Queenstown is the tourist capital of New Zealand and consequently has some of the best dining experiences in the country. From high-quality fast food to reasonably priced fine dining, there is a restaurant to suit every budget and occasion in this beautiful, buzzing town.
I recommend heading to this special restaurant at lunchtime when it is less busy and you can choose from the bargain set lunch menu. I enjoyed a refined three-course meal, with complimentary additions from the chef, for just $38 (about £17). Particularly memorable was the delicate white onion velouté with mushroom tortellini and crispy pancetta.
This new venue is a great hotel for design-conscious travellers, but locals know it for its destination restaurant. Creative chef Ainsley Thompson presents inventive comfort food with a twist. Opt for their Tantric Dining menu with matching wines, to sample the best dishes. I loved the addictive creamy polenta with smoked tomato salsa, and the beautifully light rosé wine from Central Otago, which they buy by the barrel and bottle inhouse.
Chef Rob Essenburg has recently taken over the kitchen at Italian restaurant Sasso and will soon be refreshing the menu of classics. The atmosphere is relaxed and the food is vibrant and tasty. The stand out dish was the comforting homemade spinach & ricotta ravioli with pancetta, pine nuts, parmesan and butter sauce. To accompany your meal choose a local wine like the Mount Edward Riesling.
A little out of town, this boutique winery produces some of the best wine in the region. Once you have tasted the variety of reds, whites, sparklings and rosés, head through to the dining room for lunch. We tried a few exquisite seasonal dishes, my highlights included: Wild Nettle Tortellini with fresh cheese mousse, sage, lemon & garden spring tendrils; and the Organic Chicken with verjus, parsley & Hogan’s gully miners lettuce. The strikingly simple dessert of Brulée poached pear, pinot gris, yoghurt ice cream & hokey pokey was sensational, a perfect mix of tart and sweet tastes. The knowledgeable waiters will assist with the ideal wine to have with your food, my favourites were the light white Fumé Sauvignon Blanc 2014; and the Lake Hayes Noble 2013 dessert wine, though the vineyard is most known for its Pinot Noir.
This burger venue is an institution in Queenstown and recently they even extended the pavement to accommodate the huge Ferg queues! Made with high quality local beef and freshly baked buns (Ferg bakery is next door) surprisingly the burgers do live up to the hype. Order the classic Fergburger with cheddar, or a slightly more exotic Swine Burger with avocado and bacon. Fries are delicious too, served with creamy aioli.
This trendy Malaysian eatery is a great evening hang-out when groups of friends visit to enjoy the cocktails and flavoursome cuisine. Order the turmeric chicken grilled satay with peanut sauce and pickled cucumber, or the Woo family favourite – Malaysian beef Rendang curry served with Nasi Lemak and an assortment of traditional condiments.