Restaurant
NEST
139 Fernhill Road, Fernhill, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Find NEST
139 Fernhill Road, Fernhill, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout NEST
Perched in Fernhill with panorama over Lake Wakatipu, Nest balances experimental multi-course dining with relaxed, warm manaakitanga. There is no street signage outside—spot the hotel name and head straight up. The room lets alpine daylight and lake water do the talking while the kitchen runs bold, technical combinations like braised wagyu short rib donuts and salted kohlrabi on sourdough crumpets. The floor crew sets a disarming, zero-fuss tone from the jump, casually asking whether you want the intricate dishes explained beforehand or prefer the surprises to land unannounced. Plates arrive with sharp precision, moving right through to butternut pumpkin mousse and whipped ricotta cheesecake by the fireside lounge.
- Avant-Garde Degustation: Inventive multi-course tasting menus featuring unexpected pairings like wagyu short rib donuts alongside surprise off-menu chef additions.
- Attentive Manaakitanga: Staff welcome guests with intuitive warmth, offering the choice to walk through complex dish compositions or let courses land as surprises.
- Lakeside Perch & Insider Setting: Elevated Fernhill dining room and deck overlooking Lake Wakatipu, discreetly located without exterior street signage.
What's On at NEST
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose NEST
From boundary-pushing degustations to sweeping alpine views, discover why guests choose NEST for Queenstown's most memorable meals.
Inventive Degustation & Surprise Courses
The kitchen delivers an imaginative multi-course degustation featuring unique flavour pairings and chef surprises like wagyu short rib donuts and salted kohlrabi.
we where blown away by the creativity and the complexity of each dish. I highly recommend you try the "expanded" menu with the chefs little surprises
Kasper Villemoes Hald Curated Wine Pairings & Sommelier Guidance
Knowledgeable sommeliers and attentive waitstaff guide diners through consultative wine pairings that elevate each course.
The food was tasty and inventive - Wagyu donut! Kohlrabi with sourdough crumpet! Some of the group had the wine pairing, which they really enjoyed.
Rachel Maissan Panoramic Alpine & Lake Wakatipu Views
Floor-to-ceiling dining room windows and an outdoor deck provide stunning daytime and sunset vistas over Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
I literally gasped at the view when I walked in. The food, service, and drinks were just as impressive as the view.
Lisa Warm Fireplace Ambiance Without Pretension
A warm, unpretentious dining room anchored by fireplaces creates a relaxed, cozy atmosphere where couples feel welcomed and celebrated.
The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, and the whole place feels thoughtfully put together. What really stood out, though, was the service.
D. Tang Unforgettable Milestone Celebrations
The team offers an inviting, memorable setting tailored to elopements, engagements, milestone birthdays, and honeymoons.
We will always remember this dinner as a special part of our elopement in Queenstown and would highly recommend Nest to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience.
Jonathan Palacios Campos Considerate & Guest-Led Table Service
Waitstaff set a gracious tone by letting guests decide whether they want in-depth dish explanations before ordering, keeping the meal comfortable and tailored.
Our waiter asked whether we’d like the dishes explained before we ordered, which was a lovely touch, and we really appreciated that it was framed as a choice rather than something we had to sit through.
Georgia
Most popular items
Inventive culinary creations from our signature degustation experience
Degustation Menu
We enjoyed the degustation menu, and every course was a wonderful surprise.
Jonathan Palacios Campos Braised Wagyu Short Rib Donut
I had the Braised Wagyu Short Rib Donut which, not exaggerating, easily makes the top 5 dishes of my life! It was amazing! So creative in the ingredients brought together and the flavors came together in such a rich and tantalizing way it was mind blowing!
Jeff Mannie Salted Kohlrabi
My wife had the Salted Kholrabi which was just a delightful combination of textures and flavors I have never experienced before.
Jeff Mannie Lumina Lamb Loin
I had the Lumina Lamb Loin which was also perfectly cooked medium rare and delicious paired with the curried parsnip and horseradish yoghurt.
Jeff Mannie
Beyond the menu
Thoughtful, tailored gestures that elevate degustation dining and milestone celebrations.
Opt-In Course Introductions
Waitstaff explicitly invite guests to decide whether they would like detailed dish explanations before ordering, framing menu storytelling as a deliberate guest choice rather than an automatic recital.
Attentive Dietary and Allergy Customization
The kitchen seamlessly tailors multi-course degustation dining to complex needs, including crafting dedicated dishes for guests with multiple allergies and safely adjusting courses during pregnancy.
Surprise Chef's Courses
The extended degustation menu features off-menu chef surprises and palate cleansers, including inventive additions like abalone served in abalone shells and savoury wagyu short rib donuts.
Milestone Celebration Hospitality
Staff warmly acknowledge and elevate personal milestones such as honeymoons, elopements, and engagements with attentive, personalised care from servers and sommeliers.
Before you head over
Practical advice on booking timing, menu choices, and dietary requests to make the most of your visit.
Book Early to Catch Daylight Views
Book ahead and schedule your reservation before sunset to take full advantage of the panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu from the dining room or deck, as later evening bookings miss the daylight scenery.
Check the Degree of Culinary Experimentation
The kitchen prepares inventive multi-course dishes with boundary-pushing ingredients like wagyu short rib donuts and ox tongue, so decide in advance whether you want the surprise degustation additions or stick to familiar preferences.
Communicate Dietary Needs in Advance
Inform the staff in advance about allergies, vegan diets, or pregnancy; servers liaise directly with the kitchen to adjust degustation courses without compromising quality.
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