Best Places To Eat In Wanaka
Wanaka has always been known for amazing scenery and outdoor activities. But as of late, Wanaka restaurants have really come onto the scene and created a selection of unique offerings that will fulfil any foodie lover’s fantasies! From brunch to dinner and everything in between, here are our top 7 recommendations of where to eat. For where to stay on your trip to Wanaka, take a look at our Wanaka accommodation options.
See our top 7 best places to eat in Wanaka …
1. Federal Diner
A local’s favourite for brunch or dinner, Federal Diner offers seasonal menus incorporating free-range meat and organic eggs in many of the dishes. But no matter what time of year, they consistently do an amazing cuppa to satisfy any coffee drinker’s needs. Make sure to top off your brunch experience with their world-famous cheese scone, or splurge after dinner with their sticky date pudding.
Cuisine: Kiwi and contemporary dishes
Price: Brunch from $15 and dinner from $26
Opening times: 7am 8:30pm Wednesday – Sunday and 7am-3pm Monday – Tuesday
Address: 47 Helwick Street
Contact: 03-443-5125
2. Big Fig
Known for their affordable slow-cooked food, this is the perfect go-to place for those wanting quick and healthy meals. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Big Fig gives diners the options to eat in or takeaway. A highlight for breakfast is their fruity chia brekkie pots, something that’s worth waking up early for. Lunch and dinner offerings allow for choosing up to four different options of either slow-cooked meats and veggies or grainy salads in one bowl. For those wanting just a light snack, take advantage of their freshly made house dips and pita chips—perfect for refuelling after a day of outdoor adventure.
Cuisine: Lebanese and Kiwi infused slow-cooked dishes
Price: Snacks from $6 and meals from $12
Opening times: 8am-8:30pm daily
Address: 105 Ardmore Street
Contact: 03-443-5023
3. Francesca’s Italian Kitchen
This charming Italian kitchen had humble beginnings in Wanaka and is now a popular franchise all throughout the South Island. The cosy family-friendly ambience makes Francesca’s difficult to get into at times, so reservations in advance are definitely a must. While all menu items have authentic tastes of Italy, nothing quite beats their wood-fired pizzas! There’s a new special pizza every week but a consistent favourite is the Tartufo, which is a real treat thanks to the delicious black truffle oil drizzled on top.
Cuisine: Italian
Price: Antipasto from $18 and mains from $24
Opening times: 12pm-3pm and 5pm-9pm daily
Address: 93 Ardmore Street
Contact: 03-443-5599
4. Kika
This fine-dining European experience is all the rage in Wanaka, with the second-floor restaurant always bustling with keen food lovers. Award-winning chef James Stanley owns Kika and prides his restaurant on having seasonal menus of small sharing dishes. Crowd favourites include the tuna with koji mayo and the feijoa cheesecake.
Cuisine: European
Price: Antipasto from $16 and mains from $30
Opening times: 5:30pm-9:30pm daily
Address: 2 Dunmore Street
Contact: 03-443-6536
5. Bistro Gentil
This dinner-only fine-dining French restaurant is one of the absolute best in Wanaka. Located near the Wanaka golf course with stunning alpine views, Bistro Gentil is famous for both the high-quality French cuisine and their beautiful presentations of every dish. Not surprisingly, the French Onion Soup is a huge hit on the menu. But one of the best ways to experience Bistro Gentil is by selecting to go with the Chef’s choice option, in which you put your trust in the chef for what you’re served. But no matter what, don’t pass up their desserts or your sweet tooth will never forgive you!
Cuisine: French
Price: Antipasto from $12 and mains from $35
Opening times: 6pm-9pm Tuesday-Saturday
Address: 76A Golf Course Road
Contact: 03-443-2299
6. Charlie Brown Crepes
New to the Wanaka food scene, Charlie Brown’s Crepes is not to be missed! With all of their crepes made from scratch and served from their green retro camper van, it’s no surprise there’s always a line to get one of these savoury or sweet crepes. The crepes are made to fit everyone’s dietary requirements, including vegan and gluten-free! While it’s open all day, the perfect afternoon pick me up is their lemon curd crepe.
Cuisine: French
Price: $6-$17
Opening times: 8am-9pm daily
Address: 77/79 Brownston Street
Contact: www.charliebrowncrepes.co.nz
7. Urban Grind
The open floor plan and modern twists on classic dishes are some of the reasons why patrons love Urban Grind! Known as an Espresso, Eatery and Bar; Urban Grind has a buzzing atmosphere from dawn until well past dusk. Switching from classic brunch offerings to a tapas dinner menu with a twist, Urban Grind also has the largest range of craft beers in all of Wanaka! But for those in a rush, you’ll find both coffees and pizza for takeaway options.
Cuisine: Modern kiwi dishes
Price: Brunch from $12 and dinner from $22
Opening times: 8am-10pm daily
Address: 72 Ardmore Street
Contact: 03-443-6748
Excited to put your taste buds to the test in Wanaka? Check out our Wanaka holiday homes now and start planning your next food-filled adventure! In need of a little more inspiration for non-foodie related activities? Check out our Top 10 Things To Do In Wanaka article!
