The Southern Alps and Fiordland Restaurants

Queenstown, as the main regional resort, has the widest range of restaurants. Throughout the area, menus focus on local produce, seafood, lamb, and venison. Wine lists often highlight South Island wines, especially those from Central Otago and Gibbston Valley. Cafés and restaurants driven by the summer tourist trade shorten their hours in winter. Dress standards are generally relaxed, with jeans or khakis acceptable almost everywhere. At high-end places, particularly in Queenstown, you'll need to reserve a table at least a day in advance.

Outside of Queenstown and Wanaka dining options can be limited. In summer, meals of some sort are available almost everywhere, but outside the high season, there are fewer options in the smaller settlements and they don’t tend to stay open late.

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  • 1. Discover Milford Information Centre & Cafe

    $$

    Situated at the main public car park, the Discover Milford Information Centre offers coffee, snacks, and counter food. The view out the front window, across Milford Sound to Mitre Peak and the mountains beyond, is amazing. It's expensive, but there's no real alternative.

    79 Milford Sound Hwy., Milford Sound, Southland, 9679, New Zealand
    03-249–7931

    Known For

    • Only dining option in Milford Sound
    • High prices for simple food
    • Impressive views

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 2. Poppies Cafe

    $$$$

    Set in an extensive garden, Poppies has for years been a great place to eat, drink, socialize, and bask in the sun. Meat, seafood, pizza, and pasta are complemented by organic produce from the on-site vegetable garden along with fresh-baked bread and pizzas. There's also a good range of craft beer and local wines. 

    1 Benmore Pl., Twizel, Canterbury, 7999, New Zealand
    03-435–0848

    Known For

    • Summer alfresco dining
    • Popularity with locals
    • Lovely wine list
  • 3. Provisions of Arrowtown

    $$$

    Set in a historic miner's cottage, Provisions gets its name from the range of gourmet preserves they make. The welcoming atmosphere and lovely garden make it a delightful place to have breakfast or lunch. The blackboard menu is enticing and there are homemade treats in the cabinet.

    65 Buckingham St., Arrowtown, Otago, 9302, New Zealand
    03-442–0714

    Known For

    • Pretty garden setting
    • Breakfast supplies to go
    • Legendary sticky buns
  • 4. Sandfly Cafe

    $$

    This is the perfect place to load up on coffee and a hearty breakfast before hitting the road to Milford Sound or Queenstown. It's a simple menu, but the house-made counter food is well presented and delicious.

    9 The Lane, Te Anau, Southland, 9600, New Zealand
    03-249–9529

    Known For

    • Best coffee in town
    • Friendly and fast service
    • Outdoor seating

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 5. The Old Mountaineers Cafe, Bar & Restaurant

    $$$

    This cozy, very personable café–restaurant has big picture windows for grand views of the Alps and all sorts of interesting mountaineering memorabilia and photos to peruse inside. The meals are flavorful, hearty, and wholesome, and they source a lot of organic produce, including organic wines and coffee (if you take it with milk, that's organic, too). There's a big roaring fire to keep you warm in winter. A popular option is their Mountaineers' Breakfast—nitrate-free bacon, free-range eggs, sausages, tomato, mushrooms, hash browns, and ciabatta—served all day. Fresh burgers and pizza are a specialty here, too. They may close early if it's quiet at dinner, so be sure to get there by 7 pm.

    3 Larch Grove, Aoraki Mount Cook, Canterbury, 7999, New Zealand
    03-435–1890

    Known For

    • Spectacular views
    • Organic produce
    • Huge Mountaineers' Breakfast served all day
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Vudu Cafe

    $$

    You'll be fighting the locals for a breakfast seat at this Queenstown institution, thanks to its lakefront seating and delicious array of counter food. Eggs Benedict with a classic coffee is probably the most common breakfast order in New Zealand, and this is perhaps the best in the area. The rest of the seasonal menu is full of fresh and local produce.

    16 Rees St., Queenstown, Otago, 9300, New Zealand
    03-441–8370

    Known For

    • Big breakfast crowds
    • Coffee to go (and enjoy by the lake)
    • Healthy options

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner, Reservations not accepted

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