Sitting on the large patio of this acclaimed winery, surrounded by massive lavender patches and the vineyards in the background, it’s easy to while away an afternoon. The menu is local sourced, farm-to-table cuisine, and the wine is plentiful and can be purchased in the adjoining cellar door (tasting room). If you have time for a leisurely lunch, Amisfield is a great option. A nice way to work up an appetite is the 5-mile walk around Lake Hayes.

Besides Rata, this is Queenstown's most stylish restaurant, housed in a historic cottage by the lake. The restaurant features beautiful views and wood-burning fireplaces inside the dining room and outside on the patio. The menu features a lot of local produce and products; it’s focused on meat but also has some nice seafood dishes on the menu. Have a drink in the private bar upstairs before settling in for lunch or dinner.

Helmed by famous New Zealand chef Josh Emmet (he’s starred on Master Chef, the Kiwi version of Top Chef), Rata is one of Queenstown's most elegant restaurants. The dining room is modern and beautiful, with lots of plants, light-wood furniture and contemporary light fixtures. The Scandinavian-inspired setting serves as a modern-cool backdrop for the cuisine, which heavily uses local products. Portions are on the delicate side, which makes the set lunch menu a great deal (though Rata is busier and more fun for dinner). There’s a groovy soundtrack, a young wait staff and an often-changing menu that beautifully showcases seasonal fare.

Indagare Tip: Rata is not easy to find; it’s tucked in a new mixed-use building complex behind another restaurant called 1876.