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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.
Behind the hidden door, you'll find an intimate log-fire lounge with white table clothes, excellent food, and an impressive wine list. The Bunker's cozy atmosphere and fantastic service easily transforms a dinner reservation into an all-night affair, especially if you continue with drinks in their upstairs cocktail lounge. There's even a special Taste of the South degustation menu if you really want to indulge.
Sophisticated and splendid to all five senses, Kika is a true culinary star in Wānaka. Award-winning chef James Stapley focuses on sharing, great service and a warm atmosphere. As each dish arrives, it'll stir "oohs" by its playful and impressive presentation, followed by more enthusiastic "mmms" when you taste the elevated flavors. The Lumina lamb shoulder is arguably the best in the region, and pairs very well with the patate fritte and roasted carrots. Just make sure you leave room for dessert, you'll be Kika-ing yourself if don't try their famous standing ice creams.
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.
With the owners either cooking in the kitchen or out front making sure this is the best experience it can be, this is one of those rare places that's got all the elements right: food, service, and atmosphere. It's a tapas restaurant, but with generous servings; the food is a mixture of Spanish and all sorts of interesting savory influences. Make a reservation if you want to be sure of a table; locals love this place.
Set in an extensive garden, Poppies has for years been a great place to eat, drink, socialize, and bask in the sun. Meat, seafood, pizza, and pasta are complemented by organic produce from the on-site vegetable garden along with fresh-baked bread and pizzas. There's also a good range of craft beer and local wines.
Don't let the modest, homey exterior and laid-back attitude of the staff fool you: this restaurant serves the best meals in Te Anau. The menu is strong on wild game and seafood, and if you stay after dinner, you might get to enjoy live music at the bar. It pays to book in advance.
Only 3 km (2 miles) from Arrowtown, this grand new hospitality precinct sits on a sprawling and stunning section. At its center are restored 160-year-old farm buildings, home now to a range of restaurants and bars. The Woolshed restaurant is a big hit among locals for its atmosphere and meat-oriented menu. During the daytime, the grassy lawn outside hosts events and markets, and is a perfect spot to enjoy an ice cream from The Dairy nearby. At night, you'll find cozy intimate bars. Try the house Ayrburn wine in The Manure Room or cocktails in The Burr Bar. Wine Tastings are hosted daily in The Barrel Room. Bookings are highly recommended. Shuttle services are available to and from Queenstown, Arthurs Point, and Arrowtown.
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.
Indulge with a modern fine French meal at this trendy bistro with lake and mountain views on the outskirts of Wānaka. The menu changes regularly, but the local Lumina lamb and Aoraki Salmon 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.
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.
Dine here and find out why New Zealand is so proud of its beef and lamb: you could take it to the next level with the Wagyu beef, but honestly it's hard to beat the standard Jervois fillet, with onion rings on the side and delicious sauces. Steak is the undisputed hero here, but like the great American steak houses on which Jervois models itself, there's fabulous seafood, too, and even a quality vegetarian menu. Warm, interesting decor, and welcoming, knowledgeable staff (they'll bring cuts of meat to your table to show what you're getting) ensure this place delivers a memorable night. If you can't do dinner, try lunch.
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 café'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.
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 unique Aoraki salmon burger with potato rosti, cheese, lettuce, red onion, honey mustard, and tomato relish. They may close early if it's quiet at dinner, so be sure to get there by 7 pm.
This is a long-standing local favorite restaurant and bar, with a winning combination of excellent pizza, pool tables, and beer. Their motto is "First Pizza. Then Party" so it should be no surprise that it gets lively with DJs and dancing. It's wise to book ahead, as it fills up quickly with backpackers. Ask for a table on the balcony, as it's easily the best spot.
In a lovely old cottage in the middle of town, Yonder has outdoor seating in front; a café-style area in the middle; and, finally, a restaurant, bar, and live venue in the rear. The menu is inspired by the countries of origin of the chefs, and it changes to match the seasons and what's fresh.
