Otago is a dramatic and diverse region in the South Island of New Zealand, stretching from the Pacific coastline near Dunedin across the rugged Central Otago highlands to the alpine lakes and mountains around Queenstown and Wanaka. It is one of New Zealand's most iconic and visited destinations, blending world-class adventure sports, wildlife encounters, gold rush history, and award-winning wine production.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Botswana Butchery
A premier Queenstown steakhouse in a stunning lakefront location, Botswana Butchery specializes in premium New Zealand beef and lamb with an extensive wine list featuring the best of Central Otago Pinot Noir.
17 Marine Parade, Queenstown 9300
Rata
Celebrity chef Josh Emett's flagship Queenstown restaurant, Rata showcases premium New Zealand produce with inventive contemporary techniques. Set in a beautiful heritage building with an open kitchen.
43 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300
Amisfield Winery Bistro
The Amisfield Bistro offers a legendary Trust the Chef degustation lunch menu perfectly paired with their award-winning Central Otago wines. Set overlooking the vineyards and lake, the experience is quintessential Otago.
10 Lake Hayes Road, Lake Hayes, Queenstown 9371
Fergburger
Queenstown's most famous eating institution—enormous, fresh gourmet burgers made with New Zealand beef, free-range chicken, and local produce. Open nearly all night, queues are part of the experience.
42 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300
The Cow Restaurant
A Queenstown institution for over 40 years, The Cow is a tiny, cave-like restaurant in a stone building serving wood-fired pizzas and homemade pasta. The cramped atmosphere and blazing open fire make it cozy and memorable.
Cow Lane, Queenstown 9300
Flame Bar & Grill
A waterfront bar and restaurant specializing in grilled meats, craft beers, and classic cocktails. The outdoor terrace has excellent views over Lake Wakatipu and is perfect for a sunny afternoon.
2 Rees Street, Queenstown 9300
Fishbone Bar & Grill
Queenstown's premier seafood restaurant, Fishbone celebrates New Zealand's finest fish and shellfish including Bluff oysters, Marlborough mussels, Akaroa salmon, and the freshest Southland seafood.
7 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300
Vudu Café & Larder
Queenstown's most beloved café, Vudu makes exceptional coffee, freshly baked pastries and breads, and outstanding brunch plates. The artisan sourdough and banana bread are famous throughout town.
16 Rees Street, Queenstown 9300
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Specialty Coffee
Mazagran Espresso Bar
Dunedin's original specialty coffee pioneer, Mazagran has been serving meticulously sourced single-origin coffee since 1993. A tiny, passionate espresso bar that helped define New Zealand's coffee culture.
36 Moray Place, Dunedin 9016
Ritual Café
Wanaka's specialty coffee stalwart, Ritual sources exceptional single-origin beans and serves them alongside house-made pastries and light meals. The relaxed courtyard is perfect after a morning hike.
Brownston Street, Wanaka 9305
Vivace Café
A well-regarded specialty coffee shop in Dunedin's legal and cultural precinct, Vivace is known for exceptional coffee, freshly baked goods, and simple but quality brunch plates.
133 Stuart Street, Dunedin 9016
Alchemy Café
A well-regarded specialty coffee shop near the gondola base in Queenstown, serving excellent single-origin coffee, freshly baked goods, and hearty brunch plates. Popular with locals and travelers heading up the hill.
1 Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300
Café
The Vault Café
Set in the dramatic stone vaults beneath Dunedin's historic buildings, The Vault is one of the city's most atmospheric cafés, serving excellent coffee, fresh food, and generous brunch plates in a unique underground setting.
Bell Block, Moray Place, Dunedin 9016
Nova Café
A lively, Octagon-facing café with outdoor seating, excellent coffee, and an extensive all-day menu. Popular with students, locals, and tourists alike for its reliable food and great people-watching location.
29 The Octagon, Dunedin 9016
Relishes Café
A Wanaka institution for brunch and coffee, Relishes serves generous portions of fresh, locally sourced food in a relaxed setting a short walk from the lakefront.
99 Ardmore Street, Wanaka 9305
Contemporary New Zealand
Saffron Restaurant
Arrowtown's most acclaimed restaurant, Saffron has won multiple awards for its creative contemporary New Zealand cuisine showcasing local game, lamb, and seasonal produce paired with an outstanding wine list.
18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown 9302
The Bunker
A sophisticated underground bar and restaurant on Queenstown's famous Cow Lane, The Bunker offers an intimate dining experience with creative cocktails, premium spirits, and innovative small plates.
Cow Lane, Queenstown 9300
Italian
Etrusco at the Savoy
Dunedin's most celebrated Italian restaurant, Etrusco is set in the elegant Savoy Building and has been a city institution for over 25 years. Handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and imported Italian ingredients combine with local produce.
8A Moray Place, Dunedin 9016
Francesca's Italian Kitchen
Wanaka's most popular Italian restaurant, Francesca's serves handmade pasta, wood-fired pizza, and rustic Italian dishes in a warm, unpretentious atmosphere. A local favourite for over a decade.
93 Ardmore Street, Wanaka 9305
Japanese
Kappa Japanese Restaurant
Queenstown's most respected Japanese restaurant, Kappa serves authentic Japanese cuisine including excellent sushi, sashimi, tonkotsu ramen, and seasonal specials using local New Zealand seafood and produce.
39 Shotover Street, Queenstown 9300
Yohei Japanese
A small, intimate Japanese restaurant in Wanaka offering authentic sushi, sashimi, robata grilled dishes, and seasonal Japanese cuisine. Locally sourced fish and Japanese imported ingredients.
72 Ardmore Street, Wanaka 9305
Seafood
Plato Restaurant
An acclaimed waterfront restaurant in Dunedin's old harbour precinct, Plato serves inventive seafood and New Zealand produce in a relaxed industrial setting. Known for a loyal local following and some of the city's best cooking.
2 Birch Street, Dunedin 9016
Fleur's Place Moeraki
A legendary New Zealand seafood experience in the tiny fishing village of Moeraki, Fleur's Place sources the freshest fish directly from local boats and prepares it simply and beautifully. A pilgrimage for seafood lovers.
169 Haven Street, Moeraki, Oamaru 9482
Asian Street Food
Bao Now
A popular street food spot serving pillowy steamed bao buns stuffed with creative fillings including pork belly, crispy chicken, and portobello mushroom. Fresh, fast, and affordable—one of Queenstown's best budget eats.
14 Church Street, Queenstown 9300
Bakery
Arrowtown Bakery
A beloved Arrowtown institution, this tiny bakery produces spectacular pies, pastries, and sandwiches using traditional techniques. The venison pie is one of the best in New Zealand.
4 Ramshaw Lane, Arrowtown 9302
Bar Food
The Craft Bar Dunedin
A popular Octagon bar specializing in New Zealand craft beers with over 20 taps, bar snacks, and pub meals. Central location makes it a great spot to start or end the evening.
10 The Octagon, Dunedin 9016
Bistro
No. 7 Balmac
A Dunedin institution in an elegant suburban villa, No. 7 Balmac has a legendary local following for its beautifully executed modern New Zealand cuisine, outstanding wine list, and warm service.
7 Balmacewen Road, Maori Hill, Dunedin 9010
Contemporary New Zealand With Wine
Gibbston Valley Winery Restaurant
Central Otago's largest wine tourism destination, Gibbston Valley offers winery tours through New Zealand's only wine cave, cheese tastings, and al fresco dining overlooking the vineyard. Their Pinot Noir is award-winning.
1820 Gibbston Highway, Gibbston, Queenstown 9371
French
Pembroke Patisserie
A French-trained patisserie producing beautiful croissants, tarts, macarons, and artisan breads in Wanaka. One of the best pastry shops in the South Island.
50 Helwick Street, Wanaka 9305
Fresh Produce
Otago Farmers Market
Held every Saturday morning in the station forecourt, the Otago Farmers Market is one of New Zealand's best, offering local produce, artisan breads, cheeses, free-range meats, fresh seafood, and prepared hot foods.
22 Anzac Avenue, Dunedin 9016
Modern New Zealand
Halo Bar & Eatery
A popular Wanaka bar and restaurant with lake and mountain views, serving modern NZ cuisine and a good range of craft beers and cocktails. Popular for après-ski drinks and casual dining.
Level 1, Wanaka Resort, Mount Aspiring Road, Wanaka 9305
Modern New Zealand With Wine
Akarua Winery Restaurant
A beautiful cellar door and restaurant in Arrowtown set among the vineyards. Akarua produces outstanding Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, served alongside a menu of locally sourced New Zealand cuisine.
91 Centennial Avenue, Arrowtown 9302
Modern Pub Food
The Fork and Tap
A convivial pub and restaurant on Arrowtown's main street with a sunny courtyard, excellent selection of craft beers, and a menu of quality pub food. Perfect after exploring the gold-rush town.
14 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown 9302
New Zealand Bar Snacks And Cocktails
Rata Queenstown - Bar Menu
Josh Emett's Rata restaurant also operates an excellent cocktail bar with a curated bar menu of small plates—a more affordable way to experience the quality of Rata's kitchen without the full dining room commitment.
43 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300
New Zealand Country Cooking
Last Light Lodge Restaurant
A welcoming country lodge restaurant serving hearty New Zealand cooking using local produce and free-range meats. A relaxed stop for travelers between Dunedin and Christchurch.
1 Last Light Lodge Road, Oamaru 9400
New Zealand Pub And Grill
The Bealey Hotel Restaurant
A reliable local pub and restaurant in Cromwell serving generous portions of New Zealand classics—lamb, steak, and fish. Good selection of Central Otago wines and craft beers.
Murray Terrace, Cromwell 9310
Portuguese
Nando's Queenstown
A reliable and affordable option for PERi-PERi chicken on the Queenstown waterfront. Popular with budget travelers and families looking for a quick, satisfying meal.
Beach Street, Queenstown 9300
Pub Food
Speight's Ale House
The tap room at Dunedin's own Speight's Brewery, established in 1876. The Pride of the South beer is brewed right here. Classic pub food, brewery tours, and excellent atmosphere make this a Dunedin must.
200 Rattray Street, Dunedin 9016
Smoked Meats
Speights Smoke House
A popular casual restaurant near the Skyline Gondola base specializing in NZ-style smoked meats, craft beers, and hearty plates. Known for their slow-smoked lamb shoulder and pork ribs.
Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300
Wine Bar
Peregrine Wines Cellar Door
Housed in a dramatic undulating roof structure inspired by a falcon's wing, Peregrine's cellar door is architecturally stunning. Their award-winning Pinot Noir is paired with locally sourced charcuterie and cheese boards.
2127 Gibbston Highway, Gibbston, Queenstown 9371
Food tours & tastings in Otago
Eat your way through Otago with a guide.
Browse food experiences in OtagoWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |