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Restaurant leaderboards —
ranked by mates and locals

Explore the most loved venues in Wanaka

1. 01.Amisfield Restaurant & Cellar DoorNew Zealand, Fine Dining Restaurant, Winery

   Forget standard fine dining—this is pure culinary theater. Gastronomes making the pilgrimage to Queenstown consider this estate an absolute mandatory booking. A masterclass in Central Otago terroir and hyper-local kai. Expect an uncompromising, multi-course degustation where native New Zealand produce is treated with obsessive reverence. Seriously, the vegetable courses alone command total attention. Steaks sizzling over open flames outside; boundary-pushing, wildly artistic plating inside. Flawless wine flights orchestrated by razor-sharp sommeliers. Service that anticipates every need without ever feeling stiff. It demands a serious budget. But for a milestone celebration or a deep dive into edible artistry? An utterly flawless performance.

   10 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road Lake Hayes, 10 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand

   +64 3 442 0556

2. 02.Rhyme X Reason BreweryWine, Snacks, Taps, Brewery, Bar

   Skip the lakeside tourist hustle. The true Wānaka faithful make a beeline for Gordon Road. Rhyme X Reason—an industrial-cool taproom pouring consistently flawless pints right beside the gleaming stainless brew tanks. South Island beer geeks dish out serious respect for these tasting paddles. Zero hit-and-miss batches. Just brilliant, fresh-pulled brews ranging from crisp golden ales to the Fruity Patootie—a masterclass hazy that nails the hop profile without overdoing the juice. Factor in the onsite food truck slinging absurdly good pork brioche buns, tender ribs, and epic pork belly loaded fries for unbeatable value. Massive, laid-back energy. Pull up a seat, grab a cold one, and soak up the immaculate, welcoming vibe.

   17 Gordon Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

   +64 3 265 1101

3. 03.Scroggin Coffee and EateryBrunch, Coffee, Cafe

   Wānaka’s morning energy channels straight into this bustling, high-octane cafe. Snagging a seat around 10:30 AM is a competitive sport—but entirely worth the hustle. Those plugged into the South Island brekkie circuit rank this kitchen as the absolute peak of morning kai. Expect brilliant filter pours and a fiercely umami matcha latte—crucially, with zero upcharge for alt-milks. The plates coming over the counter? Phenomenal. Think killer avocado toast, warm savory cheese scones, and a legendary vegan banana bread that dominates the pastry case. Craving a heavier feed? The stacked corned beef sandwich and halloumi hash hit hard, while the eggs bene arrives stacked on a crispy rosti base. Grab a sea salt chocolate chip cookie for the road. The crew is exceptionally lovely, the atmosphere electric. Wait out the mid-morning crush if you have to—just don't miss this.

   71 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

   +64 3 443 1187

4. 04.GustoChinese, Restaurant

   Craving real-deal jiācháng cài after a brutal Wānaka tramp? Skip the standard meat pie. Gusto is that spot. Dense, flavor-packed, unapologetically authentic. Homesick expats and hungry hikers alike make a beeline here for massive, soul-warming plates that hit every spicy, savory note. The kitchen might be tight, but the output is fierce—think impossibly crispy chicken, tender beef, and fresh blue cod kissed with proper technique. Street chatter points straight to the manager’s legendary hospitality; they treat you like family and happily pack up those generous mountains of rice for your next-day lunch. It gets busy. Order extra rice. Come hungry.

   1 Lakeside Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

   +64 3 443 6639

5. 05.Gogi Jip Korean BBQ RestaurantKorean, Barbecue, Restaurant

   Step off Dunmore Street and into Gogi Jip—an unapologetic slice of Seoul right in Wānaka. Purists crowding the tables will tell you this isn't your standard, watered-down tourist trap. The kitchen delivers massive spreads of banchan—generous, punchy, and begging for steamed rice—alongside bubbling cauldrons of kimchi jjigae. Yes, it’s a polarizing joint. The premium beef BBQ hits the wallet hard, there’s zero catering to picky kids, and the staff enforces their dining policies with strict precision. But look past the rigid edges. The Jeyuk-bokkeum (spicy pork) brings serious, authentic heat. Factor in the towering platters of Korean fried chicken—served with brilliant little finger-tongs for pristine snacking—and you’ll see why heat-seekers gladly tolerate the quirks for a taste of the real deal.

   31 Dunmore Street, Otago, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

   +64 3 443 9070