Our guide to the ultimate foodie weekend in Osoyoos

Osoyoos makes for one of the perfect weekend getaways, especially for folks residing in B.C. During the spring and summer, you can expect to find warm beaches, plenty of sunshine, and, of course, wine.

Located in the Okanagan Valley, Osoyoos is ideal for those looking for a weekend escape filled with lounging and plenty of good food and drink that’s just a four-hour drive from Vancouver.

Recently, we had the pleasure of heading over to Osoyoos during Pig Out Fest — an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord featuring every cut of pork imaginable paired with plenty of local wine. Sounds like a dream weekend? For us, it was. And it didn’t just stop at the festival either. From collaborative dinners with world-renowned chefs to all sorts of cute, local wineries, there’s plenty to do here for any self-proclaimed foodies.

Keep on reading to see our perfect itinerary for the ultimate weekend in Osoyoos during this year’s Pig Out Festival.

Check in at Walnut Beach Resort

What’s better than beach access at your hotel? Having access to a private beach where you can order drinks directly to your chair.

During our trip, we were put up at Walnut Beach Resort, a quaint hotel located on the southern edge of Osoyoos Lake. Here you’ll find the only private licensed beach in Osoyoos, alongside 112 spacious condo-style rooms.

Our room was kitted out with a fridge and everything you’d need to cook a meal if you were so inclined. We’ll be honest, our trip was so food-packed we didn’t touch our en suite kitchen, but it was nice to know it was there.

We’d make sure to take full advantage of that private beach (and also the pool), but after a leisurely drive into town, we were ready to head over to dinner.

Pig Out Festival Guest Chef Dinner at Sweetgrass Restaurant

To kick off the Pig Out Festival weekend, we enjoyed a delightful guest chef dinner at Sweetgrass Restaurant overlooking the gorgeous vineyards spreading out below us.

This year, Chef Shawn Cheer and his team were collaborating with Chef Javier Blanc of Vancouver’s Casa Molina (and behind the same team that won second in the world for the best paella) alongside Canadian Butcher team member, Roonie Keely, and B.C.’s inaugural Best Butcher, Michael Hecken.

Dinner was prepared using locally and sustainably sourced ingredients for a family-style feast set against the stunning backdrop of the vineyards. Highlights included Croquetas Jamón y Boletus Edulis, which were crunchy and all sorts of cheesy, Duck Tartlets with Beet Purée, and Braised Bison Short Rib with Saffron Rice and Wild Berry Au Jus. We enjoyed our dinner among newfound friends at our communal table as the sun set over the valley, with each course paired with a glass of wine. Definitely a meal we’ll be remembering for years to come.

Breakfast at Barn Owl Eatery

After an incredible meal the night before, and on the day of Pig Out Festival, we knew it was probably a good idea to keep breakfast on the lighter side of things. However, upon our arrival at Barn Owl Eatery, all plans of a “light breakfast” were thrown out the window when presented with the menu of so many delicious options.

We opted for the Barn Owl Benny, which is two pieces of French toast topped with poached eggs, country-style gravy, and caramelized onions, served with a side of tater tots, in addition to the Hay Bale Hash Bowl. This bowl is loaded with eggs, tomato, caramelized onions, bacon, and cheese, all topped with spicy aioli.

Barn Owl does offer a selection of smaller bites, too, including breakfast sandwiches and select baked goods. But with menu items like the ones we had on the menu, how could we turn them down? If you’re looking for a good lunch destination, this would also be a solid recommendation, as we hear they do some killer smash burgers.

Address: 6511 Main St. Unit 7 and 8, Osoyoos

Pig Out Festival

If you’re confused about where to find Pig Out Festival, just follow the smell of roast pig, and you’ll make it there. Like a character straight out of a classic Saturday morning cartoon following the scent lines of a freshly baked pie, we made our way early to Pig Out Festival to take full advantage of our VIP tickets.

Upon entry, we were quickly presented with a welcome glass of bubbles (our favourite way to arrive at any event) and were off to our own devices.

Here, we once again ran into Keely and Hecken, who were demonstrating how to butcher a whole pig in front of us (one that would later be cooked up and distributed to the masses), alongside a select number of wineries to sample before the full event opened for general admission.

Once those main gates dropped, we felt like we had gone to pork and wine heaven. We quickly walked from station to station, grabbing bites like a Rib Sandwich to what might be Great Britain’s greatest invention: the Bacon Butty, which is essentially just bread, butter, and a heck of a lot of bacon. Blanc was also back in attendance, cooking up a massive paella for the masses that was as impressive to look at as it was to eat (how the heck did they transport that giant pan to Osoyoos will forever remain a mystery).

Wine stations were also found throughout, each manned by a different vineyard that was pouring a selection of their stock (who were more than happy for you to return more than once for a top up, though there were so many wines to try you won’t need to). Plus, there are plenty of water stations throughout so you don’t have to worry about carrying around your own bottle the entire time.

Manzil Restaurant at Kismet Estate Winery

If you are even remotely hungry after that pork-and-wine-fuelled excursion, Manzil Restaurant is the place to head for dinner, where the team is serving their take on Indian cuisine that goes beyond your standard butter chicken and tikka masala.

Manzil aims to explore the diverse culinary landscapes of India, crafting dishes that highlight the unique flavours of its many regions in an approachable manner for guests who may not be familiar with Indian cuisine.

During our visit, we were presented with a selection of small, curated bites, including Mussles and Masala Fries served with naan and paired with a Viognier Roussanne, which has subtle notes of apples; bite-sized Papadum and Dahi Puri paired with their Saféd — a wine with notes of pineapple and gooseberry; and Gulab Jamun for dessert served alongside chai. After, well, pigging out at the Pig Out Festival, we welcome a casual meal full of small, tasty bites.

Address: 316 Rd. 20, Oliver, B.C.

Junction 3

Before it gets too warm (Osoyoos is a desert after all), a great destination for breakfast is Junction 3. Here, you’ll find outdoor seating and one of the longest lists of seasonal drinks we’ve ever seen.

Think options like Cinnamon Toast Crunch latte and Strawberry Fields Matcha, among many more. Plus, you’ll find some solid breakfast wraps to enjoy in the morning before venturing out to do more eating.

If you’re looking to walk off some of your meal from the day prior, Junction 3 is just 30 minutes from Walnut Beach Resort.

Address: 3 Harbour Key Dr., Osoyoos

Fugassa Italian Eatery

We’d recommend taking some time to enjoy a leisurely morning by the lake before heading to your next meal at Fugassa. Located in the same lot as Barn Owl, the restaurant is actually owned by the same family. But instead of kick-ass smash burgers and breakfast sandos, here the team is focusing on Italian sandwiches and pastas with ingredients imported directly from Italy.

Expect hefty handhelds like the Pistachio Suppereiore loaded with mortadella, a whole burrata, crushed pistachios, a garlic herb spread, and extra virgin olive oil, or pasta like the Tagliatelle Tartufo with mushrooms, pecorino romano, white truffle oil, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Italian parsley.

Address: 6511 Main St. Unit 4, Osoyoos

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Visit some local wineries

You’re in wine country, so naturally you need to make sure you visit some of the top wineries in the region. If you’re tight on time, we recommend stopping at these two different spots to experience two entirely different vibes.

First, make your way to Adega on 45th Estate Winery (located at 7311 45th St.) to experience some of the finer things in life.

This bougie winery has a giant patio with plenty of shady areas, making it an ideal spot to sit back and sip some wines while enjoying the sprawling desert landscape.

The family behind Adega on 45th has been perfecting their craft of producing exceptional tree fruits in the South Okanagan since 1966, and made the transition to focus on the art of growing premium grapes in 2009. When you visit, let the team guide you through their stunning selection of wines (and make sure you sample some of their boozy wine slushies if they’re available).

Following that, we’d recommend you make your way to Over the Fence Winery (9503 12th Ave.) for a more relaxed and homey kind of winery vibe.

Kick back and relax in what essentially feels like a little getaway in the vineyard, and make sure you order some munchies while sipping on some lovely rosés (and whatever else the team is excited about at the moment). We were particularly fond of 2025 The Dreamer, a sparkling blend of Syrah and Merlot with hints of strawberries and raspberries. So much so that we took a couple of bottles home with us.

Dinner at The Bear, The Fish, The Root, and The Berry

For a truly memorable dining experience, a visit to The Bear, The Fish, The Root, and The Berry is a must for any trip to Osoyoos.

Spirit Ridge Resort’s signature restaurant, the eatery is named after a Chaptik story about the Four Food Chiefs that represent the key elements of Indigenous cuisine: Black Bear, Chinook Salmon, Bitterroot, and Saskatoon Berry. Instead of finding a menu split up into appetizers, mains, and desserts, the offerings here are categorized under The Bear (meat), The Fish (Seafood), The Root (vegetables), and The Berry (dessert).

We sampled our way through dishes like the Wild Boar Rack, an achiote-marinated boar served with nettle dumplings, braised red cabbage, maple-glazed mushrooms, hickory sticks, fennel apple slaw, and yam puree, and Steak Frites, which consists of a 6 oz bison flatiron steak served with steak fries, spicy green salad, chimi chimi, and garlic aioli. With an ever-changing menu, there is guaranteed to be something new and exciting to try when you visit.

The final breakfast at Gino’s Coffee House

Your trip may be coming to an end, but there’s still one more good meal ahead of you before you hit the road.

Entering Gino’s Coffee House feels like you’ve discovered a tucked-away gem in the city. It boasts an impressive offering of sandwiches and other brunch classics, and has flowers cascading down the walls.

You really can’t go wrong here, but we’d recommend keeping it simple and sticking to a classic breakfast sandwich like the Maple Morning Bacon and Eggy Croissant (consisting of candied bacon, a fried egg, Swiss, tomato, cranberry garlic aioli, and smashed tater-tot) or Nana’s Fluffy Waffles served with whipped cream and seasonal fruit.

Sit down, enjoy your breakfast, and perhaps grab a coffee to go before getting in the car and driving back home.

This author was hosted by Destination Osoyoos.