If you’ve tried booking dinners for your friends before, you know it’s not all lakeside views and sauv blanc, right? It’s easy until you have a friend who insists on splitting the bill equally and one who’s a downright picky eater (that might be me!).

But hey – as the city where most adventure happens, Queenstown doesn’t lag behind when it comes to group dining as well. We have options for meat lovers, those who love upscale restos, and those who are simply happy to pay less than $20 per share.

So if you’re ready for a feast, here are the only group dining spots in Queenstown to trust.

1. Odd Saint

Odd Saint is a great spot for mid-size groups who want to enjoy affordable food. We were surprised that walk-ins are accepted, though we noted that it’s still better to make a reservation for groups of 7 or more.

The service is fast without feeling rushed – we were seated within minutes, and the orders came in just 10 to 15 minutes. They were even able to accommodate certain dietary requests, as long as they were made before ordering.

However, when we visited during busy hours, the staff appeared overwhelmed. We were also moved to the waitlist for no reason. Thankfully, they solved the problem quickly and were apologetic throughout.

They also redeemed themselves with their food. We loved their eggs benedict. It came with a streaky bacon that was crispy, smoky, and filling. We also loved their corned beef hash, which was tender and had a nice saltiness to it.

To complete your meal, we recommend getting a cup of coffee and their tiramisu brioche french toast. The toast is buttery and creamy, perfectly matching the bold aroma of the coffee.

Great menu 

“Loved it! We had a group of 8 and were looked after by our host super well. Great coffee and menu. Loved the eggs benny with bacon. Can’t wait to come back!”

Tom S | Google Reviews

Impeccable service 

“Easily the best breakfast we had in Queenstown.  They handled our group of 6 with ease. Service was impeccable, and the food was great.”

Carol Kelley | Google Reviews

2. Flame Bar & Grill

With its stunning lake views, Flame Bar & Grill is perfect for those who want a South African-inspired BBQ eating experience. It’s ideal for pretty much any celebration, from intimate events to celebratory gatherings.

We liked that they have dedicated group dining spaces, including the garden room that can seat up to 30 guests for lunch. For bookings of 15 and more, we find their reservation process (both email and phone) to be seamless.

For parties of 11 or more, we loved their sharing-style menus that include all of the restaurant’s signature offerings. This includes their famous ribs, seafood, as well as seasonal salads.

Everything is juicy, tender, and properly cooked to release that delicious smokiness. It’s not too expensive as well, with each person expecting to only spend about $30 to $60 for premium meat options.

Just take note that when you add drinks and extras into the picture, you’ll end up paying a lot more than expected. You’ll rack up higher bills, though it’s worth every penny if you don’t mind splurging.

Great service and tasty food

“Great place for large groups,the staff handled our group withour fuss. Food was tasty and well presented.”

Bob Freckleton | Google Reviews

Efficient service

“Our group of 20 was welcomed and served efficiently.  Any special dietary needs were catered for. Food was delicious.”

L. Paulley | Google Reviews

3. Yonder

Yonder is a fantastic location for both casual group dining and special celebrations. The dining area is bright and well-designed, with indoor seating and an outdoor patio equipped with heated benches and overhead heaters.

Apart from these features, we also liked that they can cater to various group sizes. For parties between 4 and 10, booking can be easily made online – responses to queries are fast too, so reservations are no hassle.

Their menu has a solid range of classic options, including BBQ brisket and chicken schnitzel for those who love juicy meats. For veggie lovers, there’s the flash-fried greens with tahini and roasted cauliflower.

There are also vegetarian and gluten-free options available. If you have dietary restrictions, it’s best to relay your requests to the staff as you order, so they can recommend their best dishes.

Portions are generally okay. However, while they promote a ‘sharing plates’ concept, not all dishes are portioned well for this. We found that some meals are too small when portioned, which can be awkward for large groups. 

Great spot for interesting food

“Great spot for interesting food and a coffee. I stopped for brunch and had the turkish eggs which were full of texture and flavour. Highly reccomend. Interwsting decor with inside and outside dining and a sneak view of the lake. Book ahead for large groups.”

Charles Winstone | Google Reviews

Delicious food options

“Dropped in for brunch, well received and seated immediately. Didn’t order cocktails but was happy to read most were 20 or under (very reasonable for QT) Food was delicious and generously portioned. Coffee was alright”

Jessica Le Good | Google Reviews

4. Botswana Butchery

This upscale restaurant is perfect for those who love a personalised dining experience, whether it’s for intimate anniversaries or large-scale corporate functions. They have multiple private spaces, ideal for various group sizes and events.

We appreciate that their services include many thoughtful extras: dedicated bars, in-room AV setups, and music systems. In particular, we liked their garden room, which got our attention with its view of Lake Wakatipu.

When it comes to food, the Wagyu beef carpaccio and duck fat potatoes are a perfect pair. The meat is silky, with high-fat marbling that gives it its subtle beefy profile. It has a nice buttery finish without feeling greasy too.

Prices are definitely on the higher end, with meals averaging $90 to $120 per order. There is a considerable demand for the place though, so it’s recommended to book a spot at least a week ahead.

The only negative thing we noted was that a past guest experienced a delayed meal of nearly 2 hours. It seemed to be an isolated issue though, and we appreciate that the restaurant apologised and offered a small discount.

Perfect service 

“Ate here last week with our group of 4 adults and 4 kids. Food was excellent and service was perfect. Highly recommend”

Riaan | Google Reviews

Excellent staff and even better food

“My family and I had a lovely time here.  The staff were excellent and the food even better.  We came for lunch and I had the Steak Frite.  The eye fillet was cooked perfectly and the sauce was flavourful and balanced.  I especially appreciated the extra care taken by the staff to accommodate our upset baby.”

Thomas Young | Google Reviews

5. The World Bar

The World Bar is the perfect spot for groups who love a more laid-back dining experience with plenty of classic food. There are plenty of large tables as well, accommodating large groups without needing to book a private room.

When it comes to food, we like that they lean towards comfort food at reasonable prices. We loved their Hawaiian burger for its juicy beef and fresh veggies – big enough to keep one person full.

There are also options like fries for sharing. We liked this option too, as the cuts are perfectly crisp and salted. Guests only spend about $20 to $40, so it’s not as expensive as other options in the area.

The atmosphere is a winner too. There’s indoor seating with a log fire and an outdoor area that’s perfect for sunny afternoons. With good tunes and free WiFi, the experience is complete.

Just a heads up: they don’t take reservations for small groups, which can be a hassle during busy evenings and lunch hours on the weekends. Fortunately, walk-ins are pretty seamless – just try to avoid the rush hours!

 Great experience

“This place was a rather good entry into the Queenstown experience. Big on the burgers the Hawaiian recommended by the staff did not disappoint. Plenty of big table ls for groups also. Good honest burger joint.”

HØV | Google Reviews

Great variety of drinks

“Annabel and Joe are such stars. A group of us come every week and they treats us like celebs! Food is great, drink selection is good too. Outdoor seating, fab events. Overall great bar”

Cherene Foley | Google Reviews

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