If you’re planning a trip to Queenstown, one of the world’s most beautiful destinations, there’s more to it than just breathtaking views and thrilling adventures. The culinary scene here is just as impressive, with a wide range of options for foodies. Whether you’re craving local Kiwi flavours, international cuisine, or a fine dining experience, the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand offer something for every taste.
From lakeside eateries to cozy bistros in the heart of the city, the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand offer both taste and ambience. For gourmet burger lovers, Fergburger is a must-visit and often tops the list of dining experiences. If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, celebrity chef Josh Emmett’s Rata showcases fresh New Zealand ingredients with a modern twist. These are just two of the many options to consider when exploring the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand.
Best Restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand
Queenstown is also home to some great hidden gems. Places like The Bunker, known for its romantic atmosphere and delicious seasonal cuisine, and Botswana Butchery, renowned for its meat and waterfront views, consistently rank among the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand. No matter where you eat, you’ll be greeted with warm hospitality and world-class cuisine.
Vegetarians and vegans will also find satisfying options at restaurants like Voodoo Cafe and Yonder, which are often mentioned among the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand for their creative plant-based menus. Many of these restaurants also offer stunning lake or mountain views, enhancing your dining experience.
When it comes to planning your meals, discovering the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand before your trip can really enhance your trip. With such a rich culinary landscape, every meal becomes an adventure in itself. Whether it’s a casual brunch, a fine dining evening, or simply dessert with a view, the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand never disappoint.
So if you’re ready to embark on a taste journey, be sure to check out the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand—where food, views, and unforgettable memories await.
Atlas Beer Cafe
Steamer Wharf is a lakeside dining and entertainment district, and Atlas Beer Cafe is one of the liveliest restaurants there. It’s all about good food paired with boutique craft beers. They also boast great coffee, breakfast and lunch items, tapas, and steaks.
Try a local craft beer or go for a flight of four if you can’t decide. The food menu is divided into bar snacks, tacos, burgers, and steaks. I like to try their edamame, falafel, drunken mushroom taco, and Atlas Vegan Burger. In addition to the regular steak, there’s also a vegan steak on the menu with house-made mushroom gravy.
Beach Tree Craft Beer
In keeping with the local craft beer theme, Beach Tree Craft Beer has 26 rotating brews made in New Zealand. It’s a dog-friendly bar, if you’re traveling with your pup – including “Dog Beer” (bone broth) and their “Oof Burger”.
The menu is divided into main courses, sharing plates, burgers and light meals. There’s also a vegetarian section on the menu which includes vegan mac and cheese, as well as falafel dishes. Beach Tree Craft Beer is located right in the middle of town so it’s really easy to walk there or include this restaurant on your itinerary.
Bespoke Kitchen
Bespoke Kitchen Queenstown was our first meal when we arrived in Queenstown, definitely quite jetlagged after our long journey from Canada. The menu at Bespoke Kitchen changes seasonally. So, your travel options may differ when you compare when you dined there.
Bespoke Kitchen
I ordered the red velvet pancakes and got the Justin Bean Super Bowl. If you’re looking to grab a snack on the go, there’s a nice selection of sweets and treats, as well as daily salads and bagels. We loved the homemade raw Twix bars. Bespoke Kitchen has some of the freshest and tastiest food in Queenstown.
Blucanu
Blucanu is a restaurant that serves a fusion of Pacific and Asian-style cuisine that they call “Polynesian.” It’s fresh, healthy, and uses ancient spices for a unique twist. Enjoy beer, wine, or fruity cocktails like the Lychee Martini or Singapore Sling.
There’s a separate vegetarian menu of large and small plates. There’s a spicy cucumber salad and homemade dumplings with chili oil. Some of my favorites include the crispy mushroom bao and the Singapore noodles.
Caribe Latin Kitchen
Caribe Latin Kitchen is a Latin American and Caribbean restaurant with two locations in Queenstown and Christchurch. Their food is delicious, spicy, and brings the flavors of the tropics to New Zealand. They have their own line of hot sauces such as chipotle, verde, and "spicy lover."
On the menu, choose from antojitos, chimichangas, burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and nachos. Caribe Latin Kitchen has several gluten-free and vegetarian options. They also have beer, margaritas, and even tequila shots.
Farrelly’s
Farrelly’s Trattoria, located in the Steamer Wharf complex, is a traditional Italian restaurant serving fresh pasta, pizza and more. Their food uses fresh produce and authentic ingredients straight from Italy. Their wine also comes directly from their family winery in La Montina, Italy.
The menu has changed since we last ate at Farelli's. There is no longer a separate vegan menu, but there is a list of vegetarian options on the menu. We ordered pizza and pasta which are no longer on the current menu, but I'm sure you can find some good options. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Queenstown, and there are a few other sister restaurants in town under the same owner.
Fergburger
Fergburger is probably Queenstown’s most famous restaurant. There’s often a line-up for one of their delicious burgers. In fact, Fergburger has expanded their restaurant to three more locations on either side of their establishment: Ferg Baker, Ferg’s Bar and Mrs. Ferg Gelateria.
It’s a one-stop shop for burgers, baked goods, gelato and cocktails, repeatedly voted the best burger, bakery and bar. It’s arguably one of the best restaurants in Queenstown (even Ed Sheeran rated it his favourite burger spot in the world).
Margo’s
Take a trip halfway around the world to Mexico while dining at Margo’s. This is a Mexican fusion restaurant located in the heart of Queenstown. Based on Mexican cuisine, their chefs bring their combined experience from traveling around the world to create unique, vibrant and vibrant dishes.
Margo's serves starters, mains, tacos and delicious cocktails. They have a separate vegetarian menu with many delicious dishes, such as queso, guacamole, walnut taquitos, pulled jackfruit tacos, tropical buttermilk popcorn cauliflower, and even churros for dessert. Occasionally, Margo's also has a bottomless brunch!
Mai Thai Lounge
Modern Thai food on Queenstown Bay? Check out another incredible restaurant in Queenstown, Mai Thai Lounge. They are creating traditional Thai dishes with a modern twist for New Zealanders and tourists. Go for their daily lunch specials or their full dinner menu.
For starters, try coconut tempeh, vegetarian dumplings, mini spring rolls, or fried cauliflower. They also have a vegetarian and tofu noodle soup, pad ki mao (drunken noodles), and Chiang Mai noodles. Whether you order a rice dish, noodle dish, or something else, there’s something on the menu for everyone to enjoy.
Ramen
Tanoshi Ramen is a Japanese restaurant where you can build your own bowl of ramen. Choose your base, protein, broth, noodles, and toppings. Then, make it a combo by adding a side or salad like edamame, seaweed salad, and other dishes.
There are two vegetarian options for the base: Veggie Tan Tan and Miso Ramen. Add Osaka broth, Fukuoka-style noodles, crispy tofu, and veggie toppings for a delicious plant-based ramen meal.
They have a wide variety of Japanese whiskey cocktails, which are rarely found in restaurants outside of Japan. There is also a selection of Japanese sake and New Zealand sake, including the only sake made in Queenstown.
Saigon Kingdom
As we travel around the world through Queenstown restaurants, let’s head to Saigon Kingdom in Vietnam. Saigon Kingdom has two locations in Queenstown. Choose from light fare, pho (noodle soup), meat and chicken dishes, seafood, fried noodles, fried rice, and more.
Saigon Kingdom has a separate vegetarian section on the menu. Order vegan spring rolls, tofu summer rolls, vegan noodle soup, lemongrass and chili tofu, vegan coconut milk curry, and other favorites. Overall, the menu has a number of dishes, so you can visit countless times and try something new each time.
Voodoo Cafe & Larder
Voodoo Cafe + Larder is a modern cafe with excellent coffee and food made with seasonal and fresh produce. This is the perfect afternoon stop when you need a quick pick me up. I love stopping at cute coffee shops when traveling, and Voodoo Cafe is a must.
In addition to caffeinated beverages, their kitchen is open for breakfast and lunch. This changes seasonally depending on what’s fresh and available. Try their cherry and almond butter pancakes, avocado toast, steamed summer vegetables, or their soup of the day with toasted sourdough.
White + Ong’s
White + Ong’s in Queenstown is a “meets-east” eatery. It features classic street food from Asian countries like China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Try their Massaman curries, made from scratch.
Choose from a variety of delicious dumplings, noodles, soups, and more, all inspired by East and Southeast Asia. For plant-based options, there are wild mushroom dumplings, barbecue jackfruit and hoisin buns, tofu drunken noodles, Penang tofu and mushroom curry, and more.
Winnie’s
Winnie’s is a long-standing pizza restaurant and bar in Queenstown that is great for dinner and a late-night hangout. They even have an outdoor terrace for those warm summer nights. It’s a great place for families, couples, groups of friends, and parties.
They have a variety of pizzas on their menu, and I love that you can substitute vegan cheese for it at no extra cost. There’s also a whole separate vegan menu, including three different pizzas, pizza bread, pesto pasta, a vegan burger, and kiwi fries.
Yonder
Yonder is a great and quirky place in town and one of my favorite restaurants in Queenstown. Their menu inspiration comes from their global travels, as well as catering to most dietary restrictions. They have many vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
They have a lovely terrace out front, perfect for a sunny day. Eating indoors is equally a treat with lots of interesting art spread across the walls. We stopped in for brunch and enjoyed granola with passionfruit panna cotta (and fresh fruit), as well as fried avocado toast.
There are other great brunch options like the vegan bowl, blueberry and lemon pancakes and roasted cauliflower bowl. I would love to come back here for dinner one day, to try the crispy tofu bao or their vegan chicken. Yum!
Looking for more things to do near Queenstown, especially as you start your road trip? Check out these fun day trips from Queenstown, including a stop in Arrowtown.
FAQ – Best Restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand
1. What are the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand for fine dining?
Some of the best fine dining options in Queenstown include Rata, The Bunker, and Botswana Butchery. These restaurants are known for their gourmet menus, elegant ambiance, and exceptional service.
2. Are there any vegetarian or vegan-friendly restaurants in Queenstown?
Yes! Queenstown offers several plant-based dining options. Vudu Café, Yonder, and Bespoke Kitchen are among the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand for vegetarian and vegan meals.
3. What is the most famous restaurant in Queenstown?
Fergburger is arguably the most iconic spot. Known for its legendary burgers, it’s consistently mentioned in lists of the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand.
4. Do the best restaurants in Queenstown offer lake or mountain views?
Many of the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand offer stunning views of Lake Wakatipu or the surrounding mountains, adding to the overall dining experience. Stratosfare Restaurant and Public Kitchen & Bar are great choices with scenic views.
5. Are reservations required at the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand?
Yes, especially during peak seasons. It’s highly recommended to book a table in advance at popular places like Rata or The Bunker, as the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand tend to fill up quickly.
6. What types of cuisine can I find in Queenstown?
The best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand serve a variety of cuisines, including New Zealand fusion, Asian, Italian, Indian, and more. Whether you’re craving sushi, pasta, curry, or steak, Queenstown has it all.
7. Are there any budget-friendly options among the best restaurants in Queenstown?
Absolutely! While there are upscale options, many of the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand also offer affordable yet delicious meals. Fergbaker, Devil Burger, and Erik’s Fish and Chips are great for tasty food on a budget.
Conclusion
Queenstown isn't just a paradise for thrill-seekers and nature lovers—it’s also a haven for food enthusiasts. From high-end dining experiences to cozy cafés and legendary burger joints, the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand cater to every taste and occasion. Whether you're in the mood for a romantic dinner, a quick bite after a hike, or a lakeside lunch with breathtaking views, you'll find a spot that exceeds your expectations. Exploring the diverse and delicious offerings of the best restaurants in Queenstown New Zealand is an essential part of any visit. So don’t just come for the adventure—come hungry and ready to indulge in one of New Zealand’s top culinary destinations.