Complete list of Wanaka Food Trucks
A complete list of all the food trucks in Wanaka. Plus, a couple from Hawea.
After writing about the best restaurants and foods (i.e. my favourite) in Wanaka, I started thinking about all the different food trucks that have opened here recently.
For a small town, Wanaka really has quite a large number of food trucks/stands/stalls. It's great. There's a wide variety of foods available, and prices are usually more affordable than the higher end restaurants in town.
Wanaka Food Trucks List
Below is a full list of food trucks currently open in Wanaka (June 2022). For each place listed below, I will write a quick description, and maybe a short personal opinion/note if I have one. This is in no particular order, but grouped together by three general locations (Brownston Street, Gordon Road, and Anderson Road).
Brownston Street Food Trucks
Most of the food trucks/trailers/stands in Wanaka are located in a couple of lots on Brownston Street. They are basically right in the middle of town, so it's very convenient for local residents and tourists alike.
Firebird Fried Chicken
Firebird sells a variety of delicious fried chicken items -- burgers, tenders and wings. They also have loaded fries, and vegetarian options (fried Portobello mushroom).
Prices for mains range from $16.50 - $50 (big family box).
They opened just a few years ago, and have since become one of the most popular food trucks in town.
Nimbus Nomad Opinion:
Firebird is my favourite food truck in Wanaka. Huge portions, great value, and the best chicken tenders I've ever eaten. Get the "4 piece hot box" for two people ($25).
Details / Location:
Address: 42 Brownston Street Wanaka
Phone: 027 301 1144
Hours: 7 days per week, 12pm - 8pm
Website: http://www.firebirdwanaka.co.nz/ / Order online
Burrito Craft
Burrito Craft is one of the original food trucks in Wanaka, and is still one of the most popular ones.
They sell a variety of burritos and tacos, as well a couple of different sides (fries, tortilla chips). They also have a couple of vegetarian/vegan options -- mushroom and jackfruit burritos.
Nimbus Nomad Opinion:
The burritos are tasty, and it's cool that you can choose your own spice level. The burritos are also HUGE. Usually just share one with my girlfriend.
I don't really recommend the tortilla chips; weren't very good the one time I tried.
Details / Location:
Address: 42 Brownston Street Wanaka
Phone: 020 443 4430
Hours: 7 days per week, 12pm - 8pm
Website: https://www.burritocraft.co.nz/order / Order online
Aki Sushi
Aki Sushi is a cute little food truck run by one lady. It sells -- you guessed it -- sushi!
She makes a great variety of sushi options -- from classic Japanese types (eel, salmon, tuna, tamago), to more Westernized flavours (avocado, fried chicken rolls).
The menu also includes rice bowls (karaage fried chicken or sashimi), and ramen.
Prices go from about $2 to $3+ per piece of sushi, and $14 - $16 for rice or ramen bowl.
Nimbus Nomad Opinion:
This was actually the first food truck I ate at in Wanaka (I was really craving Japanese food at the time). The sushi is fresh and delicious. The fried chicken bowl is also great. I've never tried the ramen, but I'm sure it's not bad.
Aki Sushi seems to sell out pretty often, so make sure you get there early!
Details / Location:
Address: 42 Brownston Street Wanaka
Phone: 0210 812 6708
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00-15:00, 17:00-20:00; Sunday & Monday Closed
Website: https://akisushiwanaka.wixsite.com/akisushiwanaka / Instagram
Curbside Coffee & Bagels
Curbside sells a variety of bagel sandwiches. There are some typical flavours like bacon + egg, cream cheese + jam, as well as some more creative variations like the "Reuben" or "Halloumi" bagel.
Price range from around $7 - $14 per bagel.
Curbside Coffee only opened maybe a year or so ago, but the owner was formerly doing business as "Little Black Caravan" located in the Ballanytyne Rd industrial area. (No longer there).
Nimbus Nomad note:
I think this is the only place in Wanaka that specializes in bagels? So if you want a bagel, you got one choice. I've had it a couple of times. Was decent.
Details / Location:
Address: 42 Brownston Street Wanaka
Phone: 027 898 2522
Hours: Mon - Fri 07:00-14:30; Sat - Sun 08:00-14:30
Website: Facebook page
Coco Hut Asian Food Truck
Coco Hut is an Asian "fusion" food truck. They sell everything from Thai-style noodles, to Japanese-style gyoza, Chinese-style dim-sum, and Malaysian-style curry.
Prices range from $13.50 - $21.50.
They also have some specialty drinks like fresh coconut juice, and Vietnamese iced coffee.
Nimbus Nomad Opinion:
Cool looking food truck. Tried it once or twice. Food was not bad, but the flavours were a bit too ... Kiwi? I guess that's what "fusion" is though.
Details / Location:
Address: 42 Brownston Street Wanaka
Phone: 027 366 1943
Hours: Tues - Sun 12pm - 8pm; Mon - Closed
Website: https://cocohut.nz/
Pizza Pizza Wanaka
Pizza Pizza is a very new food truck that sells pizzas baked in their own wood-fired oven.
Their menu has a big selection of pizzas including many classic Italian pizza flavours like margarita, bianca, and prosciutto.
Price range from $20 - $28 per pizza (30cm).
Nimbus Nomad note
This place only opened a couple months ago, so I haven't tried it yet. It looks promising though, and I love pizza! I wonder if Little Caesars will sue them or not.
Details / Location:
Address: 42 Brownston Street Wanaka
Phone: 03 443 7992
Hours: Wed - Sun 2pm - 8:30pm; Mon, Tues - Closed
Website: https://pizzapizzawanaka.co.nz/
Burger Club
Burger Club is a newer food truck (opened last year) that specializes in "smash" style burgers.
Menu features a couple different cheeseburgers, and one vegetarian option (using "Beyond Meat" patty). Available sides include fries, onion rings, and pickles.
They also have soft serve ice cream, and fried Mars bar (!).
Prices range from $12-$16 for a burger; $6.50-$10 for sides.
Details / Location:
Address: 51 Brownston Street, Wanaka
Phone: 0210 816 0626
Hours: Wed, Thurs, Sun 12:00 - 20:30; Fri, Sat 12:00 - 21:00; Mon, Tues - Closed
Website: Facebook page / Insta
Trail Fuel
Trail Fuel opened about a year ago. For food, they sell breakfast rolls (i.e. sandwiches), baked potatoes, and nachos. For drinks, they have a selection of freshly made fruit juices and smoothies.
Prices range from $11-$12.50 for a breakfast sandwich; $14-$15 for baked potato; $7.50 for smoothie.
Details / Location:
Address: 51 Brownston Street, Wanaka
Phone: 0210 247 5531
Hours:
Tues - Sat: 10am - 2:30pm & 5pm - 8:30pm;
Sun - 9am - 1pm;
Mon - Closed
Website: trailfuelnz.com
Charlie Brown Crêpes
Charlie Brown is one of the original food trucks in Wanaka, first opening in 2016. They sell traditional French style crepes.
The menu features a huge variety of both sweet and savoury flavours. They also sell coffee.
Prices range from $8 - $22 (!) for a crepe.
Nimbus Nomad note:
I've had crepes here a few times. They're delicious, but also very expensive.
Note: The coffee takeaway next door (The Coffee Shack Wanaka) is very good.
Details / Location:
Address: 77 Brownston Street, Wanaka
Phone: 0210 247 5531
Hours: Tues - Sat: 10am - 2:30pm & 5pm - 8:30pm; Sun - 9am - 1pm; Mon - Closed
Website: https://www.charliebrowncrepes.co.nz/
Gordon Road / Ballanytyne Road area
This area of Wanaka is more industrial. It is full of car repair shops, various factories, and some office spaces. There's also a couple of local breweries. It's only a couple minutes drive from town, but tourists probably wouldn't come up here unless they're looking for the breweries.
Otsumami
Otsumami is a new Asian-NZ fusion popup food shop with a menu "inspired by the night markets of Asia".
Some menu items include "crispy duck baos", Vietnamese bahn mi, and a selection of Japanese ramen.
Prices look super reasonable with $14 ramen, and $5-$13 for other small dishes.
Otsumami opened just earlier this year, and is located right next to a local brewery called Rhyme x Reason. They host lots of events/parties if that's your thing 😉
Nimbus Nomad note:
I really wanted to try this place before leaving, but seems like I won't have the chance. I dropped by once, but they weren't open because the staff was sick or had COVID ☹️? They say they're a pop-up, so not sure how long it's going to be around.
Details / Location:
Address: 17 Gordon road, Wanaka
Phone: 40691091
Hours: Thursday–Sunday 10am–10pm
Website: https://www.otsumamiwanaka.com
The Little Brewer
The Little Brewer is a newer coffee truck that opened late 2021. They use fair trade organic beans from L'Affare coffee company in Wellington.
Details / Location:
Address: 15 Gordon Road Wanaka
Hours: Monday - Friday 6:45am - 2:30pm
Website: Facebook / Insta
The Wanaka 'Wich project
The Wich project specializes in American style sandwiches like Reuben, Philly cheesesteak, and grilled cheese. They also sell side dishes like chicken wings and garlic bread.
Prices for sandwiches go from $14-$16.
They are located next to a brewery called Ground Up Brewing.
Details / Location:
Address: 4 Gordon Road, Wanaka 9305
Phone: 021 223 7404
Hours: Tue 4pm-8pm; Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm; Closed Mondays
Website: https://www.wichproject.com/
Subway food truck
Yes, Subway has its own food truck in Wanaka. It has everything you expect to find in a normal Subway, but all conveniently packed into a food truck/trailer.
Might not be as cool/trendy as some of these other trucks, but sometimes you just want a sub. 🙃
The Subway truck is located next to the McKeown petrol station.
Details / Location:
Address: 73 Ballantyne Road, Wanaka
Anderson Road area
Anderson road is a short 5 minute drive from town. On one side of the street is industrial, with many car mechanics/repair shops, and some retail stores. On the other side is more residential. The popular "b.effect" brewery is also in this area.
The Good Spot
The Good Spot is a coffee truck that uses locally roasted organic coffee (Venus brand). They also have a variety of food options like scones, sandwiches, and other baked goods.
Nimbus Nomad note:
Used to come here frequently when I lived nearby. Coffee was good, and they had a cool outdoor seating area.
Details / Location:
Address: 34 Anderson Road, Wanaka
Phone: 021 466 301
Hours: (Winter hours) Mon-Fri 7am - 3pm; Sat 7am - 2pm; Closed Sunday
Website: Facebook page
Dripping Bowl
The Dripping Bowl specializes in serving healthy, whole foods. Their menu consists of "buddha bowls" (rice with vegetables and other toppings), smoothie bowls/drinks, a couple of different soups, as well as some sweet treats. They also have coffees.
The Dripping Bowl used to be located with all the other food trucks on Brownston Street before moving to their current location awhile back. They are now next door to Freshlink grocery store.
Details / Location:
Address: 82 Anderson Road, Wanaka
Phone: 021 466 301
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am - 3pm; Sat, Sun 8am - 2pm;
Website: www.drippingbowl.co.nz
BONUS area: Hawea
Hawea is a tiny lakeside suburb about a 20 minute drive from Wanaka. Most of the people living in Hawea probably work in/around Wanaka, or visit often, so I thought I should include it in this list.
Mo's
Mo's is a coffee truck located next to the only gas station in Hawea. They have the typical coffee selection, and also serve a variety of food items freshly made on site.
Food includes sourdough sandwiches, scones and other baked goods, as well as gluten-free/vegan nut slices.
Nimbus Nomad note
I lived in Hawea for about a month, and came here a couple times. Nice, friendly place. They have a perfect 5-star rating on Google, so I think they have many loyal customers.
Details / Location:
Address: 1176 Lake Hawea-Albert Town Road, Albert Town 9382
Phone: 021 0295 4946
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am - 2pm; Sat 8am - 21pm; Sun - Closed
The Camp Food Truck
The Camp Food Truck is located in the Lake Hawea Holiday Park.
For breakfast, they have bagel sandwiches ($12), and freshly baked muffins / pastries.
For dinner, they have burgers, tacos, fried chicken, salads and wood fire made pizzas. Prices seem very reasonable and range from $16-$21.
Details / Location:
Address: 1208 Haast Pass-Makarora Road, Lake Hāwea 9382
Phone: 034431767
Hours: 8-11am; 5-8pm (Summer only; closed in winter)
Website: https://thecamp.co.nz/things-to-do/eat/
Summary
Since I've been in Wanaka (3+ years), many new food trucks have opened, and many have closed.
Currently, there are 15 food trucks/trailers/stands/stalls/pop-ups in Wanaka, plus a couple in nearby Hawea.
I'm sure some new ones will be opening soon, and some of the current ones will close. Food business is tough!
If you are in Wanaka, make sure to try them out while you can. 🙂
What's your favourite food truck in Wanaka? Did I miss any? Let me know in the comments below, or send me a message.