In the colder months, one of the best activities is to get out of the house and try out new restaurants to bring some variety to life. Vernon is home to some of the coolest and unique eatery’s, each offering something different but with a local twist.
Make it #TheBestDayEver and taste-test new, locally created beers at Marten Brewing. Try some of the best brunch and lunch from a husband and wife duo at The Okanagan Eatery. Or, get out of your comfort zone and try completely new cuisine at Gerni’s Farmhouse.
What exactly makes these businesses so special and so delicious?
Marten Brewing
Passionate craft beer lovers and delicious meal creators, Marten Brewing is a laid-back brewery, driven to create full-bodied beer without any of the bad stuff in there such as preservatives or additives. Brew Masters continuously strive to diversify the collection of brews, producing some of the best in BC. Their vibey tasting room was voted as one of the top ten tasting rooms in BC.
Their fight against foreign processed products extends to the kitchen too. Beef patties, signature sauces, rustic fries and smoked meats are all made in their scratch kitchen with pride and care. Suppliers that help make the food as delicious as it is are located in the community and Okanagan.
Marten Brewing is a welcoming place for all people that make our community unique, from all places and backgrounds. It’s common to find live musicians playing gigs on the weekends, large parties celebrating milestones and a busy pub full of people looking for a good time.
Community is everything to Marten Brewing from the beer and food they make to their economic participation in Vernon. They frequently collaborate with other local businesses, community groups, folks in need and give back to the community by supporting local charities. Marten Brewing encourages business owners and entrepreneurs through various platforms, provides sponsorships and much more.
The Okanagan Eatery
A local husband and wife duo brought Vernon a new restaurant this year, located right downtown. The small restaurant features all-day breakfast, lunch such as highly-rated smash burgers and appetizers, all made with local Okanagan products so you can taste the flavours of our beautiful region.
The family-owned and operated restaurant is new to Vernon, but already boasts excellent reviews and an outstanding reputation for high-quality meals. The warm and inviting atmosphere paired with superior customer service in an intimate setting allows visitors the opportunity to spend valuable time with friends and family as well as really get to know the people behind the business.
The owners have extensive experience in the restaurant industry as they have both previously opened restaurants together, but with the birth of their son and the pandemic, it was time to develop the ideal work-life balance and build community with their endeavour.
Gerni’s Farmhouse
Truly one-of-a-kind, the latest addition to Sparkling Hill Resort is Gerni’s Farmhouse, serving traditional Austrian cuisine in a beautiful and original 16th-century building from Weerberg, Austria. In 2019 it was dismantled and shipped to Canada, where it was rebuilt and restored by Holzbau Maier in 2021. Nestled in the mountains with the infamous Sparkling Hill Resort views, its beauty is unparalleled.
If the cozy and unique architecture doesn’t entice you yet, the authentic Austrian cuisine will. The lunch spot serves bratwursts, pretzels, schnitzel and more traditional dishes to be served with some of the best wine in the region.
Hotel guests and people from the community or surrounding areas are welcome to dine at Gerni’s Farmhouse, named after Sparkling Hill Resort’s owner, Mr. Gernot Langes-Swarovski for an experience unique in the Okanagan.
Have you visited any of these restaurants before or want to make a recommendation? Post a photo of your experience on Instagram and tag #TheBestDayEver.
