We were so excited to give Dragonboat Pub a try this week. It has been at the top on my list of new restaurants in Penticton to try since opening in June 2023. The Skaha Lake end of Penticton has been in desperate need of a solid dining spot for locals (and tourists) and Dragonboat Pub fills that gap. It is located right in Skaha Marina so not only does it have a stunning view of the lake but it is also fun to people watch and boat watch while you dine. Or at least my 3 year old really enjoyed watching the pontoons, dragon boats and jet skis zoom by.
Although the exterior of the previous structure remains, the Dragonboat Pub is a fully renovated space on the interior. It is 2000 square feet and seats 90 indoors and 40 outdoors. It is very family friendly and even dogs on a leash are allowed to dine on the patio.
We arrived at 5pm and had a fairly large group (6 adults, 1 toddler). There was no space on the patio but it was a hot day so we were fine to sit inside. The Dragonboat Pub interior is large and modern with beautiful hand-painted murals on the wall. The windows along the lakeside are actually floor to ceiling doors that open up to the patio outside. It gives the space a feeling of inside/outside dining so even though we were technically inside we had fresh air and clear views to the Marina. There are plenty of TVs throughout so there is still a firm feeling of “pub” even though it also feels like a bright and airy restaurant. We were offered a high chair for our toddler but in the end he enjoyed just sitting on the cushioned benches.
The menu itself is fairly standard pub fare but perhaps with a slight elevation. Burgers, fish and chips, wings and jalapeño poppers. However there are a few surprises like box sushi and the SUP bowl, which sound like fresh alternatives to typically heavy pub food. Our group ordered burgers, chicken fingers, cauliflower and tacos. The food was ‘good’ for sure, just about what I expected. I do love myself some deep fried cauliflower and this was one of the better versions that i’ve tried. The pieces were huge, well-battered and covered in sauce. I do wish the the cauliflower wings had come with a dipping sauce as I tend to use them as a vessel to consume yummy dips.
The drinks menu is also quite substantial. There are several pages of cocktails, wines, 24 beer taps & ciders as well as two whole pages of shots. On the chalkboard by the bar there is a menu of rotating taps from local breweries. Their cocktail specials are a peach bellini or a strawberry daiquiri for just $6.50. Not bad for 2.5oz of alcohol in a delicious fruity, tropical beverage!
The Dragonboat Pub also serves breakfast daily from 8am to 11am as well as offers sweet treats like croissants, muffins and bagel throughout the day. Great to be able to grab a quick snack before heading out on the boat for the day or grab a treat and a coffee while stopping at the Marina gas station.
Parking at the Dragonboat Pub
There is a large dedicated parking lot just for visitors to the Dragonboat Pub as well as 15 spots in bike racks for cyclists. Unfortunately the parking lot was already full when we arrived! I have a feeling some people were parking there illegally as it didn’t seem like there were enough diners yet to justify a full parking lot. Luckily there are overflow parking lots in the area but with a couple hundred meter walk to the restaurant.
In conclusion
Discovering Dragonboat Pub was an absolute delight! With its cozy ambiance, it provided the perfect setting for a memorable evening with family. What truly captured my heart, though, were the captivating Indigenous art and dragon boat murals adorning the walls, beautifully showcasing Penticton heritage. Overall we had a lovely visit and can’t wait to return another time for breakfast.
