Queenstown Restaurants

Thanks to its reputation as one of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading tourist destinations, Queenstown’s gastronomic scene is fast catching up with those of the world’s most cosmopolitan capitals. From cheap eats to award-winning restaurants, Queenstown has it all – and with many of the best eateries found in the compact city centre, there’s no reason you can’t consume a different cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

 Fergburger Queenstown

Photo by: othree on Flickr

For a cheap and yet delicious meal, you can’t beat Taco Medic. This local haunt’s tacos taste as good as they sound, and with both a dine-in restaurant on Searle Lane and a food truck on Brecon Street to choose between, you can enjoy Taco Medic sitting down or standing up. Fergburger is another fantastic lunch and dinner joint which isn’t hard on the pocket. Found on Queenstown’s Shotover Street, Fergburger has become a bit of an urban legend in New Zealand and abroad. Its gourmet delights draw crowds on the regular, so be prepared to queue for a taste of one of Fergburger’s serious burgers!

If breakfast is your favourite meal of the day – and if you’re on the lookout for accommodation, too – then check out Elements Restaurant in the Novotel Queenstown. Located in a premium lakeside setting, Elements serves up one of the best all-you-can-eat brekkies in Queenstown (think pastries, locally-sourced bacon and eggs, the works). Better still, it’s a la carte menu lists many options for evening dining. Speaking of dinner, No. 5 Church Lane should be your go-to destination for group dining, its menu a funfair of mezze platters and cocktails.

Queenstown restaurants

Photo by: Tom Walter on Flickr

The Grille Queenstown is the restaurant of choice for diners who take their protein seriously. Taking its inspiration from NYC bistros and French brasseries, the grille fosters an elegant and welcoming atmosphere. If you’ve got a more exotic palette still, then seek out Madame Woo, Queenstown’s leading Malaysian restaurant, or perhaps try La Rumbla in Arrowtown for genuine Spanish fare.

Lastly, to combine a tranquil stay with glorious food, head slightly out of Queenstown to Matakauri Lodge, and sample dishes which hero New Zealand’s quality produce. And if you’re really looking to splash out, you’ll want to make a reservation at Rata. Owned by leading Kiwi restaurateurs Josh Emmett and Fleur Caulton, Rata’s fine-dining menu is consistently judged one of the best in New Zealand.

Rental cars are available from Omega’s Queenstown Town Depot or Queenstown Airport Depot, located 1.1km from Queenstown Airport. A complimentary shuttle is available between the airport and airport depot, during business hours.