Some restaurants provide you with the best food you can imagine, while others give you an atmosphere like no other; some do both and they are the topic of today’s article. We want to give you the most unique restaurants in Queenstown, New Zealand, that excel in both the culinary arts and in creative concepts and interiors.
We hope this article helps you find the most Instagramable places to eat in Queenstown and that you leave with dining experience that you’re gonna talk about for years to come.
Here are the restaurants we are going to discuss today:
- Sherwood
- The Bunker
- Nest Kitchen + Bar
- Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience
- Tatsumi
Sherwood
Sherwood is a hotel and restaurant located in, as you can guess, in a spectacular forest overlooking Lake Willow. You will become one with nature not only because of the amazing view, but also because of the meals you can order there.
The owners turned a destitute piece of land into a vegetable garden that grows different spices and vegetables, so you can always find something new on the menu each time you go there. The rest of the food like is sourced locally as well, so it’s always fresh.
Dishes you can try: Sherwood duck sausage, cauliflower, blueberry, nasturtium (one of their larger plate options). NB: Many dishes are seasonal, so you might not find this one if you go there in a few months.
Address: 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown 9300
Opening Hours: N/A
The Bunker
For the fans of speakeasies, the Bunker is the place for you. You can find the restaurant on a small alley, hidden behind a big wooden door. Once you go there, you’ll see why it feels like Queenstown’s best-kept secret, as the owners advertise it.
The cosy hidden away venue does not entirely rely on its interior or speakeasy nature; it’s also the home of top-class dishes served in the most intriguing way. Each plate is like a painting to the point where you might feel bad for eating it. While at the Bunker, you can also try their amazing signature cocktails.
Dishes you can try: Smoked Canterbury ostrich; this is not your regular meal, but do try it if you’re feeling adventurous.
Address: 14 Cow Lane, Queenstown 9300
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm
Nest Kitchen + Bar
For the best view in Queenstown, visit Nest Kitchen + Bar. It’s not the only restaurant on this list with breathtaking views, but it definitely beats the rest. “Nested” on a hill overlooking the lake, Nest Kitchen + Bar is a truly spectacular place whose massive windows will make you feel one with nature.
In addition, it goes without saying that the food is just as spectacular. The restaurant offers modern takes on classic dishes, which is always a fun thing to try out. They have some interesting food options that you might not find elsewhere, so be prepared to try new things.
Dishes you can try: First Light Wagyu Bavette
Address: 139 Fernhill Road, Fernhill, Queenstown 9300
Opening Hours: 7 am – 11 am; 5 pm – 9 pm
Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience
Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience is well, really an experience. This type of restaurant can be found in other places as well, but we just had to include it on our list, because it’s a truly remarkable dining experience.
What happens at this type of restaurant is that you can get the all-you-can-eat option, which has you sitting on your table while waiters continuously come at you with tasty meats, such as fillet mignon and lamb rump, and they cut you a piece, so you can try a variety of different dishes.
We recommend you don’t have a big lunch, so you can get the most out of this deal.
Dishes you can try: The all-you-can-eat option, duh.
Address: 28 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300
Opening Hours: 5 pm – till late
Tatsumi
Tatsumi is a high-end Japanese restaurant in Queenstown that offers fine dining like no other. The dim lighting and the minimalistic interior contribute to the fancy dining experience that people crave.
In terms of the food they serve, Tatsumi offers a new and interesting take on classic Japanese cuisine, so you won’t feel like you’re just in the next Japanese restaurant when you go there. They promise a fusion of “traditional flavours and contemporary cuisine” that will leave you asking for more.
Their “trick” is that they combine Japanese flavours and cooking methods with European ones to create something new and memorable. The chef swears by this method, but we will let you be the judge of that.
Dishes you can try: Oven Baked Oysters with Miso Hollandaise Sauce
Address: 9 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300
Opening Hours: 5 pm – 9 pm
