3 Best Restaurants in The Southern Alps and Fiordland, New Zealand

Just across the road from the lake, this is a great place to sit shoulder to shoulder with the locals for breakfast outside on a crisp sunny morning. The cafe's Māori name means "food made good," and the menu ranges from simple breakfast and lunch choices (coffee and croissants, salads, nachos, and kebabs) to beef ribs and rump roast for dinner. In addition to consistently good meals, "The Kai" has local beers on tap and fresh bread; it's a great place to wind down after a big day.

Built to commemorate the coronation of King George V, this early 1900s bathhouse on the beach now turns out breakfast, lunch, fresh scones, tapas, and dinner from its tiny kitchen. Many people find it by accident as they walk to the Queenstown Gardens, but it's worth seeking out deliberately.

A loungey vibe with log fires, leather armchairs, and an impressive wine list make the Bunker a particularly cozy dining location. Dinner is an all-night affair, especially if you continue with drinks in their upstairs bar; there's even a special Taste of the South degustation menu if you really want to indulge.