If you’re after something healthy to fuel your weekend, look no further than the Dripping Bowl. This food cart specialises in whole foods and offers up mostly organic, healthy options. Kombuchas, smoothie bowls, bone broths and buddha bowls are lovingly prepared and ready to eat in minutes, allowing you to skip the gluttonous fast food for something that won’t leave you feeling sluggish on the mountaintop.

Bringing a taste of France to Wānaka, the team at Pembroke Pâtisserie have perfected traditional pastries and coffees. From warm loaves of sourdough to chocolate eclairs and pain au chocolats, you’ll find all the best in fine pastry behind their glass. Either stay and dine to enjoy the airy space or grab some colourful creations to takeaway and brighten a friend’s day.

If you like your burgers packed full of flavour, your beer craft and your music loud, then head over to Red Star Burger. A Wānaka favourite for over 15 years, this burger joint has a large menu of gourmet burgers that’ll tickle the fancy of beef, lamb, venison, chicken and vege lovers alike. Be sure to get an order of their salted fries, too, a simple but delicious way to round out such a treat. 

The fact that Burrito Craft serves out of a food truck means their menu is simple, only featuring the very best. Their fish tacos bring crowds from far and wide, and their selections perfectly meld comfort Mexican food with delicious, vibrant Otago flavours. Catering to vegetarians, too, we’re certain everyone can find something to tickle their fancy at Burrito Craft.

Showcasing the best that Otago has to offer, arc serves up some delicious local and sustainable options in a fine-dining setting. Brunch is a beautiful mixture of simple and intricate dishes, using local ingredients that allow each piece to shine. At night, arc turns into a tapas-style restaurant that serves up small plates from around the world. Mocktails, cocktails and wines are on the menu for any time of day, so feel free to start indulging early.

The relaxed setting of Muttonbird sets diners at ease immediately, with ‘60s and ‘70s jams pumping through the speakers. The menu is meant to be shared and enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with Jerusalem artichokes, blooming onions and chicken liver parfaits for starters and whole fish, pork hocks, and more for mains. Rotating based on the seasons and local producers' inventories, no two dinners at Muttonbird will be quite the same — reason enough to keep going back.

If you’re looking for French fine dining in a snowy ski town setting, you’ll find it at Bistro Gentil. With wines by the glass and a tasting menu that reflects the seasons and French traditions, you’ll be ready to settle into a long evening of wine and dining. The modern space with mountain views makes for the perfect backdrop to a special evening out.

Kika is a beautiful, dark, refined space that’s perfect for an intimate meal shared with someone special. Their menu takes inspiration from Italy, but things like fried chicken and elote make appearances on their starters and mains. Their desserts are divine — with options like vanilla creme brulee and almond cookies and cream, you won’t want to leave before you’ve sampled one, or two.

For excellent burgers, head over to The Lab Kitchen. Stacked high and featuring local produce and meat, you’ll find some hearty options to fill you up after a long day outside. The food truck is on the move, so you’ll need to keep tabs on where it currently is to score a burger and their delicious pastries.

Funky, vibrant, and full of flavour, you won’t be disappointed by Yonder’s menu morning or night. Their brunch menu features a wide array — think boysenberry and apple pancakes next to vegan butties and corn and jalapeño fritters. Their dinner menu features plenty of sharing plates, baos, and tacos, speaking to Queenstown’s eclectic international mix of people and cultures. Yonder’s quirk doesn’t stop with food, though, as drinks like Fireball Coladas and Cold Bro Martinis make this place extra special.

If you’re looking for a place that truly cares about sustainability, look no further than the award-winning The Sherwood. A quaint hotel on the outskirts of town, The Sherwood’s restaurant offers sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and a beautiful menu that highlights local foods grown around the Lake District and Sherwood’s own garden plot. From woodfired flatbreads and local wines at night to gingernut pancakes and coffees in the morning, we’ll forgive you for not wanting to leave your spot by the fire all day.

Known for their award-winning wines, Amisfield knows a thing or two about fine dining as well. Focusing on celebrating the region’s bounty, Amisfield aims to highlight the best in New Zealand’s food culture alongside their wines. Their menu is ever-evolving with the seasons, but think blue cod cooked on an open fire, lamb and kumara dishes and beautifully prepared vege.