Shrimp skewers, grilled fish, seared scallops – there are thousands of amazing seafood dishes out there. Moreover, there are a ton of great seafood joints in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Whether you’re a fan of Japanese sushi or you’re crazy about American surf and turf, there’s something for everyone. Use a luggage storage service to stash your belongings, then visit these 12 savoury seafood joints in Queenstown.
No5 Church Lane
Casual food can look and taste just as good as any five-star restaurant. At least, that’s the case with No5 Church Lane. This cocktail bar has a very friendly atmosphere. It’s the sort of place that you go to after a long work week.
Their delicious seafood and refreshing drinks set them apart from other cocktail lounges. You can order breakfast, lunch, and dinner alongside your choice of drink. Naturally, we have to recommend their shrimp cocktails.
Boardwalk
Seafood and steak are a match made in heaven. Sirloin steak tastes a lot better with shrimp skewers on the side. Both dishes are extremely popular in Queenstown. Moreover, both dishes are delicacies that Boardwalk specializes in.
Located at Queenstown’s waterfront, Boardwalk is a household name among surf and turf lovers. Their entire menu is amazing, especially the oyster bar.
Botswana Butchery
When it comes to great dining experiences, ambience goes a long way. Eating at a dive and eating at a cosy restaurant are two drastically different experiences. The Botswana Butchery seems to agree with this sentiment.
They offer fantastic food and a luxurious dining experience. Guests can look forward to chowing down on market oysters next to an open log fire. Order a light lunch or a three-course meal. The options are plentiful at the Botswana Butchery.
Captains Restaurant
Queenstown is famous for its numerous adventure activities. Seriously, there are more than 220 adventure agencies in this city alone. But adrenaline junkies aren’t the only folks who can have fun in the city. The Queenstown Mall is where all the shopaholics and foodies go.
Why? Because places like the Captains Restaurant are located here. This establishment prides itself on savoury seafood and succulent steaks. They also have an astonishing wine collection that can’t be overlooked.
Cody’s Restaurant
Butter prawns, Cantonese lobster, garlic scallops – these are all staples of Asian seafood. Health enthusiasts around the globe have likely incorporated Asian seafood into their diets. Heck, fish egg rolls are so popular that you can buy them at gas stations in New York.
But nothing beats authenticity in our opinion. That’s why Cody’s Restaurant is one of our favourite establishments. They specialize in Sichuan dishes, namely Sichuan boiled fish.
Erik’s Fish and Chips
We’ve used plenty of words raving about surf and turf but fish and chips are another tasty combo. A staple of British cuisine, fish and chips are also extremely popular in Australia and New Zealand.
Erik’s Fish and Chips takes the cake (or the cod, in this case) in Queenstown. Their Haki and blue cod with homemade chips are a must-order for first-time visitors. The same goes for their deep-fried kiwi if you’re feeling adventurous.
Finz Seafood and Grill Queenstown
A lot of folks are often hesitant to try upscale seafood for the first time. It’s one thing to eat fish sticks for most of your life, and another to incorporate sashimi into your diet. Moreover, a bad upscale experience can literally and figuratively leave a bad taste in your mouth.
You won’t have to worry about that at Finz Seafood and Grill Queenstown. This upscale eatery features a refined menu packed with starters, vegetarian options, and full-course meals. Special mention goes to the prawn and clam spaghetti.
Fishbone Bar & Grill
Chef-driven restaurants will always get praise from us. We’ve got lots of love for establishments that are started by passionate people. Fishbone Bar & Grill is the brainchild of Mike Hill and chef Darren Lovell.
This place serves every kind of fish-based dish you can think of. The menu changes every day, but there’s always something delicious on offer.
HALO Forbidden Bite
You can’t always judge a book by its cover, or a restaurant by its name. HALO Forbidden Bite might have a scary-sounding name, but their food and atmosphere are anything but. European entrees are on the menu here, alongside contemporary New Zealand dishes.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner items decorate the menu. You’re in for a different experience depending on the time you visit. We’ll say this much; the salmon poke bowls that go on sale around lunchtime are some of the best in the city.
Pier
Sometimes, simplicity is the best policy. This tends to be true with dining; we’ll take tried and true dishes over experimental Frankenfoods nine times out of ten. That’s not to say we don’t appreciate innovation – some of our favourite meals are unique twists on classic items.
Pier has the best of both worlds. Guests can order traditional New Zealand seafood items as well as signature creations. Pier is also a great brunch venue, specifically for foodies with sweet tooths.
Prime Waterfront Restaurant & Bar
The scenery in Queenstown is almost beyond words. Snow-capped mountains overlook grassy green fields. Landmarks like the Kawarau Gorge bridge peak over the horizon, and hot air balloons drift through the air.
The Prime Waterfront Restaurant & Bar is, well, the prime place to admire Queenstown. Guests can order seafood chowder, then take a seat at the patio and enjoy the scenery. Prime Waterfront is fine dining at its finest.
Tatsumi
Sushi is one of our favourite dishes. Really, there’s never a bad time to eat it. California rolls can fit into most diets. Rainbow rolls are great when you just want to go all out. We could go on and on about sushi. Case in point, it’s a Japanese dish that tastes great and makes you feel great.
Tatsumi serves sushi alongside a myriad of classic Japanese dishes. Seafood lovers can order oysters and prawns all the live long day. We’re pretty sure you can guess what we’ll be ordering.