
Public Kitchen and Bar
Dine with breathtaking lake views at Public Kitchen & Bar, offering cozy outdoor seating and a menu celebrating local Kiwi fare.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Public Kitchen and Bar

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Dine with breathtaking lake views at Public Kitchen & Bar, offering cozy outdoor seating and a menu celebrating local Kiwi fare.
"Amazing experience with incredible food and Eli’s exceptional service!"
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended, especially during peak times, to secure your preferred seating.
Outdoor Dining Delight
Opt for outdoor seating at sunset for beautiful views; heaters and blankets are provided for comfort.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
New Zealand / Modern European
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+64 3 442 5969
Address
Steamer Wharf/Beach, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Website
publickitchen.co.nz/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Waterfront Views & Cozy Ambiance
Dine with stunning lake views, especially at sunset. Outdoor seating with heaters and blankets ensures comfort year-round.

Succulent Lamb & Seafood
Indulge in perfectly cooked lamb dishes and fresh seafood, including a highly praised seafood pasta.

Celebration-Worthy
The perfect spot for special occasions like birthdays, with attentive staff and extra thoughtful touches.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended, especially during peak times, to secure your preferred seating.
Outdoor Dining Delight
Opt for outdoor seating at sunset for beautiful views; heaters and blankets are provided for comfort.
Pasta Perfection
Don't miss the seafood pasta, made with fresh, homemade pasta for a truly delightful experience.
Dietary Needs
The menu clearly indicates gluten-free options and staff are accommodating of dietary preferences.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are recommended, especially during peak times, to secure your preferred seating.
Outdoor Dining Delight
Opt for outdoor seating at sunset for beautiful views; heaters and blankets are provided for comfort.
Pasta Perfection
Don't miss the seafood pasta, made with fresh, homemade pasta for a truly delightful experience.
Dietary Needs
The menu clearly indicates gluten-free options and staff are accommodating of dietary preferences.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Public Kitchen and Bar is praised for its stunning waterfront location and cozy outdoor seating, making it ideal for sunset views. Guests rave about the delicious food, particularly the lamb and pasta dishes, and the exceptional service provided by attentive staff. While generally positive, some reviews note that service can slightly decrease during peak busy hours, and one heater was reported as not working.
"this is my first time coming to this restaurant. my friend told me it's the best restaurant in the town so I came and have a try. Thanks to Molly she explain the menu to us very carefully. She was very considerate and tidied up the empty plates for us, brought us paper towels, and in general, the service was very good. The dishes in the restaurant are also very delicious. We have been in Queenstown for three days, and this restaurant is indeed the best we have eaten so far."
Xiaosong “ARONDIGHT” Han
"Great ambiance - sitting outside (with heated lamps and blankets) enjoying the sunset.
The lamb was excellent- cooked and seasoned perfectly. The edamame and peas were also very flavorful.
The carrots were a bit too sweet for my liking."
Nat Boo
"We love the ambience! The food was good, but the service is what really stood out to us. Although when it gets crowded, they tend to pay a little less attention, it was still nice overall. The location is great, and I enjoyed their rib eye steak and fresh oysters. However, one of the heaters wasn’t working, which was a bit of a downer, but it didn’t ruin the experience. I recommend booking in advance to avoid waiting during peak times."
Victor Osman
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Sunset is highly recommended for beautiful views. Reservations are advised, especially during peak hours, to avoid waiting.
Yes, they have cozy outdoor seating overlooking the water, complete with heaters and blankets for a comfortable experience.
Yes, the menu clearly indicates gluten-free options, and the staff are accommodating of various dietary requirements and preferences.
Guests particularly praise the succulent lamb dishes, fresh seafood, and homemade pasta, like the seafood pasta and carbonara.
Absolutely! It's a great spot for special occasions like birthdays, with the staff providing extra special treatment.
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Public Kitchen & Bar has an enviable location on Steamer Wharf that allows its patrons to drink and dine right in the midst of Queenstown’s lovely waterfront views. Cocktails, shared sangria pitchers as well as a comprehensive curation of New Zealand beers and wines are among the many offerings for those coming by for a drink. Food is very much a Kiwi fanfare: classics like lamb, pavlova and Southland cheese rolls make an appearance alongside contemporary dishes that embrace some of the best locally sourced ingredients available.
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Type Restuarant – Dishes made from locally sourced ingredients Hours Mon – Wed: 4pm – 9pm / Thurs – Sun: 1pm – 9pm. The Public Kitchen and Bar is a Kiwi take on a British pub; So if you’re from the UK and wanting to experience a little piece of home then hop into the pub that teeters on the edge of the lake and enjoy a hearty pub meal. Even fit with its red telephone box as an entryway, the Public Kitchen and Bar is the perfect place for an afternoon drink or to grab a meal that will surely warm your heart and fill your stomach.
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Public Kitchen offers foodies casual dining with a stunning view of Lake Wakatipu, right on the waterfront. Their honest, no fuss style of cooking utilising the best local produce caught on the doorstep, hunted in the hills or foraged from the farms is perfect to pass around and share with family and friends. Public Kitchen also offers a hearty selection of both local and international wines to keep you happy as you drink in the views, so grab your friends and have a truly unforgettable evening.
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Although there are plenty of restaurants with a view in downtown Queenstown, we loved everything about Public Kitchen & Bar. The food is delicious, the happy hour drinks were super affordable, and the views of Lake Wakatipu are unmatched. The menu focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with plenty of shareable plates like crispy pork belly, fresh seafood, and tasty vegetarian options.
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The Public Kitchen & Bar prides itself on a sociable dining experience in a homely atmosphere. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, the restaurant offers good, honest kiwi fare with hearty home-grown dishes, cooked from locally sourced ingredients. Both owner and chef Martin James and chef Stephen Clayton, veteran restaurateurs in Queenstown, have stepped back from their fin...
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Our top 3 restaurants in Queenstown are Finz Seafood & Grill, Bella Cucina and Public Kitchen & Bar!. Whether you’re looking for a truly New Zealand dining experience or the very best pizza in Queenstown, you won't be disappointed with what's on offer here. Let's crack into the top Queenstown restaurants and why you need to put these on your must-try list.
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Public Kitchen is a great place down on the wharf with a primo waterfront location. Its food is pretty standard, but what sets it apart is the clarity of defining what is 'gluten-free' and 'gluten-free for coeliacs.' There are loads of safe options from vegetarian dishes to heavier meat options.
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Public Kitchen & Bar is a relaxed lakeside hangout on Steamer Wharf offering tasty food, with a menu full of Kiwi classics like kumara fritters, cheese rolls, and squid rings. Regular live gigs, Sunday sessions, cocktails, and brunch make this lakefront watering hole a humming place to be.
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Right next door to Atlas Beer Cafe is Public Kitchen and Bar. It’s a bit more upscale and more of a full-service restaurant than a craft beer bar, but its beer selection is interesting. There wasn’t a huge selection, but what they had there I had not seen anywhere else.
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Public Kitchen & Bar is the ultimate in casual lakefront dining. Perched on the wharf right alongside Lake Wakatipu it’s a great option to dine with friends and family. They offer sharing plates in various sizes made from locally sourced ingredients and fresh produce.
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Located just next to the waterfront, the Public Kitchen & Bar is a semi-fine-dining restaurant with a beautiful lake view. When we arrived, it was raining, so the open area facing the lake was not open. We sat inside the restaurant, and it was beautifully decorated.
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Had the pleasure of dinning at the Public kitchen and bar with my partner. Our waiter Ed throughly explained the menu to us. My partner is a celiac and Ed brought out a seperate menu for her and talked us through it and even gave us some delicious recommendations.
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Located in downtown Queenstown on the lake's edge, Public Kitchen and Bar offers dishes designed for sharing in a relaxed and informal setting. Enjoy premium food, a chef's menu, live music, and an ideal location for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.
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Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit