Flame Bar & Grill
1 / 10

Flame Bar & Grill

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A vibrant South African-inspired grill specializing in award-winning ribs and steaks, offering generous portions and a lively atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Flame Bar & Grill

Flame Bar & Grill

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant South African-inspired grill specializing in award-winning ribs and steaks, offering generous portions and a lively atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Renowned for its secret South African BBQ recipe, Flame Bar + Grill has been a favourite Queenstown restaurant for over a decade."

TIP

Book Ahead for Dinner

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, to avoid disappointment.

Arrive Hungry

Portion sizes are known to be substantial, so come with a hearty appetite.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 10PM

Cuisine

Bar & Grill

Price

Mid-range

Phone

+64 27 349 4469

Address

Steamer Wharf Street Level/88 Beach Street, Queenstown, 9300, New Zealand

Insta-Factor

High

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Award-Winning Ribs & Steaks

Award-Winning Ribs & Steaks

Renowned for a secret South African BBQ recipe, the ribs and steaks are a must-try.

The best bars and restaurants in QueenstownBest Restaurants Queenstown | Top Places to Eat in TownTop 5 Restaurants Queenstown | Best Restaurants New Zealand
Generous Portions with a View

Generous Portions with a View

Savor substantial servings of grilled meats while enjoying scenic lake views.

Google Review
Build-Your-Own Burger Experience

Build-Your-Own Burger Experience

Customize your burger with a variety of premium toppings and ingredients.

Where to Find the Best Burger in Queenstown
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Some of the most tender lamb I’ve never had. Hands down. @flamegrillqueenstown Follow @cella.food for a glimpse into my food locally in Sydney & Internationally - (more travel content on @cella.travels) • • • • • #Sydneyfood #sydneyfoodie #foodcontent #contentcreator #contentcreation #hospitalitycontentcreation #sydneyfood #sydneyrestaurants #socialmediacontent #placesinsydney #musttryrestaurants...
@cella.bava
157 likes • 11.3K views

Book Ahead for Dinner

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, to avoid disappointment.

Arrive Hungry

Portion sizes are known to be substantial, so come with a hearty appetite.

Had the best food at Flame Bar & Grill. The meat was well cooked & omg the prawns was *chefs kiss* I highly recommend to go here if you’re in Queenstown. #queenstown #placetoeat #fyp #tiktoktravel #fijitiktok🇫🇯
@lifewithdhruti
58 likes • 1.6K views
Flame Bar and Grill #queenstown #newzealand #southisland #nzlife🇳🇿 #foodtiktok
@annadequita
39 likes • 3.3K views

Consider First Table

Look into booking through First Table for potential lunch deals and savings.

Sample Unique Sides

Don't miss out on interesting sides like the crunchy apple slaw with pine nuts.

Flame Queenstown 🔥 a taste of South Africa 🇿🇦 Ribs 10/10 💣 💯 | #flamequeenstown #newzealand #southafrica #goodfood #braai #bbq #queenstownnewzealand
@sa_nz.explorer
15 likes • 2.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Book Ahead for Dinner

Reservations are highly recommended, especially for dinner, to avoid disappointment.

Arrive Hungry

Portion sizes are known to be substantial, so come with a hearty appetite.

Consider First Table

Look into booking through First Table for potential lunch deals and savings.

Sample Unique Sides

Don't miss out on interesting sides like the crunchy apple slaw with pine nuts.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Flame Bar & Grill is celebrated for its hearty, generous portions of meat dishes, particularly its signature ribs and steaks, often praised for their flavor and value. The atmosphere is lively, and service is frequently highlighted as friendly and attentive. However, some diners note inconsistencies in steak preparation and find the signature basting sauce's flavor unusual, with occasional complaints about tough ribs.

"We had lunch here and ordered the pork ribs (half rack) and ribeye steak combo with chips, a starter-size green mussel dish, a small slaw salad, and two Coke Zeros. We always come here whenever we visit Queenstown.

The pork ribs were delicious and very generous for a lunch deal. The mussels in creamy sauce were full of flavor, and the steak with added mushroom sauce was also very satisfying.

We ended with their signature flame-shaped gelato, which was the perfect dessert. Since it was my husband’s birthday, they even added a special chocolate decoration — such a lovely touch.

We had a 12 PM booking, and although I don’t remember the name of the female staff member who served us, she was very kind and gave us great service. Thanks to her, we had a really special time."

joy kim

"This was a great choice for eating out in Queenstown. Food was prepared perfectly in a timely manner and the staff were great and attentive even when busy.
Value was amazing, if anything too much food (never a bad thing)
Very accomodating and fit my partner and I in for a last minute booking when we called ahead despite being booked out online.
Cant wait to come back to Flame."

Johnny Beresford

"We visited Flame Bar and Grill for dinner and had a mixed experience. The customer service was excellent – the staff were friendly throughout the evening.

However, the food itself was a little disappointing. We ordered two sirloin steaks, one well done and the other medium well. When the meals arrived, the waiter explained that one was medium well and the other medium rare, which wasn’t what we ordered. Since we had already waited about 40 minutes, we chose not to send them back. The steak sauce also had a flavour that we found a bit unusual.

On a positive note, the calamari was fantastic – definitely a 10/10 and the highlight of our meal.

Overall, I’d still recommend giving Flame Bar and Grill a try if you’re curious, but I would suggest going in without high expectations."

ezavsp

What People Like

Generous portion sizes
Signature ribs and steaks
Friendly and attentive service

What People Dislike

Inconsistent steak cooking
Unusual basting sauce flavor
Tough ribs sometimes

Frequently Asked Questions

The restaurant is most famous for its award-winning ribs and steaks, prepared with a secret South African BBQ recipe and basting sauce.

The best bars and restaurants in QueenstownBest Restaurants Queenstown | Top Places to Eat in TownTop 5 Restaurants Queenstown | Best Restaurants New Zealand

Yes, making a reservation online in advance is highly recommended, especially for dinner, as the restaurant is very popular.

Top 10 Eateries In Queenstown

Yes, diners frequently mention that portion sizes are substantial, so it's advised to arrive hungry.

15 Best Restaurants in Queenstown

While it's a meat-lover's haven, they do offer some alternatives like salads and burgers, but it might be best to inquire directly about specific options.

15 Best Restaurants in QueenstownBest Restaurants in Queenstown

Absolutely! You can customize your burger with a wide range of toppings, including beetroot, pineapple, various cheeses, and more.

Where to Find the Best Burger in Queenstown

The restaurant has a casual and energetic atmosphere, so there is no strict dress code.

Yes, you can sit and look out at the water, enjoying the scenic surroundings.

Google Review

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The aim of the game with Flame Bar & Grill is to build your own burger. You’ll start with the base (beef, chicken, veggie or ‘Boerewors Roll’ which is basically a hot dog that uses a gourmet African sausage as its base), and then you’ll add whatever ingredients you desire. Topping choices include beetroot, pineapple, black field mushrooms, crispy onions, fried egg, streaky bacon, onion jam, South African chutney and blue, edam or halloumi cheese.

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If you’re vego or vegan, it might best to steer clear of this one – Flame is a meat-lovers haven bursting with the best ribs, steaks and everything else meaty in all of Queenstown. This doesn’t mean they make compromises in the other departments, however, with delicious sides (like classic roast potatoes and sour cream) as well as burgers, seafood and salads. The portion sizes are pretty mammoth, so make sure to arrive with an appetite.

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I’ve been a Queenstown repeat offender for a long time now, but, somehow Flame Bar + Grill has escaped my dining purview until my most recent visit. And subsequently, this has now become my single greatest Queenstown-related regret. Renowned for its secret South African BBQ recipe wrapped around award-winning Ribs and Steaks, Flame Bar + Grill has been a favourite Queenstown restaurant for over a decade.

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Flame brings the best of South African Braai with fantastic Kiwi hospitality. Known as one of the best places in Queenstown for succulent, perfectly cooked steak, Flame's menu features delicious and satisfying ribs and other meat dishes that will have you coming back for more. As well as a dining experience you'll want to repeat, the Flame team exudes friendliness, passion, and warmth.

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So bad but so good, this place does arguably the best ribs in Qtown. The ribs have the most amazing barbeque sauce glaze and then when you thought it couldn't get any better, chuck some mushroom sauce on top and you'll be having a full blown party in your mouth!. 24 hours in advance bookings are a must at this place in order to avoid disappointment for dinner.

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A spectacular rib and steakhouse, Flame Bar & Grill is famous for its mouthwatering ribs and signature South African BBQ sauce, a secret recipe that keeps locals and visitors coming back for more. Whether you’re craving perfectly grilled steak or fall-off-the-bone ribs, this spot delivers big on flavour. Book ahead – it’s no secret how good this place is!

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South African barbecue, also known as Braai, is a popular way to cook meat that is all about the fire and the meat. Grilling food over a hot fire releases strong fragrant aromas which wafts out of Flame’s open kitchen the tempts the stomachs of everyone around. In saying that, there are few better choices of meat to barbecue than a nice rack of ribs.

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For those looking for a more diverse range of fast food options, Queenstown, a nearby destination, offers an array of choices, including Taco Medic Searle Lane, Flame Bar & Grill, The Cow, and Erik's Fish and Chips. With these options, travelers can satisfy their cravings for a quick and tasty meal while exploring the beautiful Central Otago region.

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Flame Bar & Grill embodies the essence of the South African Braai - a flavourful flame-cooking technique. If you’re a meat eater, then look no further than their succulent ribs and steaks caramelised using their secret basting sauce. Beyond the grill, Flame offers a diverse menu featuring fresh seafood, tender skewered meats, and vibrant salads.

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Flame is a funky and buzzing steakhouse overlooking the lake. Geared towards carnivores, it's a perfect place to hang out and relax. Using unique South African grilling methods, the menu is very much a meat-eater's paradise, although there is a still an ample selection of alternatives for vegetarians and seafood-lovers.

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Flame's new home is a purpose-built space with a bespoke bar area and a large open theatre-style kitchen. Home to award-winning Steak and Ribs, Flame boasts a prime position on Steamer Wharf. Split into three zones, Flame is the perfect venue for private events, corporate gatherings and special occasions.

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Just a stone’s throw from the waterfront, Flame brings the vibrant flavours of South Africa to New Zealand. This lively spot is famous for its succulent grilled meats and generous portions. The energetic atmosphere is enhanced by the open grill where diners can watch as their dishes are prepared.

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This is a fancy restaurant with the most spectacular view specialising in steaks and ribs that come with their spicy special sauce. They also have chicken, seafood, and vegetarian options. We started with ordering Mozambique prawns which were sauteed in rattlesnake sauce served with rice pilaf.

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A secret South African BBQ recipe wrapped around amazing ribs and steaks is what you'll expect to experience at Flame Bar & Grill. A restaurant that pride themselves on welcoming and enthusiastic service. The 'braai' style menu highlights include flame grilled ribs and boerewors sausages.

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Flame sources all their meat from the green, unpolluted pastures of Southland and Otago. The South Island of New Zealand is blessed with rich fertile soil, plenty of rainfall and pure air quality. Flame meat is aged for up to 6 weeks which maximises tenderness and flavour.

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The best ribs and a place we go back to whenever we are in Queenstown. Their dishes focus on NZ & South African style meat dishes and they are known for their signature ribs. I’ve tried several different dishes here including the fish and they deliver every time.

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If your family is wanting to try a local favourite in Queenstown, then Flame is the go-to. Flame is a meat-based restaurant and legend has it that they quite possibly cook the best steak in Queenstown. Try it for yourself, make sure you give them a call to book.

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Local restaurant specialising in carnivorous treats (Veggie options also available). There’s a range of choices on their lunch menu starting at $10!. A Queenstown local’s favourite place to cure a Jager infused hangover.

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I had booked Flame as one of our first dinner’s in Queenstown, and it blew us away!. Inspired by South African cuisine, Flame is extremely unique. Warm and overall a super fun and cosy vibe for a Steakhouse.

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I would pay a huge amount of money to get some shipped over to the UK right now. Wouldn’t that be something. I don’t care if you don’t like ribs.

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