The Best Restaurants in Wanaka (8 picks)
The eight best restaurants and food choices in Wanaka, according to me.
I've spent the last three years living in Wanaka.
I've eaten a lot of food here.
This is also my last week staying here, so I thought I would round up what I think are the best restaurants and food options in Wanaka. I guess a more appropriate title for this post would be something like "Nimbus Nomad's favourite foods in Wanaka".
First, a bit about Wanaka's food/restaurant choices
Wanaka is a small, picturesque, lakeside resort town in the South Island of New Zealand.
Although less internationally famous than nearby Queenstown, it is an EXTREMELY popular holiday destination for local Kiwis. In the summer, it's full of families visiting their holiday homes, and in the winter it is full of people for skiing/snowboarding (that's why I came).
It is also a very wealthy town, with some of the most expensive properties in the entire country.
As a result, the restaurant and food prices here are a bit more expensive than most other places in NZ. Cheap dining options are a bit scarce.
In fact, the only fast food chains in Wanaka are Domino's and Subway. Recently though, there have been many food trucks popping up which offer a bit more affordable options for the working class.
My preferences
Before I list my choices of the best food in Wanaka, you should understand a few things about me:
- I'm cheap. (i.e. There's not going to be any fine dining on this list)
- I want good value. (related to above)
- I like to be full after eating a meal. (No tiny portions!)
- Appreciate friendly service. (Or at least not rude, discriminatory service).
- Usually, I eat together with my girlfriend.
So, in summary, I want a lot of good food for as little money as possible. 🤣
The Best Food in Wanaka - My 8 picks
Here's my list, in no particular order. Some are restaurants; some are just a particular menu item somewhere.
Best food truck: Firebird Fried Chicken
Hands down, the best food truck in Wanaka is Firebird. It's definitely my go to place when I'm too lazy to cook, or just in a gluttonous mood.
They serve a selection of fried chicken items -- burgers, tenders, and wings. I've only had their burgers once or twice, but the real crave-worthy, food-of-dreams, is the chicken tenders.
The outside batter is seasoned generously, and has that satisfying, crispy deep-fried crunch; yet, it is not too greasy. The inside is ridiculously succulent, tender, and mouth-wateringly juicy. I'm salivating thinking about them. I have no idea how they do it. It's magical.
What to order
For two people, I always get the "4 Piece Hot Box". It's currently $25, which includes four chicken tenders, fries, coleslaw, and a sauce of your choice (hot sauce, bbq, aioli, or piri-piri mayo).
At first, the price seems really high for just four pieces. Then you open the box, and realize the portions are HUGE. I mean, it's GINORMOUS. The amount of fries they give you is probably enough for 3-4 people. The coleslaw is also surprisingly delicious. The real secret though, is that they sometimes (i.e. always) give you five chicken tenders instead of four. They know the secret to my heart. ❤️
Pricing
Firebird opened around the same time I arrived in Wanaka 3+ years ago. The prices have steadily increased since then. I remember the 4 piece hot box was like $21 the first time I tried it. Then, it became $23ish. Now, it's $25. Blame inflation, I guess. Despite this price raise, it's still great value. It works out to just over $12/person. You can't find much else in Wanaka for that price.
Website: http://www.firebirdwanaka.co.nz/
Interesting note: When Firebird first opened, I'm pretty sure they were selling roasted/grilled chicken. I guess they quickly realized people prefer unhealthy fried chicken. 😂
Location
42 Brownston Street, Wanaka (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Note: On the same lot as Firebird are a bunch of other food trucks. If you're not feeling like fried chicken, the burrito truck and sushi truck are decent choices.
Photos
Cinnamon scrolls at Alchemy
Alchemy is a popular restaurant/cafe with prime location along Wanaka's lakefront. It's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The food at Alchemy is sort of the typical, mid level, modern NZ cuisine.
I've only had a meal there a couple times. The food is so-so, and a bit too expensive. Their rent is probably pretty high, so I don't blame them for the prices.
The only reason I do go to Alchemy is for their house-made cinnamon scrolls (i.e. cinnamon rolls). I think the term cinnamon 'scrolls' must be a NZ / Australia thing.
Anyways, it's f*cking delicious! Sweet, but not too sweet. None of that thick, plasticy icing that you sometimes get. The extra kick from the cinnamon is just right. It's also shaped beautifully with a cool criss-cross folding pattern.
Pair your cinnamon scroll with a decent black coffee, and it's the perfect combination.
The only issue I have is that it sells out often. I have been there many times, only to find it is already all sold out. ☹️
Alchemy website: https://www.alchemywanaka.nz/
Photos
Location:
151 Ardmore Street, Wanaka (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Scones at Edgewater Wanaka
When I'm feeling fancy, and want to splurge a little, I go on a date with my girlfriend to eat some scones at Edgewater Wanaka.
They are pretty expensive (currently $7.20 for a scone), but you can sit in their nice dining room or outdoor patio, and pretend you're a rich tourist for awhile.
There are a ton of flavours to choose from – both sweet and savoury (see menu photo below). They're all pretty good. I think my favourite is the "Crystallised Ginger" or "Lemon Poppy-seed". (Lemon poppy-seed was not on the menu last time I went though.)
The coffee is usually OK, but it really depends on the barista. It seems to be a different person every time I go. Wages must not be very good there.
You can also order an entire pot of tea for the same price as a coffee. It lasts longer, so you can sit there for a couple hours if you want. 😂
The view from the patio is also quite nice, so I recommend sitting outside if weather permits.
I've actually eaten a meal at Edgewater once before (someone's birthday I think). The food was OK, but really, really expensive. So, I can only recommend the scones. 🙃
Edgewater website: https://www.edgewater.co.nz/
Location
54 Sargood Drive, Wanaka 9192 (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Photos
Best Asian restaurant: Gogi Jip Korean BBQ Restaurant
Asian foods are my favourite. There is actually quite a selection of Asian restaurants in Wanaka -- a couple Chinese places, a couple Korean restaurants, one Thai restaurant, a few Japanese/sushi places, and a couple of those 'fusion' joints.
Unfortunately, most of them are a bit disappointing, unauthentic, or just super overpriced.
The one and only really authentic Asian restaurant in Wanaka is Gogi Jip. It is a family run Korean restaurant in the heart of town. They have stuck to their roots as much as possible, and not watered down their cuisine to try and appeal to NZ palettes. For that reason, it has my respect. (The other 'Korean' restaurant in Wanaka has chosen the opposite strategy unfortunately).
While it is not the most amazing Korean food you will ever eat, it is always satisfying, and as authentic as you will find in this part of New Zealand.
What to order
I would recommend the yangnyeom fried chicken (+ beer if you want), and one of the stews / hot pots – kimchi, sundubu (tofu), or deungppo haejangguk (pork bone + potato). The BBQ is a bit overpriced to me, so I wouldn't order it.
All of the main dishes (except fried chicken) also come with a set of tasty complimentary side dishes (i.e. "banchan" 반찬).
Pricing
Overall, pricing is a little bit expensive. For two people, we usually end up spending around $50+. They have good portions though, and I'm always full afterwards. The service is also friendly. 🙂
Gogi Jip website (Facebook page): https://www.facebook.com/gogijipkoreanbbqrestaurantwanaka/
Location
31 Dunmore Street, Wanaka 9305 - Located inside of the mall (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Photos
Best coffee place: The Coffee Dojo
There are a million coffee shops in Wanaka. They are all pretty much the same.
The only place that stands out is one of the newer shops: The Coffee Dojo. They opened just a couple years ago, in the slightly more industrial part of town.
To be honest, I don't know much about coffee, but when I drink theirs, it just seems better somehow. It's more... deep? flavourful? Sorry, I'm really not much of a food writer. Just try it. Trust me. 🤓
I usually only drink black coffee (i.e. 'long black'); but my girlfriend says that their flat white and latte are also better than the other shops in Wanaka. You can even order "single origin" coffee which is not available at most other shops here.
I think one of the main reasons The Coffee Dojo stands out in Wanaka is that the main barista is also the owner/manager. Apparently, she was also a finalist in a NZ barista competition. Most other shops in town have to rely on a revolving door of seasonal workers, so they lack consistency.
Overall, the service at The Coffee Dojo is very friendly. Very recommended. 🙂
Note: The same owner/management also runs a coffee takeaway shop in town called "The Coffee Shack".
Website: www.thecoffeedojowanaka.co.nz
Location
1 Umbers Street, Wanaka 9305 (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Photos
Almond croissant at Pembroke Patisserie
Pembroke Pâtisserie is the most famous French-style bakery in Wanaka. Well, it's the only one.
They're actually located in Albert Town, which is technically a separate suburb next to Wanaka.
They have an excellent selection of sweet and savoury baked goods, but I think the best item is the almond croissant. It's rich, sweet, with just a touch of savoury. The croissant is flaky and not too heavy or doughy.
The only problem is that it's expensive ($7 at the time of writing). It is also consistently getting more expensive, and almost priced itself off of my list. It is huge/filling though, so still kind of worth it.
If the almond croissant is sold out, my next option is the chocolate pistachio scroll.
The coffee there is OK, but really depends on the barista which switches fairly often. Staff turnover in Wanaka is super high.
Website: https://www.pembrokepatisserie.co.nz
Location:
20 Alison Avenue, Albert Town 9382 (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Photos
Redstar Burger Bar
Nearly every restaurant/bar/cafe in Wanaka has a burger on their menu. But, there's only one real burger place...and that's Redstar.
Redstar's burgers are exactly what you imagine a burger should be like... big and juicy, a bit messy to eat, and ultimately satisfying.
Menu options
They have an extensive menu selection -- beef, chicken, fish, lamb, venison, vegetarian. They even have a breakfast burger. If you are on low-carb diet, you can get a "burger bowl" (i.e. there's no bun).
Every couple weeks or so, they also come up with a new creative burger to put on the menu for a limited time. For example, this week is the "Absolutely Filthy" (Grilled beef patty, crispy bacon, American cheese, burger sauce, sweet pickles and bacon and onion jam.)
For myself, I usually order the "Hot Mac" (beef patty + jalapenos + swiss cheese) or "Bbq" (beef patty + swiss cheese + pineapple + bbq sauce). I've tried quite a few of their burgers, and have never been disappointed, so you can't really go wrong.
Pricing
Redstar prices are reasonable for Wanaka. A burger is $13 - $17. Fries are extra, and cost $4.50 (small) or $6.50 (large). The fries are huge though, and the small portion is generally enough for two people.
So, the total cost for two people ranges from $30-$35, or $15-$18/person. You will be very full afterwards, so I think it's fair.
Website: https://www.redstarburgers.co.nz/
Location:
26 Ardmore Street, Wanaka 9305 (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Photos:
Cookies at Cinema Paradiso
Going to Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka is like going back in time. It's tiny. There's only like 30-40 something seats. Some of the seats are actual sofas.
The weirdest thing the first time you go is that there's an intermission half way through the movie.
During the intermission, you can go out to use the bathroom, and buy some food.
The one food item that everyone buys is the legendary, freshly baked cookies. The cookies are made at the perfect time so they are still warm (but not too hot) just as the intermission starts. It's genius, really.
There's a few flavours available -- chocolate chip, double chocolate, and I think ginger/white chocolate. I usually go for the double chocolate (dark chocolate + white chocolate).
The cookies are soft and gooey. Melts in your mouth. They're soooo goood.
(They are also probably so unhealthy. I really don't want to know how much butter and sugar they use. 😅)
A cookie cost $4. It's huge though, and I usually just share one with my girlfriend.
You need to order it before the movie starts if you want to make sure you get one during the intermission. I've never actually tried to buy a cookie without seeing a movie. I think you could, but you probably need to call and ask when the next intermission is going to be.
Website: https://www.paradiso.net.nz/
Location
72 Brownston Street, Wanaka 9434 (Google Maps / Open Street Maps)
Photos
Bonus: The supermarket(s)
Yes, the damn supermarket.
If you're in Wanaka long term, and not extremely wealthy, you're going to run out of places to eat at fairly quickly. Or, you're just going to run out of money. You also can't be eating fried chicken everyday.
So, you better learn to cook! Then, you can have (almost) any food you want. My cooking skills have really improved since living here.
There are two main supermarkets in Wanaka, and both of them are "New World" brand supermarkets. Sorry, not much choice. They have pretty much everything you need though.
If you can't find something at New World, there is the smaller Mediterranean Market for more upscale / imported goods, and the even smaller LuLu Market for specialty Asian ingredients. There is also Freshlink Grocer for more organic/whole food choices.
Locations
- New World Wanaka - 20 Dunmore Street, Wanaka 9305
- New World Three Parks - 83 Sir Tim Wallis Drive, Wanaka 9305
- Mediterranean Market - 20 Ardmore Street, Wanaka 9305
- LuLu Asian Supermarket - 33 Ardmore Street, Wanaka 9305
- Freshlink Grocer - 82 Anderson Road, Wanaka 9305
Conclusion
Those are my eight picks of the best foods in Wanaka.
As you may conclude from my choices ... I'm cheap, like eating fried chicken and sweet pastries. 😂
If you're in Wanaka, I hope that you will be able to try some of these places that I've enjoyed over the past few years.
When I leave, the one thing I am definitely going to miss is the Firebird chicken tenders.
I look forward to discovering more great foods at my next destination!
🍗 🍔 🍪 🥐️ ☕