The 20 BEST QUEENSTOWN RESTAURANTS you need to try!

Queenstown is the adventurer’s paradise town of New Zealand’s South Island. With plenty of hikes, day tours and slopes to ski in the winter months, everyone likes to indulge in a good meal after an active day. Luckily, Queenstown has enough restaurants to choose from!

The Queenstown restaurants are known for their flavorful and unique dishes thanks to the abundance of fresh and high-quality local ingredients that are grown in the region. The diverse culinary scene results in a wide range of dining options. From fine dining to amazing steak restaurants, seafood, Polynesian and Asian food, there is something for everyone! Find in our complete guide all the best restaurants in Queenstown!

Table of Contents

20 BEST QUEENSTOWN RESTAURANTS

Botswana Butchery

If you love a really good tender steak, then Botswana Butchery is the place to go. This is one of the best restaurants in Queenstown, especially when it comes to tasty steaks. Nestled within the charming and historic Queenstown Archer’s Cottage, Botswana Butchery not only has an amazing atmosphere for a fine dining experience, but also an unparalleled menu. Imagine indulging in the finest cuts of succulent wagyu eye fillet, savoring every tender bite. Envision the aroma of slow-roasted lamb shoulder, its tenderness practically inviting your fork to delve in. Paired with amazing wine from different regions of New Zealand, Botswana Butchery is simply the best restaurant in Queenstown for a delicious dinner. Be prepared to eat a lot, so come with an empty stomach!

Address: 17 Marine Parade, Queenstown

Opening hours: Wednesday – Sunday 12 pm – 11 pm

Price range: About $50 – $80 NZD for a main, but butcher’s block steaks differ

Specialty: Steak

botswana-butchery-dessert — Image Credits: Botswana Butchery Queenstown

Margos

For a tasty but affordable Mexican meal, you have to go to Margos. Serving up a huge variety of food from many regions of Mexico, you’ll be met with a flavour explosion. There are so many unique Mexican dishes on their menu! Try the Coca-Cola BBQ pork ribs if you’re a meat lover, or the Mayan spiced tempeh fajita for the vegans. Combined with eye-catching street art on the walls and kitsch decor, you almost forget that you’re in Queenstown!

Address: 26 Ballarat Street, The Mall, Queenstown

Opening hours: Monday, Wednesday – Saturday 5 pm – 10 pm, Sunday 2 pm – 10 pm

Price range: $20 – $40 NZD depending the dish and if it’s with meat or vegan

Specialty: Mexican

margos-queenstown-restaurant — Image Credits: Margos Restaurant Queenstown

Blue Kanu

If you want to try a unique dinner in Queenstown, then Blue Kanu one of the best Queenstown restaurants to do so! Specialized in Polynesian and Asian food, Blue Kanu brings an interesting combination of fresh, healthy Asian cuisine encompassing Pacific influence with ancient spices. This results in a new type of cultural soul food which you might have never seen before! Accompanied by the stunning atmosphere of incredible pieces of artwork the real Maori vibes provide an authentic environment at Blue Kanu. A must try and without a doubt some of the best Queenstown restaurants.

Address: 16 Church Street, Queenstown

Price range: $20 to $50 NZD

Specialty: Polynesian and Asian food

blue-kanu-queenstown-food — Image Credits: Blue Kanu Restaurant Queenstown

Yonder

Come to Yonder for the best breakfast, coffee and vegan meals! Their farm-to-the-table principle brings some of the healthiest and freshest food options in Queenstown. No surprise that they have been voted in the top 10 best brunch spots in New Zealand and are considered some of the best cafes in Queenstown! A must-go if you fancy a great coffee and delicious breakkie or lunch. But dinner at Yonder is a great option too, and some of the more affordable options in Queenstown.

Address: 14 Church Street

Opening hours: Monday 8 am – 3 pm. Tuesday – Sunday 8 am – late.

Price range: $25 – $35 NZD for a main dish

Specialty: Delicious vegan food

The Bunker

The Bunker is a mix between intimate rustic fine dining and Old School Cool cocktail bar. Enjoy the perfectly matched flavors prepared using the best of local and domestic produce of prime cuts of lamb, beef, venison, game and seafood.

With an on-site cocktail bar upstairs which almost feels like a secret place, you can sip on quality craft cocktails in combination with late-night luxury house music after finishing your delicious meal. This is the perfect Friday or Saturday evening out!

Address: 14 Cow Lane, Queenstown

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 5 pm – 11 pm

Price range: $50 – $90 NZD for a main

Specialty: Game, red meat and cocktails

the-bunker-dessert — Image Credits: The Bunker Restaurant Queenstown

Bespoke Kitchen

Fancy a smoothie bowl or a delicious salad bowl? Bespoke Kitchen is the answer! A local’s favorite and missed by many because of the hidden location. But Bespoke is a must-try and that’s why I put it in this list of the best Queenstown restaurants. With a large outdoor seating area with lovely views over The Remarkables and finger-licking good food and coffee, Bespoke is the perfect place to grab breakfast or lunch. Their all-day menu is served from 7:30 am – 3 pm and has 4 vegan options as well as dairy-free and gluten-free options.

Address: 9 Isle Street

Opening hours: 7:30 am – 3 pm

Price range: $10 – $25 NZD

Specialty: Breakfast, lunch and vegan options

bespoke-kitchen-smoothiebowl — Photo Credits: Bespoke Kitchen

Rata

Rata brings an original menu from New Zealand to the table with fresh quality produce and ingredients from the region. Not only with their food, but also the wine list which proudly showcases wines from the Central Otago region. Rata strives to bring the freshest locally sourced produce which means that due to seasonal availability and small suppliers, their menu is subject to frequent changes.

Address: Te Nuku, 43 Ballarat Street, Queenstown

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 5 pm – 10 pm. Lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12pm

Price range: Around $50 NZD for a main

Specialty: Taste of New Zealand

rata-lamb-dinner — Image Credit: Rata Restaurant Queenstown

The Grille By Eichardt’s

Located in the five-star luxury hotel Eichardt’s along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Eichardt’s Grille offers high-quality breakfast to dining. With a menu and interior inspired by the bistros of New York, The Grille stands out from the other Queenstown restaurants. Come here for top-quality food, from incredibly tender duck to delicious seafood chowder or steak cooked to perfection. At The Grille you can expect a very high-quality dining experience. That’s why it is in this list of the best Queenstown restaurants.

Address: 9 Marine Parade, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 7:30 am – 11:30 am

Price range: $34 – $78 NZD for a main

Specialty: Seafood, burgers and meat

The Grille By Eichardt’s-food — Image Credits: The Grille By Eichardt’s

Ferg Burger

The most famous restaurant in Queenstown! FergBurger is an iconic restaurant in the centre of Queenstown where always, at every second of the day a line of people is waiting outside. From early morning until late night, the FergBurger almost seems like a cult. But in a good way of course, because the Ferg Burger is considered being the best burger in the world! So logically everyone has to try it. Although we don’t consider ourselves burger experts, the FergBurger definitely was the best burger we ever had! So, either order by phone and pick up your burger when it’s ready, or immerse yourself in the Queenstown burger madness and wait in line. You won’t be disappointed with the delicious fresh FergBurger!

Address: 42 Shotover Street, Queenstown

Opening hours: 8 am to 2 am, yes you read that right! You can order a burger in the middle of the night at FergBurger

Price range: $15 to $20 NZD

Specialty: The Burger of course!

Amisfield

Located along Lake Hayes, just a 20-minute drive outside of Queenstown, Amisfield is a must-visit for wine lovers and fine tasters. Voted ‘Restaurant of the year 2023’, Amisfield restaurant and Cellar Door brings fine dining at its best. Showcasing the best flavors in food and wine from the Central Otago region, it goes without saying that Amisfield is a restaurant where your taste buds will be tickled. The multiple courses allow you to enjoy the tastes of the region and are designed to be matched with one or more of the wines produced on Amisfield organic vineyard estate. This luxury restaurant does not accept young children dining to bring an exclusive and intimate ambiance.

Address: 10 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road, Frankton, Queenstown

Opening hours: Dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6.30 pm. Lunch Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm – 3 pm

Price range: Set tasting menu with 7 courses $360 NZD pp.

Specialty: Ultimate fine dining

amisfield-food — Photo Credits: Amisfield

The Sherwood

The Sherwood is something special. This Queenstown restaurant grows its own veggies in its large vegetable garden, which they farm under organic principles. And their sustainability vision goes even further with 100 percent of its organic waste returned to the kitchen garden. Sherwood’s menu changes with the season and is focused on sharing platters with plenty of delicious sides. Therefore it is highly recommended to come to Sherwood with some friends to share a tasty and sustainable meal.

Address: 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 7 am – 12 am

Price range: Dinner mains range from $28 – $40 NZD

Specialty: Wellington Meatloaf and organic salads

the-sherwood-restaurant-queenstown — Photo Credit: The Sherwood

Tanoshi Teppan and Sake Bar

In the mood for sushi?! Look no further than Tanoshi Teppan and Sake Bar. With their open kitchen concept, you can see the chef preparing the sushi. It’s without a doubt some of the best Japanese restaurants in Queenstown with a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.

Their tapas-style Japanese dishes are a must-try and the perfect way of trying a variety of things. If you’re looking for great takeaway sushi then go to their sister restaurant Tanoshi Iko which has the same quality but slightly different dishes.

Address: Cow Lane

Opening hours: Daily from 12–3 PM, 5–9:30 PM

Price range: $18 – $20 NZD for a sushi tapas dish

Specialty: Sushi

Photo Credit: Tanoshi Teppan and Sake Bar

Nest Kitchen and Bar

Nest Bar & Kitchen is one of the Queenstown restaurants with the best views. The art deco-style restaurant and bar feature floor-to-ceiling windows for awe-inspiring views overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Nest offers a modern twist on Mediterranean classics with plenty of small bites and delicious street food. It is the perfect shared dining spot and with a new menu every season, you will return here without a doubt!

Address: 139 Fernhill Road, Fernhill, Queenstown

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 7 am – 11 am/ 5 pm – 9 pm

Price range: $30 – $91 NZD

Specialty: Fine dining

nest-queenstown-restaurant — Photo Credits: Nest Kitchen and Bar

The Cow

Fancy a good pizza or pasta? Look no further than the Cow! This family-friendly restaurant knows how to make delicious pizza and pasta since 1977. Fun fact, The Cow is the oldest Queenstown restaurant which is still in operation! Once inside you can also guess where the name comes from. The interior of stone walls and floors of The Cow tells its story of being an old milking barn for cows. Therefore the atmosphere is very authentic and cozy. With big portion is the perfect restaurant in Queenstown when you fancy a big carb meal!

Address: Cow Lane, Queenstown

Opening hours: Daily from 12 – 10 pm

Price range: $25 NZD for a pasta dish and $24 NZD for a pizza

Specialty: Pizza

Jervois Steak House

Jervois is another amazing steak restaurant in Queenstown. With amazing quality beef you have to expect to pay a bit more, but it’s totally worth it. On their menu you will find dishes like the Signature Prime Rib, selected from the finest 150-day grain fed Black Angus that has been dry aged then patiently roasted in their special oven. But Jervois Steak House is not only about red meat! World famous Red King Crab, Oysters, Calamari, daily chicken and fish specials, all take their place on the menu.

Address: 8 Duke Street, Queenstown

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday 5 pm til late

Price range: $40 – $75 NZD for a main

Specialty: Steak

jervois-salmon — Photo Credits: Jervois Steak House

Farelli’s Trattoria

Fancy a really good pasta? Then go to Farelli’s Trattoria. Their homemade pasta is incredible with a very rich flavour and texture. You almost forget you’re in Queenstown when dining at Farelli’s Trattoria. But located along Steamer Wharf with stunning views of Lake Wakatipu, you will still be reminded of being in Queenstown. Without a doubt, Farelli’s Trattoria is Queenstown’s best Italian restaurant.

Address: 88 Beach Street, Steamer Warf

Opening hours: Dinner from 5 pm, except on Thursdays when they’re close

Price range: $26 – $38 NZD

Specialty: Homemade pasta

Farelli’s Trattoria-pasta — Photo Credit: Farelli’s Trattoria

Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience

For the ultimate All-You-Can-Eat experience in Queenstown, you have to go to Fogo Brazilian BBQ. Fogo’s Charcoals BBQ has one of the most juicy, perfectly-seasoned succulent cuts for the meat-lovers. For $76.95 NZD you can have the all-you-can-eat experience and for $35.95 NZD a main course. The all-you-can-eat experience includes 13 endless types of meat at your table, accompanied by bottomless traditional sides like garlicky black beans, Brazilian rice, tomato salsa, chimichurri and more. The experience is topped off with a BBQ cinnamon pineapple, the ultimate palate cleanser. The perfect Queenstown restaurant to go if you’re really hungry!

Address: 28 Ballarat Street, Queenstown

Opening hours: Lunch from 12 – 3 pm and dinner starts from 5 pm

Price range: $76.95 NZD you can have the all-you-can-eat-experience and for $35.95 NZD a main course

Specialty: Brazilian meat

Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience — Photo Credit: Fogo Brazilian BBQ

Pedro’s by the Lake

With its stunning location by the lake, Pedro’s is an amazing and authentic Spanish restaurant that serves not only tapas and paella but also the best lamb dishes. With that being said, you can either go for a truly Spanish experience by ordering the Spanish Degustation of tapas or the individual tapas dishes. The most popular mains are the lamb dishes which is what Pedro’s is famous for.

Address: 50 Beach Street, Steamer Wharf Queenstown

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 3.30 to 9 pm, Friday to Sunday 3 to 9 pm

Price range: $12 – $27 NZD for a tapas dish

Specialty: Spanish food and the best lamb dishes

The Stratosfare Restaurant

For a truly unique and romantic dining experience in Queenstown you might want to consider Stratosfare Restaurant at the top of Bob’s Peak. Overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, this buffet restaurant definitely belongs to the list of best restaurants in Queenstown with a view. Don’t be disappointed by the buffet menu, as it might not sound too sexy at first. At Stratosfare it’s all about quality, not quantity. This doesn’t mean there aren’t enough options, it just means that the food they serve is really good. Think about roast meats, fresh seafood including sushi, different kind of soups and a variety of desserts.

Address: Skyline building at the top of the gondola, onlyaccessible by gondola

Opening hours: 4.45 pm – 8.45 pm

Price range: $129 for ‘normal’ dinner including gondola and $159 NZD for premium dining which includes a guaranteed window table and a house drink of your choice and gondola.

Specialty: Buffet dinner

Finz Seafood & Grill

With its stunning location overlooking Lake Wakatipu, Finz Seafood & Grill is a fantastic Queenstown restaurant for a seafood meal. Bu tif you don’t fancy a seafood dish then don’t worry, because Finz also has some of the best cuts of Prime New Zealand Beef and Southland Lamb. With their hand picked wine selection, including Central Otago Pinot Noir and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, you will be assured of the best pairing wine with your meal.

Address: Ground Floor, Steamer Wharf, Beach Street

Opening hours: Daily from 5 pm – 10 pm

Price range: $45 NZD for a seafood main

Specialty: Seafood

How many days in Queenstown is enough?

The number of days you should spend in Queenstown depends on your interests and the activities you’re planning to do. There are so many things to do in and around Queenstown that you can be busy for weeks!

If you only want to experience some of the major tourist activities and do one or two hikes in Queenstown, then 3-5 days would be a good amount of time to stay in Queenstown.

Queenstown is also a fantastic place to base yourself for some time. Then you can do most of the activities in Queenstown, but also explore the surrounding National Parks. In that case you may want to plan for 7-10 days in Queenstown.

If you are short in time, a quick 2-day visit can give you a glimpse of what Queenstown has to offer. However, it would be too short to really take in what this stunning town has to offer. Especially if you want to try a few of the best Queenstown restaurants mentioned in this list.

Best season to visit Queenstown

The best month to visit Queenstown depends on your preferences and the activities you want to do. Here are some factors to consider:

Weather: Queenstown has four distinct seasons. The summers (December to February) are warm and sunny and winters (June to August) are cold and snowy. Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) have mild temperatures and changing colors of the trees. If you enjoy skiing, snowboarding or other winter activities, then winter is the best time to visit Queenstown. If you prefer outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or water sports, then spring, summer or autumn would be a better choice.
Crowds: Queenstown is a popular destination, and it can get crowded during peak season which runs from December to February. If you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, consider visiting in the shoulder season, which runs from March to May and September to November.
Events: Queenstown hosts many events throughout the year. Some examples are weekly markets, the Winter Festival in June, the Queenstown Marathon in November, and several Bike Festivals in January. If you want to attend any of these events, plan your trip accordingly.

How to get around in New Zealand

To experience New Zealand to the fullest and at your own pace, renting a car, campervan or motorhome is the best way to get around. Which one of these options you choose depends on your preference and budget. If you love camping, being outdoors all day and you don’t mind a smaller living space, then renting a camper van is the way to go. It also gives you the freedom to sleep at some of the most beautiful camping spots, but for some of them you’ll have to make a reservation and plan your trip accordingly. The same goes for a motorhome which is bigger than a campervan and fits about 4-6 people. Here’s what you need to know about renting a car, camper van or motorhome in New Zealand.

Car rental New Zealand

Renting a car in New Zealand is the easiest and cheapest rental vehicle available. It will get you to all the best destinations with ease and gives you the freedom to stop for a break wherever you want. However, you should keep in mind that some roads in New Zealand are still gravel or that you have to cross shallow rivers to some destinations in National Parks. Therefore we personally recommend a mini SUV or SUV model to have enough clearance for these kind of roads. We rented for 6 weeks a Mitsubishi ASX model and were super happy with this car!

The best place to book your rental car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare different car models, prices, companies and terms and conditions. You can also check Rental Cars to compare at which platform you can get the best deal. Make sure to secure the booking of your rental car as soon as possible to have the lowest price possible. Prices go up the closer you get to the pickup date.

Campervan rental in New Zealand

Traveling around in a campervan is one of the most popular ways for a roadtrip in New Zealand. With a bed, small kitchen and seating area you will have all the (basic) needs on four wheels. Make sure to check if your campervan has a shower or not because this might influence where you want to camp. A campervan allows you to camp at plenty of beautiful places, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee. It will give you a true feeling of freedom and connects you with nature.

We recommend to book your campervan with Travellers Autobarn. They have a wide range of Station wagons, 2-berth campervans & 3-5 berth campervans to hire for all budgets. All Travellers Autobarn campervan hires in New Zealand come with free unlimited kilometers, 10% discount to premium campgrounds, 24/7 roadside assistance & long-term rental discounts. Check the availability and prices today to secure your campervan for a New Zealand dream road trip!

Must do tours in Queenstown

Queenstown is the heart of adventure activities, wine tours and is a great base to explore some other places in the South Island. Here are some tours I strongly recommend doing while you’re based in Queenstown. You have to burn some calories before you go to one of the best Queenstown restaurants!

Scenic Helicopter flight from Queenstown

A must do in New Zealand is taking a helicopter flight. With this helicopter tour from Queenstown you will fly 20 minutes so you can see Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps. The flight includes an alpine landing in the Remarkables and informative commentary from the pilot. Make sure to book in advance to secure your seat, there helicopter flights are super popular!

→ Book here your helicopter tour in Queenstown via Viator

→ Book here your helicopter tour in Queenstown via GetYourGuide

Shotover Canyon extreme Jet Boat ride in Queenstown

This activity is soo cool and I personally can recommend this strongly. If you love a bit of thrill and adrenaline then jet boating is definitely a must do in Queenstown. The very skilled driver skims the Jet Boat with 100km per hour through the narrow canyon with 360-degree spins now and then. Guaranteed laughs! Make sure to secure your seat for the jet boat a few days in advance as the boats fill up very fast!

→ Book here your Shotover Jet Boat seat via Viator

→ Book here your Shotover Jet Boat seat via GetYourGuide

Wine tour and tasting with lunch

Go on a journey through the verdant valleys and vine-clad foothills rich in gold mining history and visit some incredible boutique wineries. Enjoy a winery lunch consisting of several tasting dishes each perfectly matched by the Chief Winemaker and Head Chef, using estate wines and fresh local produce.

→ Book here your winery tour including tastings and lunch via Viator

→ Book here your winery tour including tastings and lunch via GetYourGuide

Explore Milford Sound National park from Queenstown

If you want to explore the best of Milford Sound from Queenstown then this tour is for you! There are two options to do this tour.
Option one is by coach from Queenstown to the west coast of Fiordland National Park. During this day tour you will stop at several impressive viewpoints and do the Milford Sound cruise.

→ Book here your Full day Milford Sound experience from Queenstown by coach including cruise

Option two is a scenic flight from Queenstown to Milford Sound, including the Milford Sound cruise and a different flight path back to Queenstown. This is the ultimate Milford Sound experience!

→ Book here your Milford Sound experience from Queenstown by airplane including cruise

Where to stay in Queenstown

As with everything in Queenstown, tours, restaurants and accommodations fill up fast. So to find a great place to stay in Queenstown it is highly recommended to book your preferred accommodation (far) in advance to secure your room. You can always cancel your reservation until a certain date, so don’t wait too long with booking your accommodation in Queenstown.

There is a wide variety of options in Queenstown for every budget. From dorm rooms to super luxury hotels and self contained apartments. Here are our top recommendations.

Luxury stay in Queenstown

The Carlin

The Carlin Boutique Hotel is a 5 star accommodation with very luxury suites overlooking Lake Wakatipu. Some of the rooms even have a private hot tub! With a restaurant, free bikes, a fitness centre and bar you can fully immerse yourself in luxury and the incredible views of Queenstown, the lake and surrounding mountains. Perfect for couples with special celebrations!

→ Book your stay at The Carlin Boutique Hotel in Queenstown here

Mid Luxury stay in Queenstown

Kamana Lakehouse

Just a little bit out of the city centre you will find this stunning lakeview hotel. Each room features contemporary decor, premium beds and an outdoor seating area. Only a selection of rooms include unobstructed lake and mountain views. Their restaurant The Nest offers unique creations and delicious foraged herbs, seeds and wild ingredients. Even if you’re not staying at Kamana Lakehouse it is worth it to try their restaurant!

→ Book here your stay at Kamana Lakehouse Queenstown

Budget stay in Queenstown

Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

The Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park has studios with private bathrooms and self contained cabins with kitchenette. It is a family friendly property with kids playground and is close to everything you need in town!

→ Book here your stay at Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

More New Zealand travel guides

I hope you enjoyed this complete guide about the best Queenstown restaurants. Make sure to make a reservation, especially in high season!

We have many more New Zealand guides on our blog. So if you’re looking for more inspiration and ideas of best places to visit, then head over to our other New Zealand travel guides!

Queenstown

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22 best photo spots in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide

16 best hikes in Queenstown – The Ultimate Guide

12 best Queenstown helicopter tours

10 best wine tours in Queenstown

Queenstown to Milford Sound road trip stops

Queenstown Hill walk – The Complete Guide

Ben Lomond hike – The Complete Guide

Moke Lake loop track & viewpoint – The Complete Guide

Bobs Cove nature walk – The Complete Guide