The Coolest Places in Queenstown.

Queenstown sits at the meeting point of lake and mountains, where dramatic scenery shapes an easy rhythm built around good food, social spaces and time outdoors. Mornings start in well-loved cafés, afternoons drift between the water, walking tracks and long lunches, and evenings settle into refined dining rooms, relaxed wine bars or fireside spots as the temperature drops. It’s a destination that balances energy and downtime naturally, with design-led restaurants, hidden local favourites and standout spa experiences all playing their part. Queenstown rewards slowing down as much as chasing adventure, letting the landscape and the atmosphere do most of the talking.

TheCoolList places in Queenstown's dining scene

See our full list of restaurants in Queenstown

Altitude brewing – Frankton

Altitude Brewing in Frankton, Queenstown offers house-made craft beer with lake views, rotating food trucks, and a relaxed local vibe on the Kawarau River.

Amisfield Restaurant – Frankton

Set on Lake Hayes near Queenstown, Amisfield Restaurant offers hyper-local tasting menus and house wines in a glass-walled room overlooking Central Otago. Booking ahead is essential, especially for evenings.

Aosta – Arrowtown

Aosta in Arrowtown takes culinary cues from northern Italy, offering handmade pasta, wood-fired meats and Central Otago wines in a refined alpine-inspired setting.

Blue Door Bar – Arrowtown

Blue Door Bar in Arrowtown is a low-lit, stone-walled spot known for classic cocktails, Central Otago wines and regular live music, with a fireplace and relaxed atmosphere.

Lake Hayes, Queenstown