We were in Penticton for a couple of days, so I reached out to my good friend Melannie for some local dining tips. Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, “Go to Chula — it’s my favourite tapas bar.” That was all the encouragement we needed.
Chula is a small, 23-seat restaurant tucked away on a short side street, perfectly situated in Penticton’s brewery district. The moment we stepped inside, it felt like we’d stumbled upon a hidden gem.
Being a “wine guy,” I naturally scanned the wine list before the food menu. Chula’s list is compact but thoughtful — three whites, one rosé, and three reds — and, thankfully, none of the generic “cheap and cheerful” bottles that too many restaurants rely on.
I was delighted to spot Txakoli, a white wine made from Hondarribi Zuri, the signature grape of Spain’s Basque region. It’s a spritzy, citrusy wine that pairs beautifully with tapas. Anita, in the mood for red, chose the Aroa Juana, a Spanish blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot from Navarra. It was delicious — full of ripe red fruit, plum, cocoa, and dried herb aromas. Wines are served in simple water glasses, as you’d find in many European bistros, which only adds to the charm.
For tapas, we ordered the Queso — a creamy blue cheese and Manchego, the aged Spanish cheese made from sheep’s milk — served with cauliflower florets dressed in a bright citrus vinaigrette.
Next came the Cuchifrito, a fried porchetta with bean smash and salsa verde. Normally, I’m not a fan of beans, but this dish won me over.
We rarely order dessert when dining out, but when I noticed a Pedro Ximénez (PX) sherry on the menu, I couldn’t resist. The Triana Hidalgo PX was rich and luscious, with flavours of raisin, plum, and Christmas cake — a perfect match for our almond torta.
If you visit, I highly recommend sitting at the bar. From there, you can watch Zoe work her magic in the open kitchen — she’s poetry in motion and a delight to talk to. She credits her culinary talent to her mother and nonna, who taught her to cook with love. Meanwhile, Carlo handles the front of house, mixing creative cocktails and serving guests with easy charm. Together, this dynamic duo runs the entire restaurant — just the two of them — like a perfectly tuned machine.
Chula Tapas is open Wednesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and until late on Fridays and Saturdays. They don’t take reservations, so arrive early if you want a seat.
Chula Tapas is the brainchild of Chris Royal, managing partner of Tratto Pizzeria, and it shows the same dedication to authentic, high-quality food that shines through in every bite.
You can find them at 105–124 Estabrook Avenue, Penticton, BC. For more information, see info@nullchulotapasbar.com
(All photos – Sam Hauck)