Best Restaurants in Queenstown

Where to Eat & Drink

Discover the best places to eat in Queenstown, from award-winning fine dining and MICHELIN-starred chef experiences to relaxed lakeside cafés and much-loved local favourites. This guide highlights top restaurants, must-try dishes, and unique dining experiences to include in your Queenstown itinerary.

As locals, we believe the best meals are often found where the locals eat. That is why we have handpicked a list of top Queenstown restaurants known for quality, atmosphere, consistency, and memorable dining. These recommendations are perfect for adding extra flavour to your stay in Queenstown.

Please note that we don’t make restaurant bookings on your behalf, as dining times and preferences vary for each guest. We strongly recommend making reservations as early as possible, as many of Queenstown’s most popular restaurants book out weeks in advance. We're happy to provide suggestions to match your tastes—just ask!

ROKI Essence - Two MICHELIN Stars

Food Style: Fine Dining

Suitable for: Vegetarian

Essence, New Zealand’s only two-MICHELIN-starred restaurant, combines the finest local produce with the culinary flair of Chef Paul Froggatt.

Address: 2 Brunswick Street, Queenstown 9300

A plate of seafood including lobster, clams, oysters, and fried items, with lemon wedge on the side.

Finz Seafood and Grill

Food Style: Seafood

Suitable for: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Finz Seafood & Grill offers casual relaxed waterfront dining right in the heart of Queenstown.

Address : Ground Floor Steamer Wharf, Beach Street Queenstown

An assortment of Asian dishes on a wooden table, including steamed buns, dumplings, edamame, salads, grilled meats, and various sauces, along with drinks and bowls of rice.

White + Wong’s

Food Style: Asian Fusion

Suitable for: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

An east meets west fusion concept, bringing together the best of both cultures for a fun and diverse dining experience.

Address : 59 Beach Street Queenstown

A cooked beef ribeye steak garnished with herbs on a white plate, with side dishes including fried potatoes in a black bowl and a salad with greens and sliced vegetables, on a dark table.

Botswana Butchery - MICHELIN Recommended

Food Style: Fine Dining

Suitable for: Gluten Free

WORLD CLASS WINE LIST

With spectacular lake views and signature roaring log fires inside and out, Botswana Butchery is one of Queenstown’s most stylish restaurants.

Address : 17 Marine Parade Queenstown

A bowl of Asian salad with shredded vegetables, herbs, grilled shrimp, and lime wedges, garnished with red chili slices, on a dark table with black cups and bottles in the background.

Blue Kanu

Food Style: Asian Pacific Fusion

Suitable for: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free

A vibrant collision of Asian and Pacific flavours to float your boat. All serviced with oceans of Aroha in a style we call Polynasia.

Address : 16 Church Street Queenstown

Indian meal with stuffed eggplant curry, vegetable salad, grated cheese, and saffron rice served on a wooden tray.

The Taj Indian Kitchen

Food Style: Indian

Suitable for: Vegetarian

Boutique Indian Cuisine, Indian Street Food, Fine Dining Indian. Fusion Indian Cuisine.

Address : 75 Beach Street Queenstown

Barbecue rack of ribs coated in sauce, accompanied by roasted potatoes and a small bowl of white dipping sauce on a wooden cutting board.

Flame Bar and Grill

Food Style: South African BBQ

Suitable for: Gluten Free

Flame. A secret South African BBQ recipe wrapped around amazing ribs and steaks.

Address : Level 1, Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street Queenstown

Plate with a taco filled with colorful vegetables and sprouts, on a wooden table with a drink and other plates of food in the background.

Margo’s

Food Style: Mexican

Suitable for: Vegan, Vegetarian

Raise your salt-rimmed glasses and meet the new Mexican!

Address : 26 Ballarat Street Queenstown

Japanese food spread on a dark wooden table including gyoza dumplings, edamame, sashimi, and various side dishes in bowls and plates.

Tanoshi Teppan and Sake Bar

Food Style: Japanese

Suitable for: Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Tanoshi is a teppan and sake bar located in central Queenstown that offers a fun and intimate dining experience with tapas style dining.

Address : Cow Lane Queenstown

A variety of dishes on a wooden table, including a green salad, a tomato and mozzarella salad, pasta with greens, fried appetizers, seafood, and a bread basket, with utensils and a glass of beer.

SODA - MICHELIN Recommended

Food Style: Mediterranean Inspired

Suitable for: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

With stylish waterfront views and a vibrant yet relaxed vibe, SODA in central Queenstown serves modern Mediterranean-inspired small plates

Address : Rees Street Queenstown

Plate of shrimp and vegetable stir-fry garnished with fresh basil leaves, red chili peppers, and shredded cheese, on a dark wooden table with lime slices and radishes nearby.

At Thai Cuisine Queenstown

Food Style: Thai

Suitable for: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

Casual Thai eatery featuring a menu of curries, noodles & wok dishes, plus balcony seats.

Address : level 3/8 Church Street Queenstown

Slices of cooked meat garnished with fresh green herbs on a ceramic plate

Rata - One MICHELIN Star

Food Style: New Zealand Contemporary

Suitable for: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

WORLD CLASS WINE LIST

Rātā creates genuine dining experiences featuring well balanced and inspired New Zealand cuisine, coupled with generous service delivered by our skilful team

Address : Te Nuku, 43 Ballarat St

A plated dish featuring a rolled pastry garnished with edible flowers and green leaves, served on a textured blue plate with a creamy sauce dotted with black and brown seasonings.

Amisfield - One MICHELIN Star

Please note this restaurant is not in central Queenstown and transport is required, however is one New Zealand’s top restaurants.

Food Style: New Zealand Contemporary

Suitable for: Vegetarian, Gluten Free

WORLD CLASS WINE LIST

Now recognised with One MICHELIN Star, Amisfield is one of Queenstown’s most celebrated fine-dining restaurants. Set among the vineyards near Lake Hayes, the restaurant brings together the work of local farmers, hunters, gatherers, fishers, and producers to create a dining experience deeply connected to Central Otago.

Address : 10 Lake Hayes Road, RD 1