We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox. Mac: Safari.
All 148 Queenstown Restaurants »

Wai Restaurant

Beach Street, Queenstown 9197, New Zealand
03 442 5969
Ranked #26 of 148 restaurants in Queenstown
4.5 of 5 stars 106 Reviews
Good for: Romantic, Business, Local cuisine, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Reservations, After-hours
Restaurant details
Good for: Romantic, Business, Local cuisine, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Lunch Spot, Dinner, Reservations, After-hours
Update restaurant details
Write a Review

106 reviews from our community

78% Recommend
    64
    18
    16
    6
    2
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Sydney
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 May 2012 NEW

A highly over-rated restaurant in my opinion. Dined there last week for a Mother's Day dinner after arriving from Sydney, Australia with a party of 8 adults & one well-behaved toddler and while the decor was refined & classy, the ambience was more hushed & subdued rather than comfortable. This may well have been because there was only one other... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 11 more reviews by Joolls for Queenstown
Sydney
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2012 NEW

As our first meal in Queenstown we were looking forward to dining at this restaurant. It was nice inside and really liked the decor and we're happy with the service but it was the food that left us a bit disappointed. We ordered the salmon confit and bay cockles for entree, the beef rib and monkfish for main and shared... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by PoppyTree for Queenstown
Sydney, Australia
Senior Contributor
49 reviews 49 reviews
Reviews in 23 cities Reviews in 23 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 April 2012

We ate many meals in New Zealand but this Restaurant served the best of them all, a little pricey but worth it. The view is lovely too from this classy joint. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by DebL53 for Queenstown
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 April 2012
2
people found this review helpful

Unfortunately for a restaurant of this price point the food did not live up to our reasonable expectations. The dishes looked great but the seafood had minimal taste. We tried our best to discern the taste but it was not there. Oyster were amazing but credit for that goes elsewhere. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by j_hedonist for Queenstown
QTFood, Manager at Wai Restaurant, responded to this review
30 April 2012

Greeting, We are disapointed that we did not meet your expectations on your recent visit to Wai. We take great pride in the food we present. We would have gladly taken action to rectify what you were not completly satisfied with. Warm regards, Wai Management Team More

Sydney, Australia
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 April 2012

This was one of my best dinners in Queenstown. Uber stylish, lakefront on the steamer wharf. Definitely deserves the awards this classy place has won. A special night out for sure. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 10 more reviews by Ian S for Queenstown
QTFood, Manager at Wai Restaurant, responded to this review
21 April 2012

Greetings, We are so very pleased that you enjoyed your dining experience at Wai. We strive for excellence and its makes it more worth while when our guests enjoy what we have to offer. Thank you for taking the time to write your review. Warm regards, Wai management team More

Melbourne
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 April 2012

Get the bluff oysters if they're in season - excellent! The fish dishes were superb. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by Keegan I for Queenstown
QTFood, Manager at Wai Restaurant, responded to this review
21 April 2012

Hello, We are so pleased you enjoy Bluff oysters as much as we do. They are indeed a special treat. Thank you for taking the time to write a review. Warmest regards, Wai management team More

Seattle
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 April 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Its okay food, but not worth the price. Also one of my bluff oysters was shelled incorrectly and many pieces of shell in it. For the price I'm paying I'd expect better service. We left feeling hungry and ended up going to another restaurant after. More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by Sara81s for Queenstown
QTFood, Manager at Wai Restaurant, responded to this review
15 April 2012

Greetings, We are disapointed that we failed to meet your expectations on your recent visit to Wai. We would have gladly replaced the oyster in question had it been brought to our attention. As we do freshly shuck our oysters, this can sometimes occur. Thank you for taking the time to place your feedback. Warmest regards, Wai management team More

Markyate, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 April 2012

We followed the recommendations and booked for dinner. The restaurant was quite busy - the table next to us fed three separate Oriental parties one after the other over the evening - perhaps we linger too long! Greeting and order-taking was excellent, waiter clearly was very knowledgeable. In fact service was excellent throughout. I had my first ever Bluff oysters... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by SirTK for Queenstown
QTFood, Manager at Wai Restaurant, responded to this review
15 April 2012

Greetings, We are very happy that you enjoyed your visit to Wai. We are simply doing what we love to do. We also thank you for taking the time to review Wai. Warm Regards, Wai management team More

Brisbane, Queensland
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 April 2012

My husband and I are real foodies and this is an exceptional restaurant - the food, the service and the setting are all outstanding. Someone is this kitchen is a real food lover. If you enjoy fine dining, this is a must - we have been going here for three years now while holidaying and have never been disappointed. Strange... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 3 more reviews by 2x2_Aussies for Queenstown
QTFood, Manager at Wai Restaurant, responded to this review
15 April 2012

Greetings, Thank you very much for taking time time to place your feedback. You are correct, someone, actually more than one person is very passionate about food in our kitchen. We are very pleased you enjoyed your Wai dining experience. Please come and see us again on your next visit to Queenstown. Warm regrads, Wai management team More

Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 March 2012

service was excellent, for instance we got dessert free because it was new and they wanted comments, but this was done after we'd commented for nothing! By the way, it was delicious. We left feeling good and that's my test of a restaurant More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by OzC for Queenstown
QTFood, Manager at Wai Restaurant, responded to this review
2 April 2012

Greetings, We are so pleased you enjoyed our new winter menu. We look foreard to seeing you on your next visit to Queenstown. Regards, Wai Team More

Travellers who viewed Wai Restaurant also viewed

Vknow
4.5 of 5 stars 79 Reviews
Queenstown, South Island
Eichardt\
4.5 of 5 stars 121 Reviews
Queenstown, South Island
 
Bella Cucina
4 of 5 stars 64 Reviews
Queenstown, South Island
Fergburger
4.5 of 5 stars 718 Reviews
Queenstown, South Island
 

Been to Wai Restaurant? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Wai Restaurant, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing