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Indulge with a modern fine French meal at this trendy bistro with lake and mountain views on the outskirts of Wanaka. The menu changes regularly, but the local Cardrona merino lamb is always there in one form or another, accompanied by heirloom vegetables and herbs from the kitchen garden. Help yourself to more oils and balsamic vinegars via the dispensing machines; you can opt to get your wine on tap as well, allowing you to sample several wines by the taste, half, or full glass. If you want to make a real event of it, opt for the seven-course tasting menu.
76a Golf Course Rd., Wanaka, Otago, 9305, New Zealand
Known For
- Provincial olive oils
- Self-dispensed wine tastings
- Multicourse tasting menus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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Situated at the main public car park, the Discover Milford Information Centre offers coffee, snacks, and counter food. The view out the front window, across Milford Sound to Mitre Peak and the mountains beyond, is amazing. It's expensive, but there's no real alternative.
79 Milford Sound Hwy., Milford Sound, Southland, 9679, New Zealand
Known For
- Only dining option in Milford Sound
- High prices for simple food
- Impressive views
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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A Queenstown institution, the famous Fergburger gets mentioned in media around the world. It began life as a burger bar serving from a hole in the wall and kept growing; now there's a permanent queue stretching outside. If you're not too hungry, but want to know what the fuss is about, just share one—they're big enough for two.
42 Shotover St., Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand
Known For
- Enormous and legendary burgers
- Late-night dining
- Long lines at lunch
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Feast your eyes on a collection of relics from the 1940s to '60s, right down to the mismatched crockery, and enjoy good food, great service, and a lovely atmosphere. The cuisine here is a delightfully eclectic mix, with flavors from New Zealand and around the world. Try the bacon-wrapped monkfish or the pork duo, either of which will satisfy any cravings. Save room for dessert, or for a delightful finish to your evening ask for an espresso martini.
88 Beech St., Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand
Known For
- Excellent lamb of the day
- Generous portions
- Lakeside dining
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Just across the road from the lake, this is a great place to sit shoulder to shoulder with the locals for breakfast outside on a crisp sunny morning. The cafe's Māori name means "food made good," and the menu ranges from simple breakfast and lunch choices (coffee and croissants, salads, nachos, and kebabs) to beef ribs and rump roast for dinner. In addition to consistently good meals, "The Kai" has local beers on tap and fresh bread; it's a great place to wind down after a big day.
121 Ardmore St., Wanaka, Otago, 9305, New Zealand
Known For
- Bustling crowds
- Live music
- Local beers on tap
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | Village Center |
For nearly 30 years, Masato Itoh has run the only Japanese restaurant in town, combining fresh local ingredients with imported spices and seasoning to produce a traditional Japanese menu. The food is a refreshing change from the more traditional offerings in town; any salmon dish is a winner, but the Bento Box is an especially good value.
State Hwy. 8, Lake Tekapo, Canterbury, 7945, New Zealand
Known For
- Great lake views
- Big crowds
- Lots of locals
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
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$$$$ | | New Zealand
This bright and breezy eatery beside the lake on Steamer Wharf has picture-postcard views. In summer, if you don't mind being on display, sit outside for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner (and they'll make sure you're well looked after, with a hat and/or a blanket). Inside, it's cozy with a lovely atmosphere and friendly waitstaff. The regularly changing menu is fresh with regional tastes such as Pacific tuna nicoise salad, Stewart Island salmon, and Fiordland venison. If you're feeling adventurous, consider the Seafood Platter for two.
Steamer Wharf, Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand
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Set in a historic miner's cottage, Provisions gets its name from the range of gourmet preserves they make. The welcoming atmosphere and lovely garden make it a delightful place to have breakfast or lunch. The blackboard menu is enticing and there are homemade treats in the cabinet.
65 Buckingham St., Arrowtown, Otago, 9302, New Zealand
Known For
- Pretty garden setting
- Breakfast supplies to go
- Legendary sticky buns
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You could hit this lakeside spot for every meal of the day, starting with the bacon or salmon eggs Benedict or something house-made and delicious like their cinnamon sticky buns. The café focuses on local, seasonal fare (and caters to all dietary needs), and guests can expect good service and great coffee; check the blackboard at lunch and dinner for ever-changing specials like their pan-roasted Te Mana lamb with crispy potato gnocchi and vegetables, pecorino, and lemon gremolata. The wine list is mainly local NZ, with a good selection sold by the glass. It gets busy here so it's advisable to book for dinner during the holidays.
99 Ardmore St., Wanaka, Otago, 9305, New Zealand
Known For
- Best coffee in town
- Local pinot of the week
- Lake views
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This is the perfect place to load up on coffee and a hearty breakfast before hitting the road to Milford Sound or Queenstown. It's a simple menu, but the house-made counter food is well presented and delicious.
9 The Lane, Te Anau, Southland, 9600, New Zealand
Known For
- Best coffee in town
- Friendly and fast service
- Outdoor seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Built to commemorate the coronation of King George V, this early 1900s bathhouse on the beach now turns out breakfast, lunch, fresh scones, tapas, and dinner from its tiny kitchen. Many people find it by accident as they walk to the Queenstown Gardens, but it's worth seeking out deliberately.
38 Marine Parade, Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand
Known For
- Unbeatable location
- Log fire in winter
- Some of the best staff in town
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The Chop Shop is tucked away in a back alley, and locals don't want you to know about it for fear they won't get a seat for themselves. It serves an eclectic mix of international dishes for breakfast and lunch, including some good spicy options.
7 Arrow La., Arrowtown, Otago, 9302, New Zealand
Known For
- Strong coffee
- Turkish eggs
- Very busy so waits are common
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This cozy, very personable café–restaurant has big picture windows for grand views of the Alps and all sorts of interesting mountaineering memorabilia and photos to peruse inside. The meals are flavorful, hearty, and wholesome, and they source a lot of organic produce, including organic wines and coffee (if you take it with milk, that's organic, too). There's a big roaring fire to keep you warm in winter. A popular option is their Mountaineers' Breakfast—nitrate-free bacon, free-range eggs, sausages, tomato, mushrooms, hash browns, and ciabatta—served all day. Fresh burgers and pizza are a specialty here, too. They may close early if it's quiet at dinner, so be sure to get there by 7 pm.
3 Larch Grove, Aoraki Mount Cook, Canterbury, 7999, New Zealand
Known For
- Spectacular views
- Organic produce
- Huge Mountaineers' Breakfast served all day
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You'll be fighting the locals for a breakfast seat at this Queenstown institution, thanks to its lakefront seating and delicious array of counter food. Eggs Benedict with a classic coffee is probably the most common breakfast order in New Zealand, and this is perhaps the best in the area. The rest of the seasonal menu is full of fresh and local produce.
16 Rees St., Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand
Known For
- Big breakfast crowds
- Coffee to go (and enjoy by the lake)
- Healthy options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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This is a long-standing local favorite restaurant and bar, with a winning combination of excellent pizza, pool tables, and beer. At night it becomes a happening spot with DJs and dancing, and it's extremely popular with backpackers. Try and get a table on the balcony overlooking the mall.
Mall St., Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand
Known For
- Late-night parties
- Retractable roof
- Warm winter hideout
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