Patagonia Chocolates

Set on Queenstown’s lakefront, this flagship shop of Patagonia Chocolates sees a steady stream of locals and tourists from morning through evening. Timber interiors and views across Lake Wakatipu give it an easy, all-day appeal.

The menu is built around indulgent house-made sweets—small-batch ice creams, glossy chocolates, and dense, creamy cheesecake. Flavours like dulce de leche and dark chocolate orange are highlights, and cones are made in-house too.

We’d take a window seat with a thick hot chocolate when it’s cold, or a scoop to go in summer. Other outlets across the South Island trace back to this original café.