Eat & drink
Prime New Zealand produce takes centre-stage across Queenstown and surrounds.
QUEENSTOWN
Bazaar QT Queenstown’s restaurant has six food stations, three of which are manned by chefs. Highlights are the salt-baked Marlborough salmon with dill and grapefruit, and the dry-aged sirloin. 30 Brunswick St,
+64 3 450 1336, qthotelsandresorts.com Bespoke Kitchen The town’s action men and women come here for superfood-rich breakfasts and lunches, such as poached eggs with edamame and watercress hummus. 9 Isle St, +64 3 409 0552, bespokekitchen.co.nz
Fishbone Australian journalist Darren Lovell bought this former fish and chip shop 12 years ago. Today, the restaurant lined with booths is known for its seafood, such as John Dory in miso “crazy water” broth, and albacore tuna poke with wasabi and
avocado cream. 7 Beach St, +64 3 442 6768, fishbonequeenstown.co.nz The Grille by Eichardt’s This fine-diner gives Anglo-European fare a Mediterranean twist. 9 Marine Pde, +64 3 441 0444, eichardtsdining.com Rata High-profile Kiwi chef Josh Emett is inspired by the natural environment. His signature dish is a curio: six tiny goat’s cheese profiteroles flavoured with rosemary and honey served on a rock. 43 Ballarat St, +64 3 442 9393, ratadining.co.nz
Reds Bar Staff at QT Queenstown’s bar create refreshing, often pretty cocktails such as the Spring Awanui, with vermouth, bitters, prosecco and vodka infused with cherry blossoms.
Yonder Queenstown This diner in a conservatory-style space serves comfort food with a healthy slant. 14 Church St, +64 3 409 0994, yonderqt.co.nz ARROWTOWN
Blue in the Door 1870s, Arrowtown soon after sprang the Arrow up River This blink-and-miss-it began surrendering bar with gold. stone walls, open fire and Otago wine list evokes gold-rush good times. 18 Buckingham St, +64 3-442 0415 Fan-Tan Kitchen & Bar Behind a long granite counter, bar staff mix sake Daiquiris and sous-chef Trina Amberger prepares moreish share plates such as open wontons of rabbit and karengo, a purple-tinged local seaweed. 18 Buckingham St, +64 3-442 0885, fantan.co.nz Lake & Wood Brew Co Jay Sherwood and Anna Kerslake brew four beers and sell to bars and cafés. Sundays at Wet Jacket brewery they serve 18-hour smoked brisket and pinto beans from their travelling smoker. lakeandwoodbrewco.com Provisions The best breakfasts in town are served in the garden behind this heritage cottage. 65 Buckingham St, +64 3 442 0714, provisionsofarrowtown.co.nz
Settlers Bar & Restaurant Chef Jesse Lombardo serves fusion dishes as a nod to the Europeans and Asians who worked the goldfields. A “vegan pulled pork sandwich” is made with braised jackfruit; Kiwi clams appear in miso soup. 21 Ramshaw La, +64 03 428 0821, settlersrestaurant.co.nz
GIBBSTON VALLEY
Kinross This 1880s farm, trading post and gold agency now houses a café, guest cottages and cellar door. 2300 Gibbston Hwy, +64 21 028 134 99, kinrosscottages.co.nz Waitiri Creek and Cargo Brewery The winery’s chardonnay and pinot noir are served in a stunning 1894 church. Or match Cargo’s craft beers (brewed on site from April) with wood-fired pizze. 2323 Church La, Gibbston, +64 3 441 3316, waitiricreek.co.nz, cargobrewery.co.nz Wet Jacket The tasting room is as refined as the pinot noir and rosé, yet it’s attached to a woolshed straight out of Footrot Flats. 1 Bendemeer La, 903 State Highway 6, Lake Hayes, +64 3 441 8383, wetjacket.nz