Global recognition for Kelowna airport venue
Kelowna International Airport’s pre-security restaurant, Ellison Field Taphouse Kitchen & Bar, has earned a prominent international accolade, taking top spot in the “airport bar or pub of the year” category at the Airport Food & Beverage and Hospitality Awards held in Bengaluru, India. The win places the Kelowna venue ahead of competitors from New Zealand, Edinburgh and Bahrain, underscoring the Okanagan’s growing profile in aviation hospitality.
“airport bar or pub of the year”
The awards are widely regarded within the industry, highlighting design, service and product standards across global terminals. Ellison Field’s recognition arrives the same year it opened in the airport’s refreshed terminal space, offering another marker of the city-owned airport’s effort to modernize passenger amenities.
From historic airstrip to modern taphouse
The venue nods to local aviation heritage in name only: before the facility became Kelowna International Airport, the airfield was known as Ellison Field. Today’s taphouse is a contemporary, open-air concept located in the public terminal before security, allowing both travellers and local patrons to visit without a boarding pass. The restaurant opened in January in the former pre-security White Spot footprint as part of the airport’s wider terminal improvements.
Judges credited the taphouse’s performance across six areas central to the award. Organizers cited a balanced package of ambience, service and menu design that resonated with customers on the concourse.
- Judging criteria for the award included: atmosphere; beverage selection; comfort and space; presentation; authenticity; and customer feedback.
Local taps, Okanagan wines and classic cocktails
Ellison Field is described as a beer-forward concept, leaning into the region’s craft scene with rotating taps curated in partnership with the BC Ale Trail. The taphouse’s list draws from breweries in Kelowna and across the valley, alongside a concise selection of mainstream options. The wine program showcases notable Okanagan producers, while the bar also mixes familiar cocktails for travellers seeking standards.
| Category | Examples | Origin (as listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Craft beer | BNA; Abandoned Rail; Cannery; Yellow Dog; Kelowna Beer Institute; Copper | Kelowna; Penticton; Vernon |
| Wine | Sandhill; CedarCreek; Mission Hill; Gray Monk; Tinhorn Creek | Kelowna; West Kelowna; Lake Country; Oliver |
| Cocktails | Caesar; Aperol Spritz; Margarita; whisky sour; old fashioned | — |
The kitchen spans breakfast through dinner service, with items ranging from avocado toast, a sausage wrap and a Greek yogurt bowl to shareable plates and mains such as burrata salad, honey sriracha lime wings, loaded hummus and flatbreads.
What the win means for Kelowna travellers
For airport users, the award signals a more rounded terminal experience at YLW, where pre-security access means friends, family and airport workers—as well as departing and arriving passengers—can make use of the space. The recognition also situates local producers in front of an international audience, with the taphouse acting as a platform for Okanagan breweries and wineries to connect with visitors before they board.
While the airport expands amenities, the Ellison Field highlight is a reminder of how non-aeronautical services—food, beverage and hospitality—contribute to a traveller’s overall impression of Kelowna. The combination of a heritage-inspired name and contemporary programming appears to have landed with both judges and customers, aligning with the city’s emphasis on showcasing local products in gateway settings.
Access for locals, not just flyers
Because the taphouse sits before security screening, it functions as a neighbourhood stop accessible without a ticket. For nearby residents and workers, the venue offers a chance to sample regional drinks and quick meals without entering the secure side of the terminal. For visitors, it provides an immediate taste of the Okanagan—literally—on arrival and a final sip before departure.
