Fine Dining in Queenstown, a Roundup of the Best Restaurants in Queenstown

Rātā, Queenstown CBD

Rātā is a modern light-filled eatery tucked away in the centre of bustling Queenstown. The lovely space is surrounded by an urban forest of native trees. They’re open for lunch or dinner seven days, with lunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The locally-owned restaurant prides itself on using organic and sustainable ingredients in its inventive, adventurous dishes. The menu changes daily. Popular dishes include goat cheese profiteroles with Rātā blossom honey, grass-fed beef tartare and Te Mana lamb rump.

Rātā's wine list showcases wines from the Otago region, greater New Zealand, and beyond, with an eclectic mix of highly regarded vintages, and little-known gems.

The Bunker, Queenstown CBD

The Bunker restaurant is as small and intimate as a private dining room. Hidden away down a back alley in the centre of Queenstown, behind a rustic old wooden door, dim lighting and roaring fires add to the sophisticated, old-world atmosphere. 

The menu is carefully crafted by Executive Chef, Ben Norfolk. Expect a blend of European and Kiwi flavours specialising in game, red meats, and local produce. Head to the upstairs bar following your meal, where you’ll find late-night luxury, house music, and an extensive cocktail menu.

Jervois Steak House, Queenstown CBD

Jervois Steak House prides itself on sourcing cuts from the very best New Zealand beef and lamb producers. Their meat is farmed locally and cooked to perfection. They’re known for their signature prime rib and Jervois cut eye fillet on the bone, while their slow-cooked roast lamb shoulder is tender and succulent. The menu also features king crab, oysters, calamari, and a selection of sides like truffle steak fries, scorched carrots, and whipped potato.

They have also retained their Cuisine Magazine Chef hat for 2024 which is an incredible recognition.

Toast & Oak, Queenstown CBD

An elegant wine bar upstairs on Shotover Street decorated in muted natural tones and appealing textures. Toast & Oak has a concise, assured menu listing the key ingredients of sharing dishes. Think fresh oysters, a rich bowl of savoury pappardelle tangled with wild mushrooms, and toast topped with beef tartare with egg yolk and shallots.

Inspired by European wine bars, the eclectic wine list features varietals from around the world. The friendly team take their wine seriously, but not in an intimidating way. They’re delighted to recommend wine pairings for dishes or help you find a drop you enjoy. 

Soda, Queenstown CBD

Soda has a prime location on the waterfront and stunning views to match. It’s a chic space with comfortable chairs ideal for a long lunch or celebratory dinner. There’s a choice of places to sit, with a lakefront courtyard, dining area with lake views, bar and balcony.

They call their menu a love letter to the Mediterranean. With goodies like prawns al ajillo, paella, woodfired seasonal veggies with ajo blanco and manchego, and grilled octopus, they deliver on that temptation. Expect a warm welcoming ambience and great service as well.

The Grille by Eichardt’s, Queenstown waterfront

The Grille by Eichardt's has a prime location on Queenstown's waterfront overlooking Queenstown Bay. You can dine al fresco while you soak up the action happening around town or cosy up inside and take in the beautiful lake and mountain views.

The sophisticated menu, reminiscent of New York City bistros, features home-grown, free-range, locally sourced produce. A highlight is the legendary seafood chowder.

Botswana Butchery, Queenstown waterfront

Botswana Butchery is located in Queenstown’s historic Archer’s Cottage. With lake views and roaring log fires, Botswana’s ambience is warm and welcoming all year-round. 

Open for lunch and dinner daily, they offer a classic bistro menu full of local flavour. Botswana Butchery is all about fine cuts from the butcher’s block and seafood paired with tasty sides and sauces. Round off your meal with a delicious, old-school dessert and at least one excellent glass of wine from the extensive cellar.

Nest Kitchen & Bar, Fernhill, Queenstown

This restaurant high on the hill must have the best view in Queenstown. Nest’s bright, airy space with its wooden floors and simple furniture showcases the spectacular panorama.

Start your meal with a New Zealand gin or a Central Otago wine. Their menu is geared to foodies who appreciate local, seasonal produce. Their lamb comes from Royalburn Station in Arrowtown, while the fresh octopus they use in their carpaccio was caught in Bluff. Choose their five-course degustation for a culinary tour of Central Otago and Southland or their street food menu for high-end takes on classic street food from around the world.

Nest has a zero-waste ethos, sourcing as much as they can locally, working with suppliers to re-use packaging, and composting all organic waste.

Wakatipu Grill, Kelvin Heights

Wakatipu Grill is located in Kawarau Village, Kelvin Heights and overlooks a magnificent backdrop of Lake Whakatipu and surrounding mountains. In summer, take in the spectacular lake views from the outdoor terrace and in winter, the outdoor fire pit is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of local Pinot Noir.

As you’d expect from a grill, their meats are excellent, all sourced locally, served with seasonal sides. Choose from Lake Ohau wagyu flank, NZ coastal lamb rump, Canter Valley duck breast, or Savannah eye fillet.

True South Dining Room, Frankton

True South Dining Room at The Rees Hotel in Queenstown is a sophisticated dining experience. The award-winning restaurant looks out over Lake Whakatipu towards the Remarkables mountain range and the Frankton Arm. 

The menu is designed around locally sourced produce from the Otago region, with suppliers listed on the menu. It changes monthly to feature the best seasonal produce. Māori food traditions show in dishes such as a crayfish toasted sandwich, rewena flat bread with cray butter, and the use of foraged native produce like kawakawa and horopito.

Fino Wine Bar, Frankton

A waterfront wine bar at Queenstown Marina in Frankton, Fino serves up small sharing plates and excellent local wine. The space feels like a European wine bar with bentwood bar stools and padded benches. You can sit outside and enjoy the stunning views over the lake. Bar staff will even bring you a blanket if you get a bit cold.

The wine list features over 40 wines curated by bar owner Eugene, sourced mainly from smaller family-owned Central Otago vineyards. The bar is also the Queenstown tasting room for Otago winery, Quartz Reef.

Amisfield, Lake Hayes

Famous for its signature Trust the Chef menu, Amisfield Winery & Bistro has been a destination restaurant since its opening in 2005. The restaurant continues to impress, recently retaining their prestigious Three Hat status at the 2024 Cuisine Magazine Good Food Awards and chef Vaughan Mabee winning the 2024 Cuisine Innovation Award.

Amisfield's philosophy has always been to celebrate the best of local Central Otago produce in season, keeping the dining experience fresh and exciting. Multiple courses allow you to enjoy the tastes of the region. Dishes are designed to be matched with one or more of the wines produced on Amisfield's organic single vineyard estate. 

Bookings must be made online.

Ayrburn Woolshed, Lake Hayes

The Woolshed is part of the new Ayrburn dining precinct built on an old farm. Outbuildings have been repurposed into elegant bars and restaurants that still bear the name of their original function. The Woolshed is now a bistro combining rustic charm with sleek, modern furniture to create a welcoming space. There’s a sunny deck overlooking a stream.

The menu heroes regional produce, local olive oil, Lake Ohau Wagyu Rump, merino lamb from a high-country station, squid, and octopus from Bluff. The wine list includes glasses from Ayrburn’s own vineyard on site.

Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen, Lake Hayes

A local favourite, Mora means to linger, and the team at Mora are all about creating an ambience that encourages guests to take their time, slow down and enjoy good food and wine. Set in a historic cottage, book a table in the beautiful garden on a sunny day.

Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu includes classics like South Island blue cod, mountain venison, and roast lamb shoulder from local Royalburn Station. Mora is also the cellar door for Mora wines, so try a few varietals with your meal, or amble next door to the tasting room afterwards for a guided tasting of their Central Otago wines.

Millbrook Millhouse, Arrowtown

Housed in the original flour mill at Millbrook Resort, the Millhouse Restaurant has a warm and intimate environment. The restaurant still features the old mill wheel and has views over the mill pond and the 18th hole of Millbrook’s famous golf course.

Executive Chef Andi Bozhiqi has created a seasonal menu of elegant dishes with a European influence. Millhouse dishes are fresh and local. They source ingredients from local farmers, gather fresh vegetables from their kitchen garden and eggs from their chickens.

Complimentary shuttles to Millhouse are available to and from Central Queenstown and Main Street, Arrowtown.

Aosta, Arrowtown

Inspired by cooking techniques and flavours from the town of Aosta in Northern Italy, Aosta’s daily menu heroes delectable pasta and fresh produce.

Italy’s Aosta and Central Otago both sit on the 45^th parallel. They share similar attributes, with distinct four seasons, and similar flora, fauna and soils. New Zealand Chef Ben Bayly combines Italian techniques with locally sourced produce – a match made in heaven. 

Gibbston Valley Lodge, Gibbston

At Gibbston Valley Lodge, Executive Chef, Al Wilson pairs the menu with wine from their winery. Gibbston Valley Wines is the first Central Otago vineyard, established in 1983. The seasonal dishes are designed to be savoured and enjoyed with their exceptional wine

Al sources quality produce that highlights the region. They strive to be sustainable and have a low carbon footprint, growing ingredients in the winery kitchen garden and foraging from the surrounding land. The Lodge Restaurant is open for casual and in-house guests daily from 6pm. Arrive early, so you can  visit the Gibbston Valley cellar door before your meal.

Progressive Dinner Tour, Alpine Wine Tours 

Experience some of Queenstown’s most iconic settings with Alpine Wine Tours' progressive dinner tours. Their guided dining experiences will take you on a social night out to meet new friends paired with amazing local wine, craft beers and great food. Experience some of the best places to eat in Queenstown, with three different restaurants in three locations before ending your night with a nightcap at a local bar.