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Kelowna has a flurry of restaurants and cafes constantly opening their doors across the city, it's almost hard to keep track.
Here are four hidden gems in Kelowna that you may have missed.
1. Ki'bok Coffee and Churros
A Mexican cafe opened in Kelowna’s Pandosy Village in July last summer, but quietly enough that you may not have heard it.
Sandra Ortega said she opened up Ki’bok Churros & Coffee House on July 25 last summer, and while summer tourists were her main customers when Ki’bok opened, she is happy to see quite a few local regulars making their rounds.
Ki’bok, which translates to “delicious aroma,” serves authentic homemade churros that pair with their specially-blended drinks made with cacao – which is different than cocoa but just as chocolatey (or maybe even moreso).
"We have a little cacao, we have like a little cinnamon, all these spices to create a little flavour," Ortega added that they also serve wraps made with traditional tortillas crafted by a family recipe.
Ki’bok is located on 482 West Avenue in Kelowna’s Pandosy Village, with a sign that Ortega says has roots to a bean plant, surrounded by a sun and open arms which represents her 5-year-old son who is “giving a welcome to everybody to the coffee shop.”
Ki’bok is open Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
2. Half Blind Bean
Half Blind Bean is approaching the one-year mark in Kelowna. Locally owned and operated in Kelowna by Susan Coderre.
Coderre said the name was chosen after the she took a “leap of faith” and embarked on the coffee-driven journey to open a cafe.
“I chose it to represent going into something “Half Blind," taking a leap of faith. I quit my corporate job to become an entrepreneur,” said Coderre.
HBB serves premium Italian espresso, coffee with organic, locally-roasted beans that pair with their wide variety of locally-sourced baked goods, including gluten-free and vegan options!
Half Blind Bean is located at 106 - 3320 Richter St. and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
3. Sprout Bread
Mixing your local bakery with your coffee hideout is Sprout Bread Shop.
Married couple Peter van Boekhout and Ava Murovec run the shop together, which opened early in August of 2018.
With experience crafting delectable bread in Vancouver and Australia, as well as his time spent as a barista before beginning his journey with sourdough, Peter has your coffee break covered.
They also serve pastries, sandwiches and snack fixes for in-house customers and can be found at 1295 Cannery lane between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday.
4. Giobean
Giobean has been open since 2010, but features an interesting mingling of temperatures in their hot and cold options: coffee and gelato.
The local cafe offers a variety of coffee concoctions derived from authentic Italian style, as well as European-styled pastries like croissants and scones.
“We stick true to Gio’s Italian roots and create these drinks as if you were drinking in a bar in Italy,” said Gio Lauretta, owner of Giobean, adding that they make their macchiato the traditional way, “a double espresso with a touch of foamed milk.”
And, of course, Giobean features their specialty gelato, enjoyed most productively on their patio.
Giobean is located at 1320 Water St., and is open on Easter Monday, starting their full hours on May 20 (Victoria Day) from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Let us know if we missed any of Kelowna's hidden gems!
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