Queenstown Food and Dining: Iconic Restaurants You Can’t Miss
If you’re planning a visit to New Zealand’s South Island, this Queenstown and Arrowtown travel guide is your essential companion for exploring the region’s culinary scene. From historic eateries serving timeless dishes to modern restaurants with creative twists, Queenstown and Arrowtown travel guide highlights the best of Queenstown food and dining. Whether you’re seeking casual bar bites, fine dining with wine pairings, or locally sourced specialties, this guide will help you experience the top restaurants and local flavors across both towns.
Contents
Arrowtown Highlights
- La Rumbla: Spanish-inspired dishes with bold flavors and late-night dining, perfect for food lovers.
- Wolf Coffee: Specialty coffee roasted locally, offering drip, cold brew, and single-origin beans.
- Artisan Kitchen at Mora Winery: Fresh, unprocessed, and locally sourced dishes in a beautiful garden setting.
Nature and Outdoor Adventures
Queenstown and Arrowtown travel guide isn’t just about food—these towns are gateways to breathtaking landscapes:
- Sawpit Gully Trail: 7.9 km loop with steep climbs and spectacular views, starting at the historic Arrowtown Chinese settlement.
- Routeburn Track: One of New Zealand’s Great Walks, ideal for a scenic day hike.
- Lake Wakatipu & TSS Earnslaw: Take the steamship to Walter Peak high-country farm for gourmet barbecues, sheep shearing, and farm experiences.
- Glenorchy & Glenorch Lagoon Walkway: A 45-minute drive from Queenstown, with pristine lagoons, wetland birds, and photo-perfect scenery.
- Cycle Trails & Wine Tours: Explore vineyards like Gibbston Valley and Coal Pit Winery on e-bikes through scenic countryside. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/newzealand
Queenstown and Arrowtown Nightlife
- Soda & The Lodge Queenstown: Sophisticated cocktails and waterfront vibes.
- The Winery: Self-service wine bar offering single vineyard and reserve wines.
- Yonder: Music and comedy venue by night, excellent dining by day.
- Slow Cuts Arrowtown: Live jam sessions on Friday nights with burgers, beers, and covers of classics like Fleetwood Mac.
Art, Culture, and Local Markets
- Art Galleries: NMG (Nadene Milne Gallery), Astor Bristed, Starkwhite, and Milford showcase emerging and established New Zealand artists.
- Remarkables Market: Saturday mornings in summer, with local produce, honey, eggs, and artisan goods.
- Lakes District Museum: Explore gold-mining history with exhibits, photography, and hands-on experiences like gold panning.
Accommodation in Arrowtown
- Kinross Vineyard Cottages: Wake up among vineyard vines, with luxurious stays and excellent food and wine offerings.
- Arrowtown Lodge: Comfortable rooms with spectacular gardens, home-cooked breakfasts, and cozy firepits.
- Shades of Arrowtown: Historic studios with local insights and easy access to Arrowtown’s walking trails.
- Hampshire Holiday Parks: Affordable, scenic camping options ideal for families and nature enthusiasts.
