Kelowna is Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. If you’re wondering what this designation means and why Kelowna received it, here’s a closer look.

What Being a UNESCO City of Gastronomy Really Means

^{Blossoming Orchard. Photo: Darren Hull Studios}

When you hear the word gastronomy, you might immediately think about restaurants, but it actually is about food culture. Gastronomy encompasses the stories, people, land, and traditions that inform how food is grown, cooked, and consumed. 

That broader view is central to the UNESCO City of Gastronomy designation. Through its Creative Cities Network, UNESCO recognizes cities that have a well-connected food system, a plan to use food to support community well-being and cultural and economic development, and have made long-term commitments to collaboration.

Kelowna meets these criteria through a food culture rooted in agriculture, knowledge sharing, and ongoing partnerships with Westbank First Nation and other local partners.

Where It All Began: On sylix tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land)

Kelowna is located on the unceded and traditional territory of the syilx/Okanagan people, whose food systems are rooted in a deep relationship with tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (the land) and kɬúsx̌nítkw (Okanagan Lake). 

Traditional teachings, such as the Four Food Chiefs (Bear, Salmon, Bitterroot, and Saskatoon) guide how food is gathered and shared and emphasize living in balance with the land. 

Oral traditions connected to Okanagan Lake further reinforce these responsibilities. The nx̌aʔx̌ʔitkʷ (sacred spirit of the lake) reminds people to travel safely, give thanks, and care for the waters that sustain life. 

Over time, this stewardship shaped a landscape that eventually supported orchards, vineyards, and farms, laying the foundation for Kelowna’s agricultural story today.

From Orchards to Wine Glasses: Kelowna’s Food Story

Kelowna’s food culture is experienced across the city and throughout the seasons. There are over 40 wineries to explore, alongside many cideries, breweries, and distilleries that add depth and variety to the local craft beverage scene. Farms, markets, orchards and roadside stands support agritourism by bringing harvests directly to locals and visitors, while more than 500 restaurants create a diverse dining scene that’s heavily influenced by the region’s seasonal harvests.

This ecosystem extends beyond dining rooms. Culinary schools, food festivals, and community programs use food to connect people, support local producers, and celebrate the region’s agricultural roots.

Taken together, these experiences reflect the kind of interconnected food culture that defines a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

Explore Kelowna's Gastronomy Scene

Kelowna’s City of Gastronomy designation comes to life through food and drink experiences across the region. Here are a few ways to experience it firsthand.

Eat and drink local

Kelowna’s food scene is closely tied to what grows here, with seasonality guiding menus across the region. Places such as Kettle River Brewing, home to Provisions Kitchen led by chef Brock Bowes, and Wildling are known for changing their menus throughout the year to highlight ingredients at their peak.

That same connection to agriculture is reflected at estate wineries, where wines are often paired with seasonal, locally sourced menus. Quails’ Gate Estate Winery has long been a leader in vineyard-to-table dining, with Old Vines Restaurant sourcing ingredients from its own gardens alongside local producers, while CedarCreek Estate Winery builds menus shaped by its on-site gardens at Home Block Restaurant.

Beyond wine, Kelowna’s craft beverage scene draws directly from local agriculture. Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery in Kelowna and Vernon produces spirits using 100% locally grown fruits and grains, while Soma Cidery highlights Okanagan-grown apples in its small-batch ciders. 

Wine tastings can also offer a deeper connection to the past and future of wine. Tantalus Vineyards, for example, has some of the valley’s oldest grapevines, but is renowned for being a sustainability-first vineyard. Meanwhile you can go back in time by visiting Sandhill Wines, which is located at the historic Calona Vineyards site established in 1932, making it British Columbia’s original and oldest continuing winery location.

Discover more places to eat and drink across Kelowna, or explore local wineries and tasting rooms.

Take part in Indigenous-led experiences

Indigenous-led experiences offer deeper insight into the food traditions and cultural stories that are foundational to the region.

To get a powerful introduction to syilx/Okanagan heritage, visit Sncewips Heritage Museum in West Kelowna, where exhibits and programming share history and knowledge.

For fast-casual meets traditional, try Indigenous-owned Kekuli Café, which offers bannock and other comfort foods rooted in Indigenous culture.

For a deeper connection to the land, join the nakulamen (what we do) syilx Traditional Plant Use Walking Tour, presented in partnership with Wildrose Native Traditions and Kelowna Museums. Led by knowledgeable Indigenous guides, this popular outdoor experience explores the Okanagan’s rich biodiversity and the generations of syilx/Okanagan plant knowledge used for food, medicine, shelter, and everyday life.

You can also explore the na’k’ʷulamən garden at Okanagan College, an Indigenous teaching garden that highlights traditional plant knowledge, food sovereignty, and the ongoing relationship between culture, land, and learning.

Connect with sylix/Okanagan culture and food stories.

Learn history and how to cook seasonally

Kelowna’s food culture invites curiosity. Okanagan Table and Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School offer hands-on opportunities to cook with local ingredients and learn new skills.

Those interested in agricultural history can visit Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park, where visitors can learn about nut farming and witness the annual harvest, or explore the Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum for a deeper look at the region’s food and farming past.

Take a cooking class or learn more about the history of Kelowna.

Support local producers

Supporting local producers is one of the most direct ways to experience Kelowna’s food culture. 

There are many farm markets to visit across the region. Some of the oldest include Paynter’s Fruit Market, which has been farming for more than a century and sharing its harvest with the public for over 70 years, and Gatzke Orchard, which has been family-run since 1909.

You can also shop the Kelowna Farmers’ and Crafters’ Market year-round, as well as Lake Country Farmers' Market and the Westbank Farmers’ Market in the warmer months, to support local farmers, bakers, and makers.

Visit farms, orchards, and markets across the region to buy food where it’s grown.

Gather round food and drink

Food in Kelowna is also about coming together. Events throughout the year celebrate local flavours and the people behind them, from the Okanagan Wine Festival (in the spring and the fall) to the Kelowna Beer Festival, which brings together more than 60 breweries alongside live music and food.

There’s also the Okanagan Feast of Fields, which brings together farm communities and city residents for a shared celebration of local food. Then events like Taste Around Kelowna, which runs it's main dining event from late January to early February, with other seasonal events happening throughout the year, make it more accessible to get out and experience restaurants you might not otherwise be able to.

Check out what’s happening in Kelowna using our events calendar.

Explore Canada’s first and only UNESCO City of Gastronomy: Kelowna

Kelowna’s designation as Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy reflects a food culture that continues to grow and evolve. It’s an ongoing story where locals and visitors alike can take part in what comes next.

Learn more about what this designation means for Kelowna and start planning your own City of Gastronomy experiences through Tourism Kelowna’s blog.

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