Queenstown's Best Coffee, Restaurants and Bars

Queenstown's Best Coffee, Restaurants and Bars

Nicole DiOrio
A guide to some of the best places to eat and drink in Queenstown, New Zealand
Updated ago
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Coffee

Mackenzie Coffee Co, Cow Lane
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Classic Kiwi coffee spot. Order through the app to beat the queue.
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Fergbaker
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High quality coffee and baked goods. Highly recommend the breakfast bap. If only getting a coffee, order from Mrs. Ferg next door to save time.
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Life's a Grind Espresso Queenstown
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No fuss high quality coffee for when on the go.
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Drop Cafe
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Situated in the back of ilabb, this spot offers great coffee and toasties.
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Breakfast

odd saint
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Trendy spot with fantastic breakfast and lunch options. Great indoor and outdoor seating options.
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Yonder
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Featuring both cabinet and menu breakfast options, this is a great spot to get a big feed in.
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Bespoke Kitchen
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Located near the gondola, this spot has great vegetarian and vegan options, as well as a good variety of smoothies and juices.
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Vudu Cafe
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Great cabinet food, including a wide selection of vegan options. If you're able to get a seat outside, nice views of the lake.
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Red Rock Bar Cafe
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Serving a $15 all day breakfast, this is a great casual spot at any time of day to cure any hangover.
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Balls and Bangles
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Simple bagel spot with a great selection of donuts and bagels.
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The Boatshed Cafe
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A short drive outside of town, but with some of the best views you can get for a casual breakfast. Small menu, but all the options are 10/10
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Norka's Kai Cafe
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Small cafe located right on the water. Limited seating indoors but the outdoor seating is right in the sun. Friendly service.
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The Bathhouse
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English breakfast spot right on the lake. Good place to go for mimosas as well.
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Lunch/Takeaway

Arthur's Gourmet Salads and Sandwiches
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Make your own sandwiches and salads here with fresh, quality ingredients.
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Tham Nak Thai
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Probably the best Thai food in QT. Lunch Happy Deal: Spring rolls, a main and a drink. $21. Or just get a main for $16.
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Sushi Box
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Authentic, good quality sushi, ramen and curries. Run by a fantastic Japanese couple.
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Chur Fish and Chips
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The closest thing you'll get to that Fish and Chip shop you always went to as a kid. Chur Seasoning is a must.
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Fergburger
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The most popular food spot in Queenstown. There's a wide variety of burgers to try here - just be prepared to wait in a line that is usually 30+ minutes! Pro tip: during quiet season, you can call ahead to place your order and skip the line!
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Devil Burger
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A 'rival' to the infamous Fergburger... but without the queue. The homemade Aioli is fantastic.
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Dinner

Casual

Margo's Queenstown
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Casual Mexican food that's family friendly. Highly recommend the ceviche.
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Ramen Ramen by Tanoshi
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Can create your own bowl to whatever you heart (and stomach) desires. Be prepared to sit outside so wrap up warm in the winter. Highly recommend the pork belly with bone broth.
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Pedro's By The Lake Restaurant
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Tapas and sangria by the lake with great outdoor seating. On a summer night you can usually hear live music close by.
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White & Wong's Queenstown
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Boliwood Queenstown
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Highly recommend ordering the Banquet for Two. There is also a location in Frankton
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Mid Range

Flame Bar & Grill
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South African cuisine featuring amazing signature ribs.
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Blue Kanu
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Featuring Polynesian fusion food, this restaurant is a classic favorite amongst Queenstown locals. Highly recommend the Fijian Market Fish Kokoda.
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Bella Cucina
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Casual dining setting with high quality Italian food.
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Tanoshi Cow Lane
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High End

Botswana Butchery
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Popular high end steakhouse.
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Jervois Steak House
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High quality steakhouse with excellent customer service.
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The Bunker Restaurant
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Worth doing the Taste of the South menu here.
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Eichardt's Grille
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Nest Kitchen + Bar
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Amisfield Restaurant and Cellar Door
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Dessert

Max Brenner - Queenstown
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A chocolate cafe chain, serving dessert pizzas, milkshakes, and various cakes. My personal favorites are the bad boy brownie pizza and the white chocolate chai.
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Patagonia Chocolates - Ice Creamery & Chocolaterie
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Great spot for ice cream and dessert varieties
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Mrs Ferg Gelateria
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Great gelato spot, also recommend stopping in here for coffee if the Ferg Baker line is too long.
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Cookie Time
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Extremely popular spot for freshly baked cookies, milkshakes, and other sweet treats. You can also get $2 coffee on weekdays between 9am - 10am here.
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Bars

Wine

Little Blackwood
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Small wine bar, great for a girls night or a date night. Live music daily.
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Bardeaux
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Cozy wine bar with an extensive wine list. Large fireplace in the winter is always lit and surrounded by cozy seating.
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The Winery - Queenstown
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The perfect one stop shop for sampling dozens of wines. On arrival, you receive a card that allows you access
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Beer

Atlas Beer Cafe
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Infamous among locals for its great value Steak and Chips. Limited seating, so be prepared to sit outside.
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Beech Tree
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Unbelievable selection of craft NZ beer and a classic bar menu. Think wings, ribs and loaded fries. Also throws some great themed pub quizzes.
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Smiths Craft Beer House
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Great selection of craft beer and equally good food choices.
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Cocktails

Little Mez
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Small tequila bar with an intimate setting, perfect for a date night.
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The Sundeck Rooftop Bar
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Cozy rooftop bar featuring several fire pits and views of the lake.
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Habana Boutique Rum Bar
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Very small bar with a lively atmosphere on the weekends. Great place to go if you like rum.
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Ferg's Bar
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High quality cocktails. Also serves an incredible breakfast, and even a good place for a coffee break.
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Upstairs @ The Bunker
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Great spot for late night cocktails.
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Casual

Surreal Bar & Restaurant
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Head to the rooftop for live entertainment on weekends, and go for Tuesday karaoke.
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Crew Room
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Go on a Monday night to get 3 free wings with every drink.
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1876
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Cheapest drinks in town, great happy hour specials.
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The World Bar
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A must visit on Wednesday night's for the silent disco.
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The Ballarat
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Go here for live music and a lively crowd on a weekend night.
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Perky's - Floating Bar Queenstown
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A floating bar where you can bring your own food. In the winter, they have heaters and blankets, making it a comfortable year round spot to visit.
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Pig & Whistle Pub
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Also known as The Pig, this classic English pub offers weekly trivia nights, a Sunday Roast, and pool tables upstairs.
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The Locker Room Sports Bar
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Great place to watch local and international sporting events.
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Harry's Pool Bar
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Queenstown's largest pool bar, with daily specials on food and drinks. Pool competitions every Monday and Wednesday.
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Winnies
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Casual pizza bar that turns into a popular late-night bar/club for a younger crowd on the weekends.
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Below Zero Ice Bar
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$15 for entry, or send me a message for a free entry :)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nicole DiOrio
Hi! I'm Nicole, a travel agent based in Queenstown, New Zealand. I'm originally from Rhode Island, and I lived in Washington, DC for seven years before moving to Queenstown two years ago. I love helping backpackers and solo travelers plan their trips. If you're interested in planning travel to Australia, New Zealand, or Fiji, send an email to nicole@happytravels.co.nz and I'd be happy to make you a free custom itinerary.
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