Kika

Dark and elegant, Kika sits tucked away from Wānaka's busy main street, but it shouldn’t be hard to find as every local seems to have eaten here and will gladly point you in the right direction.

Aside from the Italian dish names and some of the international wines, this restaurant is like nothing else in the region. And that’s what Kika seems to do best – just when you think fancy restaurants have come up with every idea possible, this restaurant continues to push boundaries when it comes to both flavour and presentation.

A large interior is no obstacle for Kika, as every evening it's filled with enthusiastic guests who have heard the rave reviews or perhaps even written them themselves. The big schist stone chimney in the middle gives the place a clever, well-worn, rustic feel, but it’s not just for looks – come winter, the fire keeps cold toes warm throughout the restaurant.

There's plenty of piccolo to grande mouth-watering plates to share. However, you may need to enlist some help from your dining partner with making choices, and if choosing proves too tricky, you can put your trust in the chefs out back with the ‘Just Feed Me’ option where you'll get to enjoy a three-course meal from their picks of the day, matched with wine or beer if you’re feeling thirsty.

And finally, if you’re coming to Kika, then do yourself a favour and don’t leave before having dessert. The homemade ice creams that are served vertically on locally made rimu blocks have caused a social media frenzy, and once you’ve tasted them, you’ll be sure to join in the thrill that comes with experiencing a world-class eatery on the Wānaka scene.