Host to an incredible amount of agricultural bounty, Naramata Bench is a foodie haven. This has attracted some of the best talent in the industry, from celebrity chefs to award winning artisan producers.
No matter your budget or preferred style of dining, the Naramata Bench will have something to satisfy your appetite. This post features the best Naramata Bench restaurants and cafes – be sure not to read it hungry!
This post will start with eateries located in the small village of Naramata before featuring restaurants located elsewhere along the Naramata Bench.
Here’s what to expect:
- Where to eat in Naramata
- Naramata Bench winery restaurants
- Light bites and food trucks
- Local produce
Last updated August 2023. For the most up-to-date information, contact individual businesses before visiting. We were guests of Eliza Wine Bar.
Naramata restaurants, cafes, pubs and take-outs
Visit the small community of Naramata to discover where the locals eat. The following restaurants and cafes are all located on Robinson Avenue, a short walk from one another.
The Restaurant at the Naramata Inn
The Naramata Inn is one of the most iconic buildings in Naramata. This impressive 100+ year old building is hard to miss as it sits right at the end of Robinson Ave, the main road through the community. It hosts a restaurant, wine bar (see below) and 12 period rooms.
Led by Chef Jacob Deacon-Evans, the Naramata Inn offers a premier, hyper local dining experience. The menu is designed around the availability of high quality, locally sourced ingredients rather than the other way around.
For this reason, the carefully crafted dishes are super seasonal and also sustainable. Upscale in nature, you may expect meal portions to be tiny. Not so, with dishes being surprisingly substantial (especially when compared to the prix fixe pricing) as well as absolutely delicious.
A locally focused wine list accompanies the menu. Many Naramata Bench wineries feature, as well as others across the Okanagan Valley and nearby Similkameen Valley.
Be sure to make a reservation early to avoid disappointment.
Eliza Wine Bar at the Naramata Inn
Located downstairs in the Naramata Inn, Eliza Wine Bar is the Restaurant’s more casual cousin. But don’t get the wrong idea; the environment may be more casual but the food is some of the best the Okanagan Valley has to offer.
While Eliza’s food team also utilises hyper-local ingredients, creativity and innovation are a bigger focus. This is presented in a playful way, with the dishes taking on a very different appearance and taste profile than you may initially expect.
The seasonal menu changes often, with different meats, veggies and fish taking the spotlight throughout the year. What is consistent, however, is that every dish is a feast for the eyes, with the taste delivering as well. Seriously, this is food to celebrate and savour.
As well as the atmosphere being more low key at Eliza, the pricing is too. I couldn’t believe that our sunflower macaron, made with locally made Poplar Grove Tiger Blue cheese, was only $12.
Eliza’s wine list features international varieties as well as local favourites, with single glass pours available for every listed wine (no need to order a full bottle, how refreshing!)
Walk-ins are welcomed at Eliza, so it’s a particularly great choice for any last minute visitors. There is a cosy indoor space in addition to a shady patio.
Grape Leaf Cafe
Unassuming and unpretentious, the Grape Leaf Café is a Naramata village mainstay. The menu may look simple but the food is excellent, with generous portions at very reasonable prices.
The Grape Leaf Café serves breakfast all day, with soups, sandwiches and salads at lunch too. The focaccia bread is a particular favourite, being super fluffy and fresh yet still offering crunch as well. There is a sunny streetside patio, great for watching the world go by.
Real Things Pizza
Tired of gourmet food or just want to have pizza on the beach? Real Things Pizza is there for you!
This local favourite has a huge selection of toppings and crust options, with all pizzas being made by hand. Vegan and vegetarians have plenty of choice, with keto and gluten free also being available for an additional charge.
Real Things Pizza is staffed by local teens, a factor that ensures that your money goes back into the community. Best of all, they deliver to the beach, so you can keep on swimming, sunbathing and watching the sunset!
Naramata Pub and Grill
Fulfill that craving for classic Canadian dishes at Naramata Pub and Grill. This laid back, friendly eatery looks almost tropical outside and yet has a cosy interior. There’s a sunny patio on the side, ideally placed for long summer evenings.
The Naramata Pub and Grill is best known for Wednesday Wing Night (reservations recommended). Also on the menu is fish and chips, homemade nachos, tacos, salads and burgers. There’s a kids menu too.
Neverland Tea Cottage
For a one of a kind whimsical yet stylish dining experience, consider treating yourself to high tea (afternoon tea) at the Neverland Tea Cottage.
Choose between traditional, vegetarian and gluten-free versions of high tea, all of which include fresh scones, decadent cakes and tarts and a range of flavourful sandwiches and pastries. The attention to detail is simply exquisite. And, of course, the tea menu is lengthy!
The environment is as picturesque and playful as the food, with the inside space giving Alice in Wonderland vibes. The sunny patio is bordered by flowers, with huge yellow umbrellas for shade.
Neverland Tea Cottage is open from Friday to Sunday only, with reservations being essential.
Just Baked
Be sure not to blink and miss this tiny place at the Village Motel. Just Baked serves up espresso coffees, steeped tea and juices alongside delicious freshly baked seasonal treats. Be sure to try the coffee cake. And the brownie.
Naramata Bench winery restaurants
The Naramata Bench is host to more than 40 wineries, mostly boutique, across a relatively short 20km stretch of land. Some of these wineries have on-site restaurants, usually serving lunch and dinner with paired wine options.
The Patio Restaurant at Lake Breeze
It’s easy to imagine being in Italy while dining at Lake Breeze’s Patio Restaurant, which is nestled between Mediterranean style buildings and gorgeous Okanagan Lake views.
Inspired by local produce and ingredients from Lake Breeze’s own two acre homestead farm, you can expect fresh, seasonal flavors at the Patio. The compact but creative menu, created by chef Mark, features three courses of vegetarian, fish and meat dishes.
Our personal favourite dish was the crab and custard, served on house sourdough toast and dressed with crispy kale and parsley puree. Light and flavourful, it was the perfect appetiser for our light wine touring lunch.
Restaurant guests can choose to savour a two or three course meal. There is the option to add on wine pairings (5oz glass per course), as chosen by the winemaker, or enjoy a full bottle of wine instead.
The Patio is open for lunch, from 11.30am to 3pm daily. There is outdoor seating only, to showcase the stunning setting. Food is served rain or shine, with umbrellas available. Being partially surrounded by trees, some of the tables enjoy plenty of shade, while others receive more sun.
Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly on weekends. Walk-ins are still welcome when space allows. Reservations can be made online or by phone.
The Restaurant at Poplar Grove
When it comes to impressive views of the Naramata Bench, the Restaurant at Popular Grove definitely has that breathtaking view that most of us dream of!
Located on the slopes of Munson Mountain (home of the Penticton sign), the patio overlooks vineyards, Okanagan Lake and the surrounding mountains. Seating is available both on the spectacular patio and also inside the airy and bright restaurant space. The floor to ceiling windows ensure great views even from inside!
Previously known as the Vanilla Pod, the Restaurant is now under the helm of Executive Chef Stacy Johnston and Chef de Cuisine Minette Lotz. Stacy and Minette have worked together in a number of kitchens across Western Canada, including most recently at the Naramata Inn.
The upscale menu is short, succinct and seasonal, with a dozen small plates and large plates. The dishes showcase BC ingredients including seafood and locally grown vegetables. Poplar Grove’s impressive portfolio of wines complements the food, with locally produced beer and cider available as well.
The Bistro at Hillside Winery
Hillside is one of the most iconic and oldest wineries on the Naramata Bench. With its imposing architecture, central location and high quality wines, Hillside is a popular stop for both wine tasting and dining.
The Bistro at Hillside, led by Chef Evan Robertson, highlights locally sourced ingredients on a menu designed for sharing.
Not only does this bring convivial, family style dining to the table, but it also helps to create a symphony of flavours across dishes, complimented further by paired wine. Even the main courses have been designed with sharing in mind, such as the skillet whole chicken dish or the tomahawk steak (both serves two).
Situated to the side of Hillside’s wine shop and tasting room, the Bistro offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Patio dining is weather dependent. The upper and lower patios both offer vineyard and Okanagan Lakes views.
The Bistro at Serendipity Winery
Serendipity Winery’s Bistro is one of the newest winery restaurants along the Naramata Bench. Located slightly off the beaten track, it’s a great option for wine tourers looking for somewhere a little more undiscovered.
Chef Tristan Bunkowski has combined international flavours with local ingredients to create an upscale yet rustic menu. These light dishes are designed to be shared, with 1.5 to 2 dishes recommended per person. Each dish has been deigned to pair with Serendipity’s wine list.
Dining at Serendipity is possible rain or shine, since the Bistro’s outdoor patio is both covered and heated.
The Kitchen at Da Silva Winery
The Da Silva family originally immigrated from Portugal to Canada over 70 years ago, with ‘only a suitcase in hand.’ This heritage is not only reflected in their winery portfolio, but also at the Kitchen, Da Silva’s on-site restaurant.
The Kitchen’s specialty is Portugese tapas (as many as 30 different options!), served with Mexican flair from Chef Abude Adame. Interestingly enough, most of the menu is naturally gluten free.
Tapas are served in random order and are intended to be shared. The pace is slow, creating a relaxed social atmosphere usually only found in southern Europe. Guests can also choose to try the “Chef’s Choice” and experience a variety of dishes, with a few surprises along the way.
The Kitchen is a small restaurant and dining is available outside only. The view is wonderfully calming, looking out over vineyards to the back of Munson Mountain and over to the mountains surrounding Penticton.
Bench Patio Bistro at Bench 1775
Renowned for gorgeous patio views, Bench 1775 is a very popular Naramata Bench lunch stop. After a few (pandemic prompted) years of serving charcuterie boards only, the winery’s bistro is operating again.
Open from Thursday to Sunday from 11.30am to 5pm only, the Bench Patio Bistro specialises in small dishes with an Asian theme. Think Korean BBQ rice bowls, yakitori (chicken skewers), seafood and dim sum.
There’s still a cheese board available as well, so don’t worry if you’re looking to recreate a previous patio experience at the winery!
In addition to the à la carte menu, Bench 1775 also offers a paired food and wine tasting experience. The seated tasting, featuring six differen types of wine, must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.
The Oven Restaurant at Upper Bench Winery and Creamery
Many Naramata Bench restaurants claim to utilise local produce, but how about a restaurant serving dishes with cheese produced right on site?
The Oven Restaurant at Upper Bench Winery showcases hand-crafted Upper Bench cheeses with handmade Neapolitan Style pizza and cheese plates.
The pizzas are baked in a custom made Forno Bravo oven on the winery’s sheltered patio. There are no dramatic lake views, but the patio is surrounded by vineyards and offers a wonderfully relaxed ambience.
The Oven is open every day, from 11.30am to 5pm. Please note that all guests must be 19+ to dine here.
Light bites and food trucks
Don’t have the appetite or the time for a sit down meal while exploring the Bench? No problem. Keep reading to discover some awesome options for lighter meals and snacks on the Naramata Bench.
Howling Bluff Estate Winery
Perfectly placed for a lunchtime wine touring break, Howling Bluff Estate Winery sits in a sunny canyon just off Naramata Road. This family owned boutique winery features a large, multi-level dog friendly patio surrounded by vineyards with a teasing view of Okanagan Lake.
Howling Bluff has partnered with Penticton’s La Cucina European Market to create delicious charcuterie plates. With generous portions of meat, cheese, olives and pepperoncini, these plates are ideal for two person to share. Wine can be purchased by the glass or bottle. It is also possible to enjoy a tasting at the same time.
Legend Distilling
Looking for a change from the wineries? Check out Legend Distilling. This family owned craft distillery has a beautiful patio deck and lawn overlooking Okanagan Lake. Both are dog friendly.
Refreshing cocktails are accompanied by sandwiches, salads, sharing platters and ice cream. Beer lovers will also find offerings from a myriad of local breweries. If you don’t have time to enjoy the relaxed picnic area, take-out is available.
Origin Wines
Enjoy charcuterie with sweeping Okanagan Lake views at Origin Wines. The hand crafted charcuterie boxes are produced by Tony’s Meat & Deli (Penticton) and come in three different sizes.
Packed with savoury and sweet treats, each box comes with at least one bottle of Origin wine. Tastings can also be added for an additional fee.
The only downside? Origin’s charcuterie boxes need to be pre-ordered 48 hours in advance.
Red Rooster Winery
Over the years, Red Rooster Winery has hosted a number of different dining options. 2023 guests can enjoy charcuterie boards and light bites on the sunny patio or on the expansive manicured lawn, under the shady trees.
Curated by Cocktails & Canapés Okanagan, the charcuterie boards include a selection of local and premium cheeses and meats, as well as pickled vegetables and fresh fruit. Other options include flatbreads, chips and dip. If you can, visit on a Friday – it’s happy hour all day!
Local Produce
The Naramata Bench is a bountiful place and there’s no shortage of good food here. For a more casual dining experience, pick up some local produce and enjoy a DIY picnic!
The Naramata General Store in the village is an excellent place to pick up supplies. There is a fruit stand opposite Poplar Grove Winery on Middle Bench Road.
Poplar Grove Cheese
Not to be confused with Poplar Grove Winery, you can find Poplar Grove Cheese at the very end of Poplar Grove Road, sharing a tasting room with Lock and Worth Winery.
Using Okanagan sourced milk (from D Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous), Poplar Grove handcrafts small batch, high quality French-style cheeses.
Poplar Grove offers paired wine and cheese tastings ($15/person) as well as the chance to purchase cheese and charcuterie accompaniments (crackers, olives and more) from the wine shop. Wine is also available by the bottle.
Picnics can be enjoyed on the sunny, scenic patio at the front of the wine shop. Picnicking at Poplar Grove is one of our favourite things to do with visitors. My top cheese picks are the Harvest Moon (salty rind, only made seasonally) and the deliciously creamy Naramata Bench Blue.
Upper Bench Winery and Creamery
Luckily for us, the Naramata Bench is home to not one, but two excellent fromageries. Upper Bench Winery and Creamery has a large and varied selection of handcrafted cheese, also made from milk from D Dutchmen Dairy in Sicamous.
Lovers of blue cheese should definitely try King Cole, a bold, full flavoured veined cheese. f you like strong, French style cheeses, you’ll love the tangy Okanagan Sun. If this all sounds a bit much for you, don’t worry, there are mild, creamy varieties as well!
Paired wine and cheese tastings are available, in addition to the option of simply purchasing cheese to consume elsewhere. Upper Bench also operates the on-site Oven Restaurant (as previously mentioned), serving handmade Neapolitan Style pizza and cheese plates.
