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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.
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.
Perfect for fueling up on brunch before a big day, or a long lunch enjoying the lakeside views. The café focuses on local, seasonal fare (and caters to all dietary needs), good service, and great coffee. 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.
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.
