Vegan / Vegetarian Friendly

Verve

Customers enjoying the dining space inside at Verve.
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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.

Velo Café & Beer Garden

Exterior view of Velo Café & Beer Garden.
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We won’t lie.

Wānaka Brew Bar

Bar view at Wānaka Brew Bar.
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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.

Paloma

Four plates of Mexican food from Paloma Wanaka on a wooden table.
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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

The courtyard of the Curbside cafe with festoon lights strung in the sky.
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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

Inside the restaurant where people are dining and looking out the windows over the lake.
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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?

hello RANGER

A plate of lamb koftas, flatbreads and tzatziki on a table at hello RANGER with a pint of beer and other plates in the background.
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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.

Muttonbird

Enclosed balcony dining area at Muttonbird, Wānaka.
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It’s a seabird you can eat that smells like fish and tastes like mutton.

Hāwea Store & Kitchen

Exterior view of Hawea Store & Kitchen.
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A community hub that combines a grocer, café, restaurant and bar overlooking the lake.

Urban Grind

A man holding a plate of food.
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An all-day neighbourhood eatery that's been providing locals with delicious fare since 2011.

FuDog

A dragon print on a wall inside the restaurant.
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While their techniques are worthy of fine dining, this restaurant likes to keep dinnertime fuss-free and fun.

Dripping Bowl

A staff member holds two bowls, made from coconut husks, of acai topped with crunchy coconut, cacao nibs and buckwheat groats.
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Well known for acai bowls, smoothies, divine soups and a niche coffee menu, Dripping Bowl has nutrition and sustainability at its heart.

Red Star Burgers

A hand holds a can of alcoholic ginger beer between a basket of chips and burger on a table at Red Star, Wānaka.
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A Wānaka institution, Red Star has been filling hungry bellies with burgers since 2004.

Rhyme x Reason

Groups of people sitting inside drinking beers in the sunshine in the high-ceilinged Rhyme and Reason taproom in Wānaka.
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A brewery slash tasting room and bar, visit this sunny spot for a pint or fill up a rigger for takeaway.

Fedeli

The-entrance-to-fedeli
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A deli with a difference, Fedeli speaks volumes about creating an aesthetically pleasing space that offers up salads, pastries and coffee done well.

Federal Diner

Staff member making a Chemex coffee.
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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.

Big Fig

A flatlay plate of food on a table at Big Fig in Wānaka.
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Operating by the motto ‘slow food served fast’, Big Fig dishes up meals with a Middle Eastern twist.

Burrito Craft

Close up of a person's hands holding a taco.
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Easygoing vibes make this permanent food truck a non-pretentious spot to park up and enjoy some food, al fresco style.

Cardrona Hotel

Historic cream and maroon weatherboard frontage of Cardrona Hotel with a vintage cream 1968 Chrysler Model 62 parked in front.
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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.