Alfy's guide to Queenstown

Olga
Alfy's guide to Queenstown

Takeaway

Want a quick , healthy and yummy breakfast / brunch or lunch? The Grain Lab will sort out- they specialize in porridge , granola bars and Smoothie Bowls, cater for most dietary requirements. Super convenient to grab on the go (order online for a quicker service)
The Grain Lab
Want a quick , healthy and yummy breakfast / brunch or lunch? The Grain Lab will sort out- they specialize in porridge , granola bars and Smoothie Bowls, cater for most dietary requirements. Super convenient to grab on the go (order online for a quicker service)
Best fish and chips in town and walking distance from the AirBnb. Great option for a quick yummy dinner. Grab the takeaway meal and head back to the AirBnb for a dinner at the veranda with a view over the mountains. The wait time in rush hour (e.g. Friday night) can be 60-70 min so plan strategically if you are hungry!
30 locals recommend
Chur Fish and Chips
155b Fernhill Rd
30 locals recommend
Best fish and chips in town and walking distance from the AirBnb. Great option for a quick yummy dinner. Grab the takeaway meal and head back to the AirBnb for a dinner at the veranda with a view over the mountains. The wait time in rush hour (e.g. Friday night) can be 60-70 min so plan strategically if you are hungry!
These guys only do 2 things and they do them really well! If you are after a hearty quality meal, stop by Pedro's House of Lamb and get their signature lamb and potatoes (1 portion is good for 2 ppl with potential leftovers), add a bottle of local Pino Noir from the bottle shop and you are sorted for dinner! Very handy when driving back from an active day on Coronet Peak.
40 locals recommend
Pedro's House of Lamb
47 Gorge Rd
40 locals recommend
These guys only do 2 things and they do them really well! If you are after a hearty quality meal, stop by Pedro's House of Lamb and get their signature lamb and potatoes (1 portion is good for 2 ppl with potential leftovers), add a bottle of local Pino Noir from the bottle shop and you are sorted for dinner! Very handy when driving back from an active day on Coronet Peak.
This is place is both - sit down restaurant & a takeaway (love their pho soup and curries!). I am listing this in takeaway as it is short drive from my AirBnb (5 min) and their wait time can be 10 min (amazing if you are starving!). It is a great option for a sit down lunch and dinner as well.
Saigon Kingdom Vietnamese Restaurant
88 Beach St
This is place is both - sit down restaurant & a takeaway (love their pho soup and curries!). I am listing this in takeaway as it is short drive from my AirBnb (5 min) and their wait time can be 10 min (amazing if you are starving!). It is a great option for a sit down lunch and dinner as well.
Best thai in town and they deliver for free. They also use organic ingredients and have GF options. They can get busy (in peak times it might take an hour to get your food) so best to order ahead. You can also pick yourself when driving from Remarkables ski field (great option after spending a full day up the hill).
13 locals recommend
Organic Thai2Go Frankton
9 McBride St
13 locals recommend
Best thai in town and they deliver for free. They also use organic ingredients and have GF options. They can get busy (in peak times it might take an hour to get your food) so best to order ahead. You can also pick yourself when driving from Remarkables ski field (great option after spending a full day up the hill).

Food scene

Local family run restaurant in Fernhill (walking distance from the AirBnb) with one of the best wine cards in Queesntown. Make sure you book, locals love it! They have takeaway pizza menu as well (including vegetarian and GF options). Pizza's are 20% off on Thursdays. There are also open for brunch and their poached eggs are the best in town.
Lokal Kitchen & Bar
155 Fernhill Road
Local family run restaurant in Fernhill (walking distance from the AirBnb) with one of the best wine cards in Queesntown. Make sure you book, locals love it! They have takeaway pizza menu as well (including vegetarian and GF options). Pizza's are 20% off on Thursdays. There are also open for brunch and their poached eggs are the best in town.
I don't drink beer but love this place! Located in Arthur's point (short drive from town) right by the river, it has great views and relaxing atmosphere. In early spring you can see skiers in their ski boots, mountain bikers in dirty gear and fashion lovers - all enjoying this great place.
27 locals recommend
Canyon Brewing
1 Arthurs Point Rd
27 locals recommend
I don't drink beer but love this place! Located in Arthur's point (short drive from town) right by the river, it has great views and relaxing atmosphere. In early spring you can see skiers in their ski boots, mountain bikers in dirty gear and fashion lovers - all enjoying this great place.
Kamana is a Fernhill hotel has been recently renovated and has a great bar with views over the lake and mountain. If you are looking for a drink with a nice atmosphere this is a great option (and is short drive or walk from the AirBnb).
6 locals recommend
Kamana Lakehouse
139 Fernhill Rd
6 locals recommend
Kamana is a Fernhill hotel has been recently renovated and has a great bar with views over the lake and mountain. If you are looking for a drink with a nice atmosphere this is a great option (and is short drive or walk from the AirBnb).
Sooo... Ferg empire is growing in Queenstown. Everything they do, they do exceptionally well. Ferg bar is just over 1 year old and has already become locals favourite - they are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks! Food is amazing and they serve cocktails for brunch! Their small bites are delicious.
280 locals recommend
Fergburger
42 Shotover St
280 locals recommend
Sooo... Ferg empire is growing in Queenstown. Everything they do, they do exceptionally well. Ferg bar is just over 1 year old and has already become locals favourite - they are open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks! Food is amazing and they serve cocktails for brunch! Their small bites are delicious.
Best Italian in town - not much more to add. Great atmosphere, amazing owners, exceptional wine and best pasta in Queenstown. It is a bit out of the way - pop in there after a trip to Remarkables in winter, or after a visit to wineries, bike trip or Wanaka in summer. Or on your way to airport.
Giovi | Pasta, Pizza & Gelato
12 Hawthorne Dr
Best Italian in town - not much more to add. Great atmosphere, amazing owners, exceptional wine and best pasta in Queenstown. It is a bit out of the way - pop in there after a trip to Remarkables in winter, or after a visit to wineries, bike trip or Wanaka in summer. Or on your way to airport.
Amazing food , especially if you like Asian / Pacific fusion. Every item on the menu is a hit. Great for special occasions, please make sure you book in advance.
90 locals recommend
Blue Kanu
16 Church St
90 locals recommend
Amazing food , especially if you like Asian / Pacific fusion. Every item on the menu is a hit. Great for special occasions, please make sure you book in advance.
If you are after Japanese food and stylish bar - Tanoshi is the place to go. Please note that there are no desserts! Great for fate night, celebrations or a casual dinner.
Tanoshi Iko
If you are after Japanese food and stylish bar - Tanoshi is the place to go. Please note that there are no desserts! Great for fate night, celebrations or a casual dinner.
If you are after quick lunch or dinner but do not want to compromise on food quality - Taco Medic is the place to go. All their menu is GF and have several vegetarian options. They also serve craft beer and lemonade. They have 2 shops - in town and in Frankton and you can use their app to order in advance (available on their website). We love this place so much that we go at least once a week to get our taco fix. The food is reasonably priced too.
31 locals recommend
Taco Medic Searle Lane
3 Searle Ln
31 locals recommend
If you are after quick lunch or dinner but do not want to compromise on food quality - Taco Medic is the place to go. All their menu is GF and have several vegetarian options. They also serve craft beer and lemonade. They have 2 shops - in town and in Frankton and you can use their app to order in advance (available on their website). We love this place so much that we go at least once a week to get our taco fix. The food is reasonably priced too.
Another great option for quick, cheap, nutritious and yummy lunch or dinner. All their menu items are amazing but the local's favourite would be burrito - fulls of goodness and easy to eat on the go.
21 locals recommend
Caribe Latin Kitchen
36 Ballarat St
21 locals recommend
Another great option for quick, cheap, nutritious and yummy lunch or dinner. All their menu items are amazing but the local's favourite would be burrito - fulls of goodness and easy to eat on the go.
CURRENTLY CLOSED (hoping that they will re-open!) Small and cosy pizza place in the middle of town. Their pizza's are best in town , service is amazing. Love their little touches such as serving olive oil to dip the pizza crusts. Pavlova dessert is a must have.
Paffuto Pizza
62 Shotover Street
CURRENTLY CLOSED (hoping that they will re-open!) Small and cosy pizza place in the middle of town. Their pizza's are best in town , service is amazing. Love their little touches such as serving olive oil to dip the pizza crusts. Pavlova dessert is a must have.

Brunch places

When i meeting up with my girlfriends for brunch, the first place we think of is Bespoke kitchen. Great atmosphere, amazing food and coffee and caters for most of dietary requirements (GF, vegetarian, vegan). The place is right near the Skyline gondola - grab a breakfast and coffee before you head up to enjoy the view.
204 locals recommend
Bespoke Kitchen
9 Isle St
204 locals recommend
When i meeting up with my girlfriends for brunch, the first place we think of is Bespoke kitchen. Great atmosphere, amazing food and coffee and caters for most of dietary requirements (GF, vegetarian, vegan). The place is right near the Skyline gondola - grab a breakfast and coffee before you head up to enjoy the view.
This place is great for all meals - brunch, quick coffee stop, lunch or dinner. They have a great menu, amazing vibe, WiFi, summer veranda and fire place in winter. They also host comedy, musical events and story slams - check out their social pages for what's on. For dinner bookings are essential.
71 locals recommend
Yonder
14 Church St
71 locals recommend
This place is great for all meals - brunch, quick coffee stop, lunch or dinner. They have a great menu, amazing vibe, WiFi, summer veranda and fire place in winter. They also host comedy, musical events and story slams - check out their social pages for what's on. For dinner bookings are essential.

Spa and relaxation

Hot pools, private rooms and amazing uninterrupted views - this is why Onsen hot pools are always booked out. It is one of my favourite place in Queenstown, great for relaxation after an active day of skiing or hiking. Awesome idea for a fate night as well! For the best experience, try to get a sunset hour (book well in advance!). They also go amazing massages and provide drinks and snacks.
67 locals recommend
Onsen Hot Pools
162 Arthurs Point Rd
67 locals recommend
Hot pools, private rooms and amazing uninterrupted views - this is why Onsen hot pools are always booked out. It is one of my favourite place in Queenstown, great for relaxation after an active day of skiing or hiking. Awesome idea for a fate night as well! For the best experience, try to get a sunset hour (book well in advance!). They also go amazing massages and provide drinks and snacks.

Bars and pubs

My favourite bar in Queenstown - best cocktails in town. Stylish (if you dress up, you won't look out of place), big fire place, an outdoor area and they have DJ's some evenings (Friday and Saturday). It is located upstairs (separate to the Bunker restaurant).
19 locals recommend
Upstairs @ The Bunker
Upstairs Cow Ln
19 locals recommend
My favourite bar in Queenstown - best cocktails in town. Stylish (if you dress up, you won't look out of place), big fire place, an outdoor area and they have DJ's some evenings (Friday and Saturday). It is located upstairs (separate to the Bunker restaurant).
Stylish little bar by the beachfront, my first choice for night out with girlfriends. Cheese plate, wine and live music - what else can you wish for?
70 locals recommend
Little Blackwood
88 Beach St
70 locals recommend
Stylish little bar by the beachfront, my first choice for night out with girlfriends. Cheese plate, wine and live music - what else can you wish for?
If you love craft beer, this is the place to be. Beech tree opened few months ago and became a locals favourite immediately - amazing atmosphere, indoor fire place, huge skyline windows, dogs allowed (yep, Alfy is a regular there) and a new beer / cider on special (8 dollars pints) every day.
Beech Tree
13 Beach St
If you love craft beer, this is the place to be. Beech tree opened few months ago and became a locals favourite immediately - amazing atmosphere, indoor fire place, huge skyline windows, dogs allowed (yep, Alfy is a regular there) and a new beer / cider on special (8 dollars pints) every day.
Centrally located by the lake, craft beer and a meeting point for local mountain bikers and skiers. Food is simple and reasonable priced, beers are great and atmosphere is amazing.
92 locals recommend
Atlas Beer Cafe
92 locals recommend
Centrally located by the lake, craft beer and a meeting point for local mountain bikers and skiers. Food is simple and reasonable priced, beers are great and atmosphere is amazing.

Coffee

Need your coffee fix and want to beat the tourist crowds? This is a truly local's place - tucked away, not advertised, cash only, slightly grumpy owner & great coffee. Queenstown professionals love to pop over for a cup of coffee, tea or a smoothie (highly recommend the smoothies!)
Bean Around The World Coffee Roastery
11 Athol St
Need your coffee fix and want to beat the tourist crowds? This is a truly local's place - tucked away, not advertised, cash only, slightly grumpy owner & great coffee. Queenstown professionals love to pop over for a cup of coffee, tea or a smoothie (highly recommend the smoothies!)

Biking

This is the most amazing mountain bike park for all level riders, including beginners. They have smooth and flowy trails, technical and jump lines. It I'd quite a long ride up so I recommend either hiring ebikes or taking advantage of their shuttles (both need to be booked in advance).
17 locals recommend
Bike Glendhu
42 Motatapu Rd
17 locals recommend
This is the most amazing mountain bike park for all level riders, including beginners. They have smooth and flowy trails, technical and jump lines. It I'd quite a long ride up so I recommend either hiring ebikes or taking advantage of their shuttles (both need to be booked in advance).