High Five Diner is a popular retro diner located on Highway 5 in Little Fort.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ High Five Diner

There are several retro diners to check out in the Okanagan and Kamloops area for those who want to enjoy burgers, fries, milkshakes and other nostalgic treats from bygone eras.

At these creative eateries, customers can eat in old school booths or on retro cafe stools under posters of Marylin Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Elvis.

Harold’s Family Restaurant is one of the oldest, most beloved family diners in Kamloops that draws in customers from near and far. 

The walls are decorated with vinyl records, posters of classic cars and framed prints of famous stars from the 1950s, and the menu offers homemade comfort foods. Located at 1771 Trans Canada Highway, Harold's Family Restaurant is open seven days per week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an option for takeout for people travelling through. 

Harold's Family Restaurant is a retro diner located in Kamloops with retro booths and decor.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

Further north on Highway 5 is a funky little retro gem called High Five Diner that attracts locals, travellers and repeat customers from the Kamloops area.

The diner serves large portions of comfort food including burgers, fries and pies. Customers eat in booths to the sound of 1950s music and there are lots of retro decorations to check out. Located at 9916 Bean Road in Little Fort, just off the highway, High Five Diner is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week. 

Route 97 Diner, located on Highway 97 in Westwold between Kamloops and Vernon, takes customers back in time with a jukebox, booths and 1950s memorabilia on the inside, and rusty vintage cars on the outside. The menu is built around burgers and old-fashioned milkshakes, and customers can order a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich, rumoured to be one of Elvis' favourites.

“The diner serves people from all over the world, we get a lot of repeat customers we’ve met throughout the years,” Route 97 Diner co-owner of Selene Conquergood said in a previous interview with iNFOnews.ca. “Some are people who have been driving by for years and finally stop in are glad when they do. They love it.”

Located at 4901 on Highway 97, Route 97 Diner is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. It’s roughly 40 minutes from Kamloops and 45 minutes from Vernon.

James Dean is one of many 1950s stars showcased at Route 97 Diner in Westwold.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Dean Gladue

Tootsies Diner is located in an industrial area of Penticton where regular customers gather for homemade traditional breakfast and lunch. The diner has a 1950s and 1960s theme.

“We’ve got one section we’ve turned into a garage with old cars in it, and out in the main area where the booths are we have pictures of old stars,” owner Ken Rodocker said. “There are lots of metal signs, posters and pictures all over the place and we have 60s rock playing.”

Located at 103 - 1960 Barnes Street, Tootsies Diner is open Monday through to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Tootsies Diner is a retro themed diner located in Penticton.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Tootsies Diner

The Grand Union Café located in a Hedley is a unique gem worth driving for as it is located in an old, refurbished motel and offers a vintage, historical decor.

Known and loved locally for baked treats, expresso and ice cream, the café has comfortable furniture, lots of vintage items to see and a gift shop offering locally made wares. Hungry travellers can order panini, sandwiches and smokies to stay or go.

The Grand Union Café is located at 5676 Haynes Street and is open from Thursday through to Monday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The Grand Union Cafe is a vintage themed cafe located in Hedley.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Sweet Home Soapery

Did we miss some amazing retro gems? Let us know at news@infonews.ca. 

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