Mate's Table
Subscribe
Create
Share with the community

What would you like to make?

Add a recommendationShare a place worth gathering around.Create a guideBuild a useful list for your city.
For business

Restaurant

Caribe Latin Kitchen

36 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find Caribe Latin Kitchen

36 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Directions ↗
+64 3 442 6658
HoursMonday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM Thursday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM Friday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Book Now

About Caribe Latin Kitchen

Street-level Latin fuel in central Queenstown when hunger hits between excursions. No white tablecloths—just counter orders stacked high against upbeat music. Regulars bypass downtown tourist traps for pressed Cuban toasties, pork nachos, and crisp chicken arepas. Splash on the house avocado sauce and pull up a stool with a frozen margarita.

  • Pan-Latin Street Menu: Crispy arepas, Cuban toasties, and citrus-cured ceviche expand the menu well beyond standard burritos.
  • Frozen Margaritas & Cantina Vibe: Upbeat Latin tunes, casual counter service, and frosty frozen margaritas deliver an infectious social buzz.
  • Signature House Sauces: Generous plates come backed by signature house-made avocado Caribe sauce and kicky table hot sauce.
RestaurantLatin AmericanRestaurant

What's On at Caribe Latin Kitchen

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Caribe Latin Kitchen

From scratch-made arepas to ice-cold margaritas in a carnival-spirited cantina, secure your table to taste Ballarat Street's liveliest Latin kitchen.

  • Pan-Latin Street Food Variety

    Rather than sticking to standard Mexican fare, the kitchen turns out a diverse South American lineup including handmade arepas, tender meats, and pressed Cuban toasties.

    Definitely give the arepas or the Cuban toastie a try!

    Zoe Cartwright

  • Reliable Coeliac-Friendly Dining

    Diners with coeliac disease can eat safely and without stress thanks to naturally gluten-free arepa options and dedicated dietary accommodations alongside standard favorites.

    As someone with coeliac disease, I really appreciate being able to eat here confidently.

    Ciara Craig

  • Punchy Margaritas and Upbeat Tunes

    Signature frozen margaritas and sangria complement the upbeat Latin soundtrack, making the venue a prime spot to gather and unwind.

    This place has amazing frozen margaritas and sangria! Along with the food and good music the vibes are phenomenal.

    Lillian W

  • Unfiltered Cantina Energy

    The cantina eschews sterile dining conventions in favor of a sensory, high-energy environment filled with bold aromas and authentic character.

    If you can handle a bit of sensory assault with your carbs, get in here. It’s loud, it’s real, and the soul is 100% intact.

    Tengli ChubỖ

  • Joyful Carnival Atmosphere

    Vibrant Latin rhythms and welcoming staff create an uplifting, infectious atmosphere that brings high spirits to central Queenstown.

    The whole vibe felt like a Brazilian carnival vibrant, joyful, and full of life

    Ali Taghipour

  • Uncompromising Value and Relief

    Generous, scratch-made portions deliver genuine satisfaction and value, avoiding the inflated tourist pricing common to the surrounding streets.

    Small but food, service and atmosphere was great, especially after paying twice as much the previous evening elsewhere for poor service and terrible food.

    Sam Prince

Explore the standout Latin street foods and vibrant drinks diners rave about—reserve your spot today.

  • Arepas

    Definitely give the arepas or the Cuban toastie a try!

    Zoe Cartwright

  • Burritos

    We ordered burritos and nachos and everything was perfectly seasoned and filling.

    Rami Matti

  • Frozen Margaritas

    This place has amazing frozen margaritas and sangria!

    Lillian W

  • Chicken Quesadillas

    I ordered the Chicken Quesadillas, which I was trying for the first time, and I absolutely loved them—they were delicious!

    Pragati Khanal

Other favorites

Beyond the core tacos and arepas, these secondary house condiments and drink selections round out the cantina spread.

  • Caribe Sauce

    Both were accompanied by the Caribe Sauce, an avocado-based nectar of the gods.

    Tengli ChubỖ

  • House-Made Hot Sauce

    The house made hot sauce was delicious!

    Jessica Knowlden

  • Sangria

    This place has amazing frozen margaritas and sangria!

    Lillian W

  • Mischievous Kea IPA

    Started with a Mischievous Kea IPA. Usually, these "crafty" beers are all talk and no trousers, but this was a heavy hitter—malty, complex, and absolutely bursting with flavour.

    Tengli ChubỖ

Beyond the menu

Distinctive house-made sauces, attentive family hospitality, and dedicated coeliac options make this lively cantina stand out—book your table now to experience the difference.

  • Thoughtful Coeliac & Gluten-Free Care

    Diners with coeliac disease can order with complete peace of mind thanks to safe, dedicated options like corn arepas, veggie nachos, and gluten-free quesadillas.

  • Signature House-Crafted Table Sauces

    Every table is stocked with signature house-crafted condiments, featuring the popular avocado-based Caribe sauce and house-made hot sauce.

  • Direct Chef & Kitchen Engagement

    The kitchen operates with an open, personal presence where guests regularly encounter and credit Chef Ivan for preparing standout parrilladas and arepas.

  • Accommodating Hospitality for Families

    The team provides warm, personalized service that goes out of the way to welcome and accommodate visiting families dining with young children.

Before you head over

Essential dining advice on ordering flow, dietary options, and cantina pacing—book your visit today to secure your table.

  • Order at the Window First

    Caribe operates on a casual counter-service model rather than formal table service. Place your order directly up at the window before finding a table, or request takeaway if you are pressed for time or visiting during busy evening peaks.

  • Navigate Gluten-Free with Arepas and Nachos

    Guests with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivities can order with ease by focusing on naturally corn-based options such as the chicken arepas, veggie nachos, and gluten-free quesadillas, which are consistently praised for safe dining.

  • Lean Into the Lively Cantina Pace

    Caribe offers a high-sensory, vibrant cantina atmosphere where dishes arrive fresh as they are prepared rather than in synchronized courses. Settle in with a frozen margarita and take full advantage of the avocado Caribe sauce and house-made hot sauces on the table.

Explore more places in Queenstown

Find familiar flavours, neighbourhood favourites and somewhere new in Queenstown.

Discover more in Queenstown

Explore another side of the city's food and drink.

Browse all Queenstown venues