Excellent food, service and prices for what you get on a lake with a beautiful view. I had the duck, two glasses of Pinot Noir and the snowman for my dessert with a glass of port wine. Superb! I highly recommend this restaurant when at the Hilton or the Doubletree right across the street. Very relaxing ambiance looking at the lake with a fire pit outside. read more

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One of my worst restaurant experiences ever. It took us an hour to be served a bread appetizer. The majority of the food was well below average. Our waiter didn't seem to understand us (we speak English, English is clearly not their native language) so we had to repeat ourselves again and again and after 20 some minutes they would get our drinks wrong again and again, all night, including things like juice. Throughout the night some other wait staff would notice our drinks and plates empty for long periods of time and would help out because our waiter was nowhere to be found. The 'snowman' dessert was just like eating chalk. The gnocci dish literally had 5 pieces of gnocci laid on top of soggy eggplant. Then the last shock was the bill. We ordered a custom item which had been pre-arranged with the kitchen and when the bill came it was $200 for just the one item, not including any sides. We were told it was going to be 'market price' but I nearly fell out of my chair when the bill came. At that point in the evening we were hungry and tired and just had to get out there ASAP. Highly recommend against going here, I know there are limited options in the area but it's worth a uber to go somewhere else. read more

I stayed at the Hilton Resort and Spa for a few days and highly recommend coming for a visit. One member of staff really stood out to me as a kind and generous person. Ayla in the Wakatipu Grill served me on Saturday evening after a long, hard day. She was so genuine and helpful and I really enjoyed her service and conversation. Thank you Ayla for making my night better! I highly recommend their Malfy gin cocktails! read more

Wakatipu Grill - Modern European Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

We got a nice welcome gift (see image) from the restaurant manager left in our room refrigerator. I was planning on having multiple meals there but just don't feel it's worth it. We tried the beet appetizer to split and mushroom risotto and steak. Food: 4 stars Service: 2 stars Value: 3 stars Although the people are pleasant they fell short in my opinion. I was expecting a higher standard for a resort restaurant. They were not engaging and not busy either, well not in the front of the house - they were not focused on us and not really aware of our experience which was honestly our event for our first night here. Because we were not engaged - the little things started to stand out. SPOILER- the nitpicking begins here: Our waitress disappeared before the appetizer was delivered - no hand off maybe she went home? For any restaurant you shouldn't have to ask for silverware and then have to ask also for the napkin when the tables around it are preset with both. So the host who sat us didn't notice, the server also didn't notice after serving us drinks and a tiny complimentary puff pastry (finger food), the runner placed down our appetizer as he was leaving we asked for settings. My water was empty. He came back with the silver, when I asked for the napkins I also asked for water he brought the carafe and left it in the table after filling my glass - I had noticed another table with a carafe earlier and thought it may be still water since we were asked sparkling, Tap or Still. So did he leave it to not be bothered again or should it have been served with the original waters? Is it by request? The beet appetizer mentioned beet purée, roasted beets, beet chips and goat cheese. I asked the waitress more about the chips but still was surprised that there were only 4 small chips as garnish and they were deep fried until crisp causing them to be burned and bitter. After waiting for someone to check on us - I flagged down someone and explained I felt that the beet chip garnish may be over cooked but if that is the way they normally come; can I just have some extra lettuce to enjoy the beets with? After a long wait they brought twice as many chips - done exactly the same way. I didn't finish the appetizer - I'm going to go buy lettuce or crackers to enjoy it tomorrow. The mushroom risotto was huge with fried mushrooms and sautéed spinach, mushroom I suggest splitting this among 3 people not as a main. Very good. THANKS for reading - I prepaid for HighTea tomorrow and it is no refunds so I may review it too. I'm crossing my fingers that it will be a nice experience I'm gonna make sure to be nice and set the tone. :) High Tea 5 stars. Helpful, attentive. Not perfect but that's ok if kindness is there. read more

Wakatipu Grill - The bill to show why we expected good service. - Modern European Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

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This place has an amazing view! The breakfast was tasty! We ordered a la carte! A lot of people get the buffet, which looked good but we wanted to sit down and enjoy our meal and of course portion control hahaha. Also our breakfast for two was just a little more than one breakfast buffet! We got the Full Cooked Kiwi Breakfast and the egg Benedict! Full cooked kiwi breakfast! Had roasted tomato, mushrooms, bacon, two eggs (any style! We got poached), sourdough, two sausages, and two triangles of hash browns! The portion of bacon was generous! Multiple stripes! Not just two or three! The eggs were cooked PERFECTLY! Oozy in the middle, but cooked outside! Eggs Benedict with salmon came with two triangles of hash browns! Again eggs cooked perfectly! Salmon was tasty! Long black coffee came with a small thin biscuit! Yum! A great complement to the coffee! The service was superb! They let us move to a seat with a nicer view even after our food was served! So patient and kind! I am from SF and the pricing here after conversion is pretty decent! The price is like a cheaper breakfast place in SF, but it's FOUR $ on yelp! I think living in the Bay Area makes everything look cheaper hahaha. Definitely worth trying if you're staying at the Hilton! Also it's so easy and convenient! And there is a small kiosk with free pastries and coffee right outside the Wakatipu Grill entrance! I had a nice small chocolate croissant on the way out! Yum! Just the right size! read more

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I was sorry to read the negative reviews here on Yelp. Certainly we had a great experience here. We had two breakfasts and a dinner here and they were very good. I would say the dinners here are a 5 star and breakfasts are more like a 4, but the friendly staff tipped the balance. Located inside the Hilton, this restaurant serves as both the breakfast buffet and as a fine dining establishment. The restaurant has an incredible view of Lake Wakatipu and there are both outdoor seating, an enclosed porch and dining inside. We really liked the enclosed porch since it was both protected from the sun and also part of the outdoors. For breakfast, since we had both the hot and the cold entrees, the standout thing here is they list all the many different allergens so it is easy to navigate no matter what you have. The cold cereals were great and they have a variety of Asian and Western options. But the standout here is the dinner. We were lucky enough to have a food and beverage manager as our server and he did a great job letting us sample and try different local wines. They have a special system here where they can sample wines easily without spoilage, so they have vast collection by the glass. We loved the lamb dishes and also the beef fillet was super well cooked and flavorful. This is really a great place for a special occasion. read more

The Wakatipu Grill was a fine dining restaurant at the Hilton hotel. But, the recovery from the pandemic has meant no international visitors in New Zealand. The management made a tough decision to adopt a menu for mid-range budgets geared toward domestic visitors. I completely respect and support that decision. In 2014 when I last visited, the Blue Cod Tortellini was a highlight of the menu. On my visit this month on a Sunday night, the highlight was certainly the half-price pizzas. The pizza was delicious and at $14 it was a steal. This restaurant and its staff are definitely worth supporting. I will be back the next time I'm in Queenstown. (Note: This restaurant also serves a full buffet breakfast for hotel guests.) read more

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This restaurant was our complimentary breakfast buffet option as part of my diamond status. The breakfast was decent with international options. You can also order from three different egg options such as Benedict, omelet, and scrambled. Those were great. However there was a serious issue with timing as the kitchen could be very backed up as peak time. I recommend ordering IMMEDIATELY when you arrive. We tried to eat here at dinner but apparently they were completely booked as it was a weekend night. The room was empty and it was about 830-9pm so that was odd. We just ended up walking down to Stacks for dinner instead. We also came here for a snack one afternoon and asked if we can use our drink vouchers since the bar upstairs was hosting some cocktail event. The bartender immediately rolled his eyes at us and said he would do it this one time. The reason I got vouchers was because they do not have a Hilton Lounge at this location, so they offer the vouchers. Hit or miss with the staff at this particular restaurant. Look at my Hilton review for the rest of the facilities and staff--those were both outstanding. read more

Wakatipu Grill - Eggs Benedict - Modern European Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

This restaurant is reasonable, but doesn't meet my expectations of fine dining from the Hilton. It's delivering dishes at pub food standard, which is disappointing. The service matches that standard unfortunately. I ordered a salad entree, but it was so large it was a meal in itself - which explains the $26 price tag. I'd describe it as very average - lettuce, cherry tomatoes, wedges of avocado and some cooked chicken through it, then doused in dressing - pub standard, not fine dining. My main was Market Fish with a side of vegetables. Remarkably, the fish (salmon) was done very nicely, with delicious crispy skin - but nothing else matched that standard. The asparagus was withered and barely edible. The $46 price is too high for what it was. My vegetables were broccoli, cauliflower and carrot. All cooked but the carrot was tough, just not enjoyable. In general the service is average and could do with some tips on professionalism and general etiquette. Overall, I was disappointed. I probably wouldn't bother to come again. read more

Wakatipu Grill - Market Fish with a side of vegetables - Modern European Near Me - Queenstown, OTA

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Very good atmosphere and excellent culinary. Husband had the ribeye and loved it. I tried the risotto and liked it but not the best I've ever had. Service was excellent and quality of food superb read more

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So Madam when did the fly dive into your drink!!! Give this place a miss. The Management staff are not up to the job, waiters were fine but let down by their manager! Booked two nights here weeks before and asked if we could have tables with a view! Manager greeted us took our name and then proceeded to talk on the phone, so we wandered off to the bar, he never came over! Eventually we asked a waiter who showed us to the only table without a view! Only a few other tables filled and closed when we left! Food and service was OK. HOWEVER For the following night we asked if we could have a later booking, we were told not until 9.15 as they were fully booked, fair enough we took this time. We actually arrived at the bar at 7.45 and the place was empty. 9.15 we were shown to our table it was not with a view so we asked if we could move as there were only three other tables in use - they managed that! Ordered food and drinks, drinks arrived after reminding them twice, I noticed their was a fly in my wine when we asked for another the waiter asked "so Madam when did the fly arrive in your drink" REALLY We had to fetch a jug for our own water and then to top it all one of our orders didn't arrive we think they dropped the plate! No cocktails with coconut milk as they are unable to obtain this ingredient (REALLY - come on guys this was Christmas eve)! Waiting staff were good when around but they were taken away to lay tables. At the end of the day the management were more interested in setting breakfast than serving the guest! We lay this fairly and squarely with the Manager who never once came over or apologised! read more

Actually, one of the worst experiences at a restaurant ever! And it started right from the beginning: Although we had an existing dinner reservation, arranged with the hotels front desk the day before, my mother and I have been kept waiting for almost an hour before we were led to our table. Contrary to most other tables at the restaurant, this table was not dressed with a table cloth, nor would we get one later on. Usually nothing to worry about, but still worthwhile mentioning in context with the very poor service that evening nonetheless. The same applies to the fact, that in the allegedly fine dining restaurants every one of the three waiters was dressed in a completely different attire, our waiter not even dressed in proper work gear, but just an old, stained pair of khaki jeans and a pink wrinkled shirt! After another 15-20 minutes we managed to order our drinks and appetizers, a salad for my mom and scallops fo myself. Later on my mother mentioned, that already at that time the waiter's attitude towards us was very aggressive, last but not least he was leaning on our table while taking our orders. Ordering the main course caused the next trouble. As I already informed the restaurant in advance that I was allergic again onions and similar vegetables, I wanted to order the steak on the menu, but substitute the side of onions with something else, like e.g. any other vegetable or potatoes. Since I was told, I couldn't substitute, I ordered the duck instead. Odd though, the waiter asked me now, what kind of side I wished together with the duck. When I asked, why I was able to choose different sides with the duck, but not with the the steak, which by the way was the most expensive dish on the menu, the waiter finally accepted me to order a salad with the steak. 'Just to be absolutely clear, is there anything else you are allergic of other than onions and chives?' the waiter asked me then in a very provocative, sarcastic tone? Well, I replied, I certainly wouldn't mind having some potatoes instead either. 'No, the salad is all you are going to get' the waiter replied, again in a very unfriendly tone! Another 15-20 minutes later we finally received our appetizers and we were asked whether we would still like something else. Therefore, my mother asked for some additional dressing and some bread to go with her salad. Although we received the dressing very soon, I had to remind the waiter of the bread after another 5-10 minutes again. And the bread would be only served after my mother and I both finished our first courses. When I mentioned it while the plates were removed, I received it again, a very sarcastic: 'Sir, if you had ordered the bread together with the appetizers, the bread would also have been served together with the salad'! Wow, again, what an utterly inappropriate, at least very unprofessional reply! Just wondered, in case I was prepared to order an expensive red wine to go together with my main course, whether I would also get the wine only after the meal therefore!? Having got really upset by now, I asked the waiter to consult the cook, whether he had started preparing our main courses yet, since otherwise my mother would rather cancel those and pay just for the drinks and appetizers we had so far. When the waiter returned, he told us we were free to go and we were not even expected to pay for our meal. We told him, we accepted this unexpected solution as well and very likely we would not return as soon anyway. 'Well, Sir, there is finally something we can mutually agree upon!' we still heard while leaving the table. Still the same night, I brought up this bad experience with front desk, since it was them who arranged the dinner reservation to begin with! Furthermore, I proposed to talk with the hotel manager about this very unpleasant incident the next morning. Obviously, however, the hotel manager decided he had more urgent issues to attend to!? read more