciality coffee, and gelato, my go to is always the Salted Caramel gelato. Another tip is to order their frozen Cheesemaker's Mac & Cheese to take and heat at home. It's ooey-gooey and delicious, a must try.
QB is perfect for grab and go, but also have a nice outdoor space in front with spaced out tables where you can enjoy the sunshine while enjoying their goodies.
Dosa Crepe Cafe
Dosa Crepe Cafe has two locations in Kelowna, one in Rutland and one downtown on Bernard, and you can't go wrong with a visit to either, but I visited the location in Rutland. I cannot emphasize enough how much joy comes to my face when opening a dosa to get a glimpse of the goodness inside. My favourite is the Butter Chicken Masala Dosa, filled with, you guessed it, chicken in creamy tomato sauce and potato masala. Visit their original Rutland location seven days a week for dosa, roti, pizza, and sweet crepes.
Both locations are currently offering take out and delivery, with downtown also having a small outdoor patio.
Peak Cellars Garden Bistro
If you're looking for vineyard views overlooking Okanagan Valley, you can't go wrong with a meal on the patio at Peak Cellars, plus the food is great. The most popular dish on the menu and my favourite is the Lobster & Shrimp Pizza. It's loaded with Canadian lobster, shrimp, baby spinach, mozzarella, and finished with a garlic lemon herb sauce - so good! As the staff say, "People will be upset if we take it off the menu." So plan a visit anytime this spring and you'll be able to give it a try. Another great thing about this restaurant is that you can go for a wine tasting beforehand or grab a bottle (or two or more) to take home.
The Garden Bistro is currently open with patio dining service.
Kaya Sushi + Grill
In my opinion, Kaya is one of the best Japanese fusion restaurants in Kelowna. They have a wide range of dishes from fresh, raw seafood to fusion pasta bowls to my favourite, Wagyu beef ishiyaki hot stone, where you cook your own specially seasoned meat (on hold while indoor dining is restricted). Another great dish is the seasonal Aburi style sushi, which is blow-torched to give it a unique flavour and presentation. Ultimately, no matter what you order, you'll be satisfied.
Kaya Sushi is currently open for take away.
