Wine & Dine: Best Winery Restaurants in the South Okanagan

One of the nice things about living in the South Okanagan is how easy it is to combine a good meal with a good view. Winery restaurants are spread throughout the region, and many of them are close enough that you don’t need to plan a full day around the outing. You can meet friends for lunch, head out for a quiet dinner, or have a place to take visitors. 

If you’re looking for some of the best winery restaurants in the South Okanagan, these are a few that people return to again and again. Not because they’re trendy, but because they’re reliable, well located, and easy to enjoy.

Poplar Grove Winery Restaurant

Poplar Grove is just outside Penticton and overlooks Skaha Lake, which makes it one of the more convenient winery restaurants in the area. It’s close enough to town that it works for a weekday lunch or an early dinner, not just special occasions.

The restaurant focuses on seasonal food that pairs well with their wines. The menu changes, but the approach stays consistent. Straightforward dishes, local ingredients when available, and portions that don’t overwhelm. There are beautiful views and the restaurant atmosphere is very pleasant. 

This is an easy place to bring visitors or meet friends when you want good food without a long drive.

Play Estate Winery & Sonetto Italian Restaurant

Play Estate Winery and Sonetto Italian Restaurant are located just minutes from downtown Penticton, up on Skaha Hills Drive overlooking Skaha Lake. Because it’s so close to town, it’s an easy option if you want a winery restaurant experience without committing to a longer drive.

The focus here is Italian food paired with Play’s wines. The menu is built around familiar Italian dishes done simply, which makes it easy to enjoy the wine alongside the meal. The breathtaking view over the lake and surrounding hills is open and unobstructed, and it’s one of those places where people tend to linger a little longer than planned.

Play Estate works well for a relaxed lunch or an early dinner, especially if you’re looking for something close to Penticton that still feels removed from the busier parts of town.

Hillside Bistro at Hillside Winery

Hillside Bistro sits just above Penticton and is one of the longer-standing winery restaurants in the area. It’s close to town, easy to get to, and known for consistent food and a relaxed setting.

The bistro focuses on small plates that pair well with Hillside’s award winning wines. Their menu changes depending on what’s available locally. Seating looks out over the vineyard and the surrounding hills. 

Hillside works well when you want good food, good wine, and a setting that doesn’t require a special occasion. It’s the kind of place people return to because it’s easy to enjoy.

The Kitchen Restaurant at Da Silva Vineyards and Winery

The Kitchen at Da Silva Vineyards and Winery is also in Penticton and overlooks the vineyard, making it an easy stop if you’re spending time in the area.

The restaurant offers an unconventional fine dining experience, with an ever-changing menu built around ethnic farm foods. Many of the dishes draw from Mexican and Portuguese traditions, and the menu typically includes a mix of tapas, salads, and main courses. Because the offerings change regularly, each visit can feel a little different.

Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek

Miradoro is located in Oliver and has been a familiar stop in the valley for years. The restaurant sits above the vineyard and looks out across the valley.

The menu leans Italian and stays approachable. Pasta, pizza, and plates meant to be shared. It’s a good option for groups. If you’re spending time in Oliver or heading south, Miradoro is definitely a spot to check out. 

Living Close to It All

For people who live in the South Okanagan, winery restaurants become part of everyday life rather than something reserved for visitors. They’re places you go after a walk, meet friends for lunch, or bring family when they’re in town.

From Skaha Hills, you’re close to Penticton and within an easy drive of wineries throughout the region. That proximity makes it simple to enjoy these places without turning the outing into an all-day plan.

Spending time at winery restaurants like these gives a good sense of what life in the South Okanagan actually looks like. Not just on weekends or holidays, but as part of a normal week.