Ode Conscious brings a wholesome fine dining flair to Wanaka’s restaurant scene. Meals are centred around the freshest local produce available and dishes are known to change to a whim. Naturally, set menus are the norm here: you can select from the three-course ‘trust the chef’ experience, the eight-course flagship menu (which changes weekly), and a 13-course degustation.

At Ode, local organic produce, ethically-caught seafood and wild shot game meats combine on a menu that heroes modern New Zealand cuisine. With a strong emphasis on ingredients, the dishes served at this restaurant are innovative, progressive and undeniably delicious, and promise to provide a memorable culinary experience. After the tumultuous last year, chef and owner Lucas Parkinson has made the brave call to close the doors to his award-winning restaurant, with the final service occurring on the 29th of August.

Ode was created as a space for us to connect with and live our truths, to collaborate, to grow and generate change. We care about and respect our environment and our communities and are conscious of the impact our choices have on them and their long-term wellbeing. Our food is innovative & progressive and like nature, ever evolving.

At Ode we offer New Zealand cuisine, sourcing South Island grown organic produce. Our aim is to provide delicious and filling food that supports our region and its best producers. We care about and respect our environment and our communities and are conscious of the impact our choices have on them and their long term wellbeing.

Treat yourself at some of the country’s top restaurants, such as Ode Conscious Dining or James Stapley’s Kika and Bistro Gentil. When those post-ski pizza cravings hit, Francesca’s Italian Kitchen has got you covered, and Wineglass Café at Edgewater resort hotel has a dedicated scone menu that you won’t want to miss out on.

Brunch or lunch at Relishes Café and Big Fig; fill an afternoon with a wine tasting at Rippon Vineyard or a local brew from Wanaka Beerworks; stop by the legendary Cardrona Hotel for a meal and a drink; and dine in style at the likes of Francesca’s Italian Kitchen, Ode, and Wanaka Gourmet Kitchen.

Or for something a little closer to town, choose Ode Conscious Dining on Ardmore Street. The restaurant creates works of art on your plate and eight-course degustation experiences with fantastic vegan options available – see Vegetarian Travel Guide to New Zealand for more advice.

Their mantra to serve organic, ethical, sustainable, seasonal food that supports local growers is worth tasting. The Hawea tomatoes with Wairiri buffalo mozzarella, sourdough crostini and Comwell olive oil - is next level. So are the Wānaka handmade potato crisps.