Dining secrets of Queenstown

When you think of Queenstown you may think of the stunning reflections of Lake Wakatipu or the awe inspiring mountain ranges……but for Victoria it is all about catching up with friends over a great meal and wine.

 When I first moved to Queenstown, circa 2000 it was a party town; with us eating pizza under the open roof at Winnie’s watching the snow come down; before moving along to Chicos to dance and finished the evening with a late night burger at Fergs (before it was world famous).

Now my pace is not an all-nighter, but more leisurely lunches and afternoon cocktails.

On a recent trip to Queenstown, I once again caught up with friends - visited some favourite places and discovered some new….here is my rundown.

Halo is a great place for breakfast for family and friends catching up

For a person who is allergic to eggs and bananas breakfast isn’t my thing….but breakfast at Halo can fill me up for the day ahead.  Their breakfast burrito, minus the egg, is so tasty and their barista is amazing serving up the perfect skinny flat white.  If you do need a bit of a sleep in and brunch is more your thing then head around the corner to Yonder.  Grab a seat in the courtyard (the heaters make it toasty, even in the middle of winter) and enjoy a Mimosa or two.

Chardy and Chowder @ Eichardt’s Bar

If a cheeky chardonnay and seafood chowder is your kind of thing then you can not go past lunch at Eichardt’s Bar.  Sitting in front of the roaring fire in this intimate bar is bliss on a winter’s day.  Another favourite lunchtime treat is a bento box from Tanoshi Iko.  Hidden away in Searle Lane, this tiny restaurant reminds me of Midnight Diner on Netflix.

Gin Flight @ Gin Garden

Sunday sessions is what we lived for when I was a young one in hospo….I still love them, but the palate is a little more sophisticated.   Discovering the new Gin Garden in “Queenstown suburbia” was great.  We started off with Tasting Flights (your choice of three gins), My favourite was the Herbaceous Angel’s Share……and the great thing is you can buy bottles to takeaway from their cellar door. 

Ferg’s Bar is the perfect place to try a new cocktail

Another place for gin, well any spirit, is Ferg’s Bar.  Queuing up for a Ferg’s Burger doesn’t float my boat now; but spending an afternoon in Ferg’s Bar going through the cocktail list with friends is fabulous!  Everything from a classic gin martini to one of their signature cocktails which are like works of art.  Drinking responsibility means food and their tapas and charcuterie platter are a perfect match.

Now don’t panic if your favourite sports team are in the finals, you will be able to watch it live at the Locker Room.  Modelled on the large sports bars in the states, this new venue is home to multiple screens for all sports viewing, cold beer as well as pool tables darts and the cool game of shuffleboard.

Credit: Jervois Steak House

Night-time dining is a treat in Queenstown; although Jervois Steak House has been in town for years I have only dined there for the first time a couple of months ago.  Now this is not a place for vegan’s because even their amazing sides like Brussel Sprouts, bacon, pearl onion have meat.  Don’t be daunted by the array of cuts on offer, the attentive waitstaff can help with all your questions; and although I have only discovered Jervois, I will be back for more.

credit: Sherwood

Sustainable paddock to plate dining is the way of the future.  With so many challenges for us being able to enjoy fresh local produce it is a delight to find a restaurant which focuses on the delivery of creative dishes in a rustic relaxed environment…..and you will find this at The Sherwood. Vegetables come from there own garden, and treats are foraged from the hills of Central Otago.  This is home grown cooking at its best.

credit: Blue Kanu

Finally we finish with my fav.  Blue Kanu is like no other; blending the cooking styles and culture from the Pacific and Asia, founders Karen and Grant call it “Polynasia” and that describes it perfectly.  As soon as you walk in the door you are welcomed with the most wonderful smiles, colourful shirts and brilliant personalities.  I personally like to sit at the bar when dining by myself where I can check out the latest cocktail creation while trying to decide what to have.  The one hard thing about dining for one here is that there are so many amazing dishes that you want them all….so if you are with friends I say – have a bit of everything especially the Kokoda, Goat Rendang Steamed Bun, the Korean Fried Chicken and the Pork Belly.

So in summary…you can’t go hungry in Queenstown.  There is a huge collection of dining experiences and cuisines and many more I need to discover…..so it’s time to pack the bag, book a room and head back to Queenstown.