18 Best Restaurants in Otago, Invercargill, and Stewart Island, New Zealand

In an iconic art deco building, this is the place to dine in St. Clair, a leafy seaside neighborhood along a spectacular beach. Sate yourself with a shared plate of slow-roasted lamb shoulder; the less carnivorous may wish to try the risotto or salad. The bar's cool aura of chrome finishing and art deco style is warmed by the dining area, which has a brick fireplace. A huge brunch menu caters to all tastes, and many dishes can be made gluten-free. The service is extremely friendly. Brunch is available only on weekends.

There are good views of the harbor from this converted vintage post office "where the high road meets the low road." The interior still feels Edwardian, and classic fish dishes and steaks lead the menu; on a nice day sit outside in the courtyard or, in winter, beside the open fire. 

Located in the first settlement you reach on the peninsula, this well-known café has fine views across the harbor. Scallops, prawns, blue cod, and mussels are popular, as are the tasty pizzas with smoked salmon and prawns. The brunch menu is served between 11 and 3, and the dinner menu kicks in at 5.

A spacious dining room done in wood and brick provides the setting for dining on a large menu of classic, hearty Kiwi fare including hot-smoked salmon and braised lamb shanks; there's something for everyone, including vegetarians. The wine list includes mostly New Zealand vintages, with a few Australian wines as well. The outdoor garden bar is a perfect place to enjoy the Southland sun and a glass of wine; forget driving and make use of a courtesy vehicle for pickup/drop-off within Otatara and Invercargill city.

The small dining room of this boutique accommodation serves mainly lodge guests, but contact the owners in advance and you might get lucky and have a real Stewart Island culinary experience of food of the sea, or kai moana. Stewart Island blue cod, salmon, mussels, oysters, crayfish, and paua (abalone) are all cooked to perfection and accompanied by fresh vegetables from the garden just yards away. This intimate restaurant has a view out to sea and seats six guests at a time. 

The owner of this eclectic store wears many hats, serving coffee, cake, and sandwiches in the small shop. There are a few tables where you can sit and enjoy your coffee, and you can browse a small gallery featuring works by local craftspeople. Upstairs, this place offers wellness treatments such as facials.

The authentic Indian food on the good-size menu at this family-run restaurant is cooked in a traditional charcoal-fired tandoor oven. Som, the friendly owner, welcomes diners into a former bank building that is now a spacious, 74-seat restaurant with wood floors and stylish modern decor. Lamb, chicken, seafood, and vegetarian plates prepared in different ways give diners plenty of choices. A long list of New Zealand and Australian wines, as well as local craft beers, are on offer.  

Influenced by the flavors of northern India (and the kitchen of founder Sukhi's grandmother), this family business began in Dunedin and now has restaurants spanning the country. The spacious and modern eateries offer traditional cooking methods; warm hospitality and generous portions keep diners coming back. The display of lampshades covering one wall is an odd decorative choice given the lack of embellishment elsewhere, but an open fireplace adds a nice touch during winter. There's a good selection of Indian beers and an excellent choice of wines that complement the dishes. Reservations are a good idea, but not a requirement.

Come here for good old-fashioned fish-and-chips wrapped in a newspaper. There isn't an ounce of pretense in this cheerful little takeout place, which is little more than a trailer with a shelter tacked over; it's located close to the town's "skateboard park" (a wooden ramp). The owner has a mussel farm in Paterson Inlet, and the cod comes from the Halfmoon Bay fishery. Try the bacon-wrapped mussels or chef Hilli's divine mussel chowder. They also do great venison burgers.  

At this centrally located café and bakery, artisan bakers craft delicious, wholesome food. You can choose from pancakes, French toast, or good old eggs Benedict for breakfast, or maybe a panini for lunch; the bakery makes delicious bagels, too. Mindful of vegan taste buds and customers with lactose and gluten intolerance, the owners have created a gooey brownie as well as a variety of other sweet treats. Large windows throw light into the warm and homey interior, while chunky wooden furniture encourages conversations.

Influenced by the flavors of northern India (and the kitchen of founder Sukhi's grandmother), this family business began in Dunedin in 1991 and has become a chain spanning the country. Spacious and modern eateries meet traditional cooking methods, and warm hospitality and generous portions of spicy vindaloos and Bengali fish preparations are among the hallmarks. A good selection of Indian beers and excellent wines complement dishes.

A favorite among locals, this waterfront eatery that was once a seafarers' hostel provides great food and excellent service. Everything is delicious, from the bread and house-made pâté to the perfectly cooked seafood and chicken dishes that maximize the use of local ingredients. They also do a mean coffee and great desserts. 

The mouthwatering menu focuses on organic, locally grown, seasonal produce, offering regional New Zealand cuisine with a few Asian accents (a Thai duck salad, for instance). While the atmosphere in the modern, high-ceilinged space is casual, the food is serious thanks to chef Bevan Smith, who trained in Christchurch and has published four cookbooks. The restaurant is 12 km (7½ miles) north of the center of Oamaru.

You could easily walk past this stylish place, tucked inside a shopping courtyard. The kitchen employs bounty from the nearby bush and sea paired with inventive sauces and sides. Share a "rummage board" (tapas-style plate loaded with seafood, chorizo, olives, cheese, and crusty bread) with friends while you ponder the menu. Terra-cotta, brick, and river stone give off an Invercargill-meets-Tuscany vibe.

Students crowd into this no-frills noodle bar that serves yummy, filling, and inexpensive soups and other dishes. Highlights on the lengthy menu include spicy satay chicken burgers, fried rice, bong-bong chicken, and deep-fried wantons; hot pots are another choice.

You can have a relaxed meal in the hotel's seaside restaurant or an even more relaxed meal in the bar at this popular local spot. Local seafood (including oysters), pizza, pasta, and steaks offer good value; seafood chowder is a popular choice, and if you give a 24-hour notice, you can try the crayfish. Reservations are strongly recommended in the busy summer season because there are so few places to eat in these parts. Renowned winter buffets draw the local crowd in on Tuesday night.

Authentic and quirky, the Ale House serves as a lively bar in a brewery–restaurant setting. The menu includes a "drunken" steak (steak marinated in dark, malty porter) and tender Merino lamb shank, along with plenty of Speight's ales you can match with your meal. Heavy wood furniture, old brewing equipment, and a huge schist fireplace makes the place feel welcoming. A couple of seasonal beers are released each year; in the past, these have included Harvest (an apricot beer), Chocolate, Samradh (a ginger-and-pimiento beer), and Spiced Amber Ale. You can order a "tasting try" to sample all the beer offerings which include Triple Hop Pilsner, 5 Malt Old Dark, Distinction Ale, Cider, and Summit Lager.

This casual, brightly painted Thai-Vietnamese fusion spot offers options like green or red Thai curries and a yellow or jungle (hot) Vietnamese curry. The Rialto Cinema is across the way, making this a convenient pre- or postmovie dinner spot—but reserving a table is a good idea.

This enormously popular restaurant on the way to Oreti Beach (past the airport) is a local favorite. Ziff's does steak, blue cod, chicken, and pasta, and customers love the seafood bowl and slow-braised meat pie. The establishment provides a free courtesy shuttle from Invercargill and environs, so you can indulge in their excellent wines and cognacs, too.