Best Places for Dinner in Queenstown

In this guide to the best places for dinner in Queenstown, we share some of our favourite spots, from hidden gems loved by locals to world-renowned restaurants. Whether you're after something casual and comforting or elevated and immersive, let your appetite lead the way.

How Queenstown became a foodie favourite

Queenstown’s reputation as a dining destination has grown steadily since the 1990s, fuelled by the rise of the Central Otago wine region and an influx of talented chefs drawn to the region’s natural beauty and exceptional produce.

The release of the region’s first commercial vintage in 1987 sparked global interest in Central Otago Pinot Noir. Today, more than 130 wineries and over 40 tasting rooms lie within easy reach of Queenstown, many supplying local restaurants with world-class wines.

As tourism grew, so did Queenstown’s food scene. The opening of the international airport in 1995 brought more visitors and inspired a new wave of hospitality innovation. Chefs came not just for the views but for the opportunity to work with pristine local ingredients - from wild game and seafood to heirloom vegetables and artisanal cheeses. Today, Queenstown’s culinary identity is one of creativity, sustainability, and deep connection to the land.

Celebrated chefs offering immersive experiences

Some of New Zealand’s most exciting chefs have made Queenstown their home, offering rich foodie experiences that go beyond the plate.

Amisfield

Amisfield chef Vaughan Mabee has worked in some of the world’s best kitchens. After honing his knives with Martín Berasategui in Spain and René Redzepi at Noma in Copenhagen, he returned to New Zealand. Amisfield has won so many awards, we haven’t space to list them all, however it’s worth noting they recently became the first New Zealand restaurant to make the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100 list.

Amisfield is as much performance art as it’s a culinary experience, and their Chef’s Menu with wine pairings is renowned for being one of the most exciting food experiences in the world. However, you don’t have to go for a 30-course degustation to get a taste of Amisfield. Dishes are what Mabee calls, “bold flavours of New Zealand,” hyper-seasonal, and made with produce sourced and foraged locally. Wild game plays a starring role. Knowledgeable staff share the provenance of ingredients and the story behind each dish.

Rātā

Hidden in an alley in the heart of Queenstown, Rātā has warm, enveloping vibes. Subtle organic colours, polished stone and wood are given an industrial edge. A striking life-size photograph of a New Zealand rātā forest fills a whole wall. An outdoor courtyard area surrounded by greenery is a lovely spot on a warm summer evening.

Rātā is owned by Michelin starred chef Josh Emett and seasoned local restaurateur Fleur Caulton. Emett grew up immersed in the seasonal rhythms of a New Zealand farm and learned to forage, fish, and cook young. Head chef Michael Bickford is also passionate about sourcing the best local ingredients. Expect high country game, local duck, lamb, beef and fresh seafood including kingfish, crayfish and oysters from the southern ocean.

Rātā refuses the fine dining label. What you will get here is exceptional, innovative food, that’s delicious yet unpretentious. The menu has creative takes on Kiwi classics such as a Speights sourdough with Marmite butter, and their riff on the iconic Southland cheese roll is a must-try. When we went in summer a star dish was the crayfish salad with jersey benne potatoes and heirloom tomatoes, and the slow braised merino lamb is a regular treat.

Mountain, garden, and ocean to plate

For wine and food lovers seeking dining with a strong sense of place and a menu redolent with regional stories, Queenstown is growing its garden to plate buzz. The region’s commitment to regenerative practices and becoming carbon zero by 2030 has inspired more restauranteurs to focus on serving up a true taste of place. Here are three more sensational places to experience Central Otago flavours on your plate.

Sherwood

Sherwood is a favourite with locals and Queenstown visitors alike. Dine in the cosy lodge, all rustic wood, low light, and sheepskins, or outside in a lively courtyard screened by a row of native beech trees in large, rusted iron troughs. Weekends are busy and buzzy, with people gathering in groups. There’s often live music, DJs, and even open poetry mic nights.

Driven by sustainability, Sherwood’s hyper-local menu reflects their understanding of the connection between food, culture, and community. Their kitchen garden and orchard provide fresh, organic produce, and chef Chris Scott collaborates with local farms and independent growers to bring you exceptional local produce with a focus on sustainability. Sherwood specialise in natural wine, and their delicious seasonal cocktails celebrate local ingredients.

Aosta

Aosta in Arrowtown brings a Northern Italian culinary sensibility to Central Otago produce and it’s an extremely happy marriage. Handmade pasta is a house speciality, and Aosta’s kina pappardelle has become one of their signature dishes. Head chef Ben Bayley makes the pasta with kina roe and flour, serving it up with crispy leeks, yolk from the free-range vineyard hens at Terra Sancta winery, and shaved paua from Stewart Island.

This simple yet elevated approach to impeccable ingredients is also an Aosta signature. A favourite quote of Bayley’s is “The ambition of every good cook must be to make something very good with the fewest possible ingredients.” You see that ethos in all Aosta’s delicious dishes, such as lamb rump smoked over rosemary branches, or kumara and truffle ravioli with sprouting broccoli and fresh sheep’s ricotta.

Sunfire 

Sunfire brings the warmth of the fire to the heart of Queenstown’s dining scene, delivering bold, ingredient-led dishes with a smoky twist. The kitchen centres around a state-of-the-art Josper charcoal oven, a hybrid grill and oven that sears at high heat to lock in flavour and texture, giving every dish a distinctive charred depth.

The menu champions premium local produce, cooked simply but with precision. Think fire-roasted lamb shoulder with harissa, charred seasonal greens, or woodfired fish with citrus and herb butter. Even vegetarian dishes shine, with smoky roasted eggplant or ember-baked kumara playing a starring role.

Sunfire’s interiors are equally inviting - moody, intimate, and softly lit, making it the ideal setting for a cosy dinner with a bit of drama. The result is a dining experience that’s earthy, elevated, and distinctly Queenstown.

Local Favourites

We’ll probably be hounded out of town for giving up these best-kept local secrets, but we’re going to do it anyway. Here are some locally-loved establishments, where you’ll be elbow to elbow with Queenstown regulars back again to chow down on their favourite dish.

Kappa

Kappa is a treasure for discerning Japanese food lovers. This tiny, local institution has been around for over 25 years. Hidden away on the first floor above the Mall, the décor may be humble but the food is anything but. Chef and owner Naoya Higuchi curates a small menu, delivered with consummate expertise, and friendly, attentive staff.

There is fantastic sushi and sashimi, and daily specials with fresh local fish, think clam udon noodle soup and blue cod tempura. Their tempura prawn salad has its own fan club. Other treats include eggplant nasu dengaku, venison tataki, and eel unagi. Their hot plum wine is the perfect warmer for a cold winter day.

Farelli’s by Giovi

Farelli's by Giovi is a true gem of a family-owned restaurant. The ambience is relaxed and welcoming, with brick walls and bistro style tables. Farelli’s offers authentic Italian family-style dining – generous portions of honest, tasty food and all your favourite Italian classics.

Head to Farelli’s for homemade pasta, pizza and indulgent puddings. Hits on the menu include their homemade ricotta and spinach ravioli, wagyu beef lasagne, and gnocchi with butter and sage made to traditional Italian recipes. Their chocolate cake is also famously sublime. Wine comes from the owner’s family vineyard in Italy.

Owner Giovanna Boventi has been slowly growing a little Queenstown-based Italian empire. She also runs Bianca by Giovi, serving up more Italian specialities in a beautiful courtyard setting off Buckingham Street in Arrowtown,, and Giovi Fine Food in Frankton.

International flavours

Queenstown has a wide choice of international restaurants, from South African BBQ to Brazilian cuisine. These vibrant global flavours reflect the cultural diversity of the Queenstown community. Here are three of our favourite international dinner destinations.

Margo's

Margo’s is a tonic of a restaurant. This Mexican-inspired restaurant and bar’s colourful interior with vibrant murals, stone arches, and fairy lights hanging from the ceiling signals good times from the moment you walk in. Add the upbeat tunes, friendly staff, and maybe a spicy marg or two, and you’ll be feeling fine in no time.

Food is fresh, flavourful, and well-seasoned with generous portions. The menu is packed with Mexican favourites that are a cut above the average. Nachos come with a choice of salsas, and their interesting taco options are a crowd favourite. Margo’s also flips the script on traditional Mexican food with creative dishes like duck carnitas, steak fajitas with lime chimichurri, and courgette and corn falafels. They offer a full vegan menu, making this one of the best dinner options in Queenstown for the plant-based crew.

Tamarind No5

Head to Tamarind No5 in Church Lane for modern Indian African fusion food. The intimate, elegant space is perfect for date night. Attentive service makes you feel special, and you can tell the team are passionate about sharing their culinary culture.

Expect a creative menu full of bold, dynamic flavours and new dishes to discover. Their small plates are all vegetarian, with options like black garlic paratha and braised cabbage spiced with cumin & garam masala. Larger plates feature fish and meat. Sample the sega wat & jolof Ethiopian beef stew slow cooked with berbere spice and served with Jolof rice. Or order the Tamarind Feast and try a bit of everything on the menu.

The Taj

The Taj delivers an authentic and flavour-packed Indian dining experience in the heart of Queenstown. Warmly lit and elegantly styled, the space strikes a balance between cosy and refined — ideal for a relaxed evening with friends or a special night out.

Expect all the traditional favourites, from creamy butter chicken and rich lamb rogan josh to delicately spiced biryani and smoky tandoori platters. But what sets The Taj apart is the freshness of its ingredients and the care in its preparation. The naan is soft and buttery, the curries layered with depth, and the service always welcoming.

Vegetarian and vegan diners are well looked after here too, with a dedicated plant-based menu that doesn’t compromise on flavour. Whether you’re craving a comforting classic or exploring new regional specialties, The Taj brings the bold, vibrant taste of India to Queenstown.

Destination dining with views and vibes

For a romantic night out, you can’t beat a dining experience that makes the most of Queenstown’s glorious views. Here are two dinner destinations to remember.

Walter Peak Farm

Take a scenic evening cruise on the TSS Earnslaw followed by a gourmet BBQ dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Board the historic steamship at Steamer Wharf to cross Lake Whakatipu. After an extraordinary cruise surrounded by mountain peaks, you alight at Walter Peak. There, relax with a wine as your dinner is prepared. You’ll be fed generously, before taking a stroll around the lakeside gardens, where you can watch sheep dogs in action with a rural farm show, before returning across the lake to Queenstown.

The mouth-watering buffet is packed with fresh vegetables, salad leaves, and herbs harvested from the Walter Peak kitchen garden. Salads and side vegetables showcase whatever’s in season, paired with succulent meats cooked on the grill, and home baked bread, with decadent sweet treats to follow – the sticky toffee pudding is particularly moreish.

Nest at Kamana Lakehouse

Few restaurants in the world can claim a view as breathtaking as Nest. This stylish restaurant high on the hill in Fernhill has floor-to-ceiling windows with vistas out over Lake Whakatipu, Cecil Peak, and Walter Peak as the lights of Queenstown twinkle below. To enjoy the views to the full, book a table before sunset. The space is huge and airy, a blend of raw wood, hanging fire pods, and schist walls, with comfortable, curvy chairs.

Service is attentive and genuinely welcoming, while creative dishes are beautifully presented and full of flavour. Local produce is the hero. Highlights include citrus cured salmon from Stewart Island and juicy Royalburn Station lamb loin with kumara and herb crumb. Butternut mousse and rhubarb choux were star picks from the delectable desserts when we went last. Nest offer a degustation menu paired with local wines for a full odyssey of local favours.

Connect with Queenstown through our food and wine

With 150+ restaurants and bars in and around Queenstown, it’s always a tough ask to shortlist a few favourites, so there are many other tasty restaurant guides on this site, to help you find the best places to eat in Queenstown. Enjoy immersing yourself in Queenstown’s evolving culinary scene.