Markets
Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market
Kelowna
THINGS TO DO · KELOWNA & WEST KELOWNA
Your definitive 2026 guide to Kelowna's best food tours, from downtown tastings and winery chef's tables to U-pick orchards and bustling farmers' markets.
10 food tours & tastings · Updated September 2026Things To Do guide · Go Kelowna
Photo: Sean Siegers · Vivid Tours - Kelowna Wine Tours via Google
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
Discover Kelowna's vibrant food scene in 2026. Explore guided downtown food tours, enjoy farm-to-table experiences at local orchards, and browse the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market. The region offers seasonal U-pick for cherries, peaches, and apples, alongside unique winery dining and hands-on cooking classes. This guide covers the best ways to taste the Okanagan, with tips on how to book your culinary adventure.
- Best Season
- July to September
- Book Ahead
- Tours & classes
- Best Area
- Downtown & West Kelowna
- Good to know
- U-pick dates vary by weather
01THINGS TO DO GUIDE
Food tours & tastings
Chef stops, farm stands and market mornings.
Markets
Paynter's Fruit Market
West Kelowna
Markets
Don-O-Ray Farmers Market
Kelowna
Markets
K.L.O. Farm Market
Kelowna
Markets
Glenmore Garden Market
Kelowna
Markets
Westbank Corner Fruit Stall
West Kelowna
Markets
Nimmi’s Farm Market
Kelowna
Markets
Westbank Market
West Kelowna
Guided Tours
Lake Country Wine Tour
Kelowna
Guided Tours
Westside Wine Tour
Kelowna
Hover for a closer look.Tap a card for a closer look. A conversation takes you further.
•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Your 2026 Kelowna Food Tour Guide
Taste your way through the Okanagan with our guide to the best culinary experiences.
The short answer
The best food tours and tastings in Kelowna for 2026 include guided walking tours through the downtown Cultural District, offering diverse tastes from local restaurants. Additionally, exploring the farm-to-table scene through visits to local markets and orchards for seasonal fruit picking provides an authentic taste of the Okanagan.
01City Flavours
Guided Downtown Food Tours
Explore the heart of Kelowna's culinary scene with a guided walking tour through the downtown core and Cultural District. Companies like Vivid Tours offer experiences that showcase a variety of local tastes, from authentic Neapolitan pizza and Mexican tacos to Japanese cuisine. These tours are a great way to discover hidden gems and hear the stories behind the city's food culture.
A typical downtown food tour lasts about three hours and includes multiple stops at independent, non-chain restaurants. Expect a curated experience that combines food and drink pairings with local history and art, often including a walk along the picturesque Waterfront Boardwalk on Okanagan Lake. These tours cater to various dietary needs with advance notice.
Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during the peak summer months. You can book directly through the tour operators' websites. These tours are a fantastic option for visitors looking to get an overview of the local food scene without the need for a car, as they are entirely walkable and focus on the vibrant downtown area.
Local tips
- Wear comfortable shoes as tours are typically 3 hours long.
- Tours run rain or shine, so dress for the weather.
- Bring a camera to capture the beautiful scenery of the Cultural District and waterfront.
- Inform the tour operator of any dietary restrictions when booking.
02Fresh Picks
Farm-to-Table & Orchard Tours
The Okanagan Valley is renowned for its agriculture, and a visit isn't complete without a farm-to-table experience. While dedicated guided farm tours are less common, many wineries and their restaurants emphasize local ingredients. You can also create your own tour by visiting the numerous orchards and farm markets dotted throughout Kelowna and West Kelowna.
Some tour operators, like Nagel Tours, incorporate orchard visits into their broader Okanagan itineraries, which can include experiences like a ride on the Johnny Popper Apple Train. For a more self-directed approach, explore the Westside Farm Loop in West Kelowna, which connects several farms and markets like Paynter's Fruit Market.
The Okanagan Wine and Orchard Museum, located in the historic Laurel Packinghouse, offers insights into the region's agricultural history. Pre-booked guided tours of the museum are available year-round and provide context to the orchards you'll see across the valley. This is a great starting point to understand the significance of the fruit industry here.
Local tips
- Always check farm websites or call ahead before visiting, as hours and U-pick availability can change daily.
- Combine a farm visit with a winery tour, as many are located in close proximity, especially in West Kelowna and Lake Country.
- Look for farm-to-table dinners at winery restaurants for a curated culinary experience.
03Local Bounty
Farmers' & Crafters' Markets
The Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market is a must-visit for any food lover. Located in the Landmark District, it's one of the largest markets in the region, featuring a wide array of local farmers, artisans, and food vendors. The main outdoor market season runs on Saturdays and Wednesdays from April through to the end of October.
In West Kelowna, the Westbank Market operates on Saturdays from July to September at the Westridge Shopping Centre. It offers a fantastic selection of local produce, crafts, and homemade goods, often with live music creating a festive atmosphere. It's a great opportunity to connect with the local community and makers.
You'll find a variety of other markets throughout the region, including seasonal ones in East Kelowna. These markets are the best place to find the freshest seasonal produce, from early summer berries to fall apples and squash, directly from the people who grow it. Many vendors offer samples, so you can taste before you buy.
Local tips
- Bring cash, although many vendors now accept cards.
- Arrive early for the best selection, especially for popular items.
- Check market websites for special events, like the Golden Egg Hunt at the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market during the Easter long weekend.
04Seasonal Harvest
Fruit Stands & U-Pick
A classic Okanagan experience is stopping at a roadside fruit stand. You'll find them all along the main roads and tucked away in farming communities. Notable spots include Paynter's Fruit Market in West Kelowna, Don-O-Ray Farmers Market, and Glenmore Garden Market in Kelowna, known for its pesticide-free produce.
The U-pick season is a highlight of summer and early fall. Cherries are typically ready from early July to early August. Peaches follow from late July through August, and the apple season runs from mid-August to late October, with different varieties ripening at different times.
Many farms offer a U-pick experience, including Paynter's Fruit Market and Kuipers Family Fruit Farm. It's a fun activity for all ages. Remember that harvest dates can vary each year depending on the weather, so it's crucial to check with the individual farm for availability before you go.
Local tips
- For U-picking, wear sunscreen and a hat, as the Okanagan sun can be strong.
- When picking cherries, try to leave the stem on, as they will last longer.
- Call ahead to confirm U-pick availability, as it can change daily based on how much has been picked.
05Vineyard Feasts
Winery Dining & Chef's Tables
Many of Kelowna’s renowned wineries also feature exceptional restaurants that are destinations in their own right. These establishments often offer chef's table experiences or special tasting menus that showcase the best of the region's ingredients, paired perfectly with their wines. This is where the farm-to-table concept truly shines.
Wineries on the Westside Wine Tour and in the Lake Country Wine Tour area often have restaurants with stunning views of the vineyards and Okanagan Lake. Dining at places like Old Vines Restaurant at Quails' Gate, which sources produce from local farms like Paynter's Fruit Market, offers a true taste of the terroir.
Booking a chef's table or a special winery dinner provides a more intimate and elevated dining experience. You'll often have the opportunity to interact with the chef and learn about the philosophy behind the food and wine pairings. Reservations for these experiences are almost always essential and should be made well in advance, particularly for well-known winery restaurants.
Local tips
- Make reservations well in advance, especially for weekend evenings in the summer.
- Consider a wine tour that includes a lunch or dinner stop for a seamless experience.
- Ask about seasonal tasting menus for a unique culinary adventure.
06Hands-On
Cooking Classes
For a hands-on culinary experience, Kelowna offers a variety of cooking classes. Lakehouse Kitchens Cooking School, in a state-of-the-art downtown kitchen, hosts classes on everything from knife skills to world cuisines, often taught by esteemed local chefs. These classes are a great way to learn new techniques using fresh, local ingredients.
Mission Hill Family Estate Winery offers demonstration-style culinary classes in their culinary theatre, particularly during the late fall and winter months. These classes focus on various cuisines and include a multi-course dinner with wine pairings. The Okanagan Table, from the team behind RauDZ Creative Concepts, also hosts chef-led Demo & Dine classes.
For something more specific, the Kelowna Canadian Italian Club runs 'La Bella Tavola' classes where you can learn to make pasta from scratch. Whether you're a novice or an experienced home cook, these classes offer a fun and delicious way to connect with the local food scene. You can book most classes online directly through the respective websites.
Local tips
- Book classes in advance as they often have limited spots and can fill up quickly.
- Check the class calendar for themes that interest you, from seasonal ingredients to specific international cuisines.
- Private classes can often be arranged for groups, offering a customized experience.
•Insider Access
Let a local take you there.
Tours, rentals, shops and stays run by Kelowna locals, all bookable from their profiles.
Loading insider access…
•THE FULL LIST
All 10 food tours & tastings.
Search by name, narrow by type or community, and sort by the most-reviewed or highest-rated. Every card opens a full profile.
See them on the map10 places
MarketsKelowna Farmers' and Crafters' MarketFarmers Market in Kelowna.★ 4.5 (2,325) · KelownaMarketsPaynter's Fruit MarketGrocery Store in West Kelowna.★ 4.6 (1,023) · West KelownaMarketsDon-O-Ray Farmers MarketFarmers Market in Kelowna.★ 4.7 (729) · KelownaMarketsK.L.O. Farm MarketFarmers Market in Kelowna.★ 4.6 (182) · KelownaMarketsGlenmore Garden MarketFarmers Market in Kelowna.★ 4.9 (101) · KelownaMarketsWestbank Corner Fruit StallFarmers Market in West Kelowna.★ 4.6 (41) · West KelownaMarketsNimmi’s Farm MarketFarmers Market in Kelowna.★ 4.4 (27) · KelownaMarketsWestbank MarketFarmers Market in West Kelowna.★ 4.5 (4) · West KelownaGuided ToursLake Country Wine TourNorth of Kelowna to the vineyards of Lake Country, with tastings at four wineries.KelownaGuided ToursWestside Wine TourA full day on the West Kelowna Wine Trail: estate tastings, lake views and a picnic lunch.Kelowna•STORIES
Read more from Go Kelowna
Loading stories…
•FAQ
Good to know
The best time for a food-focused visit to Kelowna is from July to September. During these months, the farmers' markets are in full swing, and the U-pick season for cherries, peaches, and other stone fruits is at its peak.
