The best coffee joint is Bean to Cup (3903 27th St., 250/503-2222, daily 6 a.m.–midnight, lunches $6.50–10), in a converted residential house. The organic coffee is roasted in-house and a variety of healthy meals are offered. There’s also a heated patio and public Internet access.

At Kelly O’Bryan’s (4215 32nd Ave., 250/549-2112, daily 11 a.m.–midnight, $12–26), tuck in to burgers, steak, seafood, salads, and Irish dishes such as stew and shepherd’s pie. For a tropical ambience, try the BX Creek Bar & Grill (Best Western Vernon Lodge, 3914 32nd St., 250/545-3385, daily for lunch and dinner, $10–28). The dining room is set in a garden-filled atrium with a stream flowing through the middle.

The Blue Heron (7673 Okanagan Landing Rd., 250/542-5550, daily from 11 a.m., $8–24) is a five-minute drive west of downtown, but well worth the drive. It sits right on Okanagan Lake, and a large deck right on the water is the most popular of the pub’s three dining areas. The menu is fairly standard, with lots of dishes to share, but as it’s off the tourist path, prices are reasonable.