The Best Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Queenstown

Nestled in a serene location right at the foot of the Skyline Gondola, the Bespoke Kitchen is renowned for incorporating raw ingredients in all its meals. Grab a fresh cup of coffee and select between a trove of tasty vegan treats, gluten-free muffins, cabinet foods and various hot foods for all tastes and dietary requirements. On a chilly winter morning, you can opt to sit outside with a blanket by the open fire. Alternatively, cosy up indoors by a window so you can revel in those idyllic views.

Fluffy pancakes, light breakfast buns, free-range omelettes, and full-size veggie breakfasts – pretty much all tastes are catered for at the Halo Forbidden Bite café. The spacious eatery overlooks a local church and has an incredibly pleasant ambiance from the inside and out. Halo also consists of a fully licensed bar that serves Central Otago wines and Macs Beers.

Fresh foods, locally-roasted Octane Coffee, and a remarkably popular twist to the classic Eggs Benedict are some of the reasons The Exchange continues to be a hit among its patrons. Gluten free options are also available, and the café always takes pride in using free-range eggs for their meals. Notable in-house creations include the New Zealand lamb mince on toast, and their homemade baked beans.

Coffee, cabinet treats, filling brunch staples and a beautiful Lake Hayes location – the Graze Cafe has all the ingredients for a pleasant early-morning or daytime meal. Their delectably diverse brunch menu includes muesli with manuka honey, shakshuka, apple pie pancakes, fish tacos, southern fried chicken, and even a mac’n’cheese curry.

A sweet spin-off of the iconic Fergburger, Fergbaker is a great place to drop by for some baked goodies and ice cream. Classic meat pies, a large assortment of pastries, doughnuts, toasted sandwiches, pretzels – if you’re looking for a quick treat and cup of coffee while in town, this is the place you’ll find it.

Located in a historic building that dates back to colonial times, The Boatshed Cafe & Bistro is a place to savour rich marina views and classic breakfast offerings. If you’re in before 9:30am, make sure to try the Early Bird Special: two eggs in any style, accompanied by toasted ciabatta and a complimentary cup of coffee (with an upsize option for an extra dollar). Whether you’re a meat lover, dedicated vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free foodie, there’s always something on the menu worth sinking your teeth into.

Set in a lovely lakefront location, Vudu Cafe & Larder is an extension to a well-established local favourite, the Vudu Cafe on Beach Street. A massive 1950s image of Queenstown makes the rustic interiors look as scenic as its outer setting. Mouthwatering vegan sweets are a house speciality, with bespoke cakes being the pick of the crop. There are plenty of options for meat eaters too, as well as an array of gluten and dairy-free treats for those who have allergies.

Joe’s Garage has been serving up wholesome food and coffee since the year 2000. Since the eatery’s early beginnings in Queenstown, Joe’s Garage has expanded to Wellington, Christchurch and a small handful of North Island locations. From rich veggie burgers to in-house staples like breakfast burritos, this is a definite must-visit if you’re looking for a hearty meal before spending a day relishing the scenic sights and bustling activities.

Pier 19 is most famous for its seafood mains – but the restaurant’s breakfast and all-day dessert menu is guaranteed to please brunch-goers of all kinds. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic or vegetarian ‘big breakfast’, some whitebait omelette, crème brûlée, or artisan breads and cheeses, there are more than enough options to satisfy anyone who visits this iconic Steamers Wharf venue.

You can’t go wrong with a place that does all-day breakfasts for NZ$10. It’s this incredibly satiable offering that made Red Rock Bar & Cafe a must-visit among Queenstown locals and curious passersby. The cheerful venue is located just off the main street, and looks and feels like a classic British pub. If you’re coming in at a later time, the bar & café is also a good spot to enjoy some drinks, play a round of pool or simply sit back and watch some sports on the TV screen.