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Restaurant

Rātā Restaurant

43 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Recommended by 0 people

Updated

Find Rātā Restaurant

43 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand

Directions ↗
+64 3 442 9393
HoursMonday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM Sunday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Rātā Restaurant

Tucked off Queenstown’s bustling streets, Rātā turns seasonal South Island game and coastal catch into a sharp, unpretentious dining experience. Diners chasing serious regional flavor point straight to the venison and crisp potato cheddar donuts. The kitchen leans on deliberate acidity—bringing tart balance to rich starters and plating roasted blue cod over deep, savory barley. The dining room hums with relaxed class, while the floor staff quietly orchestrate pacing and guide guests through Aotearoa wine pours or dedicated zero-proof pairings. Dessert wraps up cleanly with sake ice cream balancing sweet, salty, and crunch.

  • Deliberate Acidity: The kitchen balances rich starters and tender seafood with confident, bright citrus and pickled notes.
  • Standout Venison: Locally sourced game served with deep savory sauces consistently earns praise as a trip-defining plate.
  • Understated Dining Room: An unpretentious, acoustically calm dining room offers an easy refuge from tourist-packed streets.
  • Curated Pairings & Zero-Proof: Thoughtful pairings span regional New Zealand vineyards alongside a dedicated program of 0.0-proof mocktails.
RestaurantNew ZealandRestaurant

What's On at Rātā Restaurant

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Rātā Restaurant

Discover why discerning travelers and locals choose Rātā for regional fine dining and relaxed celebrations.

  • Regional New Zealand Tasting Showcase

    Dishes thoughtfully center seasonal New Zealand ingredients and regional wild game, from delicately balanced venison to blue cod paired with savory barley.

    showcased New Zealand’s culinary capabilities while highlighting a simple but detailed approach to top tier ingredients

    Paul LeBaron

  • Polished, Natural Fine-Dining Service

    Thoughtful course timing, personalized recommendations, and attentive touches elevate the journey from arrival through the final dessert.

    The staff were warm and attentive without ever feeling intrusive.

    Cabbage Sage

  • Memorable Milestone Gatherings

    Celebratory gestures, matched pairings, and shared tasting courses provide a memorable setting for birthdays and family occasions.

    celebrated my son’s 21st birthday there last night and were made to feel very special by the staff

    Maureen Timms

  • Dedicated Table Hospitality

    Attentive team members talk guests through every dish and wine pairing, ensuring celebrations feel cared for and seamlessly hosted.

    exceptionally attentive and took the time to explain each dish in detail, which really enhanced our experience

    Ammar Mithaiwala

  • Peaceful Refuge from Queenstown Crowds

    Tucked away from crowded central areas, the dining room offers an intimate escape where conversation flows naturally.

    immediate relief from the crazy tourist packed streets of Queenstown

    William Wilson

  • Understated Elegance and Relaxed Class

    An inviting interior provides refined high-caliber dining without rigid formality or pretension.

    The environment is cosy and upscale, but the vibe is "relaxed class"—you get the premium quality without any of the stress.

    Chee Woe Ho

Signature dishes and culinary highlights celebrated by diners

  • Venison

    Each dish was exceptional, but the venison dish truly stood out as one of the most memorable culinary experiences of my life.

    Raynil Laxmidas

  • Tasting Menu

    We opted for the tasting menu, and it was nothing short of spectacular—a beautifully curated journey through local, seasonal flavours that showcased the chef's superb technique and creativity.

    Cyrus Kwok

  • Blue Cod

    Each dish was really well executed but the standout was the blue cod with barley and fennel, absolutely delightful to eat with so many textures that every bite leaves you wanting more.

    Jeen Ng

  • Gnocchi

    My wife and daughter had the gnocchi and both said it was one of the best gnocchi dishes they have ever had. It was incredibly light, delicate and beautifully balanced, which is not always easy to achieve with gnocchi.

    Howard Aron

Other favorites

Notable starters, desserts, and zero-proof refreshments to complement your meal

  • Cheddar Donut

    I had the cheddar donut, the artichoke, the venison and mandarin cheesecake and it was all very good.

    Anne-So B

  • Mandarin Cheesecake

    The next favourite was the palate cleanser mandarin cheesecake which I thought was even better than the actual desert..

    Jeen Ng

  • Ice Cream Sandwich

    Ice Cream sandwich - dainty but packed a punch. This was actually my favourite dish from my experience.

    J Furnell

  • Mojito Mocktail

    I had a mojito mocktail that was as good as the real thing.

    Jessica McCoy

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality details that elevate dining in Queenstown

  • Celebration Treats & Recognition

    Guests celebrating birthdays are surprised with complimentary personalized gestures from the staff, including tailored birthday treats that elevate milestone dining.

  • Arrival Coat-Check Hospitality

    Upon arrival, the front-of-house team welcomes guests at the door and offers dedicated coat-check service to ensure an effortless, comfortable entry into the dining room.

  • Individualized Beverage & Course Pacing

    Waitstaff customize beverage timing to personal pacing, inquiring exactly when diners prefer their drinks poured and observing table cues to ensure courses flow without rush.

  • Curated Zero-Proof & Mocktail Pairings

    The bar program prioritizes dedicated mocktails and 0.0 proof beverages that receive equal craft and pairing consideration alongside the tasting menu courses.

Before you head over

Practical advice for planning your dining experience at Rātā.

  • Calibrate Appetite and Portions

    Those with larger appetites or coming off physically demanding Queenstown adventures may find tasting portions light; consider ordering à la carte snacks or extra starters like the cheddar donuts to ensure a hearty meal.

  • Explore Dedicated Zero-Proof Pairings

    Non-drinkers or diners looking for alternatives to wine pairings can take advantage of intentional mocktails and 0.0 proof beverages designed to complement the tasting courses.

  • Specify Table Preferences in Advance

    Two-person seating can include tighter table spacing or tables positioned facing interior walls; request comfortable, open banquette or main dining room seating when booking special occasions.

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