arc

Missed out on a table at Kika? Don't stress—their Wānaka sister spot, arc, is the booking you actually want. A relaxed, intimate dining room on Ardmore Street serving up some of the most fiercely creative kai in Aotearoa. The culinary crowd is obsessed with their seasonal set menus—think hyper-focused plates oscillating from delicate kingfish carpaccio to crispy fried tempeh. Those who’ve snagged a table won’t stop talking about the bread course alone: warm beer bread slathered in rich Welsh rarebit butter. Pure umami. The kitchen flexes serious technique—perfectly rare steak swimming in mushroom beurre blanc, whitebait toast that hits every textural note, and a boozy green apple sorbet to reset the palate. Front-of-house staff guide you through the intricate tasting notes with genuine, ego-free warmth. Trust the hype. Book well ahead, order a cocktail, and settle in for arguably the best meal of your South Island trip.