In this post, we share all the best foods from different restaurants around Queenstown. Its a guide into some of the most unique, delicious, and local favourite dishes in this small but vibrant town. After living in Queenstown for 8 months, we came up with this guide to the best food in Queenstown!

Best Food in Queenstown

Queenstown is home to hundreds of restaurants that boast both great atmosphere and amazing food. However, it would be impossible to try them all, especially if you’re only here for a short while. With this in mind, I am writing this post about the best food in Queenstown, kind of like a bucket list, but in this case for before you leave Queenstown!

I was lucky enough to call Queenstown home for almost a year and in that time, visited many of the great places to eat in town. I also met lots of friends who had also lived in Queenstown a long time and through recommendations and stumbling upon these unique and “must try meals”, I have come with this list of the best food in Queenstown!

I am super passionate about food, and if I wasn’t a travel blogger I would be a food blogger!

This list won’t recommend restaurants, but a specific dish or food item that stands out and you must try!

The Ferg Deluxe – Fergburger (burger place)

Fergburger is Queenstown’s most famous restaurant so it’s no wonder one of their menu items made the list. The humble Ferg Deluxe is Fergburger’s classic burger with bacon. The burger is not too big or small and comes with just the right amount of everything. It’s also only $15 NZD making it very affordal]ble.

This is truly the best burger in Queenstown and a must try when visiting!

Duck Nachos – Blue Kanu (Polynesian style restaurant)

The Blue Kanu is another local gem and their Duck Nachos dish is out of this world! When you think of nachos you traditionally think of a messy plate with salsa, but these nachos is anything but. Instead of corn chips, they use fried wontons and then cover them in tender duck meat. After that, they add some amazing Polynesian vegetables and flavours! This is without a doubt the most unique dish in Queenstown!

Poutine – Smiths (Bar)

Poutine is a Canadian dish that is very hard to find at the same quality out of Canada. First off though, Poutine is chips, cheese curds, and gravy. Although this sounds like a simple dish, when it is done correctly it is next level amazing!

I can confirm from Bailey that Smiths do the best Poutine outside of Canada, and trust me on this one, she has searched far and wide! If your Canadian and missing home or just want to see what all the fuss is about then the Smiths poutine is your best bet!

Reese’s Doughnut – Balls and Bangles (fancy doughnuts, bagels, and coffee)

Have you ever seen those huge doughnuts with amazing toppings and a syringe filled with dessert sauce? Well, that’s exactly what Balls and Bangles in Queenstown do  – and they are amazing! One, in particular, is the Reese’s doughnut. Topped with Reese’s chocolates,

chocolate sauce, and a syringe filled with salted caramel (ask for the syringe to be added on) this doughnut is tasty.

The first time I had one, Bailey and I decided to share one and that was a big mistake. My number one tip is to get one for yourself!

Pizza – Cow (Italian)

We couldn’t make a “best food in Queenstown” list without pizza! This classic dish is huge in Queenstown but its Queenstown’s oldest restaurant called The Cow that does it best.

What we loved most about the pizza was its homemade dough base and sauce. These guys put every bit of care into the amazing sauce and it really shows on the pallet. Although a large pizza can be pricey (about $35 ND) it will feed 2 to 3 people! We couldn’t pick a favourite as they are all that good, so get a group and try a few!

Pulled Beef Sandwich – Coalfire (Grill)

If slow-cooked meats are your thing then you’re going to want to try the Pulled Beef Sandwich from Coalfire. I was hesitant at first when ordering a sandwich with slow-cooked meets as I wasn’t sure what to expect. However, when it came out and was the size of my plate I was super excited.

The bread is great and is toasted to perfection. On the inside is some pretty spectacular slow cooked beef that really melts in the mouth. Best washed down with a beer, this is another great choice when looking for a bite to eat in Queenstown!

Gnocchi Carbonara – Farelli’s (Italian)

Gnocchi has always been a favourite of mine, however, I have always been reluctant to order it with a cream sauce. But, after having it at Farelli’s I’m sold! The chefs at Farelli’s really know how to do good authentic pasta and amazing sauces. Being half Italian myself I eat lots of Italian food and I can honestly say these guys are a good choice if you’re after an authentic and delicious Gnocchi!

Ice Cream – Patagonia Chocolates (chocolate and coffee shop)

It’s highly unlikely that you will come on holiday and not have ice cream at least once (I know I wouldn’t!) In Queenstown, you have a few choices but it’s hard to compare them with Patagonia ice-cream. What surprised me the most is how it’s done.

First off, you pick your cone and then choose a chocolate to have it covered in. They then go to the chocolate fountains and let fresh chocolate made onsite ooze over the cone. Then they add your choice of topping to the chocolate as it dry’s. After that, you’re all set for your ice-cream and they have a huge selection of flavours to choose from!

Jalapeño Bagel with cream cheese – Mrs Ferg (Bakery)

Not all the foods on this list are about complicated meals. Instead, I wanted to include a few that are perfect for the typical on the go visitor in Queenstown. The Jalapeno bagel from Mrs Ferg is the perfect snack when you’re on the go. Now, I can’t compare it with a true New York Bagel, but to me, it’s the best I have had! It’s not too spicy either and with the cream cheese,it’s my go-to breakfast when I’m in a hurry!

Butter Chicken – Boliwood (Indian)

Indian food is a passion for me so I couldn’t end this list without some flavours from India. Boliwood does the best Butter Chicken I have ever had. I know that butter chicken is a very common dish and is mostly done the same everywhere, but at Boliwood they do it slightly different and its delicious! Put up against the dishes above, it made the best food in Queenstown list for a good reason! Trust me on this one, if Indian food is your thing go to Boliwood!

My Favourite

Of course, I have a favourite! I mean who wouldn’t. It was a very hard decision but to me, the best food in Queenstown is the Duck Nachos from Blue Kanu! I haven’t met anyone that didn’t love them and not sure I ever will!

This list takes the best restaurants in Queenstown and then selects the best dishes they offer. Most of the dishes mentioned above can be tried on their own – and the best part about that is you can take this list with you as you restaurant, bar, and dessert hop your way around Queenstown!

Check out all our other posts about Queenstown here!

-Daniel

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