Muttonbird
Muttonbird offers an innovative culinary journey with Asian-inspired flavors in a relaxed, retro-vibed setting. Shareable dishes and exceptional servi...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Muttonbird
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Muttonbird offers an innovative culinary journey with Asian-inspired flavors in a relaxed, retro-vibed setting. Shareable dishes and exceptional service make it a must-visit.
Share plates for variety
Visit with friends to try more food options and enjoy sharing plates designed for communal dining.
Embrace fusion flavors
Keep an open mind towards fusion cuisine, featuring creative pairings by talented chefs.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Fusion (Asian-inspired)
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Chef's Choice Culinary Journey
Experience a 9-course Chef's choice mix of sensational flavors, showcasing innovation and fresh ingredients.
Innovative Asian-Influenced Cuisine
Highly innovative Asian-influenced cuisine where flavors are masterfully married for a cohesive and exciting dining experience.
Relaxed Ambiance with a Retro Vibe
Enjoy a comfortable yet classy atmosphere with a nostalgic ambiance, complete with 60s and 70s music.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Share plates for variety
Visit with friends to try more food options and enjoy sharing plates designed for communal dining.
Embrace fusion flavors
Keep an open mind towards fusion cuisine, featuring creative pairings by talented chefs.
Communicate preferences
Be mindful of potentially salty or complex dishes; communicate with staff for tailored recommendations.
Book ahead, dine mid-week
Make reservations in advance due to popularity; aim for mid-week visits for a quieter experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Share plates for variety
Visit with friends to try more food options and enjoy sharing plates designed for communal dining.
Embrace fusion flavors
Keep an open mind towards fusion cuisine, featuring creative pairings by talented chefs.
Communicate preferences
Be mindful of potentially salty or complex dishes; communicate with staff for tailored recommendations.
Book ahead, dine mid-week
Make reservations in advance due to popularity; aim for mid-week visits for a quieter experience.
Order chef's recommendations
Staff recommendations for small and large plates are often a perfect balance for groups.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Muttonbird is lauded for its sensational, innovative Asian-influenced cuisine and impeccable service, creating a memorable dining experience. Diners consistently praise the creative dishes, the relaxed yet classy atmosphere with retro music, and the attentive staff. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a minor point was raised about the chef's selection requiring individual choices from each diner.
"What an experience we had tonight - every dish was incredible and bursting with flavour and creativity. The sweet potato snack, squid and green tomato staters, chicken main and peanut & chocolate dessert were all 10/10. I can’t think of a better meal, we will remember this one forever!"
Tammy F
"Asian influenced cuisine very well done. Chef has done an amazing job being innovative and marrying flavours to make the dishes cohesive. Highly recommended!"
Sherlyn Koh
"Picked because of the high reviews and was not disappointed, definitely worthy of 4.9! Service was great and prompt, and the food was incredible and flavoursome. Love the Asian flavours in a visually more western plating it’s a nice surprise and nothing was bland or too simple, a great kick. The staff recommended around 4 small plates and 2 big which was a perfect recommendation for the 4 of us. Would come again, best dinner on the trip!"
Kana Ristic
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Muttonbird offers a unique fusion cuisine with strong Asian influences, focusing on innovative dishes and seasonal ingredients.
Yes, they offer a Chef's choice set menu which is highly recommended for experiencing a variety of their sensational dishes.
The menu rotates based on seasons and local producers' availability, ensuring a fresh and dynamic dining experience.
The restaurant features a relaxed, comfortable, yet classy atmosphere with a nostalgic ambiance, including 60s and 70s music.
Yes, reservations are recommended due to the restaurant's popularity, especially for mid-week visits.
Yes, the diverse menu caters to vegetarians and other dietary restrictions while maintaining high quality standards.
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Best food places in Wānaka and Queenstown I Neat Places
The relaxed setting of Muttonbird sets diners at ease immediately, with ‘60s and ‘70s jams pumping through the speakers. The menu is meant to be shared and enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with Jerusalem artichokes, blooming onions and chicken liver parfaits for starters and whole fish, pork hocks, and more for mains. Rotating based on the seasons and local producers' inventories, no two dinners at Muttonbird will be quite the same — reason enough to keep going back.
Stuff Travel Go-To Guide: Wānaka
The relaxed setting of Muttonbird sets diners at ease immediately, with 60s and 70s jams pumping through the speakers. The menu is meant to be shared and enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with Jerusalem artichokes, blooming onions and chicken liver parfaits for starters, and whole fish, pork hocks and more for mains. Rotating based on the seasons and local producers' inventories, no two dinners at Muttonbird will be quite the same — reason enough to keep going back.
Central Otago Destinations
There are no tītī on the special’s board, just an ever-changing selection of small and large dishes that celebrate the seasons and love of the local. This is smart-casual food, tweaked to suit the catch, find or forage of the moment. On the wall, a menu dating from the 1940s advertises muttonbird & chips for 1 shilling, 6 pennies.
Wanaka restaurant guide
The creators of Muttonbird have focused on doing simple food beautifully well, offering up a regularly changing menu of seasonal treats. While unpretentious, the delicious dishes are refined and creative, served in a lively, welcoming setting looking out to the majestic Southern Alps. Visit muttonbird.co.nz
What's New in Wanaka This Winter | Blog
In the same thread, new restaurant Muttonbird also features beautiful, fine dining fare sourced from local farmers and producers. Finally, stop by Alchemy Cafe and Wine Bar, to check out their incredible facelift – new interior design completed during the border closure.
Explore the Best Places to Eat in Wanaka: Your Ultimate Food Guide
As the day winds down, it’s time to treat yourself to a memorable dinner. Head to Muttonbird, where you can indulge in beautifully crafted dishes that showcase the best of local ingredients. The chefs here are dedicated to creating an unforgettable dining experience.
5 questions with Mario Rodrigues, Head Chef, Bistro Gentil, Wanaka
It was really good, very fresh, very relaxed, really nice ingredients that they use and a relaxed setting so that was pretty cool. The problem is that they are closed the same times as Bistro Gentil, so it’s harder for me to get there!
🇳🇿 ROADTRIP ~ Queenstown -> Wanaka / Cardrona Pub & Brewery / Rippon Winery
Paddy had wanted to try this out for a while and knew the chef, George well and was curious to try the menu there – the girls loved the food there!
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit