Not to miss in Queenstown

Uphill café near the gondola base. Order the breakfast plate with goat's cheese toast; plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.

Walk up after the gondola

Lakeside café in a restored shipping office. Seasonal French toast is the draw; matcha lattes and a buttermilk chicken burger too.

Combine with Frankton waterfront walk

Chocolatier with a lake-view terrace. Pair a flat white with a raspberry truffle, or try the hot chocolate and house ice cream.

Sit on the lakeside terrace

Central brunch spot known for grilled halloumi with poached eggs, French toast pudding and chocolate brownies.

Go early on weekends

The town's famous burger shop. Queue for the Deluxe, or come early for a breakfast burger and a shorter line.

Order ahead to skip queue

Hawker-style Malaysian sharing plates. Start with steamed duck buns and rice noodle rolls, then add something spicy.

Book for dinner

Modern New Zealand cooking with Asian touches in a smart dining room. Oysters with ginger and bonito vinegar stand out.

Book several days ahead

Casual, lively Mexican spot. Go for the Coca-Cola BBQ pork ribs with guacamole and corn chips after a day outdoors.

Good for groups

A roughly two-hour uphill walk to summit views over town, Lake Whakatipu and the Remarkables, with a sculpted Basket of Dreams.

Go at golden hour

Hilltop above town, reached by gondola or on foot, with sweeping views across the lake and Remarkables, especially around sunset.

Arrive before sunset

Free lakefront shoreline with Cecil and Walter Peaks across the water; the steamship TSS Earnslaw docks here too.

Shoot at sunrise

Small wharf at the head of the lake, known for moody shots of drowned trees, especially in mist.

Try misty mornings

Hillside tasting-menu room above Lake Wakatipu; New Zealand's only two-Michelin-star restaurant and Cuisine's 2026 Restaurant of the Year.

Reserve weeks in advance