Five great places to eat in Queenstown

The Cow's menu hasn't changed since 1976 and its pizzas are well worth writing home about. Photo / Megan Singleton

This list has been put together after much banter on my social media pages as I sought to "crowd source" the best places to satiate one's appetite in Queenstown. I've included some from my last visit and some that won hands down with my friends.

The Cow

This casual, rustic restaurant is literally in a cow shed. At the end of Cow Lane, you won't be surprised to learn that dairy farmers used to walk their old girls along this narrow lane to the milking shed more than 100 years ago. Today you enter though a split-in-two-halves stable door. The menu hasn't changed since 1976 and its pizzas are well worth writing home about.

Madame Woo

Josh Emmett's second restaurant in Queenstown (the first is Rata which is also highly recommended) is styled around Asian street food. Only it's not sold from a food truck but in a very stylish restaurant a stone's throw from the lake. It's always busy so wait upstairs with a ginger mojito. The Hawker Rolls are a favourite and they have small sharing plates of deliciousness thanks to chef Jane Leong's home style fare.

Eichardts

The good news is you don't have to be loaded enough to stay the night. Just pop in like we did for a drink and a nibble. We blew in through the velvet black curtain on a blustery night and sat by the fire to enjoy a cocktail before braving the elements for dinner. The black squid ink tempura prawns were possibly the best small plate I've ever tasted.

The Bunker

This one is on the list thanks to the many people who shouted its praise from my Facebook rooftop. It's small and intimate (seven tables) so a booking is advised and while they do a la carte, the degustation menu is what everyone's drooling about. Expect venison, pork belly you can slice through with a fork and wine matching for a special night.

Vudu Café and Larder

This is popular Vudu Café's new big sister. It got an overwhelming response to my call out so head here for a breakfast you won't forget. The Larder is on Rees Street and the variety of great tasting organic food and coffee is what everyone returns for, but it's so popular you may have to wait for it.

Click here for Megan's blog on exploring Queenstown and Wanaka in five days.