The air is fresh, crisp, and cool. You take a deep breath in. As you inhale the air, you too take in the breathtaking picturesque landscape- rolling mountains, white peaks, and the juxtaposition of the chilly lake lapping against a cluster of pebbles -welcoming the dwellers and tourists alike to join and soak in the stunning day ahead. Good morning, you’ve woken up in Queenstown.
If you’re anything like me, you live to eat. You wake to eat. You sleep, purely so you can pass the boredom of starvation for 8 hours, to then wake the next day, to eat. And, of course, you travel to eat. Food is the essence of joy- and Queenstown serves it up one glorious mouthful at a time. What better way to ensure the foodie experience isn’t missed by having an entire day dedicated to the art of eating. Here’s my AM to PM, Queenstown Day on a Plate.
9AM FERGBAKER
I’d be lying if I said the day only started here. Let’s face it, after a night of money shots (a QT rite of passage) and copious amounts of Central Otago Pinot Noir, a swift walk past and ignoring the smell of meat pies and sausage rolls on the way home at 2am isn’t reality. However, if midnight carb-loading is not your style, a morning pick-me-up is.
Fergburger, a 14-year run burger joint that sits along the main intersection of Shotover Street, became famous for serving up the best old-school burgers in town, or anywhere for that matter. Open 21 hours a day and growing in popularity for mouth-watering, juicy burgers such as “Sweet Bambi“ (Fiordland Deer) and “The Cockadoodle Oink“ (Crumbed Chook and Bacon), the folks at Fergburger graciously extended their talents to take over a shopfront next door, Fergbaker.
A walk past a rather classic, non-descript bakery would get only a sideways glimpse if it wasn’t for the aromas of fresh, warm pastry wafting out onto the street. Hard to miss, and ever so tempting, the cool morning air calls for it. Every morning a crowd gathers, and a line extends of those patiently awaiting their AM croissant, or as I suggest for your first morning in QT, a Venison and Portobello mushroom homemade pie, Pork sausage roll, or both.
Known for their array of traditional pie crowd pleasers, and FB originals such as Beef Cheek, and Prawn and Chorizo, as well as the classic Kiwi filling of choice, Mince and Cheese, Fergbaker proves it’s hard to beat that flaky pastry, warm gravy, and tender meat, soft enough to slice with a spoon. A short stroll means you’re only metres away from one of the best breakfast views- the Lakefront is the perfect morning spot to people watch, take in that Queenstown scenery and get stuck into those baked goods. Just watch out for the seagulls, they know a quality pastry when they smell it…
Fergbaker
40 Shotover Street, Queenstown Town Centre
Fergburger
42 Shotover Street, Queenstown Town Centre
12PM RĀTĀ
After a morning of exploring around the lake on foot or on bike, at this point you’ve burned off that guilt-free pie. Trust me, calories don’t count when you’re walking up and down 45 degree hills. Lunchtime calls, and it’s pretty hard to beat Rātā.
Tucked away in heart of the city centre, and surrounded by lush native greenery towering over the establishment, Michelin chef, Josh Emett serves up New Zealand produce, done exquisitely well. Native and locally sourced ingredients are the heroes of the menu, with diverse and unexpected flavour combinations that add a robustness and welcomed complexity to otherwise simple and home grown favourite fare.
New Zealand produce is hard to beat, up amongst the best in the world, and Rātā is a celebration of it. Sourcing quality produce and ingredients from the region, Rata’s commitment to organic fare and sustainable practices make this an essential experience to tick off your QT Food Bucket List. Menus change daily due to the nature of sourcing only the freshest ingredients, and did I mention they preserve, ferment, and dehydrate seasonal produce to ensure you’re getting the native and local flavours you came for all year round.
Modern, light-filled and a backdrop of historic buildings, it’s not hard to see why this charming eatery is a Foodie’s quintessential Queenstown pit-stop.
Rātā
Te Nuku, 43 Ballarat St, Queenstown
4PM LITTLE BLACKWOOD
Sitting on the famous Steamer Wharf Waterfront, a stroll from a long lunch at Rātā to Little Blackwood is a scenic route along the lakefront necessary for Queenstown first-timers. With breath-taking views of The Remarkables and surrounding mountains, what better way to ease yourself into the sunset than a cocktail or five. Don’t worry, with a roaring open fire, and plenty of beers for the boys, Little Blackwood is a warm welcome from the crisp sunset breeze picking up off the lake. Also a heated deck overlooking the stunning view, for those voyeurs that enjoy watching the wine-fuelled passers-by head home after a long day of winery tours.
With a menu aplenty with some of the best cocktails in Queenstown (as touted by true locals), seasonal wine offerings, and live music, at Little Blackwood it’s easy to linger for a few extra hours than anticipated. And if you’re feeling like a day of walking, biking, and drinking robust reds and craft beers is starting to take its toll, the Artisan Charcuterie boards and Gibbston Valley cheese platters are your best friend.
Oh and their take on the classic Espresso Martini. “Rich and Famous” as self-described, and oh so satisfyingly one of the best Espresso Martinis you’ll have, with a touch of their house made cinnamon syrup to spice things up even more. Just don’t blame me if the cocktails, music and food force you to stay a few extra hours past your bedtime.
Little Blackwood
88 Beach Street, Queenstown
8PM THE LODGE BAR
I know, I know…I bet you’re thinking you just can’t fit another thing in…think again. If you’ve managed to escape the steady decline of the Little Blackwood Espresso Martini vortex, then your last, and certainly not least, stop is The Lodge Bar.
Sitting on the lakefront- a hop, skip and jump past the Eichardt’s Hotel (also a noteworthy drink spot), lies this Aspen Ski Chalet-esque slash Fox Hunter’s cavern, cosy, late night culinary hot spot. Presented by the fashion forward crew behind Rodd and Gunn, The Lodge Bar is just what you would expect. This little gem offers a quiet, cosy spot to unwind after a long day exploring all that is Queenstown, with a wine list that makes you pretty content to stay awhile. Overlooking the lake and snow-capped mountains, it’s pretty easy to see why you could linger here for a bit, and you’d be forgiven for mistaken you’re in Vale or The Swiss Alps, the fit-out as much a part of the experience as the food. Think fur covered seating, leather chesterfields and parquet-panelled walls- you might even spot the Deer head casually overlooking the dining room sitting perched above the fireplace.
The Lodge Bar offers locally sourced produce, done simplistically yet flavourfully- a quintessential Queenstown experience. Michelin starred-Kiwi chef Matt Lambert of The Musket Room NYC fame, designed and curated the menu- The Lodge Bar highlights local Central Otago produce offering it in a clean, simple and approachable way. Just the snack menu alone will pique your interest, and I suggest you don’t go past The Meat Pie Croquette and Sourdough Toast offerings. Amazing morsels of goodness that will leave you eyeing off the rest of the menu.
At The Lodge Bar, a late-night supper never looked, and tasted, so good. As you sink deep into a leather Chesterfield, taking your last sip of Pinot Noir and overlooking the magic that is the lakefront and The Remarkables, you’ll wish you could stay forever. Especially because that diet is waiting for you at home. Until again.
The Lodge Bar
2 Rees St, Queenstown
www.roddandgunn.com/au/the-lodge-bar
Melbourne
