Queenstown is a vibrant mountain town known for its great views and unbeatable adventures, and with more than 150 cafes, bars and restaurants in the region, you’re guaranteed a dining experience as impressive as the vista.
From fine dining to hearty fuel, Queenstown embraces its multicultural influences with an international culinary offering. Here’s just a glimpse of what’s on the menu.
American dining
After a big day skiing or snowboarding on the slopes – or bungy jumping or ziplining or hiking – nothing hits the spot quite like a big plate of down-home US cuisine. With American-style dining options galore in Queenstown, there are plenty of places to get your fix of fried foods, hot dogs and, of course, big juicy burgers. For some of the best burgers in town, try the famous Fergburger, local favourite Devil Burger, or sink your teeth into one of the incredible burgers at World Bar, known for its après-ski scene and good honest food.
Fergburger. Credit @eskuta12
Italian restaurants
For a taste of authentic Italian cuisine in Queenstown, head to Giovi, situated in a sunny corner of Remarkables Park Shopping Centre, Frankton. Family-owned and operated, Giovi provides fresh Italian food, including take home and cook yourself homemade pasta and serving fine Italian wine direct from the family vineyard in Italy.
Bella Cucina is another delicious option, showcasing the delight of simple fresh flavours. Located on Queenstown's Breacon Street, be instantly warmed by the huge wood-fired oven as you walk through the door and embraced by the wonderful aromas of Italy. Or for casual, rustic Italian dining and family style pizza and pasta, head to Farelli’s Trattoria on Steamer Wharf. Little Aosta in Arrowtown is another crowd-pleaser, offering wood-fired grilled meats, sourdough pizzettas, and wines by the carafe.
If it's pizza you crave, Winnies is a local legend, home to some of the biggest, most satisfying pizzas in town. Winnies offers a casual, relaxed atmosphere during the day but kicks on into the evening with cocktails, DJs, dancing and is a guaranteed good time. To top off your Italian dining experience, Mrs Ferg Gelateria does brilliant gelato, the perfect way to end a Queenstown day.
Bella Cucina. Credit @bellcucinanz
Malaysian and Asian Fusion
Queenstown is home to delicious Asian eateries for every palate.
Madam Woo dishes up contemporary Asian-fusion offering a new take on traditional Malay hawker dishes – a great spot to do shared plates with friends.
White + Wong's 'east meets west' cuisine takes classic street foods from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand and created an eclectic menu to choose from. Don't miss their peking duck pancakes, bang bang chicken salad or soft shell crab.
Madam Woo. Credit @madamwoonz
Japanese restaurants
If you love sushi and sake, look no further than Tanoshi, you can find them in Cow Lane or their new restaurant in Five Mile, where the sashimi is as fresh as the powder on Queenstown’s ski slopes. Tatsumi offers up a fusion of traditional Japanese flavours and contemporary cuisine in a cosy environment on Beach Street, and Kappa Japanese Cuisine serves up Japanese staples that are executed with flair including perfect tempura, fantastic teriyaki chicken and tangy pork cutlet. For fun night out with friends, gather around the Chef's Teppan at Hikari Teppanyaki as they grill up a mouth-watering feast in front of you.
Tanoshi
Thai restaurants
There are a variety of excellent Queenstown Thai restaurants serving up fragrant, flavoursome dishes, and great for feeding a crowd. Located upstairs on Church Street, @Thai Cuisine delivers deliciously authentic Thai cuisine and an atmosphere that is friendly and fun for the whole family. My Thai Lounge is Queenstown's premier Thai restaurant, applying Thai flavours and techniques to fresh New Zealand ingredients, centrally located and served up with a great view of The Remarkables and Lake Whakatipu. If you're in Frankon, Thai Siam Kitchen has set up a new location next to Remarkables Park shopping centre, offering tasty food for locals and visitors alike.
My Thai Lounge. Credit @mythailounge
Chinese & Korean restaurants
If good Chinese food is what you crave, Cody's Restaurant is an authentic Sichuan based seafood restaurant cultivated by a family of Chinese origin and located on Beach Street below Skycity Casino. For heart warming hand-pulled noodles and excellent dumplings, pop into King Made Noodles on Athol street, a little-known hidden gem! Or grab a table at I love Kimchi, an authentic and friendly Korean restaurant on Shotover Street with delicious kimchi dishes and Korean beer.
King Made Noodles. Credit @kingmadenoodlesqt
Polynesian
Polynesian influence is everywhere in New Zealand, and you can taste a little at Blue Kanu, where Polynesia and Asia collide in a style the restaurant owners call “Polynasian”. Expect a menu where Māori dishes like rēwana bun sit beside Fijian kokoda (raw fish salad) and Korean staples like bibimbap are created with wild Fiordland venison.
Blue Kanu
Indian restaurants
You're spoiled for choice with wide selection of delicious Indian restaurants in Queenstown and Frankton offering authentic, flavoursome dishes. Centrally located on Beach street and overlooking Queenstown's Lake Whakatipu, The Taj Indian Kitchen takes you on an unmatched culinary journey, serving premium Indian cusine and street style eats native to India.
Dine at one of two Bombay Palace locations (Shotover Street, Queenstown or in Frankton) for full flavored curries, kebabs & breads that melt in your mouth. Choose from a menu that shows the cosmopolitan culture and culinary specialties of Bombay. Experience authentic Indian dishes and street food, blended with Kiwi hospitality, at Boliwood, located on Shotover Street and Five Mile Frankton, offering an extensive dinner menu and great lunch specials.
Mirch Masala Indian Eatery & Bar specialises in regional Indian cuisine, prepared by world class chefs from all over India offering popular street style dishes and delightful mains. Mirch Masala offers delicious food complemented by handpicked lcoal and international wines, cocktails and friendly service in a smart, comfortable setting. Or if you're in Arrowtown, head to Mantra for fine Indian cuisine. The unique decor is warm and inviting, and the menu has been carefully crafted by their experienced team of chefs offering diverse flavours and a visual feast. Mantra is ideal for group functions and feeding a crowd.
Mantra, Arrowtown. Credit @canyoupassthepepper
Modern New Zealand
At its heart, modern New Zealand cuisine is all about the country’s incredible bounty of fresh produce, with a focus on seasonality and innovation. There are plenty of fabulous eateries in the Otago region where you can try mod NZ at its very best, and there are a couple of standouts in Queenstown. At Botswana Butchery, an atmospheric spot where log fires roar in the cooler months, fresh produce might include New Zealand green-lipped mussels, Southland rabbit and South Island whitebait. The team at Rātā create innovative dishes where the best of New Zealand’s food stars: from Marlborough salmon and Cloudy Bay clams to Otago lamb.
Botswana Butchery. Credit @soniajonestravel