Winter Eats at Queenstown Central
Cold days call for good food. Whether you’re fuelling up before hitting the slopes, warming up after a big day on the mountain, après ski-ing with the crew, or simply making the most of a slow winter weekend – Queenstown Central has you covered.
Just minutes from Queenstown Airport and a straight shot from Coronet Peak and The Remarkables ski fields, Queenstown Central Shopping Centre is the locals’ go-to for eating and drinking all winter long. Open 7 days for breakfast, lunch and dinner – free parking on the door. Here’s your guide to eating and drinking your way through the season.
Start the Day Right
Head to Hustl. Cafe in The Market for a seriously good brunch — open from 7am with strong coffee all day and a carefully curated menu with excellent vegan, GF and DF options. Must-tries include the Biscoff Latte and Happy Toast – smashed avocado with lemon chilli oli, housed picked cabbage & hazelnut dukkah. Single-use cup free — bring your keep cup or borrow from their Cup Library!
For a sun-drenched spot with Remarkables views, The Coffee Club is your classic all-day breakfast and brunch destination — perfect before a day on the mountain or a lazy winter morning. Tinco Cafe in the Kmart foyer is a locals’ favourite, quietly famous for their Matcha and freshly baked daily muffins. And in The Market, Bakers Lane is a must — don’t leave without one of Wendy’s famous cream-filled donuts!
Quick Bites & Grab-and-Go
In a hurry to get up the mountain? St Pierre’s Sushi and Subway on Foodies Lane will have you sorted fast. Love Chicken is fast food done properly — organic free-range chicken from Bostock’s in Hawke’s Bay, NZ-grown chips, organic milkshakes and proudly Coca Cola-free. The Korean BBQ Burger is a local legend. And the view of The Remarkables from Foodies Lane? Breathtaking!
Something Warming
Winter was made for noodles and curries. Bronze Elephant brings bold Thai flavours — from tom yum soup and green curry to Phad Thai and their Sizzling Crispy Chicken. TOP1 Korean delivers fresh, flavourful Korean dishes in a warm and inviting space — brilliant for lunch or a comforting dinner after the slopes and No. 8 Noodle Bar serves authentic Chinese cuisine that’ll warm you from the inside out.
Cooking in? Stock your pantry at Kim’s Asian Foods for all your Asian-fusion essentials, and grab your favourite tipple from Merchants Liquor on the way out.
Pizza Night
Two very different takes on a very good thing. Sal’s Pizza is New Zealand’s only 100% authentic New York-style pizza — settle into a cosy booth and enjoy yours made fresh to order. Or head into Pavilion for Ciao Brutto — wood-fired pizza and soul-warming pasta from a dedicated dough room. Don’t want to eat in? Takeaway pizza can be enjoyed from both!
The Essential Après Ski Destination
After a big day on Coronet Peak or The Remarkables, there’s only one place to be — Pavilion Bar & Kitchens. Led by renowned chef and restaurateur Sean Connolly, Pavilion is Queenstown’s premier après ski gathering ground, with something for every appetite under one roof.
Steak & Oyster Co. — Sean’s signature celebration of land and sea, with premium cuts and ocean-fresh shellfish over an open-fire grill, sourced from local growers and fishers. Ciao Brutto — ugly-beautiful pizza fired with flair and soul-warming pastas. And the Pavilion Bar itself — house-crafted cocktails, a curated selection of local and international wines, and a vibe that hums from lunch until late.
A South American Feast
The Meat Preachers in The Market is one of the most satisfying winter meals you’ll find in Queenstown. From the team behind Zamora — slow-roasted meats, smoked brisket, beef and pork ribs and rotisserie chicken, all cooked over an open fire South American-style. Open for lunch and dinner, dine-in or takeaway.
A Memorable Night Out
Hikari Teppanyaki on Foodies Lane delivers dinner and a show — experience Hikari’s famous flying fried rice cooked right in front of you! Bookings recommended for Teppanyaki or a la carte is also available for lunch or dinner.
Something Sweet or Wholesome
Grab a bubble tea from Wu Cha — made with NZ dairy, fresh fruit and premium Chinese tea leaves, with a seasonal menu that changes throughout the year. For the sweetest ending, Drop’d in the Pavilion is a nostalgic self-serve frozen yoghurt bar — swirl, stack and enjoy.
For food with real soul, Soul Food Organic stocks 100% organic produce, fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, bulk pantry staples and daily counter food — the perfect stop for a wholesome winter feed or stocking up for a night in.
Find Us
Queenstown Central is at 19 Grant Road, Frankton, Queenstown — just minutes from Queenstown Airport and a straight run from Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Free parking available. Open 7 days.