Guidebook for Wanaka
Food Scene
Best cheese scones and 2 blocks from the house. Toasted with butter is the way to go!
22 Einheimische empfehlen
The Good Spot
34 Anderson Rd Best cheese scones and 2 blocks from the house. Toasted with butter is the way to go!
Tristan's pick for best coffee in town. Flat white coffee is the way to go. Great salads, meat dishes and treats for decent prices. We LOVE the kumara au gratin!
84 Einheimische empfehlen
Big Fig Wanaka
105 Ardmore StTristan's pick for best coffee in town. Flat white coffee is the way to go. Great salads, meat dishes and treats for decent prices. We LOVE the kumara au gratin!
Incredible cheese scones! Fedeli is the take away counter. Great salads, sandwiches, and pies for decent prices.
80 Einheimische empfehlen
Federal Diner
47 Helwick StIncredible cheese scones! Fedeli is the take away counter. Great salads, sandwiches, and pies for decent prices.
MJ's pick for best salad (and favorite meal) in town. Order up the minted pea falafel salad if it is on the menu. You won't be disappointed.
63 Einheimische empfehlen
Kai Whakapai
121 Ardmore StMJ's pick for best salad (and favorite meal) in town. Order up the minted pea falafel salad if it is on the menu. You won't be disappointed.
Best Hot Chocolate in town. MJ & Tristan's favorite is to add chili. mmmmm
50 Einheimische empfehlen
Urban Grind
72 Ardmore StBest Hot Chocolate in town. MJ & Tristan's favorite is to add chili. mmmmm
This food truck recently moved location. It is still on Brownston St but is now 1 block closer to our house. Order the hot chips. OMG good. The fish tacos are dynamite too.
22 Einheimische empfehlen
Burrito Craft
42 Brownston StThis food truck recently moved location. It is still on Brownston St but is now 1 block closer to our house. Order the hot chips. OMG good. The fish tacos are dynamite too.
Tumeric Latte with soy, Iced Mocha, and Iced Chai Latte will blow your socks off. Best breakfast (the hash stash add poached egg & bacon) around!
33 Einheimische empfehlen
Double Black Cafe
Tumeric Latte with soy, Iced Mocha, and Iced Chai Latte will blow your socks off. Best breakfast (the hash stash add poached egg & bacon) around!
Our absolute favourite restaurant in town. It is expensive, so we do not go often , but every time we do go we talk about it all week! Only open for dinner. There are no menus it is chef's choice. Local, organic, exquisite. The portions are light so do not go absolutely starving. Or order the 'i'm still hungry chicken burger' at the end of the meal.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Ode Conscious Dining
33 Ardmore StOur absolute favourite restaurant in town. It is expensive, so we do not go often , but every time we do go we talk about it all week! Only open for dinner. There are no menus it is chef's choice. Local, organic, exquisite. The portions are light so do not go absolutely starving. Or order the 'i'm still hungry chicken burger' at the end of the meal.
Pricey but worth it. Fine dining with big portions. You will not leave hungry. We recommend the lamb shoulder, duck fat potatoes and fried brussel sprouts. Seriously insane good.
116 Einheimische empfehlen
Kika
2 Dunmore StPricey but worth it. Fine dining with big portions. You will not leave hungry. We recommend the lamb shoulder, duck fat potatoes and fried brussel sprouts. Seriously insane good.
Drinks & Nightlife
Usually has DJ spinning. Best burger in town. Get the mushroom halloumi burger and add bacon and/or beef patty. Best $26 bucks you'll spend. It is seasonal, not always on the menu :o(
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Water Bar Wanaka
145 Ardmore StUsually has DJ spinning. Best burger in town. Get the mushroom halloumi burger and add bacon and/or beef patty. Best $26 bucks you'll spend. It is seasonal, not always on the menu :o(
Lake front restaurant with great food and local beers/ciders. Indoor outdoor seating.
34 Einheimische empfehlen
Lake Bar
155 Ardmore StLake front restaurant with great food and local beers/ciders. Indoor outdoor seating.
Because every town needs an Irish pub. Usually has live music. Cheap eats.
9 Einheimische empfehlen
Fitzpatricks Irish Pub
59 Helwick StBecause every town needs an Irish pub. Usually has live music. Cheap eats.
Sightseeing
20 min walk to NZ’s most photographed tree. A willow tree that started as a fence post 77+ years ago.
48 Einheimische empfehlen
#DieserWanakaBaum
59 Wanaka Mount Aspiring Rd20 min walk to NZ’s most photographed tree. A willow tree that started as a fence post 77+ years ago.
Right in Wanaka, free wine tasting! Even if you do not drink wine, the view is not to be missed! Bring some lunch, buy a bottle of wine and walk down to the lake side.
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Rippon
246 Wanaka Mount Aspiring RdRight in Wanaka, free wine tasting! Even if you do not drink wine, the view is not to be missed! Bring some lunch, buy a bottle of wine and walk down to the lake side.
Maude has a tasting room at Bistro Gentile. It is open in the afternoons. It is sit down style with food pairings.
15 Einheimische empfehlen
Maude Wines
76A Golf Course RdMaude has a tasting room at Bistro Gentile. It is open in the afternoons. It is sit down style with food pairings.
Parks & Nature
~5 hrs. Steep and steady but worth the view. Bring hiking poles, food, and plenty of water.
64 Einheimische empfehlen
Roys Peak
~5 hrs. Steep and steady but worth the view. Bring hiking poles, food, and plenty of water.
MJ & T's favourite hike around. Round trip from our place (drive plus hike) ~7hrs. Bring food, water, and lots of room on your camera for pics!! Depending on the time of year this drive is not suitable for all types of cars. Check with DOC to be safe.
37 Einheimische empfehlen
Rob Roy Glacier Trail Head and Car Park
Wanaka Mount Aspiring RoadMJ & T's favourite hike around. Round trip from our place (drive plus hike) ~7hrs. Bring food, water, and lots of room on your camera for pics!! Depending on the time of year this drive is not suitable for all types of cars. Check with DOC to be safe.
Drive in ~5km and park in the lot. Walk until your heart is content (this trail goes all the way to Queenstown). Starts off in a beautiful valley and after about 40 mins it moves into a forrest. The further you go the harder it gets. Scenic, lovely.
Motatapu Road
Motatapu RoadDrive in ~5km and park in the lot. Walk until your heart is content (this trail goes all the way to Queenstown). Starts off in a beautiful valley and after about 40 mins it moves into a forrest. The further you go the harder it gets. Scenic, lovely.
Park at Diamond Lake parking lot off of Mount Aspiring Rd. Hike ~1 km to Diamond Lake take it in for a moment and then carry on up the stairs to Rocky Mountain. Just past the stairs you can choose which way to go on the loop. We recommend going left. so that you come up behind the summit and have the view the whole way down. It is about a 3 hour return and incredible.
25 Einheimische empfehlen
Diamond Lake
Park at Diamond Lake parking lot off of Mount Aspiring Rd. Hike ~1 km to Diamond Lake take it in for a moment and then carry on up the stairs to Rocky Mountain. Just past the stairs you can choose which way to go on the loop. We recommend going left. so that you come up behind the summit and have the view the whole way down. It is about a 3 hour return and incredible.
Essentials
New World Wanaka
20 Dunmore StBiggest one in town, has everything.
Mediterranean Market Wanaka
20 Ardmore StUpscale gourmet grocery. Expensive but awesome.
Soulfood
74 Ardmore StVegan, gluten free, raw options aplenty.
Four Square Wanaka
70 Ardmore StHas everything you need but not much variety.
Entertainment & Activities
Very cool for all ages. The maze is way harder than you think. You can hang out in the cafe for free and try your brain at countless puzzles and brain teasers.
128 Einheimische empfehlen
Puzzling World
188 Wanaka-Luggate HwyVery cool for all ages. The maze is way harder than you think. You can hang out in the cafe for free and try your brain at countless puzzles and brain teasers.
DEANS BANK BIKE TRAIL HEAD
Tristan's favourite place to mountain bike.