 Yoko Yamamoto photo
Popular chain restaurants in larger towns such as Cranbrook or Trail are complemented by family-owned cafes with local art on the walls in smaller communities such as Fernie and Revelstoke. Nelson is a known as a culinary hotspot due to its eclectic mix of eateries, one of which was called "British Columbia's best restaurant east of Vancouver" by Frommer's.
Some international flavours – traditional Russian, Doukhobor and Bavarian dishes – have also become ingrained in the Kootenay Rockies, and the region's plentiful snowfall and ski hills bring distinctive winter dining options.
Rocky Mountain MeatsEat Rocky Mountain meat prepared in unique ways. Try elk cassoulet in Golden, venison paired with BC wine or beer at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, bison ribeye steak in Fernie, or an organic buffalo burger in Field.
Doukhobor and Bavarian CuisineDoukhobors, a sect of Russian pacifists, immigrated to the area around Castlegar and Grand Forks in the early 1900s. Their traditional recipes are still available today. Bite into soft, hot perogies or enjoy a bowl of Doukhobor borscht, which is creamier in colour and in taste than bright red Russian beet borscht.
Kimberley is known for its European alpine theme and pedestrian Platzl, which lends itself perfectly to German and Bavarian fare. Pile a plate high with sausages, schnitzel and bratwurst. One restaurant even has an authentic setting: a 350-year old, reconstructed Bavarian farmhouse.
Après Ski and Winter Dining in the Kootenay RockiesSeven major ski resorts create lively après ski scenes in the region. In winter, pubs at the base of ski hills or in nearby towns are filled with friendly locals.
For the ultimate in après ski food, head to Whitewater Winter Resort's award-winning restaurant (it's so popular, there's even a cookbook) or Kicking Horse Mountain Resort's restaurant set at an elevation of 2,346m (7,700ft) and named the “Mountain Restaurant of the Year” for six consecutive years (2002-2007) by The Good Skiing and Snowboarding Guide (a publication compiled by British ski experts).
Fully embrace the snowfall by experiencing dinner in an igloo in Kimberley or savour a three-course French cheese fondue dinner after cross-country skiing in Rossland.
Coffee Roasters and Breweries in the Kootenay RockiesFor a jolt of caffeine, look for locally-roasted coffee from Invermere (Kicking Horse Coffee), Nelson (Oso Negro Coffee and Kootenay Coffee Company) and Rossland (Rossland Coffee & Tea Company).
Prefer a frothier beverage with dinner? Check the taps for local craft beers from Fernie Brewing Company, Nelson Brewing Company or Mt. Begbie Brewing (in Revelstoke). Their brews' names often embody their surroundings: Tall Timber Ale, Faceplant Winter Ale or What the Huck, a beer celebrating the wild huckleberries found in the region. Kokanee beer, famous for its sasquatch mascot, is brewed in Creston.
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