Despite its small size, Arrowtown has an impressive food scene, with everything from cosy cafés and traditional pubs to Italian restaurants and modern tapas bars. Whether you’re visiting for the day from Queenstown or staying overnight, there’s no shortage of excellent places to eat.
These are my favourite Arrowtown restaurants based on food, atmosphere and overall experience.
Tip: Opening days and hours can change throughout the year, so it’s always worth checking before your visit.
If you’re planning your visit, don’t miss my guide to the best places to stay in Arrowtown.
Quick Answer: What Are the Best Arrowtown Restaurants?
| Restaurant | Best for |
|---|---|
| Provisions of Arrowtown | Brunch and coffee |
| The Fork and Tap | Casual pub meals |
| Slow Cuts | Slow-cooked comfort food |
| Postmasters Kitchen & Bar | Garden dining |
| Little Aosta | Italian cuisine |
| La Rumbla | Tapas and cocktails |
The 6 Best Arrowtown Restaurants
All of these restaurants are located along or just off historic Buckingham Street, making them easy to visit while exploring Arrowtown.
1. Provisions of Arrowtown
Located at: 65 Buckingham Street
Best for: Brunch and coffee
Housed in a beautifully restored historic miner’s cottage, Provisions of Arrowtown is a fully licensed café that’s a favourite spot for breakfast or lunch.
Take a stroll along Buckingham Street straight out of the gold rush era and then tuck into fresh, seasonal food and great coffee. They have an assortment of incredible baked goods on display in their cabinet as well as an all day menu.
Their outdoor seating area nestled in a lovely little garden is perfect on a warm sunny day. It’s one of my favourite places in Arrowtown for brunch, especially if you can grab a table in the sunny garden.
2. The Fork and Tap
Located at: 51 Buckingham Street
Best for: Casual pub meals
If you’re looking for a classic New Zealand pub, The Fork and Tap is hard to beat. Expect craft beer, hearty pub meals and a relaxed atmosphere in one of Arrowtown’s historic buildings.
Open for lunch and dinner, the menu features all the pub favourites, along with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options, plus a dedicated kids’ menu. There’s also an excellent selection of New Zealand beer and wine to enjoy.
A cozy fire will keep you warm in the cooler months and an outdoor beer garden perfect for those warm summer days.
3. Slow Cuts
Located at: 46-50 Buckingham Street
Best for: Slow-cooked comfort food
If you’re craving hearty comfort food, Slow Cuts specialises in slow-cooked meats and generous portions. From buttermilk fried chicken burgers to slow cut of the day, the hardest part will be choosing what to try first.
It’s reasonably priced and a favorite amongst the locals. Slow Cuts pride themselves on sourcing their ingredients from local farmers, producers and growers.
Their outside courtyard is a great spot to sit on a warm sunny evening to enjoy great tasting food. I’d rate this as one of the Arrowtown restaurants you don’t want to miss!
4. Postmasters Kitchen and Bar
Located at: 54 Buckingham Street
Best for: Garden dining and local produce
Occupying one of Arrowtown’s most recognisable historic buildings, Postmasters Kitchen & Bar is a warm and welcoming pub-style restaurant on the corner of Buckingham Street.
Once the town’s post office, the beautifully restored building now serves brunch, lunch, snacks and dinner made with locally sourced ingredients, alongside an extensive selection of New Zealand beer, wine and cocktails.
They cater for a range of dietary requirements and have a lovely outdoor garden overlooking the historic main street. Even if you’re not hungry, it’s a great place to stop for a drink and watch the world go by.
5. Little Aosta
Located at: 18 Buckingham Street
Best for: Italian cuisine
If you love Italian food as much as I do, then Little Aosta is the restaurant for you! Northern Italian cooking techniques paired with fresh New Zealand ingredients go into this homestyle Italian cooking that feels like a warm hug.
In true Italian family style dining, their menu is designed to share over several courses from antipasti to pizza to pasta to the main event. Their woodfired meatballs are insanely good as is the woodfired pizza. You’ll leave with a very satisfied belly.
They also have an excellent spritz menu if you’re after a pre-dinner drink or aperitivo.
6. La Rumbla
Located at: 54 Buckingham Street
Best for: Tapas and cocktails
La Rumbla is a tapas and cocktail bar inspired by the flavours and culture of Catalonia. Open for dinner, this lively restaurant offers a selection of dishes designed to be shared. The menu changes regularly and everything is made from scratch using fresh, local ingredients.
They also have options for gluten free, dairy free and vegan dishes made from fresh whole foods. Their cocktail menu is one of the highlights and pairs perfectly with the share plates.
It’s a popular place for both visitors and locals so we recommend booking a table in advance.
Final Thoughts
Arrowtown may be a small town, but it has one of the best restaurant scenes in the Queenstown Lakes region. Whether you’re after brunch, a relaxed pub meal, authentic Italian or share-style tapas, there’s something here for every taste and budget.
If you still have room afterwards, Patagonia Chocolates is the perfect place to finish with a hot chocolate, gelato or handmade chocolates.
And if you’re continuing on to Queenstown, you might also enjoy my recommendations for the best Queenstown restaurants.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Pin for later!
Heather is a travel enthusiast living in New Zealand with her family. She writes about living in and enjoying travel to New Zealand.