Forget everything you know about pizza. The pies on this list aren’t the greasy, neon-lit slices of late-night regret. They’re wood-fired masterpieces with blistered crusts, served in spaces where the only glow comes from the oven’s embers and maybe a string of fairy lights—perfect for when you’re craving something that feels like a warm hug, not a hot mess.
Penticton Pizza
$ | (250) 492-7603 | WEBSITE
Save Penticton Pizza for a lunch when you want to flex your high school schedule and show off those seven weeks of pizza cravings you’ve been secretly nursing. At noon, the slices fly, tables are packed with students, the chatter comes to life, and Penticton Pizza’s bustling lunch persona takes shape. There’s a clean, bright vibe in here so you don’t even have to worry about bringing the right amount of napkins to stay tidy.
Domino’s Pizza
$ | (250) 493-9200 | WEBSITE
There’s a spectrum of convenience you can experience at Domino’s, and it all depends on your mood and occasion. If you’re ordering solo for dinner, track your delivery online and enjoy a large vegetarian pizza that comes with a side of garlic bread. If you’re just picking up, then you’re probably with family (the kids getting free coloring pages of course) and you’re all grabbing pepperoni pies in the bright glow of the counter lights.
You can also go the traditional route and dine in—the ample parking and kid-friendly booths will make you feel like a smart suburban parent. At least for one meal.
The Barking Parrot Bar
$$ | (250) 493-9753 | WEBSITE
The Barking Parrot Bar isn’t polished in a trendy way. There’s a gritty charm to this beachfront spot in Penticton—but that’s what gives it character. The atmosphere is somewhat seedy, with dim lighting and worn furnishings that feel lived-in. You’ll find friendly, efficient staff who keep things moving, especially the roaming server who delivers drinks quickly.
You won’t find any vegetarian options on the limited menu, only straightforward, tasty pub classics like the Beef Dip and French Onion Soup. The bar area only accepts cash, but drink prices are reasonable. On Friday and Saturday nights, a great DJ plays music that appeals to all generations, though Sundays are much quieter. While it may not compare to other pubs in town, it provides a decent dining experience at typical prices.
Freshslice Penticton
$ | (236) 422-2466 | WEBSITE
It is kind of impossible not to feel welcome at Freshslice Penticton. There’s the atmosphere, of course, which is warm and heavy on Okanagan nostalgia. But they also have a really delicious menu of pizza options you can customize without worrying about dietary restrictions. The crust is consistently fresh, and 75% of the people enjoying slices in the quaint seating areas are probably regulars, giving the environment the comfortable familiarity of a neighborhood hangout (but much cleaner).
Pizzeria Tratto Napoletana
$$ | (250) 493-0080 | WEBSITE
Pizzeria Tratto Napoletana knows how to build more energy than a Penticton summer festival. They do it with warm industrial lighting, lively chatter, and a delicious but exciting menu that changes every few weeks. When the evening gets going, it gets so loud that you can barely hear the wine recommendations. Pizzeria Tratto Napoletana is the sort of vibrant place you’ll want to linger in long after the pizza is done. But please don’t. Another group is waiting for your table.
SARHAD DHABA TAKEOUT & CATERING LTD
There are so many reasons to dine at Sarhad Dhaba, and an excuse to wear that new embroidered kurta with the silk scarf is one of them. The cozy restaurant sets a warmly inviting mood with its golden lighting and playlist full of sitar melodies that make you sway in your seat. The rustic wood accents and music are reminiscent of India’s traditional era, so if you want to channel your inner Bollywood star for an evening, this is your place.
Their takeout counter, the most welcoming in all of Penticton, is also a great opportunity to embrace any and all culinary adventure energy.
Skaha Pizza
$ | (236) 422-2230 | WEBSITE
Yes, Skaha Pizza has a bit of a no-frills vibe going on, with all those simple wooden tables and straightforward decor lining the walls. But it’s still bright, energetic, and—particularly on days when there’s a steady lunch rush—a fine place to let loose your appetite like a hawk spotting its prey. The handcrafted pizza is appropriate for moments like that, and the food is much more thoughtful than your average takeout joint. Get the perfectly crispy Greek Pizza with fresh toppings.
Pizza Hut
$$ | (250) 492-8890 | WEBSITE
Pizza Hut can make you feel like you’re at a classic American pizza joint—except you’re in Penticton. There’s a buzz from the drive-through that makes the whole place feel reliably efficient. Framed photos of cheesy, golden pies line the walls alongside bright menus, so you too can imagine your perfect slice. Normally, we’d tell you to order the Caesar’s chicken with its generous toppings or the Hawaiian pizza with crispy crust.
But if you’re interested in getting the kind of comfort food Americans are famous for, maybe grab the vegetarian option instead.
Pizza Pizza
$ | (250) 276-1111 | WEBSITE
Pizza Pizza, with its bright fluorescent lighting situation, feels like being inside a fast-food kitchen. Unlike their delivery-only options, which are more convenient, Pizza Pizza’s Penticton spot is a proper restaurant. They have a full menu, but if you’re reading this guide, you’re not really here for the vegetarian options, are you?
You’re here because the dining room is filled with families and you want to watch your kids devour popcorn chicken while you sip soda under practical, yet cheerful lighting.
Boston Pizza
$$ | (250) 493-0329 | WEBSITE
Boston Pizza feels like you’re eating in a franchise, though there is technically some personality. Pizza boxes stack by the entrance, the menu offers heart-shaped pies on special occasions, and there’s not a white tablecloth in sight. Instead, the casual space has sticky floors in some spots and friendly staff who know their stuff, which is when this place is at its best.
The Penticton pizza joint is doing its best to make you feel like you’re at a fun, mix-and-match meal spot, and after a Pizza Flight with Royal Hawaiian and honey dill dip, it’s pretty satisfying. At least more satisfying than any other chain pizza around.
Gusto Ferrari
$$ | (250) 493-1288 | WEBSITE
A family-owned Italian restaurant is usually the fastest way to turn a promising cozy dinner into one filled with heavy pasta and regret. But not at Gusto Ferrari. This authentic Italian spot in Penticton has all the things you need for a wonderful meal: an open kitchen design where you can watch chefs prepare dishes from start to finish, simple decor that lets the food shine, and a dining room so warm you’ll feel like you’re in a Northern Italian home (a delicious one).
The perfectly portioned dishes, like the thin-crust Margherita Pizza and fresh Panini sandwiches, won’t ruin your appetite or the relaxed evening you’ve got planned tonight.