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There are so many restaurants in Queenstown that it’s hard to know where to go. Luckily we have visited many of the top-rated restaurants in Queenstown and these are what we think are the 10 best restaurants in Queenstown.
Queenstown is one of those places that’s filled with so many amazing restaurants. That choice, although awesome, does leave you with some big decisions to make.
I mean let’s face it, if you’re only here for a few days then you want to visit the best restaurants in Queenstown. Living in Queenstown means I’ve been lucky enough to try a lot of them, and I’ve found the 10 best restaurants in Queenstown in every category.
From steak to pasta, these are the restaurants you just have to try in Queenstown depending on your favorite types of food!
So, let’s get that mouth-watering with the BEST restaurants in Queenstown that every visitor will love!
10 BEST Restaurants in Queenstown
1. Blue Kanu
- Type of food: Polynesian food
- Location: 16 Church Street, Queenstown
- Price range: $20 – $50 NZD per dish
- Best for: Everything! Overall best restaurant in Queenstown.
I’m starting this best restaurants in Queenstown list with my personal favorite and a place I highly recommend you try!
Blue Kanu is a very unique restaurant serving a mix of Polynesian and Asian cuisine, what they call “Polynesia”. The dishes are well thought out and so tasty I eat here all the time!
The hardest part about going to Blue Kanu is deciding what to order! I have tried most of the items on the menu and to be honest, I love them all! However, some of my personal favorites are the duck nachos, peanut ribs, and golden shrimp!
The idea at Blue Kanu is to share the dishes with everyone at your table which is great because that way you get to taste even more items on the menu!
I also love the ambiance at Blue Kanu as well. The servers are always friendly and have a ton of knowledge about the food on the menu. They dress in floral shirts and while the restaurant is fancy, it feels casual and relaxed as well.
Expect to pay more than $20 for a “starter size” share plate. These dishes are quite large though and you only have to order about 3 to feed two people. They also serve mains for about $30 and up, and these are also meant to share but are just much larger portions. For a special treat get the whole fish, it’s huge and is only $50!
Related Read: While food is a Queenstown highlight don’t miss out on everything else you need to know in the ultimate guide to Queenstown.
2. Bazaar
- Type of food: International, all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet
- Location: 38-54 Lake Esplanade, Queenstown level 6
- Price: $44 NZD per person
- Best for: Best breakfast buffet in Queenstown
Set in the 5-star Rydges Hotel, Bazaar offers a one-of-a-kind luxury breakfast experience. However, it is different than most “fancy” restaurants being that it is an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Normally buffets are not my thing, I usually find them rich in “filler food” or food that is cheap to make and will quickly make you full, and that the food is not of great quality. But this is not the case at Bazaar.
Their Fashionably Late Breakfast buffet is described as an “interactive marketplace” because all of the chefs are at their stations and are available to answer any questions about the food. The buffet is broken into a few different stations.
The food on offer for all-you-can-eat is subject to change every morning but it most often includes Spanish-style eggs, homemade rosti, wagyu breakfast meats, waffles with tons of toppings, and a DIY Bloody Mary bar!
Although it isn’t the most affordable breakfast you will have at $44 per person it is very good value considering the amount of high-quality food on offer! For that reason, this makes the best restaurants in Queenstown list for the best buffet breakfast!
Note: One alcoholic Bloody Mary is included (unlimited virgin) along with the unlimited food.
3. Jervois Steak House
- Type of food: Steak house
- Location: 8 Duke Street, Queenstown
- Price: Steaks are $50 to $70 without sides
- Best for: Steak lovers
There are a few top-notch steak restaurants in Queenstown, but without a doubt, the best place is Jervois Steak House. These guys know how to prepare and cook the perfect steak.
The Jervois Steak House serves all of its steak with a red wine jus and a sauce of your choice but no sides. You can then order the sides you want, they themselves are amazing dishes.
The steaks on offer range from Wagyu, Angus, venison, and lamb. Both the Wagyu and Angus come in a large range of different cuts and sizes so there’s a meal to suit everyone. You can also choose a 6-course dinner option for $120 NZD per person for those who can’t decide what to have! Upgrade that with wine pairings for $200 NZD.
Jervois Steak House is a fancy restaurant and you can expect really amazing service and attention to detail. Although expensive, the steaks here are amazing and this is the best steak house restaurant in Queenstown.
4. The Stratosfare Restaurant
- Type of food: New Zealand, European, and international buffet
- Location: Skyline building on Bob’s Peak overlooking Queenstown
- Price: Lunch with gondola $89 and dinner with gondola $109
- Best for: Most beautiful place to dine in Queenstown
Few restaurants in Queenstown are as famous as the Stratosfare up at Skyline Queenstown. Located on Bob’s Peak at the end of the gondola the restaurant features breathtaking views of Queenstown and the surrounding landscape.
The food here is really good but not amazing. It’s a buffet-style restaurant with loads of selection of seafood, cut-to-order meats, cheese, cold meats, soups, and other popular dishes. There is also a huge dessert spread!
With that said, it’s important to note that this is the most beautiful place to enjoy dinner in Queenstown especially if you get a window table. The Stratosfare is a dining experience and the food is good enough to complement that.
The lunch and dinner appear expensive but a gondola ticket alone will cost you $44 NZD so you can take that off the price of the dinner and it’s a great deal! Be sure to book the dinner or lunch in advance as this dining experience fills up well in advance!
5. White & Wongs
- Type of food: Asian Fusion
- Location: 59 Beach Street, Queenstown
- Price: Dishes are $15 to $60 NZD
- Best for: Full flavor Asian cuisine
White and Wong’s is a fairly new restaurant to Queenstown and didn’t open until late in 2018. However, White and Wong’s quickly became my go-to place for amazing Asian cuisine.
The menu features lots of classic dishes such as Peking Duck, Gua Bao, and Kung Pao chicken. All full of flavor and personal favorites of mine. However, it’s a hard choice every time I visit White and Wong’s as I love the curries too. The flavors are amazing and perfect on cold days in Queenstown.
The service is good and meals usually don’t take long to come out. Also, if you love wine they have a great selection from around New Zealand.
It’s hard to fault White and Wong’s especially if you love classic Asian dining with a busy atmosphere that’s full of life. I will say that this atmosphere I love on certain nights can be a turn-off on others. Come for a loud dinner full of laughs and great food, not a romantic dinner for two.
Related Read: Looking for some adventure? View our guide on how to choose the best jet boating tour in Queenstown!
6. Ferg Burger
- Type of food: Burger, burger, burgers
- Location: 42 Shotover Street, Queenstown
- Price: $13 to $20 NZD
- Best for: Burgers!
How did Ferg Burger make it on this list!? No matter what I write about, Queenstown, Ferg Burger creeps its way into many of the blogs. I guess it is true what you heard, Ferg Burger not only serves some of the best Queenstown food but is also the best burger joint in Queenstown so it is well-deserving of a spot on my best restaurants in Queenstown list.
Ferg Burger is obviously super famous in Queenstown and it’s likely you’ve heard about them before reading this blog. But, just in case you haven’t, here’s a little bit about Ferg Burger!
Queenstown’s most famous burger joint serves amazing burgers and sides. My go-to and favorite menu item is The Ferg Deluxe loaded with bacon, cheese, dill pickle, tomato, onion, aioli, and tomato relish!
But you can choose from a huge selection of around 20 burgers from the classics to chicken, venison, lamb, and even a vegetarian portobello mushroom option. Each burger can be served with your choice of 1 of 3 kinds of cheese. I don’t rate the sides that much but the burgers are good.
Be warned, if you’re visiting Fergburger around lunch or dinner expect an hour-long wait out the door to get a burger. To avoid this, visit at 2 am after a night out like I do!
7. Miss Lucy’s
- Type of food: Pizza and cocktails
- Location: 47 Camp Street, level 4
- Price: $22 to $31 for pizza
- Best for: Afternoon drinks and pizza
Miss Lucy’s is my go-to place for lunch or late afternoon cocktails and amazing wood-fired pizzas. The restaurant is part of the Jucy Snooze Hotel and has a great social atmosphere as well as an outdoor balcony.
Miss Lucy’s is most famous for their wood-fired pizza! They have an incredibly versatile menu that is suitable even for vegans or those who are gluten intolerant.
Some of my personal favorite dishes at Miss Lucy’s would be their lamb pizza; the mushroom pizza complete with truffle oil, goat’s cheese, and spinach; the prosciutto and poached pear salad; and definitely the woodfired cookies for dessert (that’s right, gooey cookies cooked in the woodfired oven served with ice cream!)
The atmosphere at Miss Lucy’s also makes it a very special place to go. They have various events on in the evenings to create a fun social setting with lots of different places to hang out, super friendly staff, and mountain views that are of course only possible in Queenstown.
Prices are extremely affordable and they even offer special discounts to Queenstown Localcard holders! If you’re just a little peckish there are tons of snacky-type items available such as a slice of pizza or Jalapeno Poppers, but if you are after an actual meal you can get a whole pizza for around $20!
See more about the vibe on their Instagram @misslucys_nz
8. Boliwood
- Type of food: Indian
- Location: 62 Shotover Street, Queenstown
- Price: Mains are around $20
- Best for: Indian food that’s cheap and amazing
Boliwood is one of many different Indian restaurants to choose from in Queenstown. However, Boliwood gets my personal recommendation for a few reasons.
For one, the food is amazing and I really love all of their curries. And the next reason is the amazing service and atmosphere of the restaurant. If you were to judge this book by its cover, you may just walk on past Boliwood to one of the other Indian restaurants on Shotover Street, however, if you love great Indian, take a look inside as we did.
We stumbled upon Boliwood one day simply because of their early bird dinner curry deal for $17.99 NZD (5 to 7 pm) Monday- Sunday. We didn’t expect such huge portions of tasty food – we were pleasantly surprised!
One thing I particularly like about Boliwod is that the kitchen is all out in the open right in front of you. While waiting for your food you can actually see the chefs at work and smell the food!
Another thing I really like about Boliwood is the huge portions. The curries are quite large and come with lots of rice. If you order Naan bread, the serving is huge!
My favorite dishes are the Butter Chicken and Lamb Korma! Believe me; you can’t go wrong with ordering either of them. Boliwood is what you expect from a classic Indian restaurant, great food, friendly smiles, and portions you know will leave you full!
9. The Cow
- Type of food: Italian (pizza and pasta)
- Location: Cow Lane Queenstown
- Price: $25 – $35
- Best for: Best pizza in Queenstown and a unique setting.
The Cow is Queenstown’s oldest restaurant. It first opened in 1977 and has been successfully operating since. They also haven’t changed their menu since then, meaning the menu is full of classic, hearty, Italian pizza and pasta dishes.
The building itself is set in an old barn with a fireplace and wooden table and chairs. The Cow has a rustic décor adding to the overall experience of dining in such a historic place.
The pizzas here are my favorite and a large pizza easily fills Bailey and me. Despite the price of $35 for the pizzas, it’s worth the price for the portion size.
I highly recommend ordering their homemade garlic bread (it’s no ordinary garlic bread!) to start with and trying the “Her Majesty” pizza. You won’t be disappointed!
Locals and tourists alike love eating at The Cow, and therefore, it is often very busy. Get there early or be prepared to wait for a table as this place is small and fills up nightly. Also, be aware it not only gets busy but also a little hectic inside, and sometimes the service is lacking.
Related Read: Scan through all of the most unique things to do in New Zealand and make your trip unforgettable!
10. Farelli’s Trattoria
- Type of food: Italian
- Location: Steamer Wharf, Queenstown
- Price: $22 to $39 for mains (pizza and pasta)
- Best for: The best pasta in Queenstown
Last but certainly not least on our best restaurants in Queenstown list is Farelli’s Trattoria. I love this place, and if you love fresh pasta with fresh ingredients, it’s the place to add to your list.
I have honestly never tried the pizza at Farelli’s for the simple fact I always get pasta, and to be honest, that’s what I come here for! My favorite pasta is, of course, the Tiger Prawn Linguini (pictured above) but a close second is the Gnocchi Carbonara.
Farelli’s is a hidden gem tucked away from the busy tourist streets at the end of the Steamer Wharf that serves the best pasta in Queenstown. The prices for the quality are very reasonable and the restaurant has a really relaxed atmosphere with great service. It’s the type of place you could enjoy with friends or on a romantic date with your better half.
Overall, if you’re a pasta lover this is the best restaurant in Queenstown for you.
Related Read: Heidi’s Hut in Queenstown is one of the coolest dining experieneces you can have right on the mountain-side!
Other Activities for Foodies in Queenstown
If you don’t have a whole lot of time in Queenstown and if trying local cuisine is a priority to you then I would suggest taking a food, wine, or bar tour in Queenstown! They are super efficient and you’ll be able to check off a lot more boxes than stopping at each individual place while saving a lot of money too! Plus the guides will be able to share with you more information about the local foods in Queenstown.
- Queenstown 3-Course Dinner Tour – A lot of wine tours involve snacking rather than so much as getting to eat. But this is the only extended dinner tour in Queenstown that takes you to 3 different winery restaurants for each course that are all expertly paired with wine. You’ll get to try a starter, a main dish, and end the night with a dessert. If you have any dietary restrictions just let them know beforehand and they can accommodate you! There’s also an exact lunch version of this tour here.
- Local Wine and Food Sampler Tour – Explore and learn about the wine region of Central Otago and taste the flavors of local New Zealand produce that inspires each tasting. There will be three stops including one at the biggest underground wine cellar in all of New Zealand. This is a great value tour because all food, cheese, and wine samples are included in the price.
- Dinner at Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise – This laid-back dinner plus cruise is perfect for a day off from physical activity. You’ll ride on the 1912 vintage steamer, the TSS “Earnslaw” to Walter Peak High Country Farm where you’ll enjoy high-end barbequed meats or seafood- buffet style. Cap things off with the choice of desserts and cheeses. After you’ll have the option to stay behind or watch a sheepdog show and sheepshearing demonstration. Truly one of the most exceptional Queenstown tours!
- Scenic Gourmet Food and Wine Tour – Sip wine from New Zealand’s largest wine cave, be served a gourmet lunch, and indulge in local cheeses. While enjoying wines from the best regions on the island you will also pass by scenic locations and learn about the Otago Gold Rush. This half-day wine tour in Queenstown has a badge of excellence for being one of the best and most popular Queenstown activities.
- Queenstown Craft Beer Tour – This 4-5 hour tour will visit 4 different locations in and on the outskirts of Queenstown including Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley. You are able to learn how each place makes their beers and be offered samples of what’s on tap. If you aren’t much for beer there are also wine or cider samples you can try from each brewery instead. For 13 samples and transport, this tour is one of the best!
- Queenstown Ice Bar Crawl – Have you ever drank at an ice bar? Well, this bar crawl stops at the Ice Bar and includes the $35 admission fee in the ticket for just $40 NDZ it’s really a no-brainer! You’ll stop at 4 other bars and get 5 free shots and pizza during the night.
Renting a Car or Campervan in New Zealand
The first step to planning your New Zealand road trip is choosing your set of wheels! Most people rent a campervan or motorhome to get around, but you can also just rent a normal car and stay in hotels (as opposed to camping.)
You can search for rental cars online with Discover Cars in advance to compare car models and prices. We’ve used this website all over the world and if you want more details, read our honest review of Discover Cars for more details!
You can also do this with motorhomes and campervans on a website called Motorhome Republic. It shows all of the available campervans and motorhomes for your specific New Zealand road trip dates. You can compare prices and company reviews here too!
JUCY is our personal favorite campervan rental company in NZ. We love JUCY because they have such a range of both cars and campervans available, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to find something to suit your budget and travel style.
We’ve actually secured an exclusive discount code for our readers with JUCY. Just click here to browse their availability and use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off! What a good deal!
You can check prices, availability and book with JUCY online here.
Star RV is another company we personally recommend but specifically for motorhomes! They offer larger motorhomes (as opposed to budget campervans) at really reasonable rates.
Star RV has actually given us a discount code for our readers too! Use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off your motorhome rental! Click here to browse availability, prices, and book with our discount code!
Note: For both Star RV and JUCY, no discounts or promotions will be applied for pickups from December 16, 2024 to January 19, 2025 for New Zealand and Australia. But for the entire rest of the year, the discount is yours!
Thanks for reading!
And there you have it, the 10 best restaurants in Queenstown! The choice of awesome restaurants in Queenstown is endless but by using this guide you’ll be able to enjoy some of the best food in Queenstown no matter what you like!
Thanks so much for reading. We hope this blog has made your trip to Queenstown a little bit easier. If you have any questions about this article or Queenstown, in general, leave us a comment below!
Also, if you found this blog helpful be sure to check out our dedicated Queenstown guide page includes lots of awesome travel guides to help visitors and locals plan their time in Queenstown, or our New Zealand page for all kinds of fun adventures in this amazing country! Here are some other related articles you also may like: