Queenstown’s high-end dining scene leans into experience as much as flavour, pairing refined cooking with dramatic settings and a strong sense of place. From elegant dining rooms and lodge restaurants to destination tables worth planning an evening around, the focus is on seasonal New Zealand produce, thoughtful technique and meals designed to unfold slowly.
Our guide to Queenstown's finest dining
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.
Botswana Butchery – Queenstown CBD
Set in a lakefront cottage in Queenstown, Botswana Butchery pairs bold New Zealand produce with plush interiors and a strong cellar, featuring local pinot noirs and a seasonal truffle menu.
Nest Kitchen + Bar – Fernhill
Nest Kitchen + Bar in Queenstown’s Fernhill offers modern New Zealand cuisine with Mediterranean touches, craft cocktails featuring native ingredients, and lake views from a lodge-style setting.
Rātā – Queenstown CBD
Rātā in Queenstown is a polished yet relaxed restaurant by chef Josh Emett, offering seasonal South Island dishes and a wine list focused on Central Otago producers.
The Bunker – Queenstown CBD
Tucked down a Queenstown laneway, The Bunker serves game-heavy European-inspired dishes and strong cocktails in a low-lit space with a roaring fire and alpine feel.
