Where to Eat in Vernon
Vernon eats well for a town its size. Breakfast runs from cheerful diners to Filipino plates, the bakeries win local awards, and dinner ranges from an elegant Italian room to a working farm where you can meet the cows first. Out in Coldstream, there are pubs and cafés right beside Kalamalka Lake and its rail trail.
These are the places worth knowing, grouped by the kind of meal you're after. For the full list, browse all Vernon restaurants. Patios and some lakeside spots cut back their hours from November to April, so check each listing's hours before you head out in the cooler months.
Breakfast & brunch
Three favourites below. For every brunch spot in town, see our Vernon brunch guide.
- Diner On Six (Vernon): a cheerful, upbeat diner. Two dishes carry the reputation: the breakfast poutine and the fluffy pancake combo.
- Rosalinda's (Vernon): a family-run diner serving Filipino breakfast dishes next to the Western classics. Reviewers say the Filipino plates are worth the drive from Kelowna.
- Friesen's Countrytyme (Coldstream): a neighbourly brunch spot with a garden-market feel. The pancakes are the thing to order.
Coffee & bakeries
- Ratio Coffee & Pastry (Vernon): coffee roasted in house, served in a converted rail station. Eclairs are baked fresh on Tuesdays only, so that's the day to go.
- Bean to Cup (Vernon): the café locals default to, with strong coffee and homemade food. Dogs are welcome on the front terrace, and butter chicken shows up every Wednesday.
- Hot Bread Shoppe (Vernon): a downtown artisan bakery using organic flour and sugar. Regulars rave about the chocolate croissants and cheddar bread. Stock up for a picnic in nearby Civic Park.
- Sweet Caroline's (Vernon): a family bakery on 48 Avenue since 1996, run by a sixth-generation Dutch baker. Pastries, cakes, breads and pies are baked from scratch daily, and readers named it the top bakery in Best of North Okanagan 2026.
Casual lunch
- Fig Bistro (Vernon): a well-loved sandwich shop with generous, veggie-packed sandwiches and a daily special. It can slow down at peak times.
- Anna's Ukrainian Kitchen (Vernon): a tiny market and kitchen where the owner greets you like a regular. The borscht is the reason people come back.
- Antojitos Guadalajara (Vernon): a family-run kitchen with Guadalajara roots, where locals send newcomers for Mexican food rather than Tex-Mex. The corn tortillas are made fresh to order.
- Bluenose Mountain Bistro (Coldstream): out in Lavington, worth the drive for the homemade bread alone. The truffle mushroom melt is the signature, and the chef-owner is patient with kids.
Dinner worth booking
- Intermezzo Restaurant and Wine Cellar (Vernon): an elegant Italian room that takes dietary needs as seriously as its wine cellar. Live Spanish guitar plays on select nights.
- Rustlers Table (Vernon): farm-to-table dining on a working farm. Before dinner, wander past the chickens, cows and sheep. Dogs are welcome on the patio.
- Elora Restaurant & Bar (Vernon): a newer Mediterranean spot with a rotating seasonal menu. The chef stops by every table.
- Suda Restaurant (Vernon): widely called the best Korean restaurant in the Okanagan Valley. Order the traditional spicy pork dish and the seafood pancake.
- Dorians Greek Taverna (Vernon): striking Mediterranean styling, and a full rack of lamb that reviewers call excellent value.
Patios & lake views
- 1516 Pub & Grill (Vernon): one of Vernon's most dog-friendly spots, with a lakefront courtyard patio and regular live music. Grab a table by the water.
- Alexander's Beach Pub (Coldstream): right on Kalamalka Lake, with a patio behind hanging flower baskets and Soma Cider on tap. Built for long lunches.
- Rail Trail Café & Market (Coldstream): beside the Kalamalka Rail Trail, a favourite reward stop for cyclists and hikers. Finish your ride or walk on the patio.
- The Med Restaurant (Vernon): Mediterranean food with funky decor and a welcoming patio where dogs are properly accommodated.
Drinks: breweries, cider & cocktails
- BNA Brewing Vernon (Vernon): a brewpub with 10-pin and duckpin lanes and arcade games next to the beer list. Book lanes and tables separately.
- Cambium Cider Co. (Vernon): an orchard cidery with a real restaurant, so order beyond a flight. Dogs aren't allowed inside or on the patio, but leashed dogs can use a few picnic tables in the orchard.
- Silverstar Brewing (Vernon): a roomy downtown brewery with a wide beer selection and a well-regarded happy hour. The food comes in large portions, and the desserts are part of the draw.
- Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery (Vernon): book a guided tour that mixes history with whisky tastings. There are toys on site for kids.
- Masiero Pizzeria Napoletana (Vernon): thin-crust Neapolitan pizza and a strong wine list. The owner tends bar and is known for his cocktails, so let him pick one.
Easy on the wallet
- Amigo Chicken and Mexican Kitchen (Vernon): quick-service, no-frills Mexican food served sizzling hot. Regulars say it beats the chains.
- Fresh Lemongrass Vietnamese Restaurant (Vernon): a modern, stylish room known for massive portions and a warm welcome.
- Saffron Touch Indian Cuisine (Vernon): one of Vernon's original Indian restaurants, with generous portions and fair prices. Order the garlic naan and butter chicken.
- Winston Pub (Vernon): an old-style pub with a rooftop patio. Locals call the Sunday night pot roast special the best meal deal in town.
Dietary-friendly
- The Roxy Cafe (Vernon): a vegan café with a bright, cheerful dining room. Order at the counter, then try the butter chick'n or a vegan cinnamon roll.
- Red Tomato Pies (Vernon): a takeout-focused pizzeria where regulars call the gluten-free crust good, not an afterthought.
- Phoenix Steakhouse (Vernon): a celiac diner praised it for an unusually large number of safe menu options.
- Cabbana Indian Bistro (Vernon): a stylish, contemporary take on Indian food. The owner has confirmed which dishes can be made vegan on request.
Quick picks
| If you want… | Go to |
|---|---|
| A diner breakfast | Diner On Six, Rosalinda's |
| Coffee and a pastry | Ratio Coffee & Pastry, Hot Bread Shoppe |
| A special dinner | Intermezzo Restaurant and Wine Cellar, Rustlers Table |
| Lunch on the lake | Alexander's Beach Pub |
| A dog-friendly patio | 1516 Pub & Grill, The Med Restaurant |
| A night out with games | BNA Brewing Vernon |
| A cider stop | Cambium Cider Co. |
| A cheap, filling meal | Amigo Chicken and Mexican Kitchen, Fresh Lemongrass Vietnamese Restaurant |
| Vegan or gluten-free | The Roxy Cafe, Red Tomato Pies |
See more: Vernon restaurants, Vernon cafés, Vernon breweries, Soup, ramen & pho