Hitting The Slopes This Winter? Here’s Everywhere To Dine In Wanaka

hether you are looking for a tasty bite before you hit the snow or you need a feast after a big day, Arc Wanaka is the place for you. The brunch menu is innovative and creative, showcasing Arc’s talent in the kitchen. Wrap your hands around a steaming cup of artisan coffee as you dive fork first into a plate of morning glory, otherwise known as Turkish eggs with Ora King salmon and avocado on a bagel. The dinner menu is designed for sharing; order a selection of tapas for the table as you work your way through the carefully curated drinks menu. The global tapas are delicious; a few dishes that we cannot resist are the rare lamb fillet carpaccio, salt-baked beetroot and NZ scampi dog.

After a chilly day on the slopes, what more could you want than spicy Mexican cuisine and expertly created margaritas? We give you Amigos Wanaka; this is the perfect spot for lively date nights, group outings and a quirky place for food enthusiasts to indulge in the best tacos around. The taco menu is insane and has 17 flavours available; you will not know where to start. They all taste amazing; our go-to is the beer-battered Baja fish with chilli jam and pickled red cabbage. If you love burgers and tacos, why not combine the two? The hamburguesa is divine with a soft-shell taco filled with a cheeseburger, pickled cucumber and American mustard; it truly is the best of both worlds. Amigos also make the tastiest passionfruit frozen margaritas; however, if you have had enough ice for the day, opt for the classico!

Perched pretty on the lakeside is none other than Wanaka Gourmet Kitchen. Specialising in good old New Zealand cuisine and stone-grill fare; this is a popular spot with locals and visitors. The menu has everything you could want or need after a snowy day; it is hearty and homely comfort food. WGK is famous for its legendary slow-roasted lamb shoulder with mint jelly and lamb glaze; this dish is best shared. The beauty of stone-grill is having your meal presented to you on a 400˚C stone and cooked at the table. It is an experience like none other. We highly recommend the trio stone option; it comes with 70gm of eye fillet, venison fillet and lamb rump with a red wine jus. Then you proceed to slice, sear and cook your meat! Each stone-grill option comes with two sides of your choice.

Francesca’s Italian Kitchen Wanaka transports us to the beautiful shores of Italy, from the generous hospitality to the rich aromas and tasty fare. The authentic cuisine speaks to our stomachs and souls. We cannot get enough of Francesca’s pasta and pizza dishes. The former covers all our bases with potato gnocchi with braised beef cheek, Merino lamb shoulder ragu, pasta norma with eggplant and prawn linguine. You can never go wrong with pizza; the Tartufo is incredible with mozzarella, mushrooms, black truffle oil and parmesan. End your visit to Francesca’s on a sweet note with a chocolate gelato cone.