I’ve got a confession to make: up until a few months ago, my idea of “eating vegan” meant only eating the lettuce off of my burger. So I admit, I thought going vegan meant signing up for a bad diet.

Fast forward two bites into the vegan nachos at Margo’s, and I realise vegan food might not be as bad as I thought. Trust me, if these places can win over someone as staunchly carnivorous as I am, they’ll definitely impress you.

So, here’s my list of all the best spots for vegan dining in Queenstown, where even the most sceptical meat lovers will find something to rave about.

How much do vegan meals cost at a restaurant in Queenstown?

Basic vegan meals at a restaurant cost at least 10 NZD. This price is just an estimate and will vary depending on what you order and whether the restaurant is casual or fine dining.

How I Chose

Menu Variety: When selecting a vegan restaurant, the diversity and creativity of the menu were top priorities. I sought places that offered a wide range of dishes, ensuring that both familiar and inventive options were available. 

Quality: Restaurants stood out to me if they had farm-to-table freshness, sourced produce locally, and ensured vibrant flavours. This focus on high-quality ingredients enhances the taste, making the dining experience more meaningful.

Ambience: I looked for places that offered a welcoming and comfortable setting. It didn’t hurt if the decor was nice, either.

Customer Testimonials: Positive feedback from others regarding food quality, service, and atmosphere played a significant role in my choices.

1. Yonder

With live DJs, comedy, late-night dinners, and (of course) epic drinks, it’s no wonder Yonder is a favourite among vegans.

They have an awesome brunch with vegan pastries made in-house. If you love bread as much as I do, you’ll have to stop yourself from drooling.

I usually come here for dinner, and I always get their crispy tofu bao bun. Their homemade bao buns are soft. They’re filled with tangy tofu, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy aioli sauce.

While Yonder has many great dishes, I found the Hasselback beetroot disappointing. The concept of sliced beetroot with smoked coconut yoghurt and toasted hazelnuts may sound intriguing, but the beetroot was overly salty, overpowering the other flavours.

Customer Reviews

 Even my meat-lover partner that usually fussy for food is “WOW” with the flavour

Had Vegan Eggplant Bowl, very impressed with the well presented, creative and delicious meal. Hardly find vegan meal without using tofu and beans as main. Even my meat-lover partner that usually fussy for food is “WOW” with the flavour. Nice design of the restaurant, great for photos. Slightly overpriced for lunch but superb experience, will sure return again.

Sixturday Google Reviews

Very fulfiling. I never know vegan food can be serve this way

Great breakfast. The eggplant bowl is very healthy and its vegan friendly. I am not vegan but still enjoy it. Feels like it serves with pactful nutrition. Very fulfiling. I never know vegan food can be serve this way

Olivia Victorius Google Reviews 

2. Farelli’s Trattoria

If you’re craving some delicious plant-based Italian dishes, Farelli’s Trattoria is your best bet. They have inventive and flavorful plant-based pizzas. 

My favourite here is the crispy potato pizza. The earthy potato slices complement the dairy-free feta, while the rosemary and the plant-based chorizo add spice and texture. Plus, the crust is amazing—not doughy but also without a cardboard taste.

And while I haven’t tried their linguine puttanesca yet, I’ve been told it’s delicious. It features kalamata olives, capers, and peppers simmered with tomatoes, garlic, and chilli. It’s also topped with house cashew parmesan for a rich, nutty finish.

The only thing is, if you plan on coming here, prepare for long wait times, especially on weekends.

Customer Reviews

They have some of the best food I have eaten in my entire life

We need a moment to appreciate this restaurant. They has some of the best food I have eaten in my entire life. Vegan food gets dismissed by so many businesses, with not putting in effort to the lack of thought into their meals. But boy Mr. Farelli looked after us. Seperate vegan menu with a garlic bread, and pizza to treat. But I was gob smacked by my meal which was a vegan arrabiata penne (translantes to angry). The sauce gave me chills as it was so deep in flavour and the perfect amount of spice. OUTSTANDING.

Marcus Verdi Google Reviews 

 As a vegan I’m not used to this many options

Warm, welcoming with dependable, good tasty food. As a vegan I’m not used to this many options. My little ones tastes can change, it’s great going out for a meal where nothing is a problem. If she wants pasta with oil & a crack of salt (among other odd little requests that come up on the fly) then this really is the place for you. A regular for us whenever we are in town.

Sergio Vasquez Riosesco Google Reviews

3. Margo’s Queenstown

Sure, Margo’s Queenstown has friendly staff, but it’s the food that won my heart over—and I’m not the only one.

While they aren’t completely vegan, the portion of their menu that is can stand on its own. They have taquitos, tacos, fajitas, and more.

But Margo’s hippie nachos are my go-to vegan dish here. The fiesta corn chips have the perfect crunchy base, and the soy picadillo adds a savoury, meaty essence that’s incredibly satisfying.

The cashew queso is surprisingly creamy and rich. It’s so good that you’d never guess it’s dairy-free. The black beans add an additional layer of heartiness, while the coconut crema adds a subtle sweetness and a velvety finish.

What really sets these nachos apart, though, are the toppings. The salsa macha offers a smoky, slightly spicy note that tingles the taste buds. The avocado whip is the perfect cool-down from the heat of the salsa macha.

The only thing that doesn’t quite hit the mark for me is their vegan churros. The few times I’ve tried them, they were either soggy or too dense.

Customer Reviews

Plenty of vegan options and mocktails

“Great Mexican food! Such amazing service as well, super attentive and friendly but still laid back. **RECOMMENDATION: coconut tempura prawns** Plenty of vegan options and mock tails for people who don’t drink. Great selection of hot sauces!”

Kara Joshi, Google Reviews

My vegan friends loved the experience

My vegan friends loved the experience – I’m sure they would give it 5 but i had to ‘put up with their choices’ hence a 4 from me. Service was outstanding.

Robert Clarke Google Reviews

4. Vudu Cafe & Larder

Vudu Cafe & Larder offers a perfect blend of relaxing ambience and chic décor, making it an ideal spot for a laid-back brunch. It attracts a diverse crowd, from solo brunch-goers looking to unwind to groups of friends catching up over delicious food.

My go-to here is their Choccy Biscoff pancakes. The Biscoff mousse melts in your mouth, while the crunchy meringue and Biscoff crumble mixed with the toasted almonds and fresh fruit balances the sweetness. The dark chocolate sauce ties everything together perfectly.

For something savoury, I always choose their bibimbap. The crispy tofu and pickled vegetables create a wonderful contrast, while the shiitake mushrooms add an earthy depth. The spicy gochujang sauce gives the dish a satisfying kick of heat.

The only thing I didn’t like was that my food came out cold due to the servers lingering around. It seemed like they were more focused on chatting amongst themselves than ensuring timely service.

Customer Reviews

Good to see they’ve got a good variety of vegetarian and vegan food

Amazing coffee and delicious French toast!! The only downside would be that after ordering fries I received wedges and the vegan breakfast option was unbearably spicy which we did not expect. Good to see they’ve got a good variety of vegetarian and vegan food.

• Celeste Stella Google Reviews 

 a good vegan selection in the cabinet and great coffee

Great for vegans / veggies / meateaters! The eggs benny was exactly what we were after, well worth the wait. Also a good vegan selection in the cabinet and great coffee – 5 stars all around 🙂

• Zoe M Google Reviews

5. Bespoke Kitchen 

If you’re craving delicious vegan breakfast, you absolutely have to check out Bespoke Kitchen. 

Their Winter Greens Vegan Benedict was a total win for me. The crispy sesame tofu brought an amazing texture contrast, while the hazelnut vegan hollandaise was creamy and rich without ever feeling too heavy.

Their blue and blackberry pancakes were also a breakfast dream come true! The pancakes were incredibly light and fluffy, just like how I like them. Combined with the blue and blackberry chia jam and the coconut whip, I almost went into sugar cloud nine.

Sadly, the hemp power smoothie didn’t do it for me. The smoothie had this slightly gritty texture, and the chocolate flavour was just too overpowering. I was hoping for a more balanced blend of flavours, but it just didn’t come together.

Customer Reviews

Best vegan food in NZ

Best vegan food in NZ. And possibly the best vegan breakfast I’ve ever had. The vegan Benedict was a work of art, and tasted out of this world. The trifle pancakes….oh my god. What a pleasure to find creative, innovative vegan food. Lovely environment too.

Flynn Google Review 

Best eva vegan egg Benedict 

Best eva vegan egg Benedict FABULOUS!! Gr8 service Gr8 Tumeric latte was hot like a curry very nice very different thank you for the lovely experience and the effort made for vegan gluten free!!

Sheena May Google Review 

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