Wet Your Whistle: A Guide to Wānaka’s Local Artisan Brewers, Winemakers & More
Verve
A short stroll from the lakeside, Verve is the newest bar to join Wānaka’s downtown scene. The concept here is simple but enticing: good beer and good wine.
Wānaka Brew Bar
If you find yourself craving a cold one but can’t bear to tear yourself away from the stunning sights of Lake Wānaka, you’ll be pleased that Wānaka Brew Bar exists.
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 possible tacos in Wānaka using New Zealand ingredients.
Curbside Coffee & Bagels
If the timber letters spelling out ‘Coffee & Bagels’ overhead aren’t an obvious enough announcement of your arrival at Curbside then the aroma of freshly ground coffee and the sounds of a busy barista working the machine will certainly grab your attention.
Hāwea Hotel
How do you like the idea of enjoying your morning coffee from a private balcony, with uninterrupted views of mountains encircling one of the country’s largest lakes?
arc
Owners of Wānaka restaurant arc, James Stapley and Sam Cooper know a thing or two about what makes a good eatery.
The Precinct
A stylish, shared complex in Wānaka with a range of alluring retail and hospitality stores.
Scroggin
With a Scandinavian-inspired fit-out to match the mountains and adventures to be had in Wānaka, you'll quickly understand why this coffee and eatery’s tagline is ‘Gather, feast, stay for a while.’
The Insiders' Weekend Guide to Lake Hāwea
Ground Up
A brewery and taproom in one, this local favourite continues to grow and impress.
b.social
The b.social taproom and eatery 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.
Urban Grind
An all-day neighbourhood eatery that's been providing locals with delicious fare since 2011.
Wānaka Businesses Making Waves in a Sustainable Way
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’, Hook provides a unique lake-to-plate experience of catching your own Chinook salmon from spring-fed waters.
Pembroke Pâtisserie
Pembroke Pâtisserie offers hot pastries for your picnic, sweet pastries galore, or for those who like the finer things in life there are artistically prepared macarons and tiny tarts.
Dripping Bowl
Well known for acai bowls, smoothies, divine soups and a niche coffee menu, Dripping Bowl has nutrition and sustainability at its heart.
Bistro Gentil
A fine-dining restaurant boasting a love affair with French cuisine, Bistro Gentil serves excellent meals in a beautiful, sultry interior.
The Coffee Shack
Proof that good things come in small packages, The Coffee Shack serves up some of the best coffee in town from its pocket-sized converted garage interior.
Kai Whaka Pai
An absolute town institution, this place is humming with people Monday to Sunday, winter through to summer.
Rhyme x Reason
A brewery slash tasting room and bar, visit this sunny spot for a pint or fill up a rigger for takeaway.
Kika
Dark and elegant, Kika is an award-winning restaurant tucked away from Wānaka's main street.
Red Star Burgers
A Wānaka institution, Red Star has been filling hungry bellies with burgers since 2004.
Federal Diner
Hidden down an alleyway, Federal is a Wānaka best-kept secret and a favourite with the locals thanks to its great food, speciality coffee and relaxed atmosphere.
Cork Bar
The place to go for evening drinks, Cork has an impressive array of wines, beers, fine spirits and cocktails. Served by bartenders who truly do know their stuff, it’s likely you’ll develop an infatuation with this bar very quickly.
Pinnacle Pints in Wānaka: Where Craft Beer Meets Mountain Peaks
Fedeli
A deli with a difference, Fedeli speaks volumes about creating an aesthetically pleasing space that offers up salads, pastries and coffee done well.
Burrito Craft
Easygoing vibes make this permanent food truck a non-pretentious spot to park up and enjoy some food, al fresco style.
Black Peak Gelato
With the cheery motto ‘handcrafted happiness,’ Black Peak makes sure gelato treats are nothing short of exceptional.
Big Fig
Operating by the motto ‘slow food served fast’, Big Fig dishes up meals with a Middle Eastern twist.
Tour Your Tastebuds Around Wānaka's Flourishing Food and Drink Scene
Cardrona Hotel
Rumoured to be the most photographed building in the country, Cardrona Hotel was built in 1863 first and foremost as a place to stay for hardworking gold miners.
Cardrona Distillery
Stop by for a tour and tasting session at Cardrona Distillery and set your eyes on the magnificent copper stills responsible for turning grain into spirits.