Discover the most recommended restaurants in Queenstown
Browse trusted recommendations from locals, city experts and tastemakers across the city.
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The Most Recommended Cafes in Queenstown
Find the cafes locals, city experts and tastemakers recommend most.
The Most Recommended Bars in Queenstown
Browse the bars mates and locals keep recommending.
Restaurant leaderboards —
ranked by mates and locals
Explore the most loved venues in Queenstown.
No.VenueAboutAddressPhone
01.Sunfire QueenstownNew Zealand, Restaurant, GrillThis Steamer Wharf waterfront perch dodges tourist-row clichés with serious Kiwi hospo, lake views, and wood-fired comfort from dawn till dark. Morning shifts fire up flat whites alongside runny eggs benedict and spicy shakshuka before lake excursions depart. Come evening, the kitchen turns to flame and smoke—think tender St. Louis ribs, Mozambique prawns, and charred eye fillets paired with Central Otago reds. Out on the deck, well-placed heaters and fleece lap blankets let you watch snow-dusted peaks over dinner without freezing.Steamer Wharf Ground Floor/88 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand+64 27 786 3473
02.SODAMediterranean, RestaurantOverlooking Lake Wakatipu, SODA delivers Mediterranean-inspired shared plates and sharp alpine views with Michelin-guide recognition. Snag a seat along the enclosed balcony or by the glass facing the water. The kitchen leans into generous, woodfired cooking—fire-roasted flatbread dipped in hummus, charred octopus, and a mozzarella salad dressed with ancho romesco and woodfired capers. When the fresh fish special lands, expect whole cuts like snapper plated over sofrito, confit potatoes, and fiery salsa macha. Groups dodging decision fatigue can hand the table over to the kitchen’s \"feed me\" Chef’s Selection, which adapts without fuss to dietary vetoes and intolerances. Late dinner shifts pick up around 9pm with a DJ set and happy hour drinks, rounding out an evening of wagyu skewers, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and citrus-spiked spritzes.2 Rees Street, Cnr of the Mall, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand+64 3 442 5288
03.Rodd & Gunn - The Lodge QueenstownNew Zealand, European, Cocktail, Restaurant, BarThis wool-draped dining room overlooking Lake Wakatipu delivers some of the most memorable plates in Queenstown. An intimate setting pairs lake and mountain views with genuine manaakitanga, where servers guide guests through regional wines and standout house cocktails. Diners gravitate toward the Fiordland Wapiti—seared and served with a light mushroom sauce—alongside fresh oysters, Wagyu tartare, and savoury meat pie croquettes. A crackling fireplace anchors the room, offering an easy spot to unwind over market fish or linger by the water with a glass of Central Otago Pinot Noir.2 Rees Street, Cnr of the Mall, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand+64 3 442 9426
04.The Remarkable CookieCookie, Bakery, CafeIn Frankton’s Country Lane precinct, The Remarkable Cookie bakes massive New York-style drops served hot out of the oven. Crisp outer edges give way to thick, gooey centers with zero raw flour taste. Sweet-tooths make the pilgrimage for hefty macadamia chocolate rounds, spiced apple crumble, and maple pecan bakes pulled straight from small batches throughout the day. Behind the counter, the family crew welcomes guests like old friends—often warming up each chunky piece so the chocolate melts on contact. Winter visitors can grab a takeaway box to thaw out beside the indoor fireplace, or track down custom one-kilo cookie slabs ordered for birthdays and alpine elopements.26 Hansen Road, Frankton, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
05.Ferg's BarCocktail, Brunch, Bar, Cocktail BarRegulars know the move: bypass the sidewalk queue outside Fergburger and slip directly into Ferg’s Bar next door. Grab a high stool for seated service and get the signature beef burger brought straight from the kitchen—minus the street-corner wait. Behind the wood, bartenders talk cocktail lineage, flame the rum-laced Tiki No. 4 with a blowtorch, and pour South Island single malts. Plates turn over all day, from morning French toast to duck dumplings, seafood chowder, and fried chicken served well past dark.44 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand+64 3 441 1207