Best Breakfast and Brunch in Kelowna

The best breakfast spots in Kelowna are The Jammery for all-you-can-eat waffles, Sunny's Modern Diner downtown, and the Bohemian Cafe on Bernard Ave. This guide covers cheap counter-service diners, pricier downtown brunch, and the lake-view and winery brunches, with the catch at each. The chains out on the highway aren't included; the local options are better.

The Jammery

The Jammery is known for all-you-can-eat waffles and house-made jam, served at its original location out toward the airport.

8038 Hwy 97 N | $$ | Check their site for current hours
What's good: All-you-can-eat waffles and the house-made jam.
What isn't: The summer wait times are long.

The waffles come with a large dollop of whipped cream and warm jam made on site, and portions are big; the Big Big Big Breakfast is the heaviest plate on the menu. There's a second, in-town location called Jammery City, but the original is the better visit. Coffee refills are constant and service is fast.

The catch: in July the parking lot is full and the wait for a table is about an hour. Go on a weekday in the off-season, such as a Tuesday in November.

Sunny's Modern Diner

Sunny's Modern Diner is a downtown diner near the lake, best known for Chicks on a Raft: peanut butter, bacon, and eggs on toast.

235 Bernard Ave | $$ | 7:30am – 3pm, Thursday to Monday
What's good: Chicks on a Raft.
What isn't: The space is narrow. Don't bring a big group.

Its website states it takes no reservations. The quality is high, and the hashbrowns are crispy and properly seasoned. The room is a long, narrow diner layout in an old brick building, with a stainless steel counter facing the kitchen.

The catch: it's small. A group of six on a Sunday morning can wait ninety minutes outside. Go as a pair and sit at the counter.

Bohemian Cafe

Bohemian Cafe, known locally as "The Boh", is a long-running downtown breakfast spot known for house-cured back bacon, homemade bread, and strawberry jam.

524 Bernard Ave | $$ | Open daily 8am – 2pm
What's good: House-cured back bacon and homemade strawberry jam.
What isn't: It gets incredibly loud inside.

They bake their own bread and cure their own meat, and the café's website lists daily hours of 8 am to 2 pm. The huevos rancheros are a good order, and for standard bacon and eggs it's the best version in the city.

The catch: the room is loud when it's full on a Saturday morning, so it doesn't suit a quiet breakfast. Street parking on Bernard is difficult; the Chapman parkade is two blocks away.

OEB Breakfast Co.

OEB Breakfast Co. is the splurge option downtown, known for rich plates like the Soul in a Bowl and breakfast poutine.

1590 Ellis St | $$$ | Check their site for current hours
What's good: The Soul in a Bowl with duck fat fried potatoes.
What isn't: It is expensive, and the wait is long if you skip the Yelp waitlist.

Expect heavy, over-the-top dishes: breakfast poutine with cheese curds and brown butter hollandaise, with toppings such as duck confit or truffles. It sits in the new downtown district, and drinks are generous; the mimosa flight is the one to order.

The catch: a plate of eggs can easily cost thirty dollars, and walk-in waits on weekend mornings can reach two hours. Join the Yelp waitlist from home before you leave, and check OEB's website for current hours.

Diner Deluxe

Diner Deluxe is a bright, laid-back Mission breakfast spot across from Gyro Beach, best known for its avocado and fresh tomato benny.

3477 Lakeshore Rd | $$ | Check their site for current hours
What's good: Avocado and fresh tomato benny.
What isn't: Parking near Gyro Beach in the summer is hard to find.

The menu is a step up from a greasy spoon, with solid eggs benedict, good local ingredients and clean plating. Morning cocktails are available, and the patio is open in warm weather.

The catch: Lakeshore Road is congested in July, and parking on summer weekends is very limited. Walk or bike if you live nearby; otherwise, arrive early.

Norman's Diner

Norman's Diner in Rutland is a classic, no-frills diner serving big, fair-priced plates of eggs, bacon, toast, and hashbrowns.

110-235 Hollywood Rd N | $ | Check their site for current hours
What's good: Classic, no-nonsense diner food. Big portions.
What isn't: It is way out in Rutland.

You order and pay at the counter, and the food comes out quickly. Staff are friendly, coffee is cheap and refills are constant. It's a good-value alternative to the downtown brunch spots.

The catch: from the Mission or Glenmore it's a long drive. From Black Mountain it's close.

Marmalade Cat Cafe

Marmalade Cat Cafe is a casual Lower Mission counter-service cafe, best for a breakfast bagel, a coffee and from-scratch baking.

2903 Pandosy St | $ | Open 7am – 6pm (5pm Sundays)
What's good: The breakfast bagel and the baking.
What isn't: It is order-at-the-counter and very casual.

According to its website, baked goods are made in-house, and the room is cozy, busy and popular with locals. You order at the counter and find your own table. It suits a quick bite rather than a big plate of eggs and sausage.

The catch: the cinnamon buns sell out fast. Arrive well before noon if you want one.

Sprout Bread Shop

Sprout Bread Shop is a bakery best known for its sourdough, a toast menu, and avocado toast.

125-1295 Cannery Ln | $$ | Check their site for current hours
What's good: The sourdough and the avocado toast.
What isn't: They don't serve a traditional hot breakfast.

There's no grill and no pancakes; the bread is the reason to go, and it's among the best in the city. Order a thick slice of sourdough with butter and sea salt, or with avocado. The menu marks several items vegan or vegan on request, including the avocado toast and the vegetarian breakfast sandwich. The space is bright and minimal, and the espresso is very good; for more coffee options, see the Kelowna coffee shop guide.

The catch: seating is tight. Window seats go first.

Mad Mango Cafe

Mad Mango Cafe is the cheap, fast option downtown, with North American breakfasts on one half of the menu and Asian dishes like laksa on the other.

551 Bernard Ave | $ | Check their site for current hours
What's good: The price. The speed.
What isn't: The decor is chaotic and the dining room is tiny.

Two eggs, bacon, toast, and hashbrowns cost a low price by downtown standards, and food arrives about five minutes after you order at the counter. The owner is welcoming and the service is personal.

The catch: the room is small and plain, with old chairs and walls covered in posters. The line goes out the door at lunch; breakfast is easier for getting a table.

Where can you get brunch in Kelowna?

Weekend brunch in Kelowna is covered by OEB, Diner Deluxe, and Sprout above, plus the spots below: two lake-view rooms, a plant-based cafe, a brewery and a winery. Weekends are busy everywhere and weekdays are much calmer. In summer, get to the lakeside patios as early as you can.

Cactus Club Cafe (Kelowna Yacht Club)

Cactus Club Cafe at the Kelowna Yacht Club is a chain restaurant set right on Okanagan Lake.

1370 Water St | $$$ | Check their site for current brunch offerings
What's good: Sitting right on Okanagan Lake. Good for groups.
What isn't: It's a chain, and the posted menu runs lunch from 11 a.m.

The room is lively and the setting is on the water. Check their site before planning brunch here, since the posted menu starts at lunch.

The Eldorado Resort, Lakeside Dining Room

The Lakeside Dining Room at The Eldorado Resort is known for a large lake-view brunch buffet.

500 Cook Rd | $$$$ | Check the hotel's site for current hours
What's good: A big brunch buffet with a lake view, or order off the menu.
What isn't: The prices.

It's the more upscale lake-view brunch, in the Mission. The patio is the best seat in the warmer months.

Naked Cafe

Naked Cafe is a fully plant-based downtown cafe, and the pick for a vegan late-morning meal.

571 Lawrence Ave | Opens 11am weekdays, 10am weekends
What's good: Everything on the menu is vegan, and there's a full coffee bar.
What isn't: It doesn't open early, so it's no use for a 7 am breakfast.

Naked Cafe's website describes it as a plant-based cafe established in 2015, licensed for local beer, wine and spirits. It sits on Lawrence Avenue between Safeway and The District mall.

BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery

BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery is a downtown brewery and restaurant that serves a hearty brunch.

1250 Ellis St | Check their site for current hours
What's good: A hearty brunch menu and good coffee.
What isn't: It's a brewery first.

The room is industrial in style, the craft beer is brewed on-site, and the brunch has a local twist. There's bowling on site for afterwards.

Old Vines Restaurant at Quails' Gate Winery

Old Vines Restaurant at Quails' Gate Winery in West Kelowna is best for brunch with views over the vineyards and the lake.

3303 Boucherie Rd, West Kelowna | $$$$ | Check their site for current hours
What's good: Brunch overlooking the vineyards and the lake.
What isn't: It's a drive across the bridge.

A glass of Quails' Gate wine is the natural pairing. To make a day of it, see the Kelowna wineries guide.