Rata gets 5 stars from us. The great service really made the experience. The staff was kind enough to seat us without reservation on a busy night. The waiter had excellent knowledge and descriptions for the items on the menu and his poetic expression of the items sold us. The food items are definitely not your standard food selection, but they were unique and interesting in their own way. In true high end fashion, the portions were small and leave you able to try more, lending great courtesy to their dessert menu. Their cheese tray was the highlight of the experience. We chose 5 from the 8 different cheese choices and were not disappointed as they added an assortment of honey, jams, and breads to make it a mouthwatering treat. You will pay for this experience, but if you are willing to spend a little more for a good meal and great service, this would be your restaurant in Queenstown. read more

Rata - Cheese plate, wine - New Zealand Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

Very nice restaurant but it was so hard to get a reservation. I called so many times and left messages but nobody took the time to call back. We got in very late, just because was getting close to closing:)))))) Very nice service, good atmosphere and vibes. The food was delicious and I liked the presentation but I don't care everybody says is the best lamb, I would say this: we were not served the best piece of lamb shoulder. We got what was left. The good pieces went to the first orders that evening. I was disappointed: a very fatty shoulder with very little real good meat on it. I would probably not try as hard to get a table there next time. I found other great options in my favorite NZ town!!! read more

As a professional chef, I don't expect every single thing I order to be perfect, but at least 1-2 things to be memorable. We went to rata and everything was memorable!!! The octopus, brown bread with smoked butter, lamb rump, profiteroles... The only thing that wasn't my favorite was the dessert, the banana cake was a bit dry or the bread pudding from the banana dessert. Other than that it was the best meal I had in NZ. read more

I had my birthday dinner here this year. It did not disappoint. I had the lamb shoulder and it was amazing. The meat just peeled off the bone. read more

We made reservations to celebrate my moms birthday in Queenstown at Rata over a month in advance, and it was definitely worth it. The food was divine. The only dish we weren't 100% sold on was the beef tartare, it had a very distinct ketchup-like taste to it. Everything else was spectacular though. I'd give the service a B+, but the food made up any gap there. read more

Hey look, this is unbelievable bad experience in here. The food was ok but portion size was small as! That slow cook lamb with two small sides worth $90?!! Also write on the menu that is for 2ppl! No bloody way! That just like a normal main in other places. read more

Rata tata tata! I just shot you. Not really, don't worry. You are not injured. You can go back to reading other reviews. I came here with my lady for dinner. I don't think it was a full moon, but there's a 1/29 chance that it was. Cool decor. Lots of plants and green things. Good drinks. Good food. Good plants. Good. read more

While on our vacation in New Zealand this restaurant was highly recommended and a reservation. We were not disappointed. The cocktails at the bar were wonderful and inventive. When it came to the dinner service was delightful impeccable but not stuffy and my husband and I shared an amazing lamb shoulder that fell off the bone read more

Rata - Lamb shoulder for two - New Zealand Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

Just wanted to recommend this spot to all. We enjoyed our meal very much! Easy to book a few weeks earlier online. Thanks to all! read more

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Get the beef wellington. Get the beef wellington. Get the beef wellington. I hear it sells out but we went during the week, had a later reservation and it was available. i would highly recommend getting a reservation for the weekend. Everything else was good but the beef wellington really stood out. read more

Steak! Yum. Lamb rump - delicious. Off the menu ravioli, awesome. Great start to a QT vacation. read more

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Been in Queenstown for some skiing and eating. I had to stop posting reviews for a while because I was raving. I am telling you straight this little town is the best spot on planet earth. Hmmmm ...raving is proving tricky to kick. OK, Rata. Said to be the best restaurant in QT by Magazines and sponsored "Top Ten" type on line articles. It is. But...it is in a tie for best with The Bunker, Eichardts, Sasso and Botswana Butchery. And Belle Cucina. And brekky at the Dairy. And the soup at Bespoke Kitchen. And I didn't even go to Botswana Butchery - but I just KNOW it is fantastic because Binga said so, and because we couldn't get in. When he told me it was good I was sure it was a stitch up like the time he told me to visit the Lavender Farm at Halidays Point and after a 45 minute drive it turned out to be three half dead plants in someones front yard. And the other place he said we should go (Wai) closed a year and a half ago. So I didn't book four weeks in advance like we did with all the other places. And we missed out. He got me again. Rata has the most amazing art on the back wall. The food is superb even if the chef once worked with Gordon Ramsay. And even though he does NZ Masterchef. Put all those mistakes aside and the place is still brilliant. Have anything and it will be good. Promise I'm not stitching you up. read more

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Hidden from the street, Rata is a sophisticated, intimate fine dining establishment founded by chef Josh Emett. The service was great - our coats were taken at the front and they were accommodating when we asked to be seated at a different table. Our server was very friendly and got us the last order of Beef Wellington. The Beef Wellington was cooked medium rare, but the outside pastry crust was a bit too dense for me - a bit underwhelming overall. I enjoyed the side mushrooms; and the yams and beetroot & goat cheese salad were okay. The highlight was actually the starter dish we had - the goat cheese profiteroles - light and fluffy puff pastries with goat cheese, blossom honey, and rosemary. All the flavors complimented each other really well. Overall, it was a nice experience in Queenstown. read more

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Beautiful restaurant with excellent and original food. But, for a area with very expensive food, their prices are very, very high. Excessively so. Service is excellent as well. read more

Went to rata after being recommended by a friend. Started off with an espresso martini due to feeling tired from many activities. It was delicious. Loved the low lighting and big native forest pic in the restaurant! Had a salmon and beef starter which were presented beautifully and were delicious. I had a pork main and my Boyf the fish. Loved mine not so much his. was lovely but the wines seemed ludicrously expensive in comparison to the food. read more

Rata - Pork main - New Zealand Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

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Very good restaurant in Queenstown---and definitely more upscale than most here. We ordered the beef Wellington which was prepared perfectly. The caramelized carrots with feta and mint were superb. While the duck fat potatoes were fine, they were nothing special. The waitstaff was attentive, knowledgable about the wine list and the restaurant is beautiful. Great option if you're looking for a relaxed fine dining experience. read more

Rata - Beef Wellington, caramelized carrots with mint and feta, and duck fat potatoes. - New Zealand Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

Really good food. A bit pricey, but the taste, quality and service is awesome. Cocktails are good, nothing out of the world, but pretty good. Food on the other hand is amazing! Try the lamb and the octopus (if it's in the menu, since it changes daily). read more

Only giving one star because after repeatedly advising the wait staff about my wife's food allergies, they still managed to serve us a dish with nuts...great food but be careful and check each dish if you have any food allergy. read more

Where to start, from the minute walk in the door the staff are so inviting. This was special evening for me. My yearly visit to Queenstown to see family. A prefect start to my Christmas holidays, I was sold as soon as I saw the beef Wellington and selection of cheese. Unbelievable wine list. Thankyou see you at Christmas 2016 read more

Rata - Beef Wellington yum my favourite dish of all time. Here is an outstanding dish for two setting me up for a relaxing evening in Queenstown. - New Zealand Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

Two weeks in New Zealand and Rata was my favorite restaurant. I'd definately go here again. Awesome cerviche appetizer, the venison and pork mains were just perfect. Great ambiance, romantic and fun all wrapped in one. Perfect service. I hope I have the chance to go again. read more

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This restaurant is phenomenal, easily the best in Queenstown, possibly the best on the South Island, and maybe in all of New Zealand, too! My husband and I shared 5 or 6 of the small plates and dessert, and not only was the food amazingly tasty but the presentation kept us in awe. Our favorite item was the first we were served: the goat cheese profiteroles, small columns of pastry and goat cheese flavored with rosemary and topped with sweet, creamy New Zealand Rata honey. We popped them into our mouths and were rewarded with huge bursts of deliciousness. Another of the most memorable items was the buttermilk fried chicken, served as boneless medallions. Flawless! We chose the small plates because we wanted to try as much as we could, but the beef Wellington main-course meal enjoyed by the people at the next table looked epic and made us a little envious. read more

Excellent service and food. Beef Wellington for two felt more like for FOUR. Cheese with honey started was very unique and something I would like to duplicate. Charming interior. read more

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Loved this restaurant! This was our first stop in Queenstown and the best of our whole time there. They offer a prix fixe lunch menu, two courses or three. The price is VERY reasonable considering the quality of the food. I chose three courses, and had the Cloudy Bay clams (which were the best clams I've ever eaten in my life) and a white fish with broccolini for my entree, followed by dessert. My only issue now is how I will ever eat those clams again since home is 8,000 miles away. Suppose I'll have to come back to NZ :) read more

Rata - Cloudy Bay Clams - New Zealand Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

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We were a party of 7 who were from the USA and Taiwan for vacation. After having the lamb rump here, many proclaimed it to be the best lamb dish they've ever had. Even the few who didn't usually eat lamb liked it. We started just ordering a couple of starters, entrees and main dishes as we were not very hungry but wanted to try this place. We ended up adding more starters and entrees plus one more main dish because they were just so good. We wished we didn't just have a big lunch and were able to order more, In addition to the lamb, we also had blue cod, pork, profiteroles, octopus, beef tartar, scallop, eggplant, cauliflower & broccoli, kale, etc. Every dish was scrumptious. We cleaned all the plates. read more

We were in Queenstown for four nights and ate here twice. I had to come back when I learned that they have a special Beef Wellington that you need to order in advance. It was really good. All the food was amazing. The ambience and staff was great. The buttermilk fried chicken starter was really good. We had the octopus at both meals. We also had the fillet. I had no complaints. It's not cheap, but is what I'd expect from a very good restaurant in Chicago where I live. read more

Exceptional. Ambiance nails it, plating is beautiful, and food is truly exceptional. Some of the best clams I've ever had, and their seared beef dish is not to be missed. If I'm lucky enough to travel back to Queenstown, I will definitely be dining at Rata again. read more

First, get a reservation. You can call or do it online. Second, leave early for your reservation! Parking in Queenstown is the stuff of nightmares if you 'have a thing' about being on time. They are tucked away behind the Pig and Whistle, but once you get parked and get in the environment is beautiful. Drinks: Their wine list is (obviously) extensive, and the servers know their stuff. Unless you have a definite favorite, ask for a recommendation! Local wines pair beautifully with the menu. I am not much for alcohol, so I went for a virgin (Moscow) mule, and it was sublime. Highly, highly recommend. Food: The Harmony pork fillet was perfectly cooked, the venison was beautiful (dare to go rare if you usually go for the medium rare!), and the duck was superb. It's worth having your dining companions all order something different so that everyone can sample a bite. However, the stand out dish was the duck fat potato side. Oh, my god, my mouth waters at the memory. Mashed potato fingers coated in bread crumbs, fried in duck fat, and sprinkled with salt and chives = thing of dreams. Seriously, get like 12 orders. They're freaking /delicious/. The desserts were a little too 'adulty' for me (I tend to eat like a 6 year old) but if you're into serious gourmet concoctions, go with gusto! read more

Wow. If you're in town and want something a little special, this is where to go!! The restaurant is tucked down a little alley, and has beautiful wraparound glass windows, bringing the outside in - matched by the backlit forest scene along one wall of the restaurant. We ordered a fantastic red wine, followed by 2 helpings of "bites". These bites really are morsels from heaven - I wish we got more of them!!! Although they were very small, each 5 servings on the plate were packed with flavor. We had the goats cheese profiteroles and buttermilk fried chicken. Amazing. The mains were great too, but I'm all about the bites. I can only dream what the desserts were like.... Staff were incredibly friendly and professional. The slate and wood serving platters were a nice touch. Perfect for a romantic dinner for two with lovely ambiance. read more

Amazing experience! Formal, yet relaxed, the room makes you feel at home. Service was friendly and informative. The drinks from the bar were well crafted, and our food selections were things to remember. Our particular favorites were the goat cheese profiteroles (appetizer), and the Beef Wellington (main). The value and quality make Rata a place we'll return to every time were' back in town. read more

Great experience! We had fish and fillet, best in Queenstown! The begins and starters are all good. We had clams and cheese roll. You cannot go wrong with rata. read more

Rata was a fantastic experience - the beef wellington to share was perfect and a really big portion we shared two between 6 people with shared starters and everything was delicious - service is great - make sure you book as rata is very popular - pig and whistle is a great spot for a relaxed pre dinner drink read more

Had an amazing Michelin caliber lunch here during our weeklong stay in Queenstown. This place is quite a hidden gem as it is off the main touristy street. Beautiful decor and excellent wait staff. Very elegant place. Did I mention it was also quite affordable? I believe the 3 course lunch was around $30 USD. read more

You like fresh food with a twist in a cozy setting and excellent service? This is your place! We literally loved every dish. Went with a toddler who was very welcome. They've a nice kids menu. Only thing that always throws me off when looking at the bill afterwards: $10 for a large bottle of water, $4.50 for a nice freshly squeezed juice - $6 for a glass of milk for the kid. Seems a little off. Otherwise: Couldn't have had a more pleasant experience! read more

Atmosphere and service were great. Appetizers were creative and fun. We got the beef Wellington and weren't all that impressed to be honest but enjoyed the overall meal very much. read more

Refreshingly unique menu options, very attentive service and warm atmosphere. Off the beaten path and one of the best in all of Queenstown. This place fills up fast for good reason, so be sure to get a booking in advance. read more

I had the duck and it was perfect . Lots of freshness and full of flavour. Would I have my meal over again ... Hell yes!

Unbelievable meal!! The bites and starters are good sizes and the meals were all fantastic! Such a great variety! Superb wine selection, excellent service and great atmosphere. One of the best meals in New Zealand!! read more

Great food and ambiance, but the service was not remotely up to par for a restaurant of this caliber. We were seated by the hostess without menus (or any greeting from a waiter for that matter) and, after about 10 minutes, we had to flag a passing water to ask for menus. (This while multiple waiters were generally passing the table with apparent blinders on.) The first waiter we managed to flag down (clearly not ours) just appeared to ignore the request because she never returned with menus. We then caught the attention of the hostess (by waiving an arm as she walked by), and she came back with menus about 20 minutes after we had been seated. We then waited another 10 minutes before our waiter showed up to ask if we'd like something to drink. We were within minutes of walking out at that point, but we stayed and enjoyed the food. From what I could tell, the restaurant doesn't have busboys, so the waiters are forced to clear dishes, fill water glasses, take orders and deliver the food - so they appear to just be over-extended. For a nice establishment like this, I would expect that management would understand, with that staffing model, that it is critical that the waiters cover for one-another - so that tables like ours don't just sit unattended as waiters walk by. It's also incumbent on the hostess staff to keep an eye out when it's busy for tables that aren't being (or haven't been) attended to. Great food, but when you spend much of the dining experience having to flag down the staff just to get an opportunity to order a glass of wine or to refill your glass when it's empty, it really takes away from the overall experience. read more

We had our second visit to Rata and it did not disappoint. The Treacle bread is outstanding. Actually everything else we had was too but the bread has to be my absolute favorite. Outstanding service and amazing food, how can you go wrong (unless you can't get a reservation to this place!). read more