Silver Star Village, a quaint community tucked away in the Monashee Mountain Range at  1,600m (5,200 ft) above sea level, is an active town with a passion for good food and drink. Culinary connoisseurs can pair their outdoor activities both in and around the resort with ingredient-driven dining and fine Okanagan wine or hand-pressed craft cider.
Stay in the mountains as you explore both natural beauty and culinary escapades in the North Okanagan.
Silver Star Village
As a local once put it: Silver Star Village looks like a Norman Rockwell painting. The vibrant Klondike Gaslight-inspired building design has a dreamy feel that sets the stage for a quaint and charming mountain escape—where nature activities and great foodie finds are both within reach. Mountainside accommodations provide easy access to hiking and bike trails, with a quick stroll to restaurants and eateries in town.
Breakfast
Wake up in the mountains for a peaceful walk through lush trails as the sun rises over the peaks. Your first stop will undoubtedly be Bugaboos Bakery Cafe, where owner Frank Berkers has been crafting fine pastries for 25 years with his own European flair. The cafe, adorned with quirky decor you’d only find in a mountain town, is a locals’ favourite. Grab a coffee with house-roasted beans, a seasonal berry creation (or coveted cinnamon bun), and sit on the patio in the morning light as the mountain wakes for the day.
Lunch
The Bulldog Grand Cafe, a sibling to the famous Amsterdam establishment, serves up a fusion menu inspired by the team’s heritage from Europe, Southeast Asia and Canada. Everything is made in house from fresh, local ingredients. Try a Dutch Bitterballen, Indonesian specialties like lumpia and satay, or a good old fashioned burger and wash it down with a BC craft beer. The Bulldog boasts the largest covered patio in town for those sunny days, or you can cozy up inside—much of the interior decor has been imported from The Netherlands, inspired by the charming brown cafés that dot the river canals all over Amsterdam.
Après, Cocktails, and Sharing Plates
Visit Black Pine Social for signature cocktails, spirits, local wine and beer, and West Coast fare in a contemporary setting. Savour fresh seafood, classic handheld snacks, and hearty dinner options inspired by seasonal ingredients harvested from BC’s fields and forests. The charcuterie and cheese board is the perfect pairing with an Okanagan vino.
Dinner
The Red Antler menu, created by SilverStar Mountain Resort’s talented executive chef Scott Sanderson, offers elevated pub fare with a great selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Choose from a varied menu that includes soups and salads, bowls, tacos, burgers, and other tasty items all made from fresh, local ingredients. Check out their Friday socials for house-smoked, slow-cooked BBQ.
Pizza Gratta knows a thing or two about sourdough. Their dough is made from a real starter with no added yeast. Swing by for pizza by-the-slice or a full pie, made from quality, non-GMO ingredients that are locally sourced, and organic. Their menu is simple but delicious, and you can choose from classic flavours (including vegetarian and plant-based), build your own flavours, or try the daily special.
Tasting Events at Silver Star
Plan your Silver Star visit around upcoming tasting events. The Summer Wine Festival (August 10-13) features programming centered around Okanagan vineyards. Meanwhile, the Silver Star Beer and Cider Festival (September 9) will be back after a hugely successful inaugural event, bringing some of BC’s most exciting craft beer and cideries to the mountains. Stay tuned to our Events calendar for all the details.
Activity Pairings
Get your sweat on in between bites, sips, and swirls. Take the gondola up SilverStar Mountain to access 16 kms (10 Miles) of running and hiking trails, or hit the SilverStar Bike Park for an adrenaline-fueled ride—there are trails for every ability level.
Vernon and Surrounding Area
Continue your culinary adventure in the Okanagan Valley, where the fertile terroir and an optimal micro-climate attracts an astonishing array of wineries, orchards, and farms. Meet the growers and taste the literal fruits of their labour as you hop between vineyards, farm stalls, and cideries—all within an hour’s drive of Silver Star.
Tip: Leave the car behind and book a tasting tour instead. Mojo Wine Tours and Sip Happens Wine Tours offer pick-up and drop-off service at Silver Star Village.
Vernon
Bite into crisp BC apples when you visit Cambium Cider Co., a cute farm and ciderhouse located just 20 minutes down the road from Silver Star. The family, which has been growing apples since 1946, now cultivates 24 varieties and hand-presses their cider. Last summer they launched a brand new patio and restaurant space with a high-quality menu focusing on farm-to-table dishes. Check out their website to book a private orchard tasting or view their extensive live music schedule.
Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery, winner of the prestigious Artisanal Distillery of the Year Award, educates visitors about the art of distilling at their flagship location in Vernon. Sample a selection of whiskey, gin, vodka, absinthe and liqueurs in this 1930’s style production facility, home to North America’s tallest copper pot still and the Barrel Room Patio and Lounge.
Lake Country
Lake Country is about a one-hour drive south of Silver Star and, like its name suggests, the area is surrounded by several lakes. Nestled between the expansive Okanagan Lake and the smaller Wood Lake lies a sprinkling of impressive vineyards: Gray Monk, Ex Nihilo Vineyards, and Arrowleaf Cellars all offer tastings and sweeping views of the lakeshore. Block ONE Restaurant at 50th Parallel Estate is a great spot for a farm-to-table meal with pairings. While you’re there, be sure to pay a visit to the Pebble Beach picnic area and take in the serene views.
Kelowna
Drive an extra 20 minutes south and you’ll be on the cusp of another collection of craft beverage establishments just outside Kelowna. Upside Cider has a tasting lounge and outdoor patio on its certified organic farm. Or, pop into one of the BC Ale Trail craft breweries in the area, where you can order food and a flight.
Activity Pairings
The North Okanagan is a recreational paradise. Escape the summer heat with a cool dip in one of the lakes or tee off at an award-winning golf course. You can also rent e-bikes at the Kalavida Surf Shop and venture along the Okanagan Rail Trail, which fringes “The Lake of a Thousand Colours” (Kalamalka Lake).
Whether you’re dining in Silver Star Village or venturing out to the surrounding area, make the mountains your launchpad to culinary activities, set against the backdrop of spectacular nature.
Photo Credits: JordanMcGrath/Tourism Vernon, Lianne Viau, Brian Goldstone, Sebastien Brule, Greg Huszar/Tourism Vernon, Destination BC/@miraecampbell
