It’s no surprise that Kimberley is a go-to spot for outdoor adventure, no matter the season. What came as a surprise to me was how great Kimberley BC restaurants are. I hoped to find a few nice little après-ski spots, but I found so much more in Kimberley and nearby Cranbrook.
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Kimberley BC Restaurants
Most folks come to Kimberley to ski, hike, paddle or simply soak up mountain views. (Check out these itineraries for inspiration.) But that doesn’t mean you won’t have a great time wining and dining around town. What makes Kimberley BC restaurants stand out is that their food and drink need to be of a high enough quality that locals are willing to visit on weekdays – especially during shoulder season.
While Kimberley wouldn’t want to claim it’s a mountain resort town, it has all the hallmarks of one, including top notch eateries and après-ski spots. Here’s a few of our favourites.
Biscuit
For killer cocktails and a chef-driven yet approachable menu, trot yourself over to Biscuit in Kimberley’s Platzl. The menu changes frequently, but what stays consistent is its commitment to quality ingredients that are sourced as locally as possible.
It’s an intimate spot with warm filament lighting, two long bars for walk-ins and a piano you can play if the mood strikes.
What we ate may not be on the menu when you visit, but we scraped raclette cheese onto toasted sourdough, before digging into seared scallops, bok choi and Japanese rice. The portions were just right, as were the flavours. With the ever-changing menu, this is one spot you’ll want to visit again and again.
As a bonus, Biscuit has an actual après menu that changes every few days and runs until 6 pm and from 8:30 pm until closing.
The Hourglass
Also in the Platzl, The Hourglass is another top spot to linger over drinks and nibbles. To me, the menu screamed book club, with quite a few options for dips (including vegan), nachos and a baked Brie. In addition to a charcuterie board (though you can order that here), The Hourglass also dishes out salad and veggie boards.
A lengthy cocktail list puts creative riffs on classics, plus seasonal concoctions such as an autumnal old fashioned with maple sortilege and a winter margarita with cinnamon and cranberry. Also available are several sour cocktails, mocktails, and warm after-dinner drinks, perfect when you get off the slopes.
Leave room for desserts that include vegan and gluten-free options.
Pedal and Tap
Comfort food is the name of the game at the Pedal and Tap, which happened to be packed on the Thursday night we visited. I threw back a fantastic spicy orange margarita. Still, there were several other seasonal concoctions I wish I had the stamina to sample.
There’s pretty much something for everyone on their menu. My Chinese five-spice duck confit was delish and looked very fancy. The massaman curry was massive and loaded with tons of vegetables, while the spaghetti balls on a bowl of beef ragu was the perfect carb load after a leg burner day.
Pedal and Tap hosts a great little happy hour twice daily, either from 4-5 pm or from 8 pm until closing, with $7 house wine, draft beer and small plates for under $5. (Mucky fries are a thing here.)
Deer Park Diner
This new-ish diner is the hot spot for brunch from 8-4 pm most days of the week. There are lots of options if you’re the all-day breakfast type, from shakshuka to pancakes to Huevos Rancheros to pancakes to eggs benny.
For something more lunch-ish, there are salads, sandwiches and a burger. If it’s super busy, you can take away from the counter or pick up a quiche, sandwich or ice cream from the bar area.
Stonefire
Churning out Napoleon-style pizza from a 900° oven, Stoneware is a great spot for families and lovers of thin-crust pizza. (I enjoyed mine so much that I had to order the exact same pizza the next day.) Instead of a tomato-base pies, they also offer cream and olive-base pizzas for something different.
Wing fans will want to try them stone-fired, adding a bit of char and crispiness to the skin. And definitely dunk your wings into both the housemade hot sauce and creamy garlic aïoli.
For après, Stonefire makes a pretty epic Caesar that’s pimped out with peppers, a ball of mozzarella, more peppers, quality charcuterie and a pickled green bean. Appetizers sorted!
Kimberley Alpine Resort Dining
At Kimberley Alpine Resort, you can definitely indulge in après ski if you’re staying on mountain and don’t have to drive.
Stemwinder
In the Village, you’ll find The Stemwinder. They host après ski parties, so be sure to check all the posters up on their walls.
The portions at The Stemwinder were substantial. I barely made it through my kale Caesar salad, and the buffalo chicken flatbread with a side salad was another one that needed a leftover box. Hot buttered rum and boozy hot apple cider are but two of their many warm cocktails.
Buckhorn & Main
I did not expect to tuck into a nice prime rib with lots of seasoned vegetables at Buckhorn & Main, situated inside Trickle Creek Lodge, but I did! There was more than one White Claw cocktail on the menu, which I thought was interesting. It made me want to visit when they were busier to see who they were catering to.
One weird (but good) thing I noticed about this restaurant is that the booths are really comfortable. Like, majorly so. The booth backings are paddled and slightly angled. Just an FYI in case you’re dining with someone who’s always complaining about their back…
Après-Ski Spots
If you’re the sort who wants to focus more on the drinking than the dining, you won’t find any judgment here. All we can say (besides the recommendations below) is how refreshing it is to find fun cocktails all over town that start at the $8 mark and rarely go above $12. Giddy up!
Bohemian Spirits
So this is a distillery, but with a fun patio in the parking lot, tasting room and cocktail lounge open from Wednesday to Saturday (check online in case they extend their hours in the summer).
The cocktail lounge at Bohemian Spirits is totally retro and filled with couches that used to be in your grandmother’s house. It’s also got a schwack of fun games to pass the time and test your skill level. (I made it to Saturn!!)
These cocktails may not be the most elaborate or complex, but they are very good, and the pours are generous. And if you’re the sort who just wants to be able to recognize the liqueurs and ingredients in your cocktail, this lounge is for you.
If you like sweet, key lime pie is like a liquid dessert. Our bartender slightly toasted the graham crackers sitting atop the egg-white foam for extra depth and deliciousness. Chef’s kiss!
The Shed
This beer and BBQ joint is a total bolthole for the ski crowd. Stickers cover the bar, antlers and trophy heads hang on the walls, and a Big Buck Hunter video game is in the corner.
The pub sports a good mix of local and specialty brews, plus beers and cider on tap. Wine and cocktails can also be found. I enjoyed taking the chill off a frosty night with their cinnamon hot toddy.
The Shed also has a full kitchen that focuses on BBQ. The smoked chicken was juicy and of a generous portion. Best were the sides of baked beans and a lemony garlic house-made Caesar salad.
Sullivan Pub
If you’re looking for a legit local spot, luck no further than The Sully. Back in the day, this was where local miners would gather after work. Sullivan Pub isn’t fancy but rather dirtbag charming. (And we mean that in the best possible way.)
There’s nothing fancy about this spot, just affordable drinks, permanent fixture characters and fun themed nights.
The best part about The Sully is their drive-through liquor window. On the way back from the ski hill, you can roll up and get your booze without leaving your heated vehicle. The Sully Liquor Store is open from 9 am to 11 pm.
Grist & Mash
At local brewery Grist & Mash, the focus is on West Coast and Belgian beers. The menu also offers beer cocktails like a mimosa and beer Caesar. For non-beer lovers, there’s wine and cocktails. I threw back a shrub (fruity vinegar) because I had drank too much by that point, and we all know how great shrubs are for gut health, don’t we?
Happy hour runs from 3 to 5 pm Wednesday to Friday with $5 beers.
Over Time Beer Works
You can sip a brown ale, golden ale, wit and IPA all year long at this local brewery. Limited-release rotational beers are also available in the tap room as is mulled wine.
The Huz had a flight, and he was particularly excited to get reacquainted with Dunkelweizen, which is apparently a dark and tasty wheat ale.
Cheapest Beer in Kimberley
For the cheapest beer in town, head to Charcoal for their late-night happy hour. From 9 pm to midnight, you can score highballs for $4 and cans of beer for $3. Hungry? There’s a $15 sample platter of poutine or a $12 pizza to soak it all up.
Cranbrook Restaurants
If you’re in Kimberley, chances are you’ll also include Cranbrook on your itinerary or will be driving through. Cranbrook has quite a few notable restaurants, and these are our favourites.
Fire Hall Kitchen & Tap
We were told the Fire Hall did a great burger, but I didn’t trust the source enough to order two. I should’ve. The Fire Hall does serve up a lovely burger and a great Caesar salad, too. I also indulged in the $35 nachos and didn’t regret it.
The Heid Out
Red Seal Chefs helm the line at this top-notch Cranbrook restaurant. The menu here is vast, and you’ll notice many Indian and Austrian dishes. If you like schnitzel, this is a great spot to indulge. But really, everything feels like an indulgence as it’s all so thoughtful and tasty.
Kimberley BC Hotels
If you’re eating and drinking in Kimberley, it makes sense to spend the night. There are two Kimberley BC Hotels that really stand out, and they are…
The Larix
Within walking distance of the delightful Platzl is The Larix. A stay here means you park once and can walk to all the restaurants in Kimberley.
The rooms have been recently renovated, and they’re all quite charming. Key amenities are the barrel sauna, a snack room with complimentary fruit and cookies and a substantial continental breakfast (it exists!).
Trickle Creek Lodge
It’s hard to beat staying slopeside, especially if you can score a room overlooking the mountain. Trickle Creek Lodge has a heated pool, two outdoor hot tubs, and a gym. Guest rooms are kitted out with a small kitchen (yet full-size appliances), a balcony and a gas fireplace.
If you’ve ever dined in Kimberley, I’d love your recommendations. Please drop them in the comment section below.
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