The Best Places To Brunch In Queenstown

A Queenstown classic brunch spot is the one and only Pier; located on Steamer wharf, surrounded by the peaceful lake and awe-inspiring mountain range. Get a group of friends together, take your family out or treat yourself to a relaxing brunch; whatever the occasion, this is a prime spot. Pier’s menu contains all the brunch staples from smashed avocado to bacon benedict and chicken burgers to kumara and corn fritters. Our go-to is the Pier breakfast with soft poached eggs; Manuka smoked streaky bacon, pork sausages, mushrooms, beans, hashbrowns and toasted sourdough. The perfect antidote to dusty mornings! Since it is 5 o’clock somewhere, you can find us sipping away on Mumm Champagne and espresso martinis while we await our brunch.

Everywhere you dine in Queenstown is picturesque, however, we are easily swayed by The Boat Shed Café and its seat on the shore of Lake Wakatipu. The seasonal menu showcases locally sourced produce; each dish is incredibly flavourful and irresistible. The boatshed benedict is everything we needed and more, with poached eggs on toasted muffins, broccolini and herb hollandaise. You can also choose to throw in twice-cooked pork belly or Stewart Island hot smoked salmon. Other options include the infamous twice-cooked lamb shank, the seafood chowder and chorizo scrambled eggs. Wash your brunch down with a spiced chai latte or a Bailey’s iced chocolate.

Ivy and Lola’s Kitchen and Bar is a brunch enthusiast’s heaven, serving up spectacular views, a healthy dose of sunshine, hearty cuisine and strong drinks. Ivy and Lola’s are a beloved spot, to tourists and locals alike. The brunch menu consists of classic dishes like chicken and waffles, the big breakfast, eggs on toast and brioche French toast. The latter comes with strawberry puree, vanilla custard, lemon mascarpone and nut praline. On the weekends, diners are encouraged to take advantage of the cocktail happy hour from 9am – 12pm. The best companion for brunch is definitely a mimosa.

Passionate providers of coffee and brunch, Yonder is a one-stop spot for all your morning needs. The restaurant is bright and airy, offering a relaxed and comfortable space for brunch. Get your hands on passionfruit cheesecake French toast, the bacon butty, the full yonder or the chipotle chilli scramble. The latter pairs spicy chipotle chilli scrambled eggs with chorizo, crispy Agria hash, grilled broccolini, hollandaise and labne. The cocktail menu is vegan-friendly and moreish, from Fireball Coladas to cheeky tikis. Yonder’s fare is unbeatable; the skill and passion come through every bite.

Tucked safely into the hillside is Bespoke Kitchen, just a short jaunt from central Queenstown, the eatery overlooks the bay in all its glory. In the summertime, dine al fresco and embrace the tranquillity of the area, and in winter, curl up indoors with a steaming cup of coffee in hand. Bespoke is the perfect place to visit when you need to recharge. The all-day menu changes seasonally; currently, you will find avocado on toast, flowered granola, buckwheat pancakes and eggs benedict. One of our favourite dishes has to be the golden smoothie bowl, with mango, pineapple, banana, coconut and passionfruit whip, almond butter and nut crunch. It is bright, fresh and flavourful.