Getting out of bed at the crack of dawn, or letting the light gradually ease you into the day… whichever your preference, mornings are always better with a little help from your friends coffee or tea.
While brewing your favourite at home may be the norm, it’s hard to beat holding a steaming cup of your personalized morning beverage, perfectly presented by a professional, talented barista and on the West Side of Kelowna, there are a number of great spots to rev up the start of your day.
Perhaps it’s a quick dash through the Timmy’s drive-through for a Dark Roast and a dozen Timbits, or a quick stop at a familiar Starbucks or Blenz Coffee. Whichever your’e used to, West Kelowna has several locations to choose from.
But if you awake on the “ adventurous” side of the bed and feel like something a little different to start your day, why not try one of a handful of hidden gems that the city has to offer. Here are a few worth a shot or, maybe even a double-shot.
To get that real Kelowna Westside feeling, we suggest you venture over to Annie’s Café and Lounge at 3725 Boucherie Rd. Located right on the beach inside Frind Estate Winery. Anne’s Beach Café and Hut has take-out, sit-in, or sit-out service on their patio and lakefront picnic area. A lakeside Latte sounds just about perfect!
Even though the patio section is closed during the off season, what makes Annie’s so unique is their Dining Domes! Regardless if its during the chilly winter months, you can experience their famous menu outside while protected from the elements in one of their see-through domes! Book your own dome reservation here or learn more about Annie’s on the winery website.
Another interesting spot we highly recommend is the Kekuli Café, located at #307-3550 Carrington Road, in West Kelowna; it’s the Okanagan’s only Aboriginal cuisine eatery. We love the Kekuli Café slogan, “Don’t Panic, We Have Bannock”, where aside from the traditional aboriginal ambience and food they have cultural art and jewelry. Make sure you give their Aboriginal cuisine a try and sample their signature Bannock, famous smoked salmon, and delicious Pow Wow Tacos!
Grab a Spirit Bear Organic coffee or step outside the usual and try one of their incredible Matcha Green Tea Lavender Lattes or their Tiger Spiced Chai Cinnamon Tea Latte, or a Maple Coquihalla Frog Tea Latte!
All fuelled up and ready to take on the afternoon as a Westsider your possibilities are endless! We’ve blogged about West Kelowna’s dog parks, hiking, sightseeing, winery tours etc., before, but we haven’t mentioned something most Westsiders consider just a part of life, and that’s the Westsider’s practice of living local by eating local.
So with your morning brew in hand it’s time to check out the area’s incredible farms and produce markets.
Fresh Finds Market Garden comes to mind, located at 4205 Gellatly Rd., near the waterfront by the Cove Resort. They feature a two acre garden with vegetables and flowers that you can purchase or pick yourself as you wander this peaceful garden.
Another great spot specifically for berries is Cherrywood Farm. They close for the off-season but this smaller hobby farm focuses on “agritourism” and offers u-pick cherries and a wonderful little raspberry patch. Located at 3169 Shelter Drive there’s lots of parking so drive right in.
While you’re out and about, why not try Griffin Farms at 3344 Elliott Rd? Established in 1918 and operating as a farm for nearly 100 years they provide cherries, apricots, four varieties of peaches, as well as plums, prunes, nectarines, pears and apples. They make their own juice right on site and it’s an experience for the entire family.
Another great family run operation is Ingram Farms at 2660 Lower Glenrosa Rd. Ingram added their own bees back in 2008 to pollinate their cherries, apricots and peaches and now they offer honey all year round!
We’ve blogged about the Gellately Nut Farm in the past as a great spot to spend the day, walk amongst the trees and splash in the lake, but did you know you can also buy nuts there? Their nut harvest takes place early September to mid November and is managed by the Gellatly Nut Farm Society with 100% of the proceeds used for improvements and restoration projects within the park.
If you really want the full “farm experience” check out Jackalope Farms at 2655 Rufli Rd. They open in the summer and run private farm tours that explain and demonstrate all aspects of farming and have partnered with the City to offer farm camps for kids 7-12.
To check out a husband and wife run farm, why not visit JM Farms at 907 Douglas Road. This great little farm is located beside the Volcanic Hills Family Estate Winery on the Westside Wine trail (one of our other favourite treks) and here you’ll find berries, fruits and veggies a plenty!
Another interesting food stop with history is Paynters Fruit Market which has operated as a family business for 60-years, all started by Henry Paynter who immigrated from England in 1919. Located at 3687 Paynter Rd., you can head over and pick the fruit yourself or browse the market indoors.
Just a short jaunt away at 3607 Paynter Road you’ll find Rabbit Hollow where Martine and Kristin guide you through a very hands on garden experience and educate you on the process of bringing food from farm-to-table. They offer meals and classes and everything is an interactive experience!
And if you want more of a “one stop shop” we suggest you visit the Westbank Farmers’ Market. It is open every Saturday from early July to mid September and located at 2484 Main Street in West Kelowna. They offer everything local from fruits and vegetables to berries and baked goods.
There are many more interesting farm stops and markets worthy of your time throughout West Kelowna. For a full PDF list and map just click on this great link from VisitWestSide.com