Wanaka, New Zealand: Where To Wine, Dine & Relax When You're Not Hiking, Swimming or Skiing

February 29, 2016

Let’s just preface this by saying that the small alpine town of Wanaka bats well above its weight when it comes to covering your sustenance choices.

In peak season the whole area swells from 6,000 locals to 60,000 visitors, so you can feel safe knowing they’re used to catering to all ranges of obscure diets and varied budgets.

From mouth-watering post-piste burgers to virtuous clean-eating canteens, we’ve put together a little guide to some of Wanaka’s best-loved bars and eateries to slide into once you’ve explored the land all day.

WIND DOWN DRINKS

Kai Whaka Pai
Corner Helwick & Ardmore Streets, Wanaka, New Zealand

There are a number of great lakeside drinking spots along the main drag of Ardmore Street but you can always count of Kai Whaka Pai for live music buzz and the most local collection of beers on tap. Don’t be afraid to ask to share a table if it gets busy, there’s something in the alpine air that makes people just generally more friendly.

CASUAL EATS

Burt.Ritos
51 Brownstone Street, Wanaka, New Zealand

This place pretty much sums up what we love about New Zealand; absolute freshness, a sly sense of humour and a total rebellious shirking of geological location. It could be 10 degrees celsius with dense near-frozen fog billowing out of your nostrils every time you breathe out but if you want a taco inspired by flavours from the arid plains of Mexico, by golly you can have it.

Soulfood
74 Ardmore Street, Wanaka, New Zealand

Part organic food store, part juice bar and cafe, together Soul Food has got your macrobiotic-gluten-and-oxolate-free-veganarchist friends needs covered. Of course, if you’re just someone who likes to enjoy lunches that taste wholesome and good for you then you’re invited to the party too. Order the bean quesadilla, venture past the kitchen and nab a seat in their garden courtyard.

Redstar Burgers
26 Ardmore Street, Wanaka, New Zealand

Another one from Ardmore Street crew but just a little further up past the Ardmore/Lakeside Rd roundabout. This is where you come for your rule-breaking, pants-bursting, cheat-day-revelling serve of decliciousness. Nearby Queenstown might claim domination over burger brilliance with Fergburger but cheeseburger connoisseurs will do well to make the trip over to Wanaka to compare bun softness and meat tenderness at Redstar.

Also, you don’t have to feel too guilty because every ingredient, right down to the cheese and the milk that goes into the thickshakes is made locally. Sit, slurp, gorge and smile, just thinking of how much you’re helping the economy with every bite.

Francescas Pizza Truck
Halfway down Brownston Street, Wanaka, New Zealand

As if perfectly crispy dough with fresh toppings wasn’t tantalising enough, you’ll find this little shack of pleasure on Brownston Street, right next to the miniature golf course, so you can squeeze in a couple of holes while you watch the Francesca’s team toil away at the wood-fire. This is the the ‘sister’ site to Francescas Italian and most likely where you’ll come if you accidentally forget to make a reservation at the main restaurant. Rest assured the quality is still excellent, whether you’ve scored a seat by the window or opt to ‘slum’ it by devouring your slice outdoors by the lake.

STRAIGHT UP SPLURGE

The White House
33 Dunmore Street, Wanaka, New Zealand

With it’s 1930’s art-deco curves, lush gardens and pristine white walls, there’s a little bit of a Santorini-meets-Frida Kahlo’s Hacienda vibe about this place — and that’s in a town that couldn’t be further from Greece or Mexico if it tried. Mains here can run into the 40’s but all the servings are generous and the atmosphere is memorably friendly (don’t be surprised if you know your table-neighbours names by the end of the night). Ask for the sardine bruschetta and thank us later.

The Landing
Level 1, 80 Ardmore Street, Wanaka, New Zealand

Hungry or thirsty? Or perhaps a little thirsty but you might get hungry soonish? The Landing sits right in that restaurant bar sweet spot that caters to the sophisticated fine-dining crowd but the welcome’s are so warm that Matt and his team would be happy to set you up with a cocktail or two and swap stories about your days adventures over the bar. If you’re sticking around for a feed be sure to ask for a table on the balcony and take advantage of those legendary long Wanaka sunsets.

Bistro Gentil
76A Golf Course Road, Wanaka, New Zealand

Rounding off this list is exactly where you should round up your Wanaka experience – on the deck at Bistro Gentil, with a plate of Parisienne gnocchi in front of you and a glass of Château Margaux in hand (self-poured from the restaurants curious and dangerously fun to use Enomatic wine dispenser). The dishes here are French-inspired and in typical Gallic fashion they’re presented so artfully that you’ll feel a bit sad having smoosh your fork into them. God help you if you order the beef fillet tartare, with it’s healthy yellow free-range egg yolk, it practically taunts you with it’s perfection.