Stretching from Oyama to Penticton (with Kelowna in between), here are a few of my favourite off-the-grid eats to put on your radar (and yes, it was hard to pick just five): 

Pane Vino  / Oyama 

Bike along the rail trail, then refuel on carbs with wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas (or skip the exercise altogether, no judgement here) at Pane Vino, located next to Gatzke’s Farm Market in Oyama. Think soft and springy charred crust (go on, poke it) with that puddle of sauce at the point of each slice for extra dipping action. Pane Vino will re-open this spring.

3996 Irvine Road, Oyama 

Little Tokyo Ramen / Kelowna 

Ramen is my go-to comfort food – it’s practically a hug in a bowl…remember hugs? Yuki and Jessica’s red and white Boler trailer serves up the Valley’s best umami-packed noodle-y soup-y goodness. And they’re usually parked outside of a craft brewery. Ramen and beer, anyone?

Find them parked outside Barn Owl Brewing (Kelowna) on Fridays and Saturdays this winter.

Perseval & Young Cheesemongers / Kelowna 

Meet Kelowna’s first and only boutique cheese shop with 60 to 80 specialty cheeses from Canada, Europe and beyond in their ever-changing display case. Desiree (the Perseval in this equation) is from Ontario, and Phil is from England, but with French roots. They met backpacking in Australia and fell in love with…the cheese shops of Ireland. Since landing in the Okanagan, they have vowed never to leave or carry a cheese they didn’t love.
1046 Richter Street, Kelowna 

Ki‘Bok / Kelowna

The Okanagan’s wine industry is what it is today thanks to the helping hands of seasonal foreign workers. So it was only a matter of time that Kelowna became home to a legit Mexican spot with family recipes as vibrant as the sister-sister tag-team. Try their crispy crunchy churros, velvety rich hot chocolate with a touch of bitterness (in a good way), just to name a couple of items off their menu.  They also import their organic coffee beans directly from Mexico.

482 West Avenue, Kelowna

Sushi Genki / Penticton 

Originally from Kumamoto City in Japan, Chef Kazuo Noguchi practiced his craft in Tokyo before landing at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and subsequently calling Penticton home. Known for serving up stellar sushi, udon and ramen from their buzzing teeny tiny location, the husband-wife duo are open until 7:30 PM Monday to Friday and closed on Saturdays and Sundays. 
#104 95 Eckhardt Avenue East, Penticton 

Let the eating commence.