I love going to New Zealand. It’s the overseas holiday you take when you can’t be bothered with the usual hassles of going overseas (i.e. long haul flights, a different language, brushing your teeth with bottled water, driving on the other side of the road etc.).
J and I had such a ball in Marlborough last February (where we had one of our Top 5 Meals of All Time at Herzog), that we’ve decided to have a crack at another of NZ’s wine regions: Central Otago.
To that end, I want your recommendations and suggestions on where Eating Melbourne should eat and drink! We’ll be there for a week, and based in Queenstown most of the time, with a hire car to drive around to wineries etc.
KATE
Here's some wine ideas from our visit. http://www.winosandfoodies.com/2007/06/more_south_isla.html
Also from Queenstown it's worth the drive out to Glenorchy for the beauty. No where decent to eat out there, so take picnic supplies.
There is a chocolate place down on the waterfront but I can't remember the name. And we spent a great evening in a bar called Bardeau. It was a couple of years ago so don't know if it is still any good.
Certainly worth lunching at Amisfield winery.
Have fun.
Wow. Where to start.
For breakfast/coffee you should definitely try Motogrill and Bob's Weigh (on Shotover st) and Joe's Garage.
For dinner: Fishbone on Beach st is probably the best seafood.
I haven't eaten at the Botswana Butchery but I hear it's amazing.
Pier 19, or the 19th is great.
There is also a little local style restaurant in Fernhill (just outside of QT) called Vknow. Definitely worth a look.
Amisfield winery also has a very good restaurant.
For wineries:
By far and away my favourite winery is Chard Farm, just outside of QT, Peregrine is also worth a look. I'm a big fan of their cheaper label (the name escapes me). The Bannockburn area is awesome for Pinot and aromatic whites (Riesling, Gewurztraminer) and could entertain you for a good couple of days.
Thanks Barbara – I'll go bookmark your post!
Thanks Michael, making a note of your recs now.
Keep 'em coming!
Oh, and don't you dare forget to eat at Fergburger. Best hamburgers in the Southern Hemisphere.
I just read through my Queenstown blog posts, http://myachinghead.net/tag/queenstown/ and remembered that my favourite place in all of Queenstown is Eichardts. It's a private hotel down on the waterfront (near the end of the mall) but the 16 seat bar is out of this world. The cocktails there challenge any I have had, anywhere.
cant go past chef's dinner menu at amisfield winery. one of my favourite meals anywhere.
other end of the scale is ferg burger…. best burgers and onion rings ,,, as above.
Les Alpes is a definite must-do. good food, good service. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their steak is to die for and they have a counter full of home-made french pastries..just exquisite.
I like Minami for sushi and fergburger, as above, is the best place for burgers. Expect a big line though!
ozmouse – your is about the fifth rec I've had for Amisfield, sounds like it's definitely a winner!
renee – thanks for the suggestions! Les Alpes sounds good, I love pastry
for something a little more casual, try The Cow (in Cow Lane Queenstown) I haven't been there for many many years but it was great last time I went there
http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/information/product/?product=cow-restaurant