Best Cellar Bistro
A “Waffley” Good Experience
For years, I’ve driven past Best Cellar Books and Tours (Soon to be re-labelled Best Cellar Bistro) at 8901 Main Street in Osoyoos, located in the same building as Diamond Steakhouse and directly across from Smitty’s.
Like many people, I assumed it was a bookstore with a wine tour office in it. What I didn’t realize until two weeks ago was that hidden inside was the most creative food concept I’ve come across in the South Okanagan in the last two years.
Owner Natasha Stevenson, who many people already know through her successful company Wine Tours Gone South, laughed when I mentioned that I didn’t know they served food. She admitted she’s heard that comment more than once.
In fact, they’ve already ordered a new sign specifically to let people know that her business isn’t just books and tours—it also serves coffee, drinks, baked goods, and some truly unique food creations that deserve attention.
The mastermind behind those creations is Natasha’s daughter, Dakota. Faced with the challenge of operating in a space without a large commercial kitchen, Dakota needed something that could be prepared quickly, efficiently, and unlike anything else being offered in Osoyoos, Oliver or the entire Okanagan.
The answer? Waffle sandwiches. Now, before you dismiss the idea the same way I initially did, hear me out.
Dakota spent days perfecting her waffle recipe and developing a menu of both sweet and savoury options that work for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner.
Sheldon Herman photo
When it was suggested that I try the Pesto Chicken Waffle Sandwich, I’ll admit I was skeptical. Chicken? Pesto? Between two waffles? My brain wasn’t entirely convinced. But that’s one of the reasons I love writing these articles. Sometimes the dishes you doubt the most become the ones you remember longest.
When the “sandwich” arrived, I still couldn’t wrap my head around what I was looking at. Tender chicken, house-made pesto, and perfectly cooked waffles pressed together into something that looked familiar and completely unconventional at the same time.
I took a cautious first bite and immediately realized I had underestimated what Dakota had created. The waffles were crisp on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, and somehow provided the perfect vehicle for the savoury filling.
The flavours were comforting, balanced, and surprisingly addictive. By the second bite, I was grinning from ear to ear and asking myself a very important question: Why aren’t more people using waffles this way?
If chicken pesto isn’t enough to convert you, perhaps the Beef and Swiss Waffle Sandwich will. Imagine the flavours of a traditional roast beef dinner combined with the comfort of Yorkshire pudding, then sandwich the whole concept between two golden waffles. It’s creative, satisfying, and one of those menu items that makes you wonder how nobody thought of it sooner.
For those not quite ready to jump into the savoury side of the waffle universe, there are plenty of familiar options available. Sweet stuffed berry waffles offer a more traditional experience, while one of their most popular breakfast items combines eggs and bacon into a breakfast sandwich that everyone recognizes, only elevated by replacing ordinary bread with fresh golden waffles.
Beyond the waffles, Best Cellar Bistro offers fresh baked goods, locally roasted coffee from Kelowna, fresh juices, teas, cappuccinos, mochas, and lattes. It’s the kind of place where you can stop for a quick coffee, stay for lunch, and somehow lose track of time.
Part of that comes from the atmosphere Natasha has intentionally created. She describes the business as a “decompression zone,” and after spending time there, it’s difficult to argue with that description.
Unlike many coffee shops that seem to operate at maximum volume and constant chaos, Best Cellar Bistro feels more like a comfortable living room. Hundreds of books line the shelves. Cozy couches and oversized chairs invite visitors to settle in.
It’s the kind of place where nobody rushes you out the door and where spending an afternoon with a good book and a good coffee feels entirely appropriate.
Adding to the experience are the regular live music performances that take place throughout the week. Depending on the day, visitors might be treated to live piano, acoustic guitar, or other local performers who help create an atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming. The easiest way to learn what’s coming up is simply to stop in, say hello, and see what’s happening.
And while we’re talking about upcoming attractions, keep your eyes open for future waffle specials. Rumour has it there may be a secret “Food Adventure with Sheldon” waffle in development, and I can neither confirm nor deny that I may have had a little involvement in helping create it.
So, whether you’re craving a traditional waffle, a completely non-traditional waffle, a fresh cup of coffee, live music, or simply a comfortable place to unwind for a while, make your way to Best Cellar Bistro. Watch for the new sign, give those waffle sandwiches a chance, and discover one of Osoyoos’ best-kept culinary secrets, and when you do, tell them Sheldon sent you.
Sheldon Herman is the author of the multi-award-winning, international best-selling book “The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived the Worst Vacation Ever,” and has eaten his way through over 60 countries. This review was written independently and without compensation. Have a restaurant you’d like featured? Email [email protected].
