Botswana Butchery

Set inside a restored cottage with a modern extension overlooking Lake Wakatipu, this Queenstown restaurant combines theatre with comfort. Plush velvet chairs, open fireplaces and lake-facing seating give it broad appeal year-round.

The menu is built around bold cuts and local seafood, with signatures like a 1.2kg tomahawk steak or wild Fiordland venison. There's a seasonal truffle menu and a daily oyster list, both of which attract loyal regulars.

The cellar highlights Central Otago pinot and deep New Zealand vintages alongside international bottles. We’d book ahead—most nights fill quickly.