Planning a spring break to W\u0101naka? Here\u2019s where to fuel up while you\u2019re there.<\/p>\n
\n W\u0101naka is known for its beautiful scenery, pristine lake, snow-capped mountains and world-class trails, its skifields and mountain bike tracks… and yes, that tree as well. What may be less known about this central Otago town
\n is what a must-do it is for any self-proclaimed foodie. The Michelin Awards inspectors noticed it, with seven establishments being recommended by the guide when it was launched in June \u2013 a decent number for such a small town.\n <\/p>\n
Here are the places you can\u2019t miss, from Michelin-starred meals to lesser-known spots residents flock to year-round, as recommended by a W\u0101naka local. <\/p>\n
White Rabbit Cakes. Photo \/ Luisa Apanui<\/p>\n
White Rabbit Cakes<\/p>\n
Tucked away in Albert Town, this food truck on the carpark of a daycare is a must-visit, especially if you have a sweet tooth. White Rabbit Cakes is a wedding cake artist but the \u201cnook\u201d in Albert Town allows you to taste the magic without the nuptials. Go for the doughnuts, stay for the sandwiches, then get a cinnabon to take home.<\/p>\n
Edgewater<\/p>\n
The cafe and restaurant at Edgewater is one of the locals\u2019 favourites. If you want a scone in W\u0101naka, this is where you go. We recommend going early because they do sell out (they\u2019re that good). Park at the rowing club and take the 20-minute lakeside stroll to Edgewater, past That W\u0101naka Tree. Between the tree and the Edgewater scone, that\u2019s two W\u0101naka icons knocked in one short walk.<\/p>\n
Scroggin Coffee & Eatery. Photo \/ Sophie Bayly<\/p>\n
Scroggin Coffee and Eatery<\/p>\n
A delicious coffee option in the town centre, Scroggin is a meeting point for locals and visitors alike. Everything in the cabinet is incredible. Don\u2019t order the dark chocolate and sea salt cookie unless you\u2019re okay with spending the rest of your days longing for it.<\/p>\n
Kai Whakapai.<\/p>\n
Kai Whakapai<\/p>\n
There is perhaps no bigger W\u0101naka institution than Kai Whakapai. Located smack-bang in the middle of town, it\u2019s the perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by. Order a Kai Time (its locally brewed beer) and a bowl of chips and you\u2019ve got yourself the perfect apres ski. If you\u2019re there for breakfast, we hear the bacon butty is not to be missed.<\/p>\n
Big Fig.<\/p>\n
Located on the lakefront, Big Fig\u2019s motto is \u201cslow food served fast\u201d and it\u2019s the closest thing to a healthy, hearty takeaway you\u2019ll ever try. Choosing a favourite feels impossible but the beef cheeks and the kumara gratin will never let you down.<\/p>\n
Francesca is a stalwart of the town’s food scene.<\/p>\n
Francesca<\/p>\n
If you love a good pizza or a good Italian pasta, you\u2019re truly spoilt for choice in W\u0101naka but Francesca deserves a highlight. The food is delicious and it is also a stalwart of the W\u0101naka food scene. During the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, a contactless delivery from Francesca turned a locked-in Mother\u2019s Day in Level 4 into a proper special occasion, so I will recommend Francesca to anyone on that core memory alone \u2013 it helps that the food is top notch too. It was included in the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand award.<\/p>\n
Paloma Taqueria<\/p>\n
Go for the fish taco, stay for the churros, stay a little longer for the long list of Mezcal options. Perfect spot for a casual dinner with friends in town. Michelin included it on its Bib Gourmand list.<\/p>\n
Little Street Kitchen.<\/p>\n
Little Street Kitchen<\/p>\n
A recent addition to the W\u0101naka food scene, Little Street Kitchen is the brainchild of the folk behind the old Bao Now food truck. They are now in a more permanent location. Its famous bao buns are still on the menu, and they\u2019re not to be skipped.<\/p>\n
Sofi Bar & Grill<\/p>\n
In W\u0101naka but wishing you were somewhere in the Mediterranean? We\u2019ve got you. I\u2019m still thinking about the venison tartare and the mince and cheese gozleme.<\/p>\n
Arc can be found in central W\u0101naka.<\/p>\n
Arc<\/p>\n
Whether you just fancy a cocktail or you\u2019re looking for an elevated fine-dining experience in central W\u0101naka, Michelin Selected Arc won\u2019t disappoint. The menu changes with the seasons, as all menus do, so I recommend trusting the chef. <\/p>\n
Cabin W\u0101naka<\/p>\n
Located in the heart of W\u0101naka, Cabin\u2019s open woodfire invites you in from the moment you walk through the door. Seasonal harvests and local meats all get the woodfire treatment and the result is a unique menu that honours the landscape it\u2019s created in. Upscale yet casual, it\u2019s not a place for a quick bit but to sit and linger in.<\/p>\n
Muttonbird.<\/p>\n
Muttonbird<\/p>\n
Another W\u0101naka institution, another Bib Gourmand inclusion, with a seasonal menu that will not let you down, no matter the season. Lamb\u2019s tongue, pork belly rolls, carrot tarte tatin… Good luck deciding what to have.<\/p>\n
Ramen Ramen in W\u0101naka.<\/p>\n
Ramen Ramen<\/p>\n
My 9-year-old would find it unforgivable for me not to mention Ramen Ramen, her No 1 spot for all food-based celebrations. Birthday dinner? Ramen Ramen. End of term treat? Ramen Ramen. She\u2019s not wrong, though, the ramen really is good. It\u2019s a small spot and it doesn\u2019t take bookings, so wear your puffer as you might need to queue for a bit. <\/p>\n
Bistro Gentil. <\/p>\n
Bistro Gentil<\/p>\n
If you love French cuisine and lake views, this is the place for you. The French onion soup is not to be missed.<\/p>\n
WanaFusion<\/p>\n
Located upstairs, this spot boasts some great views of Lake W\u0101naka, if you manage to grab a table on the balcony. Perfect for when you feel like tasty Asian food but can\u2019t quite get the group to agree on whether to go for Chinese, Thai or Vietnamese. Why choose when you can have them all?<\/p>\n
Bombay Palace.<\/p>\n
Bombay Palace<\/p>\n
Aotearoa is blessed with many great Indian restaurants but Bombay Palace, on the lakefront, may be the country\u2019s most picturesque. It\u2019s also up there with the most delicious. So delicious, Michelin awarded it a Bib Gourmand. Everything on the menu is incredible but, whatever you choose to eat, make sure you leave some room for the chocolate-stuffed naan. <\/p>\n
Ashraf\u2019s<\/p>\n
Ah, Ashraf\u2019s. The quintessential unassuming W\u0101naka institution. One paragraph won\u2019t do it justice. This family-run restaurant serves Northern Indian food. The owner, Ashraf Pala, is a beloved member of the W\u0101naka community and, in addition to running the restaurant with his wife, he takes a group tour to India every year during the restaurant\u2019s annual closing dates.<\/p>\n
Red Star Burger Bar.<\/p>\n
Red Star Burger Bar<\/p>\n
The W\u0101naka community is famously divided on whether or not they want a McDonald\u2019s in town. One thing they can all agree on: nothing will beat a Red Star burger after a day on the slopes. Or a day off them, for that matter. The Blue Burger will not let you down.<\/p>\n
Amigos restaurant.<\/p>\n
Amigos<\/p>\n
Got a big group of friends keen to catch up over tacos and margaritas? This is the spot. Finish it off with the churros, no one will go home unhappy.<\/p>\n
Albert Town’s Pembroke Patisserie.<\/p>\n
Pembroke Patisserie<\/p>\n
Every W\u0101naka local will have a Pembroke Patisserie favourite order. For me, it\u2019s the almond croissant, but I know plenty of people who take the drive to the Albert Town French cafe for a custard square or one of their delicious baguette sandwiches. <\/p>\n
Federal Diner.<\/p>\n
Federal Diner<\/p>\n
This spot in the centre of town is hidden away in an alleyway so you\u2019ve got to be in the know to know… but now you\u2019re in the know, so go grab a coffee from the Fed.<\/p>\n
The Brownston St Food Truck Park. Photo \/ Lake W\u0101naka Tourism<\/p>\n
The Food Truck Park<\/p>\n
The Food Truck Park is a picturesque area on Brownston St that includes food trucks and picnic tables. It\u2019s a great place to gather with friends, especially if none of you can agree on what to eat. There\u2019s pizza, fried chicken, Mexican food and much more. Special mention to Burrito Craft, dishing out the best burritos in town.<\/p>\n
Fudog<\/p>\n
Fudog serves modern Asian cuisine crafted with fresh Central Otago ingredients. Try the Mongolian beef.<\/p>\n
Rhyme & Reason<\/p>\n
One thing W\u0101naka has a lot of is good beer that you can drink straight from the source, such as the Rhyme & Reason brews, made right there on Gordon Rd, straight to your pint glass. The place gets really busy on a Friday afternoon, for good reason. Stuck for what to order? Mt Alpha and Fruity Patootie are always good choices.<\/p>\n
Hook in W\u0101naka. <\/p>\n
Hook<\/p>\n
A firm favourite for a family lunch gathering, Hook is a special offering \u2013 a restaurant where you can fish your own food. Visit on a sunny day, catch your own Chinook salmon from one of the lakes and the team will cook it for you. Not after a lake-to-plate experience? Their pizzas are top-notch too.<\/p>\n
Zuka Japanese Diner.<\/p>\n
Zuka Japanese Diner<\/p>\n
Zuka serves up authentic Japanese food in a cosy setting in the centre of W\u0101naka. The sashimi is fresh, the homemade gyoza are great, and, if you\u2019re taking the kids, the bento boat is a delight. <\/p>\n
W\u0101naka Brew Bar. Photo \/ Ray Tiddy<\/p>\n
W\u0101naka Brew Bar<\/p>\n
No place combines brews and views better than the Brew Bar. Located upstairs and right in front of the stunning lake, the bar bolsters one of the best lake views you\u2019ll find in town, serving up W\u0101naka Beerworks craft beer.<\/p>\n
Yohei Cafe.<\/p>\n
Yohei Cafe<\/p>\n
Yohei is a small sushi restaurant in the heart of W\u0101naka, serving up sushi, sashimi and a range of hot and cold drinks. It\u2019s unassuming and you\u2019d be forgiven for giving it a miss among all the other options in town, but you\u2019d be missing out on great food and excellent service.<\/p>\n
Black Peak Gelato.<\/p>\n
Black Peak Gelato<\/p>\n
For a sweet treat, head to Black Peak Gelato and check out its flavours of the day. The serving size is generous and the handcrafted gelato is always spot on. <\/p>\n
Verve<\/p>\n
Verve is a wine and craft beer bar in the heart of W\u0101naka, serving excellent drinks in a relaxed setting. It\u2019s a short walk to (or from) the movies at Cinema Paradiso and we\u2019re not saying that is the perfect date night in town (but we\u2019re not not saying it isn\u2019t either). There\u2019s often live music and Verve regularly hosts community events (think paint & sip, quiz nights, embroidery events and jewellery making workshops), making it a great spot to meet up with friends and make new ones.<\/p>\n
The Little Brewer.<\/p>\n
The Little Brewer<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re particular about your cup of coffee, then this is the spot you need to head to. Enjoy a high-quality cup of the good stuff, brewed by people who are passionate about coffee, and enjoy the friendly service and cosy atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Ground Up brewery. Photo \/ Tim Miller<\/p>\n
Ground Up<\/p>\n
Ground Up is a great local craft brewery serving up a range of delicious fresh and seasonal brews from its taproom on Gordon Rd. There\u2019s a food truck outside serving up the kai to go with your beers, and the bar regularly hosts community events to bring people together.<\/p>\n
b.social <\/p>\n
Another hit on the W\u0101naka beer scene, b.social is the taproom of b.effect Brewing Co. Located on Anderson Rd, this is a local hangout for many after a day on the slopes or the mountain bike tracks. <\/p>\n
Charlie Brown Crepes.<\/p>\n
Roy\u2019s Yard<\/p>\n
W\u0101naka\u2019s food truck per capita ration is something that should be studied – and I mean this in a good way, when it comes to alfresco dining, we are truly spoilt for choice. Roy\u2019s Yard is a new area in the town centre that houses a number of food trucks. You can take a real culinary world trip in that one street corner, including traditional French crepes, Italian pizza, Vietnamese street food, South American sandwiches, Mexican tacos, and more.<\/p>\n