Travelling & Eating in Queenstown with Children and a Young Family
If you are travelling, vacationing or holidaying in Queenstown with a young family or small children, then this post will help you decide where to dine with the family.
Family Friendly Restaurants and Eateries for Your Family
Finding family-friendly restaurants is an important part of travelling. This means weighing up menus against locations, accessibility, and child-friendly tools such as highchairs and colouring books - or even a play corner! And it should also be said that our choices are based on personal taste, but also as locals who have brought up families in Queenstown and the Wakatipu Basin.
Another point to note is that our lists are as much about 'not what a restaurant has' as opposed to what it doesn't. So enjoy this post, and use it as your base to make informed decisions for you and your family when dining in Queenstown this holiday!
Lone Star
Lone Star ranks as our number one favourite family-friendly restaurant in Queenstown, Lakes District. It has a great relaxed atmosphere, is frequented by many local families, has a really great kids menu, is affordable (against the Queenstown standards), and they really look after the kids with colouring and coloured pencils and on-table games. And centrally located, which means you can get there easily by foot and the tables are generously spaced to park a buggy under. So many reasons to visit Lone Star!
Winnie's Pizza:
But If it's pizza that your children love, then a local favourite for families is Winnie's. Their pizzas are wood-fired and come with an impressive variety of toppings. The casual setting and kid-friendly menu have always made it a hit with families. Based on the Mall in the heart of town, this is a fantastic family restaurant.
Fergburger:
Burgers are generally a win-win for everybody in a family. As an iconic food destination in Queenstown, it's worth the visit with the family, and although they don't have a children's menu, they do have a wide range of good burgers - many of these options are suitable for children, including simpler burgers like the "Little Lamby" (a smaller version of their lamb burger) or the "Big Al" (a classic beef burger). These burgers are often more manageable in size for younger appetites. You can also customise your burger which makes life easy with more finicky young eaters. This we know well - with one son who only ever ate the bread bun and the meat paddy - and nothing else! No mayo, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes or cheese!
We'd suggest grabbing your burgers and heading down to the waterfront to eat picnic-style. Informal eating is the Kiwi way!
The Cow Restaurant:
If you're taking your family, then let us suggest that you grab an early table for dining. It's a wonderful, iconic restaurant that seats a small number of people, located in a historic building in the heart of Queenstown. While The Cow Restaurant is renowned for its Italian cuisine, Families may appreciate the relaxed atmosphere and hearty dishes, including fab pizzas, pastas, and risottos. A personal favourite for this author's family is the Garlic Loaf - a home-baked loaf with fresh butter and garlic dribbled over the crust once freshly baked!
More Causal Eateries
Taco Medic:
For a fun and casual dining experience, head to Taco Medic for some tasty tacos. They offer a range of fillings, including vegetarian and vegan options, served in soft tortillas. It's a great spot for a quick and satisfying meal.
Erik's Fish and Chips:
Enjoy a classic Kiwi meal at Erik's Fish and Chips. Located on Queenstown's lakefront, this popular eatery serves up freshly battered fish, crispy chips, and other seafood delights. It's perfect for a relaxed family meal with stunning views of Lake Wakatipu.
Frank's Eatery:
Frank's Eatery offers a family-friendly dining experience with a menu featuring a mix of New Zealand and international dishes. From hearty breakfasts to comforting mains, there's something for everyone to enjoy. They also have a dedicated kids' menu.
Pedro's House of Lamb:
If you're in the mood for something different, Pedro's House of Lamb specializes in succulent slow-cooked lamb shoulder served with sides. It's a great option for families looking for a delicious and hassle-free meal.
Mrs Ferg Gelateria:
Treat the family to some delicious gelato at Mrs. Ferg Gelateria. They offer a tempting selection of flavors made with locally sourced ingredients. It's the perfect way to cool off on a hot day or satisfy your sweet cravings after a meal.
Travelling with Children need not be a challenge. There are always loads of places you can go - and remember, most places do a mean takeaway so you can bring the meal back to your Spinnaker Bay Apartment and enjoy it at leisure, overlooking the lake!