Queenstown’s restaurant scene is shaped by its setting, pairing alpine views with a mix of refined dining rooms, relaxed local favourites and destination spots worth planning an evening around. From chef-led menus and seasonal New Zealand produce to casual lakeside places made for long lunches and sunset drinks, these are the places that reflect how Queenstown eats — confidently, socially and with the landscape always close by.
An A-Z of Queentown's best restaurants
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.
Odd Saint – Queenstown CBD
This Queenstown café serves a bold, Asian-inspired daytime menu in a stylish, timber-and-tile space, with strong coffee, tropical drinks and in-house pastries.
Patagonia Chocolates – Cnr of the Mall
Patagonia Chocolates in Queenstown serves handcrafted chocolates, small-batch ice cream, and rich hot drinks with Lake Wakatipu views. Its Mall location remains the brand’s flagship shop.
Public Kitchen & Bar – Queenstown CBD
Public Kitchen & Bar in Queenstown offers lakeside dining with a focus on shareable plates and local produce, alongside regional wines and craft beers in a relaxed, rustic-industrial 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.
Sherwood Restaurant – Frankton
Sherwood in Queenstown combines an eco-conscious approach with a seasonal kitchen, offering fire-cooked dishes, local wines and community events in a relaxed alpine setting.
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.
Vudu Café & Larder – Queenstown CBD
On Queenstown’s lakefront, Vudu Café & Larder is a polished café serving seasonal food, strong coffee and house bakes in a wood-accented space with lake views.
