Cover image credit: Nest Kitchen & Bar
Queenstown isn’t just pretty, it’s ridiculously good looking. With dramatic peaks, mirror like lakes and skies that do their own light show, the views here are in a league of their own. But as anyone who’s ever had a cocktail in hand while gazing over Lake Wakatipu knows, great food and drinks somehow make the scenery even sweeter.
That’s why the team at Now Book It has pulled together a list of 8 top venues where the views are as unforgettable as the menus. Whether you’re chasing alpine sunsets or long lunches by the water, this is your go to hit list.
1. Nest Kitchen & Bar
Perched high above Queenstown with panoramic views that’ll have your camera working overtime, Nest Kitchen & Bar is all about elevated dining, both literally and figuratively. Inside Kamana Lakehouse, this chic and contemporary spot is all about fresh thinking and full bellies, with a menu that changes as often as the mountain weather. They’re digging deep into the Central Otago landscape with foraged herbs, wild finds, and local goodness from nearby farmers, growers and fishers. Each plate is a little love letter to the region, with clever, seasonal twists and a five course degustation that keeps you guessing.
Golden hour cocktails or cosy dinners by the fire are made even better with the showstopping backdrop of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
Location: 139 Fernhill Road, Queenstown
Hours: Monday to Sunday 7am-11am & 5pm -9pm
2. Finz Seafood & Grill
Right on the water’s edge at Steamer Wharf, Finz Seafood & Grill is the kind of spot where the lake breeze pairs perfectly with a glass of sauv blanc and a plate of freshly shucked oysters. It’s relaxed, inviting, and all about showcasing the best of the region’s seafood, think pan seared scallops, crispy skin salmon and seafood platters that don’t mess around.
Add in front row seats to Lake Wakatipu, with the mountains showing off in the background, and you’ve got one of Queenstown’s most scenic spots to wine and dine.
Location: Ground Floor, Steamer Wharf, Beach Street, Queenstown
Hours: Daily 12pm-10.30pm
3. Grazie
Tucked right in the heart of Queenstown, Grazie serves up more than just incredible Italian eats, it dishes out one of the best views in town. The atmosphere is effortlessly cool and inviting, with rustic wooden tables and soft, ambient lighting creating a cozy, welcoming space. But it’s the floor to ceiling windows and spacious outdoor seating that really steal the spotlight.
With uninterrupted views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, it strikes the perfect balance between relaxed dining and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re twirling forkfuls of fresh pasta or clinking glasses over a Negroni, the view’s right there with you, turning a great meal into a full on Queenstown moment.
Location: 594 Frankton Road
Hours: Daily 4pm-9pm
4. Fino Wine Bar
They call Fino Wine Bar the jewel of Queenstown Marina, and it’s easy to see why. Step inside and you’re greeted by chic, European style interiors with sleek wooden tables, a dramatic wine wall, and soft lighting that sets the tone for a relaxed yet sophisticated sip and chat session.
But the real magic happens when you slide open the doors to the waterfront deck. Here, the majestic Remarkables loom overhead and Lake Wakatipu stretches as far as the eye can see (no filter needed). Whether you’re catching the mornings with a coffee, unwinding with a glass of crisp Central Otago Sauvignon, or lingering over evening sharers by Executive Chef Stasia Andani, the vista is your ever present dining companion.
Location: 3 Sugar Lane, Frankton
Hours: Daily 11.30am-10pm
5. PJ’s Bar & Grill
Located along the waterfront with panoramic views of the marina, PJ’s Bar & Grill is a local favourite for a reason. With a laid back, coastal atmosphere and rustic wood finishes, there are plenty of cosy corners to kick back with friends.
The spacious layout flows effortlessly from the welcoming indoor bar to the sun soaked patio. PJ’s always delivers a front row seat to sailboats gliding by and sunsets that never disappoint. It’s the kind of place where the setting does half the entertaining and the rest is handled by the friendly staff, killer menu and ice cold drinks.
Location: 12 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton
Hours: Daily 4pm – 9pm
6. Public Kitchen and Bar
Public Kitchen and Bar offers a taste of Italy with a Queenstown soul, starting with a sparkling aperitivo at the bar and stretching into long, leisurely dinners by the water. Right on Steamer Wharf, this relaxed, informal venue features timber finishes, open air tables drifting over Lake Wakatipu, and unobstructed views of The Remarkables, setting the stage for unforgettable dining.
The Italian inspired menu stays true to the idea of connecting people through food with handcrafted pastas, regional risottos, and seasonal takes on beloved classics like wood fired pizzas, and tiramisu. Aperitivo in hand, lake at your feet, and the warmth of Italian hospitality all around, this is Queenstown dining at its most inviting.
Location: Ground Floor, Steamer Wharf, Beach Street
Hours: Daily 12pm – late
7. SODA
SODA serves up bold Mediterranean vibes in Queenstown, with lakefront views so stunning they belong on a screensaver. Sitting just above the action on the waterfront, it strikes the perfect balance between laid back style and playful energy. Open air seating flows effortlessly from a sleek, modern bar to a sun soaked balcony, ideal for settling in at lunch and somehow still being there at golden hour.
The menu is a celebration of big, vibrant flavours with wood fired seafood, sizzling paellas, and charred lamb skewers to name a few. It’s the kind of spot where you show up for a casual bite and end up staying long into the night.
Location: 2 Rees Street, Queenstown
Hours: Monday to Thursday 4pm – late;
Friday to Sunday 12pm – late
8. Frankton Arm Tavern
Frankton Arm Tavern is Queenstown’s go to spot for hearty pub classics, cold beers, and a no fuss, welcoming atmosphere right by the water. Located on the Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu, this tavern offers spacious indoor seating and a sunny outdoor deck where you can watch boats go by while digging into generous meals like juicy burgers, crispy fish and chips, and sizzling steak.
The vibe is friendly and lively, with regular live music and plenty of room to unwind after a day on the lake or the slopes. With sweeping lake views and a genuine Kiwi pub spirit, it’s yet another solid Queenstown spot to catch up with friends.
Location: 14 Yewlett Crescent, Frankton
Hours: Sunday to Friday 11am – 11pm;
Saturday 11am – 12am
