Within the hustle and bustle of Queenstown, there's a hidden gem of a place that we're going to talk about today. Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen is the restaurant located in the SkyCity Queenstown Casino, which is one of the five New Zealand's land-based casinos operated by the SkyCity Casino brand. SkyCity Casino New Zealand knows not only good games, but also good food. Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen offers a curated menu that could satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, and we can't wait to tell you more about this great restaurant.

Location and Opening Hours

Let's start with the location, because you can't enjoy a good meal if you can't find the restaurant. Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen is situated in the same building as SkyCity Casino Queenstown. The address is Stratton House, 16-24 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300 (Level 2 for the restaurant). The opening hours depend on the day. From Wednesday to Sunday, the restaurant is open between 12 pm and 10 pm, serving lunch and dinner. On Tuesday, the restaurant is open from 11 am till late, serving their Snack menu. Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen is closed on Monday. By contrast, SkyCity Casino in New Zealand is open every day between 12 pm and 12 am, with different opening hours on big holidays. If you're planning on going to the casino and grabbing a bite at Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen, make sure you check the timetable and book a table accordingly, because it gets busy. Another thing to keep in mind is the Sky City casino age limit. You have to be 20 years old or older to enter and this applies to Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen as well.

Food at Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen

It's now time to get to the good part – the carefully curated menu of Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen. There are three separate menus for the three different meals served during the day. Between Wednesday and Sunday, you can enjoy a nice lunch or dinner at the restaurant, while on Tuesday, you can try the Snack menu. Lunch is served between 12 pm and 4 pm. You can get a lunch loyalty card if you're a local! Some of the meals on the lunch menu overlap with those on the dinner menu, such as desserts and a few entrees, but there are others you can only order then. These include, but are not limited to, a mouthwatering SBLT Sandwich with juicy rump steak and a fresh Tandoori Chicken Wrap. We also recommend being a little bit adventurous and trying the Soup of the Day, which is only available at lunch and is different every day, made with fresh produce. Dinner is served between 6 pm and 10 pm, and the dinner menu offers just as delicious options. Some items that you can only order then are the Lamb Shank with creamy garlic mash and the Ginger Chicken Salad. You can also try their signature meals the Lamb Gambler dish or the Beef and Guinness (served at lunch and dinner). In terms of desserts, Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen is famous for its Banoffee Pie and its fresh ice cream. You can also indulge in coffee and the Cake of the Day. If you visit on Tuesday, make sure you're there around 11 am to try the Snack menu. The highlight of the menu is the flatbread pizzas that you can combine with appetizers such as Poutine and their famous Kumari Fries.

Drinks at Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen

Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen has a drinks menu to make your day or evening unforgettable. You can find all types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks there. Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen offers a wide variety of hot drinks like tea and every coffee drink. There are also more than a few brands available for every type of alcohol (e.g., rum, vodka, bourbon). The wine list is extensive, which is to be expected since New Zealand is among the largest producers of wine. We recommend wines from Marlborough and Central Otago (whether whites or reds) if you want to experience the richness of local New Zealand wine. If you're more of a beer person, Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen has a rich selection of bottled and canned beer such as the popular Corona and Stella Artois and some craft beers like Emersons Orange Roughy and Panhead Quickchange. For some authentic New Zealand experience, try the Steinlager draft beer. Naturally, the bar also serves cocktails. You can discover the most popular mixes, along with some signature cocktails there. We recommend trying the Lucky Lychee if you're feeling like having something new; the cocktail is marketed as "an alcoholic sorbet" mixing two types of alcohol and fresh fruits.

Thoughts

Overall, we recommend Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen. It has a lovely rustic, yet modern interior, fantastic atmosphere, and it prides itself on using fresh local produce. All these things explain why it's such a hot spot in Queensland, favoured by locals and tourists alike. What do you think of Wild Thyme Bar & Kitchen? Have you visited it before or are you planning to? Let us know!

After a long and hearty meal, you will probably be in the mood for some drinks. Sure, you will most likely be able to order one at the restaurant you’re in, but if you want to explore new places, we recommend you pay attention to the bars we discuss in this article. Queenstown has become a mecca for mixologists around the country and they can always cook up something you haven’t tasted before, so go ahead and check their creations. Here are the bars in today’s article:

• Habana Boutique Rum Bar
• Bar 1876
• Queenstown Ice Bar
• Reds Bar
• Bardeaux
• The Sundeck

Habana Boutique Rum Bar

The Habana Boutique Rum Bar is a lovely Cuban bar that offers amazing music and the biggest selections of rums you can find in Queenstown. It differs from the more noisy and crowded bars in the area and it offers a hearty and cosy atmosphere amidst the craziness of downtown bars. Drinks you can try: Cuban Traditional Mojito (the absolute best in town) Address: 3 Searle Lane, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 7 pm – 4 am

Bar 1876

1876 is a bar in restaurant situated in an old courthouse, which already wins its points for a unique concept and incredible décor. The venue is quite big and it has indoor and outdoor seating, the latter of which gets filled up rather quickly on a sunny day. 1876 is very popular with locals and it’s one of the cheapest bars in Queensland with incredible happy hour deals, so if you want to go to a unique bar, but you’re also on a budget, 1876 is the place for you. Drinks you can try: Any of their many beers on tap Address: 45 Ballarat Street, Queenstown, Central 9300 Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 12 pm – 4 am, Sunday 12 pm – 12 am

Queenstown Ice Bar

For a truly memorable experience, visit Queenstown Ice Bar. You might have heard and even been to ice bars in the past, but Queenstown Ice Bar is in a league of its own. Not only does it offer amazing cocktails surrounded by big blocks of ice, it also features spectacular ice sculptures created by local artists on a regular basis. Relax on the soft furs over the ice block furniture, while enjoying a premium icy cocktail and feeling like a true Ice Queen or King. Drinks you can try: Any vodka cocktail; Queenstown Ice Bar recently partnered with Absolut Vodka, so they can mix you the best icy vodka cocktail you can imagine. Address: 35 Brecon Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 3 pm – 9 pm

Reds Bar

Reds Bar promises their customers cheeky cocktails and fab food, and honestly, what more can you want? They also speak about old school meeting new school, which really got us interested in the first place. What they mean by this is that they take classic cocktails like the martini and twist them on their heads, so if you want to see your favourite cocktail in a new light, go ahead and visit Reds Bar in Queenstown. Drinks you can try: Oldest Old Fashioned, which comes with some of the best 10 years old whiskey in town. Address: 30 Brunswick Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 4 pm – 10 pm

Bardeaux

Bardeaux is an exclusive bar, hidden away in the bar area of Queenstown. It offers you an exclusive drinking experience amidst its dim-lighting, crackling fireplace and lovely music. It’s quite a fancy affair for those of you who are into that. It goes without saying that Bardeaux has some of the best, if not the best, selections of wine in the whole of Queenstown, so if you’re particularly into wine, you should definitely pay it a visit. You will discover some particularly rare finds in their cellar as they boast of their selection of vintage wines. Drinks you can try: A glass of any vintage wine they have in the cellar Address: Eureka Arcade off The Mall, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 5 pm – 1 am

The Sundeck

The name really reveals it; the Sundeck is a big bar located on a rooftop and that’s probably enough information for you to pack your friends and take them there immediately, after all everyone likes a good rooftop bar and the Sundeck has a spectacular view of the lake and mountains. That’s not the only reason why this bar is constantly full though. They promise that the champagne is always flowing and that cocktails are always shaking. Enjoy a nice drink next to the fire (yes, they have fireplaces as well, they have everything). Drinks you can try: Jack and Rose; the Titanic couple might have had a tragic ending, but yours won’t be if you try out this Jack Daniels and Rosemary blueberry syrup drink. Address: Top Floor, 4 The Mal, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 3 pm – 12 am

You are in the beautiful country of New Zealand and after a long day of adventures, you naturally want to quench your thirst and fill your belly with local delicious food and what’s more local than seafood? You should definitely try the seafood that Queenstown has to offer, because the town prides itself on its trendy restaurants and their fresh fish and seafood. We compiled a short list of the best seafood restaurants in Queenstown based on our own experiences, along with that of Internet users who have given overwhelmingly positive reviews to these venues. Without further ado, here are the best seafood restaurants in Queenstown:

• Blue Kanu
• Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu
• Pier Queenstown
• Finz Seafood and Grill Queenstown
• Erik’s Fish and Chips

Blue Kanu

Blue Kanu is one of the most exclusive seafood restaurants in Queenstown, and although the price tag is quite high, we believe it is worth checking out, because the experience is definitely worth it. Blue Kanu has a very interesting choice of cuisine, a sort of fusion one, that combines Asian and Pacific cuisine to create a style that they call “Polynasia”. The owners says that they are trying to create a new type of soul food that has not been seen in the region before. They promise an exquisite dining experience, especially if you book one of their Koru tables that come with that VIP treatment. Some meals you can try: Trust the Wok – if you say “feed me”, the chef will do just that and surprise you with delicious things. For the more adventurous out there. Address: 16 Church Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 5pm – till late

Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu

Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu is a Japanese hot pot restaurant, which is sure to make you drool when you first come in. In fact, Sukiyaki & Shabu Shabu is the first hot pot restaurant in the region and as such it is always quite busy, so make sure you get your booking on time or you might not get some of that delicious shabu shabu. Although this restaurant offers all sort of foods, including its top-notch Rib Eye steaks, it’s especially popular for its fresh seafood, so give it a go. Some meals you can try: Crayfish is the bomb Address: 45 Beach Street, Queenstown, 9300 Opening hours: Every day 5:30 pm – 10 pm

Pier Queenstown

Of course, when you have the word “Pier” in your name, it’s almost a given that you’d serve some of the best seafood in town. This is certainly the case for Pier Queenstown, which has such a wide selection of fish and seafood that it almost deserves its own article. The restaurant is situated on the pier (what a shock, right?) and it has such a cozy atmosphere that you’ll want to return again and again until you finally try everything off the menu. Some meals you can try: Seafood chowder; it has mussels, blue cod, salmon, clams, prawns and bacon, which already make it a lot better than your regular clam chowder. Address: Steamer Wharf, Beach Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening hours: Every day 9 am – 10:30 pm

Finz Seafood and Grill Queenstown

Finz Seafood and Grill Queenstown is another lovely restaurant on the pier that specialises, as you guessed it, in locally sourced seafood. From what we’ve experienced by eating at this amazing restaurant is that the portions are massive, but even so, you always want that extra bite of exquisite fish cooked to perfection. Enjoy a big platter of every sea creature you can think of with your group of friends and down it with a couple of pints, bonus points if it’s local beer! Some meals you can try: Tempura Soft Shell Crab – this isn’t for anyone as soft shell crabs can feel weird to some, but you should definitely try the one they serve at Finz, because they mastered the recipe. Address: Ground Floor Front, Steamer Wharf Beach Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening hours: Every day 5 pm – 10 pm

Erik’s Fish and Chips

This one is pretty self-explanatory, Erik’s Fish and Chips serves fish and chips, some of the best in town! Of course, they don’t only serve that and you can find many other tasty things there such as oysters, mussels and prawns. What’s great about Erik’s Fish and Chips is that it’s not your casual fast-food place you can go to after a long night of drinking with your mates. No, the restaurant prides itself on its ingredients, all of which are sourced in New Zealand and not only support local fishermen and farmers, but also guarantee the fresh taste. Some meals you can try: Monk Fish and Chips – it’s super delicious and super fresh, what more can you want? Address: 13 Earl Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening hours: Every day 12 pm – 8:30 pm

Some restaurants provide you with the best food you can imagine, while others give you an atmosphere like no other; some do both and they are the topic of today’s article. We want to give you the most unique restaurants in Queenstown, New Zealand, that excel in both the culinary arts and in creative concepts and interiors. We hope this article helps you find the most Instagramable places to eat in Queenstown and that you leave with dining experience that you’re gonna talk about for years to come. Here are the restaurants we are going to discuss today:

• Sherwood
• The Bunker
• Nest Kitchen + Bar
• Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience
• Tatsumi

Sherwood

Sherwood is a hotel and restaurant located in, as you can guess, in a spectacular forest overlooking Lake Willow. You will become one with nature not only because of the amazing view, but also because of the meals you can order there. The owners turned a destitute piece of land into a vegetable garden that grows different spices and vegetables, so you can always find something new on the menu each time you go there. The rest of the food like is sourced locally as well, so it’s always fresh. Dishes you can try: Sherwood duck sausage, cauliflower, blueberry, nasturtium (one of their larger plate options). NB: Many dishes are seasonal, so you might not find this one if you go there in a few months. Address: 554 Frankton Road, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: N/A

The Bunker

For the fans of speakeasies, the Bunker is the place for you. You can find the restaurant on a small alley, hidden behind a big wooden door. Once you go there, you’ll see why it feels like Queenstown’s best-kept secret, as the owners advertise it. The cosy hidden away venue does not entirely rely on its interior or speakeasy nature; it’s also the home of top-class dishes served in the most intriguing way. Each plate is like a painting to the point where you might feel bad for eating it. While at the Bunker, you can also try their amazing signature cocktails. Dishes you can try: Smoked Canterbury ostrich; this is not your regular meal, but do try it if you’re feeling adventurous. Address: 14 Cow Lane, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 5 pm – 11 pm

Nest Kitchen + Bar

For the best view in Queenstown, visit Nest Kitchen + Bar. It’s not the only restaurant on this list with breathtaking views, but it definitely beats the rest. “Nested” on a hill overlooking the lake, Nest Kitchen + Bar is a truly spectacular place whose massive windows will make you feel one with nature. In addition, it goes without saying that the food is just as spectacular. The restaurant offers modern takes on classic dishes, which is always a fun thing to try out. They have some interesting food options that you might not find elsewhere, so be prepared to try new things. Dishes you can try: First Light Wagyu Bavette Address: 139 Fernhill Road, Fernhill, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 7 am – 11 am; 5 pm – 9 pm

Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience

Fogo Brazilian BBQ Experience is well, really an experience. This type of restaurant can be found in other places as well, but we just had to include it on our list, because it’s a truly remarkable dining experience. What happens at this type of restaurant is that you can get the all-you-can-eat option, which has you sitting on your table while waiters continuously come at you with tasty meats, such as fillet mignon and lamb rump, and they cut you a piece, so you can try a variety of different dishes. We recommend you don’t have a big lunch, so you can get the most out of this deal. Dishes you can try: The all-you-can-eat option, duh. Address: 28 Ballarat Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 5 pm – till late

Tatsumi

Tatsumi is a high-end Japanese restaurant in Queenstown that offers fine dining like no other. The dim lighting and the minimalistic interior contribute to the fancy dining experience that people crave. In terms of the food they serve, Tatsumi offers a new and interesting take on classic Japanese cuisine, so you won’t feel like you’re just in the next Japanese restaurant when you go there. They promise a fusion of “traditional flavours and contemporary cuisine” that will leave you asking for more. Their “trick” is that they combine Japanese flavours and cooking methods with European ones to create something new and memorable. The chef swears by this method, but we will let you be the judge of that. Dishes you can try: Oven Baked Oysters with Miso Hollandaise Sauce Address: 9 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300 Opening Hours: 5 pm – 9 pm

Hello dear reader and welcome to our new blog dedicated to the exploration of the best places to have a meal and a drink in Queenstown, New Zealand. We are excited about sharing our own experiences of the local restaurants and bars with you and we hope that you too will enjoy the places we recommend to you. Queenstown is a place of great natural beauty and it draws many tourists every year, which also turned it into one of the hot spots for the top chefs and mixologists in the country, so we felt like there need to be more blogs helping tourists find some lesser-known bars and restaurants that nonetheless have amazing food, drinks, and of course, atmosphere. In this blog, you will find personally curated articles that either have restaurant or bar recommendations. We will try to include everything for each taste! After having said that, we decided to dedicate our first post to our beautiful town of Queenstown. Learn more about its history and its biggest tourist attractions here.

Queenstown Summarised

Queenstown was settled by the Māori who believed that the lakes were dug up by the mythical hero and their ancestor Rākaihautū. The Māori gave the area the name Tāhuna, which means shallow bay in their language. In the 1860’s, William Gilbert Rees and Nicholas von Tunzelmann were the first European people to settle in the area and they soon brought more settlers with them, especially after finding gold. Tāhuna thus became a mining town and many English and Irish people settled the land and worked as miners. The name Queenstown was chosen by the European settlers in honour of an Irish town of the same name. It’s called Queenstown for Queen Victoria who was the monarch at the time. Later on, Queenstown massively rebranded and it is now a proper tourist town that offers lots of fun activities to people of all ages. This, however, made it quite attractive to investors, which significantly increased the prices of real estate in the region and it’s now the most expensive place to buy a house in New Zealand.

Things to do in Queenstown

Queenstown is one of the best places for winter sports in the southern hemisphere, so we recommend you visit it during the winter between June and September. You can go skiing and snowboarding and visit the Winter Pride festival (held each September) or the Winter Festival (June), where other winter sports enthusiasts will gather. In fact, Queenstown is quite popular for its various festivals around the year, which draw many people to the picturesque town. Apart from its two massive winter festivals, there are also the Bike Festival (March or April) and the Jazz Festival (October). Just beware that it’d be quite busy then, so you should book your holiday early. All in all, Queenstown is mostly famous and visited for its natural beauty, so you can explore the great lakes and mountains and engage in activities associated with them. You can also visit natural parks like the Kiwi Birdlife Park or Paradise where they filmed a lot of scenes for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. Queenstown is also famous for its wide variety of activities such as snowboarding, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, bungy jumping, hiking, sky diving and paragliding, to name a few. It’s a place for the adventurous at heart, so even if you’re not experienced in any of them, you’ll be tempted to try them if you go there. Queenstown, despite its busy tourist population, can be quite peaceful as well. There are many secluded beaches and mountain hikes that will allow you to take in the scenery and truly enjoy yourself and nature. What we are trying to say is that there is something for everyone in Queenstown as long as you seek it. Enjoy your stay here!