Arrowtown offers a wealth of amazing restaurants and activities. Lodge host & local Paul has provided his favourite “must do” list of favourite eating spots, walks and activities. Ask at check-in and we will give you our personal recommendations and help with bookings.
Paul’s Top 6 Arrowtown Restaurant Recommendations
La Rumbla – always a fabulous night out and very popular with the locals
Fan Tan – East meets West in this Asian fusion restaurant in a modern setting.
Slow Cuts – for the best burgers in town – the buttermilk fried chicken is the favourite!
Fork and Tap – this is where the locals hang out. Featuring great pub food and a fun, friendly neighbourhood atmosphere.
AOSTA – Featuring upmarket Northern Italian food and tucked away in one of Arrowtown’s charming lanes, next to the cinema.
Postmasters – An ‘a la Carte restaurant set in the lovely old post office building on the main street of Arrowtown.
Best For a Long Lunch…
Akarua Wines & Artisan Kitchen – Situated along the Lake Hayes – Arrowtown Road in a garden setting, this historic cottage serves up breakfast, lunch & afternoon platters. The garden is a delightful place to relax with a glass of wine.
Gibbston Valley Wines – Arrowtown is close to one of New Zealand’s finest wine growing regions and just a 15 minute drive away – Gibbston Valley Wines offers both a renowned restaurant and boutique Central Otago wine tasting experiences.
Amisfield Bistro & Cellar Door – Serving up local & seasonal produce, paired with their award winning wines, Amisfield is open daily from 12pm.
Rata by Josh Emmet – Fresh, New Zealand flavours delivered in a downtown Queenstown setting.
Recommended Arrowtown Activities
The Blue Door Bar – hidden down a lane way off Buckingham Street, this cosy bar is entered through a blue painted door. Great atmosphere, cocktails and a ‘must do’ experience.
Cinema – Arrowtown’s famous boutique cinema – Dorothy Browns Cinema shows the latest releases and you can enjoy a wine / cheeseboard while you watch.
Golf Courses – Arrowtown is surrounded by world class courses – Millbrook , The Hills , Arrowtown Golf Club, Queenstown Golf Club
Spas – Millbrook Resort, Oddfellows are Arrowtown based or Eforea Spa @ Hilton is a great choice in Queenstown.
Supermarkets – The Four Square Superette is close to Arrowtown Lodge for daily essentials with larger supermarkets in Queenstown.
Arrowtown Cafés – Good Day Café & Provisions Café are loved by Arrowtown locals.
Things to do in Arrowtown
Arrowtown offers great boutique shopping along its main streets. You can also choose from Lord of the Rings Location Tours, Central Otago Wine Tours, (
The Hop On Hop Off Wine Bus stops at several wineries and local attractions). Arrowtown’s Chinese Settlement is a restored gold rush village in the heart of the town with gold panning on offer. Nearby Skippers Canyon 4WD Tours offer thrilling day trips into another gold rush location, with rafting trips also available. For thrillseekers the AJ Hackett Bungy Kawarau Bridge (a 10 min drive away) is a scenic spot to try out bungy jumping.
Paul’s Favourite Walks
Sawpit Gully – a 2-3 walk that starts from the Chinese Settlement and includes great views.
Tobins Track – all uphill but well worth it as this track offers lovely views from up top.
Bush Creek – An easy 50 min – 1 hr return from Arrowtown Lodge
Mountain Bike Trails – The Queenstown Trail Trust provides amazing biking opportunities throughout the region – check out the website here. Bike Hire in Arrowtown is provided by Better by Bike Rentals
