A hearty breakfast is the best way to begin the day, especially when you have an action-packed day ahead of you in a destination like Queenstown. Luckily there are a number of restaurants and cafes in Queenstown that cater to all customers, from the budget conscious to the big spenders. Enjoy the best fusion of flavours in Arrowtown, or a mighty breakfast bagel in the heart of town. Here you’ll find eateries that offer the best breakfast or brunch that money can buy!
1. The Boat Shed
If you’re looking for the best breakfast in Queenstown, look no further than The Boat Shed. Perfectly positioned on the edge of Lake Wakatipu along Frankton Road, you can enjoy a beautiful breakfast while soaking up views of the Remarkables mountain range. The building itself is a historic New Zealand Railways shipping office dating back to the 1800s. It’s been lovingly restored and relocated to its current location among the boats at the Frankton Marina. There’s no better spot to start the day. The vibrant menu will have you coming back time and time again, with dishes like wild mushrooms on sourdough and cilbir (Turkish) eggs. The Boat Shed changes their menu slightly to suit the season. Whether you go for coffee and french toast or a mimosa and waffles, you won’t be disappointed.
2. Mora
Mora is a winery and artisan kitchen located in the most beautiful garden setting near the edge of Lake Hayes. The team at Mora manage to deliver a high-quality dining experience in absolutely enchanting surroundings. Go for a savoury breaky with their slow-cooked beef shin, complete with poached eggs, fermented chilli hollandaise, Asian greens and a rosti. For a sweet start to the day, try their brioche french toast with banana and passionfruit. Be sure to pair it with a mimosa and you’re away and running. Once you’ve eaten, enjoy the gardens and sample the delectable wines with a tasting. Head to this spot on the Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road for a fantastic breakfast in Queenstown.
3. Franks Eatery
Frank’s Eatery is a family-run cafe at the centre of Queenstown cafe culture, serving a wholesome range of local food that is great-tasting and simple. Breakfast options include smashed avocado, creamy market mushrooms, and sourdough pancakes. Here, you can cosy up in cushioned corners illuminated by the bright decor. Tucked away near Remarkables Park Town Centre, this Queenstown cafe is a handy go-to for locals. Franks Eatery is the perfect Queenstown brunch venue to kick off any morning with a hearty breakfast or catch-up with friends over a coffee.
4. Jack’s Restaurant
Nestled between mountains, lakes, and a championship golf course, the Jack’s Point Clubhouse Restaurant is a unique dining venue that offers breakfast with a view. They use local and seasonal produce to create bites that complement the setting. Grab a sweet treat or a savoury toastie from the cabinet and park up to enjoy the scenery. Jack’s is the ideal place for morning coffee in Queenstown. Stay out of the hustle and bustle and enjoy peace and serenity in one of the town’s most impressive lifestyle estates.
5. Vudu Café and Larder
Vudu Cafe is an award-winning cafe located in the centre of Queenstown, which offers a rotating seasonal menu, fresh local produce, and options that cater to all dietary requirements. Open from 7:30 am, the Vudu Cafe is an excellent choice for breakfast in Queenstown. Grab a fresh and fruity orchard fruit crumble with caramelised stone fruit, apricot gel, oat & almond crumble and market fruit. Or opt for a savoury dish of eggs benedict with an English muffin, greens, and an apple cider hollandaise. Nestled on the waterfront, this venue offers breakfast in a prime Queenstown location. Plus, some of their dishes are as Instagram-worthy as the lakefront.
6. Yonder
Yonder describes themselves as the ‘slayers of coffee’ who offer the perfect venue for ‘brunch, dinner & late night shenanigans’. If you’re looking for a picture-worthy venue to enjoy brunch in Queenstown, Yonder is one of the best. It’s filled with quirky creativity and has a great atmosphere. Try the pork benny with poached eggs on shredded confit pork shoulder served on an English muffin, complete with fresh chilli, sriracha, and hollandaise. Indulge in something sweeter, like the blueberry and lemon pancakes (suitable for vegans!) composed of buckwheat pancakes layered with blueberry compote, vegan lemon curd, blueberries, lime crumb, poppy seeds, and maple syrup. The venue also hosts several exciting events, so check their website before you go to avoid missing out on any of the action.
7. Balls and Bangles
If you have a sweet tooth or a keen liking for banging bagels, Balls and Bangles is the perfect cafe to treat yourself to a decadent breakfast or Queenstown brunch. They specialise in donut-topped milkshakes, indulgent donuts, bagel sandwiches and perfect coffee. The shake flavours are wild (choc banana sundae, toasted marshmallow, snickers, bubblegum, pina colada, hazelnut espresso), and the donuts are extravagant and generous. Try the ‘Bacon & Waffle’ donut with choco-chip waffle, butterscotch cream and banana curd, or the ‘Glitter Bomb’ with sweets, chocolate, & a magical touch of fairy dust. Kids and big kids (adults) will adore this Queenstown restaurant. Everything is baked fresh daily, including the bagels which are a must-try!
8. Bespoke Kitchen
Less than five minutes from the centre of town, Bespoke Kitchen offers a fresh, unprocessed breakfast venue in Queenstown. Select a simple favourite done well, like the sourdough toast & butter with raspberry chia jam or the homemade granola with blackcurrant, blueberry, apple, and elderflower compote. Enjoy a Queenstown buffet breakfast with the board’ complete with a winter elixir shot, berry & coconut, chia pot, tahini hummus, fried eggs, greens, and dukkah. Fear not – gluten-free options are available too! The Bespoke Kitchen offers deliciously simple foods with an elegant twist.
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9. Joe’s Garage Five Mile
Big flavours, hot plates and crazy good service. Joe’s Garage is a local favourite for breakfast in Queenstown. Be it a full fry-up or merely a scone and a coffee, this is the spacious cafe to tick your boxes. Plus, if you’re looking for a cheap breakfast in Queenstown that still delivers big on flavour, look no further than Joe’s. Enjoy a granola cup with muesli, coconut yoghurt, and berry compote or bacon pikelets with banana and maple syrup. You won’t regret trying one of their rolls filled with good stuff like streaky bacon and egg or spicy bratwurst sausage and caramelised onion. You’ll find Joe’s on the Frankton end of town, Joe’s Garage Five Mile. When you step through the doors at this location, rest assured you’ll find a hearty meal packed with flavour and made with integrity.
10. 11th Avenue
11th Avenue by Frank’s is brought to Queenstown by the original Franks Eatery. Conveniently located in Lower Shotover, this neighbourhood cafe is a trusty spot for breakfast in Queenstown. The large grass area and deck seating make 11th Avenue the ideal spot for brunch in the sun. Round up a ground of friends their cheat day toast or their pimped out smashed avo. Keep things light with a smoothie bowl, or go for full flavour with the gonzilla – 12-hour smoked brisket with salsa verde, avocado, pico de gallo, poached eggs and hollandaise, plus some jalapeno and bacon scone toast for good measure. 11th Avenue is open for lunch and dinner too, and their pizzas are a must-have in Queenstown!
11. Odd Saint
Odd Saint is the new kid on the Queenstown cafes block. Everything from their food to their community involvement is enticing and it’s becoming a staple in the heart of town. Dishes like fried chicken and a havoc ham croque madame will have you dreaming about your Queenstown breakfast for days. Add a few sides, through in a cocktail and go wild with something sweet to finish – Odd Saint is a joyous place for a brunch date with friends. If you can’t get enough, consider coming back in the evenings to try their dinner menu too!
