Rātā

Rātā has been part of central Queenstown's dining scene since 2012. It opened in a building tucked among the heritage buildings of Ballarat Street and is co-owned by Josh Emett, an internationally recognised chef with a background in MICHELIN-starred kitchens, and Fleur Caulton, a highly regarded local restaurateur, with Chris Scott as head chef. In 2026 it gained a MICHELIN Star of its own in the first MICHELIN Guide to New Zealand, following earlier praise such as a 2024 Viva article by Jo Elwin that called it central Queenstown's best restaurant.

The restaurant describes its cooking as produce-led and grounded in place, and it is keen to say it is not fine dining in the formal sense. Every dish is inspired by the landscapes and producers of the South Island, and the menu changes daily with the seasonal produce of Southern New Zealand. The kitchen preserves, ferments and dehydrates ingredients, and slow-cooked dishes with robust flavours are a feature. The tourism board's summary of the MICHELIN award highlights its use of locally foraged and farmed ingredients.

The wine list leans on Otago and the rest of New Zealand, with international bottles as well, and there is a large selection by the glass, which makes it easy to try local Pinot Noir without committing to a bottle. Rātā serves lunch and dinner, and the bar offers grazing food, so you can drop in for a drink and a few plates rather than a full meal.

It suits couples and small groups wanting a relaxed but accomplished meal in the town centre, and it is a good choice for a long lunch between activities. Families should note the booking policy for children: bookings for under-tens are only taken at the 5pm sitting, which suits an early family dinner.

Reservations are recommended, especially in the evening. The online system stops taking same-day bookings after 3pm, so if you decide late in the day you will need to phone or email the restaurant directly. Rātā is in the town centre, a few minutes' walk from most central accommodation, so there is no car to worry about if you want to enjoy the wine list.