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Queenstown, as the main regional resort, has the widest range of restaurants. Throughout the area, menus focus on local produce, seafood, lamb, and venison. Wine lists often highlight South Island wines, especially those from Central Otago and Gibbston Valley. Cafés and restaurants driven by the summer tourist trade shorten their hours in winter. Dress standards are generally relaxed, with jeans or khakis acceptable almost everywhere. At high-end places, particularly in Queenstown, you'll need to reserve a table at least a day in advance.
Outside of Queenstown and Wanaka dining options can be limited. In summer, meals of some sort are available almost everywhere, but outside the high season, there are fewer options in the smaller settlements and they don’t tend to stay open late.
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. Skip the line and order by phone, or instead stop in at their awesome bakery next door.
Owned by a local Argentine couple who missed the desserts of their homeland, Patagonia is the best place around to buy ice cream, chocolates, cakes, and other sweets. They have locations in Queenstown and Wānaka, too.
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.
