After opening six New Zealand-inspired restaurants across San Diego over the past 21 years, Queenstown Hospitality Group will open its first North County restaurant in Del Mar Village on Thursday.
Formerly known as NZ Eats, the restaurant group was co-founded by lifelong friends Matt Baker and PJ Lamont, who discovered New Zealand’s famous organic, grass-fed beef burgers during a visit to the country and decided to re-create that experience here with their first restaurant, Bare Back Grill, which opened in Pacific Beach in 2005.
The Lamb Smash burger, featuring New Zealand beef, at Queensland Del Mar, opening Thursday, May 21, in Del Mar. (Kimberly Motos)
That was followed by Raglan Public House in Ocean Beach in 2012 and Dunedin New Zealand Eats in North Park 2016. Along the way, they have also opened three Queenstown-branded restaurants: Queenstown Public House in Little Italy in 2013, Queenstown Bistro at Westfield UTC in 2018 and Queenstown Village in La Jolla Village in 2023.
Their newest location, Queenstown Del Mar, will host its grand opening on Thursday. Like its three sister restaurants, Queenstown Del Mar will serve New Zealand-influenced comfort food and craft cocktails in a relaxed environment.
The exterior of Queensland Del Mar restaurant, opening Thursday, May 21, in Del Mar Village. (Kimberly Motos)
“Del Mar felt like a natural next step for us,” Baker said in a statement. “There’s a strong, growing food culture here, along with an appetite for a solid, local neighborhood eatery. That gave us the confidence to do something that fits the community but still brings a new point of view.”
In honor of the grand opening, the Del Mar location will be offering one free kids meal with each entrée purchased from opening day through May 28. And to celebrate National Burger Day on May 28, customers dining onsite that day who buy a burger will get a second burger for free.
New Zealand sea bass and risotto at Queensland Del Mar, opening Thursday, May 21, in Del Mar. (Kimberly Motos)
The Del Mar location’s menu, overseen by chef Yohalmo Rosales, features dishes including lamb and Wagyu beef smashburgers, a Blazin’ Ahi sandwich, New Zealand-style meat pies, fish and chips, sausage rolls and breakfast classics. The dinner menu will offer New Zealand sea bass with risotto, spicy cioppino with New Zealand green mussels, and New Zealand rack of lamb.
Queenstown Del Mar has a full bar. A happy hour service from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays will offer $10 cocktails and wines, $7 beers and more. There’s also a dog menu for guests with canine companions.
The 2,500-square-foot Del Mar location, formerly occupied by WestBrew Del Mar, was designed by Michael Soriano of Onairos Design, has a lush forest/greenhouse-style design with hanging plants, natural texture and glass walls.
Queenstown Del Mar is at 1435 Camino Del Mar in Del Mar Village. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend brunch service begins at 9 a.m. Visit queenstowndelmar.com.
Steak and Fries at Queensland Del Mar, opening Thursday, May 21, in Del Mar. (Kimberly Motos)