Food & Drink

The Best Restaurants In Arrowtown

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The Fork and Tap is seen on a wonderfully crisp autumnal day.

With its cobblestone streets brimming with heritage, stunning historic buildings and darn quaint aesthetic, Arrowtown is one of those places you can’t help but fall head over heels in love with. Look a little closer and you’ll find plenty of hidden gems serving up memorable food and beverages woven throughout the town’s little laneways. 

Whether you’re staying in Queenstown or the heart of this magical town, here are the best Arrowtown restaurants you need to dine at, trust us.

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Restaurants In Stunning Heritage Buildings 

The Fork And Tap 

51 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $$

The Fork and Tap is seen on a wonderfully crisp autumnal day.
Image credit: The Fork and Tap | Supplied 

Wondering where to eat in Arrowtown? Look no further than The Fork and Tap, one of the most iconic historic Arrowtown restaurants nestled at the end of Buckingham Street in a beautifully restored 150-year-old building. With 19 craft beers and ciders on tap, locally-loved Central Otago wines, and a hearty menu, this gastropub is a must-visit in Arrowtown. Whether you’re sipping in the festoon-lit beer garden to live music in summer or cosying up by the fire for Irish tunes in winter, The Fork and Tap serves up all the good vibes.

Bendix Stables

28 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $$

The Bendix Stables is seen under a bright blue sky.
Image credit: Bendix Stables | Supplied 

If you're hunting for where to eat in Arrowtown, Bendix Stables is a must-visit—this historic Arrowtown restaurant dates back to 1873 and oozes old-world charm. Set in a beautifully restored stone building, the cosy gastropub dishes up internationally inspired plates, and with a stellar drinks list featuring local brews, wines and spirits, it’s the perfect place to wind down after exploring the historic gold mining town.

The Postmaster Kitchen & Bar

54 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $$

The postmaster kitchen and bar in the snow
Image credit: The Postmaster's Kitchen and Bar | Facebook

One of the most charming historic Arrowtown restaurants, The Postmaster's Kitchen and Bar, is steeped in local history. Housed in a heritage-protected villa built in 1907—originally replacing the 1873 Postmaster’s cottage after it was destroyed by fire—this cosy spot has lived many lives, from a post office to a B&B, and even an artist’s residence. Today, it’s a welcoming restaurant serving up hearty meals in a beautifully restored setting that captures the heart of Arrowtown’s gold rush past.

Arrowtown’s Best Breakfast And Brunch

The Dishery

4 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $$

Best restaurants in Arrowtown
Image credit: The Dishery | Facebook

If you’re looking for a delicious breakfast spot in Arrowtown, The Dishery needs to be on your radar. Tucked next to the scenic Arrow River Reserve, this charming cafe dishes up breakfast, brunch and lunch with a seriously delicious twist—think woodfired meats, sweet treats and wild-caught seafood. Whether you’re fresh off a riverside stroll or just in need of a killer flat white or a brunch cocktail, this spot hits the mark every time.

Kahwah Cafe

8/50 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $

best cafes in arrowtown
Image credit: Kahwah Cafe | Facebook 

Kahwah Cafe is a cosy brunch spot with global flair—from a hearty cooked Arrowtown breakfast with house-made lamb sausages to a fresh acai bowl that locals rave about. Don’t miss their colourful meze platter or a dreamy matcha with flavours like strawberry, blueberry, or white chocolate.

Provisions Of Arrowtown

65 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $

best cafes in arrowtown
Image credit: Provisions of Arrowtown | Facebook 

Provisions of Arrowtown is an adorable cafe set in a historic miner’s cottage right in the heart of the village. On a sunny day, grab a seat in the garden under the fruit trees and enjoy their all-day menu, which features everything from eggs benedict and waffles to crispy pork belly and sesame prawn toast. Whatever you do, don’t leave without trying their legendary sticky buns!

Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen 

265 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road, Lake Hayes Estate | $$$

Best restaurants in arrowtown
Image credit: Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen | Supplied

Previously known as Akarua, Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen is still one of the top spots to eat in Arrowtown. Set in a charming weatherboard cottage, it’s perfect for a relaxed breakfast or long lunch. Favourites include the seared halloumi with dukkah and the brioche French toast. From 10am, pair your brunch with a mimosa or sample award-winning wines at the cellar door across the courtyard—it’d be rude not to. 

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Fine Dining In Arrowtown

Amisfield 

Lake Hayes Road, Arrowtown | $$$

A delicate game sandwich sits on a plate at Amisfield.
Image credit: Amisfield | Supplied 

If you’re after a next-level dining experience, head straight to Amisfield. Voted the World's Best Chef Dining Experience at the Best Chef Awards 2024, Executive Chef Vaughan Mabee brings a touch of magic to every dish. The seven-course degustation is a must, showcasing Aotearoa’s native ingredients like paua, crayfish and kawakawa in ways you’ve never tasted before. It’s nostalgic, creative, and uniquely Kiwi. And, as Amisfield is an award-winning specialist producer of pinot noir and aromatic white wines, you’d be silly not to add the wine pairing to top off the experience—each wine perfectly matched and just as perfectly presented by the in-house sommelier.

Local Favourites

Aosta 

18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $$$

Jerusalem artichoke risotto, lemon, chives & parmigiano reggiano at Aosta, one of the best restaurants in Arrowtown.
Image credit: Aosta | Supplied 

Aosta is one of the best restaurants in Arrowtown, and it’s easy to see why. The fancier sibling of Little Aosta, this elegant dining spot is the brainchild of chef Ben Bayly and jeweller Michael Hill, combining the flavours of Central Otago with Northern Italy’s Aosta Valley. A standout on the Arrowtown dining scene, Aosta serves up refined, creative dishes alongside an extensive wine and cocktail list. With a sleek open kitchen, low-lit interiors and a top-notch wine and cocktail list, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to linger. And when the night’s not quite over? Head to The Blue Door cocktail bar for a cosy nightcap.

Little Aosta

18 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $$

The bistecca at Little Aosta, one of the best restaurants in Arrowtown.
Image credit: Little Aosta | Supplied 

Little Aosta is a relaxed and family-friendly spot that’s a favourite in the Arrowtown dining scene. As the laid-back sibling of Aosta, it serves up simple and seriously good Northern Italian fare—think woodfired pizzettas, fresh pastas, and a dreamy Nutella tiramisu. It’s the kind of spot where you’ll want to order one of everything, sip on a spritzer or carafe of red, and pretend you’ve been whisked away to a laid-back Italian village.

CAVE

40 Buckingham Street, Arrowtown | $$

Cave, the best restaurants in arrowtown
Image credit: CAVE | Facebook

CAVE is a sleek and modern addition to the best restaurants in Arrowtown, bringing a fresh take on Japanese cuisine to this historic town. With a focus on bold flavours and seasonal ingredients, the menu offers a unique Japanese dining experience paired with Sake. Whether you're there for the five-course tasting menu or just popping in for a glass of wine and a few shared plates, CAVE delivers serious flavour in a stylish, intimate setting.

Take a trip over the hill to sample the best restaurants in Queenstown and enjoy a tipple or two at the best bars in Queenstown

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