Kelowna: #1 Rated Walking Food Tour with 7 Tastings and 4 Drinks

Come hungry, leave with new favorites. This three-hour walk through Kelowna mixes seven food tastings and four drinks with lakeside parks, Japanese gardens, public art, and local stories. I especially like the small maximum of 10 people and the way guide Andrew connects each stop with the city around it.

The food lineup is wide-ranging, from wood-fired prosciutto pizza and Mexican tacos to loose-leaf tea, homemade ice cream, steamed buns, and local spirits. The main drawback is the walking: you need a moderate fitness level, and the tour is not suited to anyone with foot, knee, hip, or leg trouble.

The quick take: a generous food tour with a local feel

This is not a simple crawl from restaurant to restaurant. You move through Kelowna’s Cultural District, along the waterfront, through public gardens, and past some of the city’s unusual landmarks. The food gives you a reason to keep walking, while Andrew supplies the stories and practical recommendations.

The tour is priced at $90.12 per person. That is a fair deal if you take advantage of the full food and drink program. You are not paying only for small samples. The experience includes a full-size tea, ice cream, alcoholic tastings, pizza, baked goods, tofu, steamed buns, and other substantial bites. The quantity is a major part of the value.

The tour is also a useful first-day activity. Several people who joined early in their Kelowna stay used Andrew’s suggestions to return to restaurants and shops later. If you already know the city well, you can still find places you have missed, but the fixed lineup means the same core venues are used rather than a constantly changing restaurant list.

Key points to know before booking

• Small groups make the afternoon personal: The maximum is 10 people, and Andrew leads the tour himself.
• The food is more than a nibble: Several stops provide filling portions, so arrive hungry and avoid a large meal beforehand.
• Four drinks are included: The program can include craft beer, wine, cocktails, spirits, and non-alcoholic choices.
• Kelowna’s sights are part of the meal: Waterfront Park, Stuart Park, Kasugai Japanese Garden, and the Innovation Centre rooftop add plenty of scenery.
• The route begins and ends downtown: You meet outside the Laurel Packinghouse and finish in the Cultural District, no more than a block from the starting area.
• Seasonal access matters: Kasugai Japanese Garden is open from mid-March to mid-October, and the Innovation Centre rooftop patio is available to groups from April 15 through October 15 when open.

Starting at the Laurel Packinghouse

Your meeting point is outside the Laurel Packinghouse at 1304 Ellis Street. Look for the sandwich board sign and Andrew, who is described as tall, ginger-haired, and hard to miss.

The building gives the tour a fitting start. You are meeting in one of Kelowna’s recognizable historic areas before moving into its newer food and cultural scene. The initial stop lasts about 10 minutes, and admission is not included, though the tour itself begins outside.

Andrew’s role is one of the strongest parts of the experience. He knows the food businesses personally and has built relationships with the people running them. That means the tour feels less like following a script and more like being shown around by a local who has favorite places to share.

Street art, waterfront parks, and city stories

The first short stop is at the Dolphins Statue, where Andrew talks about one of Kelowna’s more unusual pieces of public art. It lasts only a few minutes, but it helps set the tone. This is not a tour that treats the city as a backdrop. Small details, odd landmarks, and local stories all get room.

From there, you walk through Waterfront Park for about 15 minutes. The park gives you an open lakeside setting and a chance to hear how the waterfront has shaped Kelowna over the past 30 years. The walking sections are not filler. They create breathing room between tastings and help you understand how the downtown area fits together.

At the Innovation Centre, weekday groups may visit the rooftop patio when it is open. From April 15 through October 15, the tour can include a 360-degree view of downtown Kelowna. This is a quick five-minute stop, so think of it as a photo break rather than a long visit.

Access depends on the patio being open, and the information specifically refers to weekdays. If rooftop views are important to you, confirm the details when booking. The route still has plenty of scenery even without this stop.

Kasugai Japanese Garden and Stuart Park

Kasugai Japanese Garden is one of the quieter points on the route. It is named for Kelowna’s sister city in Japan and includes koi, waterfalls, Japanese sculptures, and carefully maintained gardens.

The visit lasts around five minutes, which is enough for an introduction but not a slow garden visit. If you love Japanese gardens, you may wish you had extra time to linger. Still, this short stop adds a different mood to the day and gives Andrew another setting for local context.

The garden is open from mid-March to mid-October. Outside that period, this portion of the experience may not be available. The tour description identifies the park as seasonal, so spring, summer, and early fall are the safest times to expect it.

Stuart Park follows with another five-minute stop. This lakeside park is dedicated to a former mayor, and Andrew tells the story of the bear in Kelowna and the creation of the boardwalk. It is a compact look at how a public space can become part of a city’s identity.

Ice cream by the lake at Kelowna Yacht Club

The Kelowna Yacht Club is the first major food stop in the listed route, and it is a pleasant one. You sit lakeside in an award-winning building while eating house-made gelato.

This is a smart place for ice cream. The setting does some of the work, but the stop also offers a pause after the first stretch of walking. You are not rushing in, taking a bite, and leaving immediately. The scheduled time is about 15 minutes, enough to sit and enjoy the view.

The food program also lists homemade ice cream as one of the dessert tastings. The portion is part of a much larger day of eating, so you will want to pace yourself. That advice applies to every stop.

BNA Brewing brings the most playful stop

BNA Brewing occupies a two-story historic brick building and is one of the tour’s most distinctive venues. It combines a brewery with a 10-pin bowling alley, bocce court, vintage arcade, burger bar, Airstream trailer, and other features.

You spend about 20 minutes here and sample a house-made beer or wine spritzer. The setting gives you a look at Kelowna’s social side, not just its restaurant scene. It is also a good example of why this tour works better than a list of isolated tastings. You learn what makes each place different.

The BNA stop may be especially appealing if your group likes casual, lively venues. It is less suited to someone seeking a quiet wine-and-cheese afternoon. The tour includes both relaxed and energetic stops, so expect variety rather than one consistent dining style.

Chaibaba Tea is a genuine pause

Chaibaba Tea is described as a loose-leaf tea shop with a peaceful atmosphere and strong aromas. Every participant receives a full-size tea, not merely a sip.

That matters for two reasons. First, it gives you a non-alcoholic drink in the middle of a day that includes several alcoholic samples. Second, a full-size tea is useful value at this price. You can sit, look around, and decide if the shop deserves a return visit.

The stop lasts around 15 minutes. If you enjoy tea, this may become one of the places you remember best. If you do not, it still offers a welcome change from beer, wine, and heavier food.

Sprout Bread shows Kelowna’s bakery side

Sprout Bread is a family-run artisan bakery in the Cultural District. Pete and Ava opened it in August 2018, married three weeks later, and built the bakery into a local meeting place centered on bread, coffee, and baked goods.

The bakery uses certified organic flour for its breads and works with farmers and suppliers to showcase Okanagan ingredients. You may also be able to watch the bakers at work, which adds a useful behind-the-scenes element to the tasting.

The scheduled stop is 15 minutes. The appeal here is not only the food. You get a look at how a small bakery connects with its neighborhood and local suppliers. The setting is welcoming, and the food gives you another style of Kelowna flavor after the tea and gelato.

Curious Cafe serves pizza with a secret side

Curious Cafe is a favorite stop on the route, and the food program features wood-fired pizza from an apple-shaped forno oven imported from Naples, Italy. The tasting includes wood-fired prosciutto pizza and a glass of wine of your choice.

The pizza is a strong anchor for the tour. Hand-sliced prosciutto, a wood-fired oven, and a choice of wine make this feel like a proper restaurant tasting rather than a token sample. You have about 20 minutes here.

Andrew also shows the group a hidden speakeasy and garden patio. These extras make the venue worth remembering for a later meal or drink. The cafe is owned by Luigi Coccaro, another example of the personal connections Andrew brings into the tour.

El Taquero finishes with Mexican flavor

The last listed food stop is El Taquero, where Chef and owner Izzy serves a modern version of recipes from his mother and grandmother in Mexico City.

The tour description specifically encourages you to bring your appetite and enjoy fresh margaritas. This is a fitting finale because the flavors are bold and the drink adds a festive finish. You spend about 20 minutes here.

The wider sample menu also includes steamed buns from Boxcar Kitchen and fruit liqueurs from Okanagan Spirits, made with local apple-based spirits. It lists vegan Naked Baker and Bliss Bakery bars as dessert samples as well. Since the published food examples include more venues than the numbered route, you should treat the exact tasting lineup as something that can be confirmed with the operator rather than assuming every named item appears on every departure.

How much food and drink do you really get?

The title promises seven tastings and four drinks, and the inclusion details say all food and drinks are covered. The examples include:

• A full-size loose-leaf tea from Chaibaba Tea
• Homemade gelato at the Yacht Club
• Wood-fired prosciutto pizza and wine at Curious Cafe
• Beer or a wine spritzer at BNA Brewing
• Fresh margaritas at El Taquero
• Mixed berry, smoke-infused soju shots with deep-fried tofu
• Steamed buns from Boxcar Kitchen
• Apple-based fruit liqueurs from Okanagan Spirits
• Vegan dessert bars from Naked Baker and Bliss Bakery

The drink plan can include a full-size craft cocktail, local beer, a special cocktail sample, and a glass of wine. Non-alcoholic options are available, and the tour can cater to younger participants.

You should not plan a large breakfast or lunch before this experience. The guide himself jokes about being a big man who serves generous portions, and the food is repeatedly described as plentiful. At $90.12, the value is strongest for people who eat and drink their way through the full program.

Walking, timing, and group size

The experience lasts about three hours, although the listed stop times add up to a substantial portion of that period. The rest is spent walking between venues and hearing stories. You should wear comfortable shoes and expect to be on your feet for most of the afternoon.

The group limit is 10 people. That is small enough for Andrew to answer questions, keep the group together, and maintain contact with each venue. Several stops have a table ready when the group arrives, which helps the tour stay organized.

The route begins at the Laurel Packinghouse and ends in the Cultural District, no more than a block from the starting point. You do not need to arrange a vehicle between tastings. The tour is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

This is not a good choice if you use a cane or another walking aid, or if you have foot, knee, hip, or leg problems. The operator asks for a moderate fitness level. Those details are easy to overlook when you see the food focus, but they matter.

Who should book this Kelowna food tour?

I would choose this for a first visit to Kelowna, especially if you want food recommendations along with a basic sense of downtown. It works well for couples, friends, families, and locals who want to see familiar streets differently.

It is also a good match for people who prefer independent restaurants, bakeries, tea shops, and unusual venues over a formal tasting menu. Andrew shares information about the city, its landmarks, and the businesses along the way, so you get both a meal and a useful orientation.

I would hesitate if you want a slow, refined dining experience. The tour covers many stops in three hours, and the food comes in stages. I would also hesitate if you have limited mobility or do not enjoy eating substantial food throughout an afternoon.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a generous introduction to Kelowna’s downtown food scene, enjoy walking, and like learning where locals actually eat. The combination of seven tastings, four drinks, parks, gardens, public art, and a group of no more than 10 makes the $90.12 price reasonable.

Andrew is the main reason to choose this particular experience. He brings energy, personal connections, and plenty of city information, while the restaurant lineup gives you several places to revisit. Arrive hungry, wear good shoes, and confirm seasonal stops if you are visiting outside the main spring-to-fall period.

FAQ

How long does the Kelowna walking food tour last?

The tour lasts approximately three hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $90.12 per person.

How many food tastings are included?

The experience includes seven tastings.

How many drinks are included?

Four drinks are included. The drink program can include craft cocktails, local beer, a special cocktail sample, and wine.

Are food and drinks included in the price?

Yes. All food and drinks included in the tour are covered in the price.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is outside the Laurel Packinghouse at 1304 Ellis Street, Kelowna, British Columbia.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in Kelowna’s Cultural District, no more than a block from the starting area.

How large is the tour group?

The maximum group size is 10 people.

Is the tour suitable for someone with mobility issues?

The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness and is not recommended for people with foot, knee, hip, or leg issues. It is also not recommended for anyone using a cane or walking apparatus.

When is Kasugai Japanese Garden open during the tour?

Kasugai Japanese Garden is open from mid-March to mid-October.

Is the Innovation Centre rooftop patio always available?

No. The rooftop patio is visited on weekdays when it is open. From April 15 through October 15, groups may be able to enjoy a 360-degree view of downtown Kelowna.

Can younger participants or non-drinkers join?

Yes. Non-alcoholic options are available, and the tour caters to youth.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted.