Kick off the day with a scrumptious breakfast or brunch
Right in town you can sit by the lake at Ivy and Lola’s, or join the locals at Bespoke, Yonder, Vudu Larder or Odd Saint. These all offer a winning family combination of good value, seriously inspired food with LOTS of choices and great people-watching spots!
No question, a Queenstown breakfast will set you up for your day’s adventure.
Frankton faves include The Boatshed Café, one of the best lakeview cafes, or the countless choices around Remarkables Park and Frankton (a family-friendly shopping and kids’ activity hub you won’t want to miss).
The Boad Shed Café
Takeaway lunch, quick bite or picnic is the perfect way to go with the tribe!
Eriks Fish & Chips, Fergburger or Devil Burger are just some of the central Queenstown outlets offering hot takeaways with flair.
Or grab an easy picnic from Queenstown Bakery, Ferg Bakery, Raeward Fresh or Fresh Choice supermarket, centrally located and fully stocked, just two minutes’ drive from the town centre.
There are plenty of great takeaway munching spots without leaving town. Head to Earnslaw Park where you can sit on the steps leading into the lake and the kids can feed the ducks. This is a great way to go if you’re all eating from different outlets.
Or lounge on the main beach next to the best adventure playground (there is also a cafe right next door if you want to relax while the kids play!).
Queenstown Gardens is a must-visit and is right on the lake, so a great place to go once you’ve grabbed your food. Slightly further out of town, Frankton Beach is the best swimming/picnic spot as the water is shallow for a long way out, making it great with kids, and warmer than elsewhere!
There are public toilets nearby at all our family picnic spots.
Queenstown Waterfront
Evening family dining
Queenstown is known for its diverse population and cosmopolitan vibe and that’s reflected in the eclectic range of restaurants. Ethnic choices include Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Italian, Mexican and South American fare, all are kid-friendly restaurants with great meal options for children.
Popular now is tapas style sharing plates, again a great choice for a family ~ try the lakeside Public Kitchen on Steamer Wharf.
Pubs too make a great family choice and Queenstown’s options generally have a kids’ menu, plenty of space and extras like toys or colouring sheets for kids. Great value and location along with a varied, ‘crowd pleaser’ menu is Pub on Wharf or World Bar. World Bar also has great plant-based selections.
Sit down pizzas are an easy choice for hungry mouths! You can’t go past the welcoming Winnies, right in The Mall, or the enormous made-to-share pizzas at Fat Badgers.
Another favourite family-friendly restaurant, just 5 minutes drive and located near Shotover Jet, is Cargo at Gantleys - offering cruisy evening dining with big bean bags and a spacious garden to play in.
If the family are flaking and you’re ready to kick back at home, check out Food on Q, who deliver to your door from most outlets - the best part is, you can even all order from different places!
Winnies Pizza
The Sweet Spot
You’ve come to the right place for decadent delights! From the iconic Cookie Time cookies, outrageous shakes and doughnuts at Balls and Bagels to the best chocolate and desserts at Patagonia Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery you won’t be short of a treat! Towering and irresistible ice creams can be found at Mrs Ferg Gelateria or Patagonia whilst the bakeries and cafes have made it their mission to tempt you with sweet and artistic creations. In Arrowtown and in Queenstown a must-visit with kids is The Remarkable Sweet Shop, harking back to the old days and with free fudge tasting!
If you’re in Arrowtown on a sunny day, the locals’ family choice is the Fork and Tap garden bar, with a playground, sandpit, great menu (including a children’s menu) and live music on most summer Sundays.
Remarkable Sweet Shop, Arrowtown