This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
Looking for the best restaurants in Arrowtown? In this blog, I go over the 7 best ones.
Arrowtown is a historic town that’s only a 20-minute drive from Queenstown. I’ve been coming here for years and by this point, I think I’ve eaten at most restaurants, and had drinks at almost every bar!
If you’ve never been here, I’ll break down all my favorite spots and what you can expect from each. I’ll go over restaurants, bars, and even some cafes, so keep reading to discover the best places to refuel in Arrowtown!
1. Slow Cuts
Slow Cuts is at the top of this list for many reasons. Now I’m biased, but I think the best meals in the world include slow-cooked meat and craft beer. So the fact that Slow Cuts serves some of New Zealand’s finest craft beer and has a killer menu paired with it, had me salivating from my first visit.
Their menu boasts a range of burgers, salads, mac and cheese, rotisserie chicken, and a rotating slow cut of the day. In short, you’ve got options. They source their beef from a local farm that raises all of their cows naturally on grass-fed pastures. Their chicken and fish are also locally sourced, so I love that regardless of what you order, you’re always getting the freshest meat.
I’m also a big fan of their vibey all-wood interior and excellent outdoor seating. They frequently hold events such as live music so be sure to check out their Facebook page to see if you can catch any!
It’s easily one of the most popular spots – it even ranks pretty highly on my list of the best things to do in Arrowtown! So, I suggest booking a table in advance so you don’t have to wait to be seated. They are open daily from noon to 9 pm, except Wednesdays and Thursdays when they open at 4 pm.
This is easily my go-to spot for a burger and beer and it’s located on the popular Buckingham Street downtown.
2. Fork and Tap
The Fork and Tap is the taphouse I go to when I want to sit outside, enjoy some craft beer, and eat some delicious food. I love that their spacious patio is (mostly) year-round, but they also have super cozy indoor seating for those cold winter days when you want to drink a pint. There’s even a fireplace inside!
Plus, it’s a super historic place since the building has been around for 150 years – that dates back to the Gold Rush in Arrowtown!
This taphouse has a massive food menu that ranges from sandwiches and salads to fish and chips and meat pies. Although if I’m being honest, their pizza is my go-to meal! They also have 23 different New Zealand craft breweries on tap and it’s constantly rotating. New Zealand makes some killer brews, so if you love beer, don’t miss the chance to try some here.
I’ve been to a couple of their music shows that they put on throughout the year, but summertime (December to February) is when they have the most. It’s a great spot to be social and meet other people or just sit back and enjoy some music.
Open from noon to 10 pm every day of the week, you can find Fork and Tap on Buckingham Street downtown. Especially during the summer, this is the place to be for the best outdoor seating in Arrowtown!
Related Read: Even though it’s a quick drive, you can also visit Arrowtown on one of these tours from Queenstown!
3. Blue Door
Blue Door Bar is (in my opinion) not just the coolest bar in Arrowtown, but one of the coolest on the South Island. Tucked into a back alley, past a blue door, and down into an old den, this historic bar has vibes like no other.
The atmosphere is cozy with brick walls and wood beams that run across the ceiling. I love coming here and getting comfy in the leather chairs and enjoying a cocktail by candlelight.
While this bar serves some bar snacks, it’s primarily a place to come and get a drink. They serve beer, cider, and wine, but this is easily the best spot in town to get a craft cocktail. The bartenders know their stuff and make a killer whisky sour! During the winter, they get a fire going and it’s one of those spots where you could sit all night and drink mulled wine.
They host live music every Wednesday and DJs on Friday, so if you want to see some local artists this is the place to go. There are tons of other one off shows that range from folk to jazz.
If you’re looking for a unique bar experience, Blue Door Bar is the best option in Arrowtown. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 5 pm to 1 am (closed Monday and Tuesday) you can find the entrance just off of Buckingham Street.
4. Provisions of Arrowtown
Provisions of Arrowtown hands down takes the crown as the best cafe in Arrowtown. (Although if you need more suggestions, I have a whole blog on cafes in Arrowtown!).
They serve fantastic Kiwi-style coffee and have an out of this world menu that includes seasonal dishes like the smoothie bowl pumpkin pie. Yeah, I’m a big fan.
Everything on their menu is fresh and seasonal, so regardless of what time of year you visit, you’ll be getting creative food inspired by locally sourced ingredients. They also have some amazing pastries for those of you with a sweet tooth. If you’re wondering what I meant by “Kiwi-style” coffee, do yourself a favor and order a Flat White. You won’t be disappointed!
The building they are located in is the old miner’s cottage that dates back to the 1860s where (you guessed it) the miners were housed. It’s small and can fill up quickly, but there is also outdoor seating if the weather permits. If all else fails you can wait for a seat or just take your food to go. During the weekends it can get really busy, so I suggest hitting it on a weekday if you can.
Open from 8 am to 4 pm every day of the week, you can find the best cafe in Arrowtown on Buckingham Street.
5. Bendix Stables
Bendix Stables is a family-owned gastropub that checks all the boxes when you think of laid-back fine dining. The historic horse stable building is charming and the restaurant is welcoming to groups of all sizes and ages. If you’re traveling with kids, this is my personal recommendation.
Like all great restaurants, they offer wonderful outdoor seating that shows off the beautiful surrounding landscape. There’s a lush lawn with toys for children, so parents can relax while kids have fun nearby. They have an extensive food and drink menu, but if you like tacos, I recommend their BBQ pulled pork chicken. To date, they serve the best Bloody Mary in town and have an excellent rotating 14 beer tap selection!
What I really like about Benedix Stables is that you can reserve a table online beforehand. This is great if you have kiddos who aren’t as patient when it comes to waiting to be seated.
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm, it’s a great spot to have a late breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They are located here on Buckingham Street downtown.
6. Aosta
If you’re looking for some great Italian food, Aosta is my go-to place in Arrowtown. The menu is inspired by Northern Italian cuisine and made to pair with local wine. A match made in food heaven? I think so!
I love, love, love a good brunch, and their brunch menu is excellent with creative dishes like the Calabrian Chili Scramble and Carbonara Benedict. Just don’t forget to get a mimosa with that! If it’s a nice day, you can sit on their outdoor patio, but I’d be safe and make a reservation beforehand.
Their dinner menu is equally as fantastic and the only complaint I have about this place is that it’s so hard to choose what to order! All of the ingredients are either locally sourced or imported to ensure the finest quality and it shows. My tastebuds are dancing every time. If you don’t know much about wine never fear, the amazing staff can help you pick out the perfect one to accompany your meal.
This is a great spot for a romantic dinner or if you just feel like getting a little fancy. Open every day of the week, their brunch runs from 10 am to 2 pm Friday through Sunday and dinner hours are 5-11 pm. You can find them downtown on Buckingham Street downtown.
7. Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen
Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen is about a 10-minute drive outside of Arrowtown, but it is well worth going out of the way to experience their incredible gardens and wine selection. I am continually swooning at the location and this is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of local New Zealand wine on a summer’s day.
Mora is Latin for linger and with some of the best wine in the region, it’s easy to linger here all day. I love their Kolo Pinot Noir, but if I’m in the mood for white wine, the Eden Chardonnay is my pick of the litter.
Their restaurant serves up small bites and larger meals that pair wonderfully with their wine selection, but I highly recommend their artisan platter. If you enjoy brunch, I can’t recommend this place enough, but consider reserving your spot beforehand to avoid having to wait.
The on-site gardens you sit in are lovely and the view of the surrounding valley is magical. I’ve been here many times and it always continues to impress! They are open every day of the week from 9 am to 5 pm except for Tuesday through Thursday when they open at noon. You can see why I love this place for yourself when you visit their location just outside of town.
Where to Stay in Arrowtown
Arrowtown is a really cool place to stay in the Wakatipu Basin for those in the medium to high budget, with lots of great hotels to pick from. There are also lots of Airbnbs and bach/holiday homes available!
Arrowtown Holiday Park – $
While Arrowtown has lots of fantastic choices when it comes to midrange and luxury hotels, unfortunately there isn’t a great selection of budget options! That said, I’d class Arrowtown Holiday Park as budget-friendly, especially if you’re staying in a campervan or motorhome, or don’t mind camping in a tent.
A one-night stay in one of their Oregon lodges costs $92 NZD per night, however a tent site starts at $45 NZD, and a powered site costs $58 NZD per night. You can check availability and reserve your accommodation here on Booking.com.
Settlers Cottage Motel – $$
One of my favorite mid-range hotels is Settlers Cottage Motel. This boutique motel is located in a historic building that’s only a 5-minute walk from downtown Arrowtown. They have a limited selection of rooms that come in either studios or two-bedroom cottages and have free parking included.
Every room or cottage includes a kitchenette as well as a fridge – perfect for a short stay where you can prepare your lunches for the busy days ahead! Prices start at $199 NZD for a studio, and $319 NZD for a family of 4 in one of their bespoke cottages – you can check availability and book your room online here.
Millbrook Resort – $$$
For a more luxurious stay, consider spending a few nights at the Millbrook Resort (yep, remember the golf course with the epic views?). The resort is located on the outskirts of town and is pure luxury. With an indoor pool, outdoor jacuzzi, and the golf course at your front door, it’s easily one of the most luxurious places to stay in Arrowtown.
Rooms here at the Millbrook Resort aren’t cheap, starting at $560 NZD per night, but if you’re looking to spend some quality time in a super luxurious environment (and maybe a little golf!), then this might just be the accommodation you’re looking for. It is a popular resort though, so don’t forget to book your room in advance to secure your dates.
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
There are so many great places to eat in Arrowtown that I had a hard time narrowing it down! Hopefully, these recommendations helped you get a few ideas. Most of the best restaurants and bars in Arrowtown are on Buckingham Street, so take a wander down there and I’m sure you’ll find another great spot.
While you’re planning your time in this part of New Zealand, have a look through all my blogs on Queenstown and the entire South Island section. This is my home and I love sharing all the fantastic things to do and see here!
The BEST 5 Days in Queenstown Itinerary – From a Local!