When the people who live in Wanaka aren’t out and about in the outdoors, they’re indoors eating and drinking well.
Wānaka restaurants are a fine place to start if you also wish to do some eating and drinking in the township, and fair to say there’s plenty of choice when it comes to where to dine. There’s enough space in this picturesque town to ensure even at the height of tourist season, Wanaka remains a tranquil place to be - and that spills over into the restaurant scene too.
Want a restaurant that’s a little more tucked away from the crowds? Keep an ear out for the locals choice, or head a little further afield to Cardrona Valley where there’s an old hotel/restaurant that’s rumoured to be the most photographed building in the country.
With the growing popularity of the place comes a demand for more food, and luckily Wanaka restaurants are up to the task. Not content to sit within the confines of old school eating though, chefs, bakers and restaurant owners here make sure their establishments offer visitors something a little different. From infamous burgers to pasta made Italian style, foraged foods and burritos served from a caravan, Wanaka plays a varied hand in the hospitality game, and those who love eating and drinking just can’t get enough of it.
Be sure to chalk up a to-do (or to-eat) list before you visit Wanaka restaurants as there’s no time to waste when it comes to ensuring you hit all the hot spots during your time in town.
A Foodie's Guide to Queenstown and Wānaka
Hāwea Hotel
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hello RANGER
Just like any good park ranger, hello RANGER is the heart of its community, there to take care of adventurous people before and after their journeys.
Paloma
Creators of authentic Mexican fare, Paloma has a simple (but by no means easy) mission: to make the best tacos in Wānaka possible using New Zealand ingredients.
arc
Owners of Wānaka restaurant arc, James Stapley and Sam Cooper, know a thing or two about what makes a good eatery.
b.social
The b.social Brewery and Bar is a great spot for eating and drinking that is worthy of a visit (or many), whether you’re just in town for the weekend or call this beautiful region home year round.
Hāwea Store & Kitchen
A community hub that combines a grocer, café, restaurant and bar overlooking the lake.
FuDog
While their techniques are worthy of fine-dining, this restaurant likes to keep dinnertime fuss-free and fun.
Hook Wānaka - Lake to Plate
Fast becoming ‘the thing to do in Wānaka’, the Hook restaurant provides a unique lake-to-plate experience where locals and visitors can catch their own Chinook...
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Bistro Gentil
A fine-dining restaurant boasting a love affair with French cuisine, Bistro Gentil serves excellent meals in a beautiful, sultry interior.
Maude Wines Tasting Room
Set on beautiful grounds above the picturesque Wānaka township, Maude Wines Tasting Room has a million-dollar view and the fantastic wines to go with it.
Kika
Dark and elegant, Kika is an award-winning restaurant tucked away from Wānaka's main street.
Red Star Burger
A Wānaka institution, Red Star has been filling hungry bellies with burgers since 2004.
Francesca's Italian Kitchen Wānaka
Expect to see all things Italian on the menu here including risotto, ragù, gnocchi and wood red pizza.
Cardrona Hotel
Rumoured to be the most photographed building in the country, Cardrona Hotel was built in 1863 as first and foremost a place to stay for hardworking gold miners.
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Burrito Craft
Easygoing vibes make this permanent food truck a non-pretentious spot to park up and enjoy some food al fresco style.