soe cafe — Restaurant in Penticton

We visited this newly-opened, locally-owned business due to a personal recommendation.

We were in town for a conference, and on the final day, we decided to stop for a coffee and treat before leaving town.

The space is balance of intimacy and spaciousness. The decor is a fusion of Scandinavia and Nippon.

I had an iced latte crafted by Ryan, and I have to share that I've never tasted a creamier whole milk (it's organic from Salmon Arm). The black sesame banana bread (again Japanese influence) was sliced and warmed by Thuy.

The seating is well-spaced, and communal-seating forward. There's a DJ stand in the center of the space, and when we visited, Ryan and Thuy were preparing to host their first pop-up wine tasting with live music.

I appreciate that these two young entrepreneurs are engaged in promoting equally-minded local businesses. As I'd mentioned, the milk is sourced from Salmon Arm, and the baked goods and sourdough bread are procured directly from Penticton. Appropriately scaled eco sustainability in practice.

I asked Ryan what the cafe's name, Soe, means and he explained it in detail, but the gist of what I understood was that it's a diagonal line or branch which represents man.

You'll need to ask him yourself to get the accurate definition, as well as to try the sourdough bread (they were out, as the long weekend depleted...

Owners are friendly, coffee was delicious - I look forward to sitting on the sidewalk in the summer. I found the background music a little loud for my hearing aids but the owners were understanding and turned it down. This is a small shop where the owners are focused on the service even after you have your drink! Also the banana loaf was excellent - very moist and yum! Feb.15/2025 - adding to my review today. I have returned to the SOE multiple times since my first visit. Consistently welcoming, flavourful coffee (never watery), tried new treats today and loved them. My brother in law had toasted sourdough bread and plum jam - he smacked his lips! My wife loved her latte, and real cups, not paper! March 6, 2025 - updating again as the positive impressions continue. That is an important sign of owners who care - consistency♥ It's a busier spot these days but the welcomes by the owners are always genuine. My friend and I had coffees and banana bread slices. Melted butter not cold slabs, delicious coffee. What surprised me was this extra step. I ordered our food and drinks but the owner brought my friend his food and drink AFTER he arrived so the coffee and food stayed fresh and hot. Top notch caring by the...

Listen, Shrimp Daddy didn’t just wander into SOE Coffee in Penticton for a sip—he strolled in with Cortado Expectations™, and baby, those expectations were demolished like a jazz solo in a vintage leather booth.

This cortado didn’t just pass—it crushed the Coffee Daddy Test like a perfectly tamped shot. Balanced. Smooth. Frothy like a dream that paid its rent on time. Chuck Norris could take a sip and call it tender.

The space? Chill. The vibe? Premium but unpretentious. The baristas? Cooler than a saxophone solo on a foggy night. I’d move in if zoning laws allowed it.

And word has it, even the nice old Asian guy who passed out atop Coit Tower in October ‘23 stirred ever so slightly in his nap just sensing this place exist.

Blessed be...