The Best Places to Wine & Dine in Queenstown

Queenstown knows its beer. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing locally brewed pint in the summer sun or winding down after a day on the slopes, we’ll let you in on a few of our favourite craft beer destinations. Canyon Brewing out in Arthurs Point draws plenty of attraction with its outdoor setting overlooking the Shotover River – but the beer and sourdough pizza is the real star here. 

Down by the Frankton Marina, Altitude Brewing pours a rotation of award-winning brews from inside their funky red shed, with a food truck parked outside. A little closer to town, Searchlight Brewery invites you to enjoy their 18 beers on tap in a sunny beer garden or over a board game next to the fireplace. To experience a mix of local beers in the town centre, wander down to Smiths Craft Beer or grab a pint with the locals at Atlas Beer Cafe.

For those who prefer grapes over hops, Queenstown’s famous wine scene has you sorted with 200 Central Otago wineries all within an hour’s drive of Queenstown. Unsurprisingly, it’s hard to narrow down the best of this world-renowned wine region – but we’ll let you in on a few of our faves.

Amisfield is a must-visit – with three hats to its name, this organic food and wine experience features on bucket lists worldwide. Nestled into an enchanting garden a little down the road, Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen offers a guided wine tasting which is best followed up with their elevated brunch and lunch offering. Spend an afternoon in Gibbston sipping wine and taking in dramatic views at Mt Rosa, or spend the night in a cottage at Kinross for the full vineyard experience.

With an itinerary crammed with outdoor adventures, you’ll be needing a hearty brunch to keep you going. We know a few places that fit the bill. Wander to The Boat Shed Café in Frankton for front-row seats by the lake, possibly the best french toast in town, and a great coffee supplied by Wolf Coffee Roasters. Back in Queenstown, you’ll find a fair share of hip cafés inviting you to venture beyond eggs benny. Yonder’s vegan buckwheat pancakes are the talk of the town and we also rate the drive-thru brekkie buns from Odd Saint (IYKYK). 

Making dinner plans can be overwhelming at the best of times – even more so amidst Queenstown’s endless line-up of restaurants. Let’s make sure you pick a dining experience that you’ll be remembering for a long time coming. Book in at Arrowtown’s Aosta for elevated dishes inspired by Northern Italy, or head to Little Aosta next door for a family-friendly pizza and pasta bar experience. In Frankton, SUNDAYS serves up Neapolitan-style pizza and sharing plates in a renovated church setting. If you want to keep things central, Kappa is a beautiful Japanese restaurant that locals flock to regularly, while Margo’s promises Mexican fare with plenty of zing – perfect for big groups.

For those in-between moments and cosy nightcaps, there’s plenty of bar stools to perch on and share a tipple with mates. Little Mez (Margo’s sibling) is an underground cocktail bar known for their tequila-based concoctions and cool ambience. Above ground, The Sundeck boasts unrivalled views, well-shaken cocktails and a line-up of DJ sets. La Rumbla in Arrowtown whisks you to balmy days in Spain with creative cocktails (from coconut chilli margaritas to lavender and mandarin gin sours) alongside elegant tapas.

Making dinner plans can be overwhelming at the best of times – even more so amidst Queenstown’s endless line-up of restaurants. Let’s make sure you pick a dining experience that you’ll be remembering for a long time coming. With Michelin-trained executive chef Chris Scott leading the kitchen, woodfired flatbreads and delicious sharing plates are designed to bring people together in a very special environment at Sherwood.