Wanaka was our preferred city on the South Island (though we didn’t make it to Dunedin, which I’ve heard great things about) because it felt like Boulder with its great outdoor activities mixed with a similarly excellent gluten free food and beverage scene.
After completing the trip, I chatted about which city I would be most inclined to relocate to, and the answer came to me within four seconds.
“Wanaka.”
It seems as though A LOT of people share that sentiment, as new housing developments and completely modern homes kept appearing everywhere we looked. Still, Wanaka maintains a small town feel despite recent surge in popularity.
Here are some suggestions about the best gluten free eateries, grocery stores, coffee shops, and activities located in and surrounding Wanaka.
Heading to New Zealand? Here are a few other posts you may appreciate:
- A Thoroughly Planned 2 Week Itinerary for New Zealand`s South Island
- The Complete Celiac-Friendly Guide to Queenstown
- Gluten Free New Zealand: A Celiac’s Travel Manual
Disclaimer: Some of the below links are affiliate links, where I earn a small commission if you click through and book without increasing the cost to you. That said, I would only recommend options I fully support.
Table of Contents
Gluten Free Eats in Wanaka That Are Safe if You Have Celiac Disease
Here are five places in Wanaka to check for gluten free eats for those with celiac disease.
Gluten Free Fish and Chips at Erik’s Fish and Chips
Erik’s Fish and Chips is a dining establishment that is completely free of gluten (with the sole exception of malt vinegar, which is clearly marked as containing gluten and they offer apple cider vinegar as a gluten free substitute) for fish and chips and other deep fried foods. They have even been accredited by the CoeliacNZ Dining Out program for being gluten sensitive!
Upon ordering, I was pleased to find that the fish and chips were entirely gluten-free without needing to ask. The staff confirmed their fryer was dedicated for coeliacs` safety.
They have fantastic chips. The fish was good too, but I devoured an entire serving of chips myself. So satisfying. Fish-wise, order the blue cod.
They also have a place in Queenstown, if your travels take you in that direction.
Quick Service and Freshly Cooked Gluten Free Eats at Big Fig
Whether breakfast, lunch or dinner, Big Fig has you covered.
Essentially, you select one meat (like slowly roasted beef cheeks or rotisserie chicken) and a variety of accompaniments (from roasted potatoes or stuffed tomatoes, to a range of salads).
It’s all clearly labeled as gluten free, and the staff has very good knowledge. When I was there, all of the meats were gluten free, and the only gluten-containing item was a couscous salad.
They also offer a great gluten free breakfast, which usually included gluten free pancakes, frittatas, smoothies, etc.
They also have a location in Queenstown. In total, we dined there on four separate occasions during our trip. EXTREMELY DELICIOUS.
The Best Indian Restaurant on the South Island of New Zealand – The Spice Room
Indian cuisine is one cooking style I often go for when traveling. It`s typically not difficult to find. Curries nearly always don`t include gluten (and if they do have it, that establishment is best avoided). Last but certainly not least, Indian food is delicious.
The Spice Room featured among the finest Indian nourishment I’ve had in a while. We shared the Mango Hen and Chicken Korma, and essentially ended up licking our plates. The Mango Hen was particularly delectable.
They provide creamy, rich curries that are gluten free (except one, which has fritters in it), the service was excellent, and they fully understand celiac disease.
They also have a location in Queenstown.
Dedicated Gluten Free Kitchen at Soul Food Organic
Soul Food has a dedicated gluten free kitchen in Wanaka with rotating options – great for a gluten free breakfast or lunch. The individuals had muffins, chickpea flatbread, and a delicious veggie quesadilla.
It also operates as a supermarket stocking hard-to-find gluten free groceries.
Similar to what Erik mentioned above, they also have a location in Queenstown.
Celiac-friendly Gluten Free Pub Food at Speight’s Ale House
Despite being a brewery, they actually do gluten free well. I would avoid their cider though, only to be safe.
They have a clearly designated menu, with selections that are gluten-free or can be modified to be gluten-free. No dedicated fryer however, so avoid anything fried, including the fries.”
The downside? The choices are really limited.
Where to Buy Gluten Free Groceries in Wanaka
There are two grocers worthwhile to stop at in Wanaka. The initial one is New World, which had the most extensive selection of any New World store visited (aside perhaps from the one in Queenstown). They even stocked Peckham`s Cider, which wasn`t the case everywhere else. Right nearby is Pembroke Wine and Spirits, who have a supportive staff and great choice of New Zealand wines and ciders. Worth visiting if searching for something to drink at home.
Check out my listing of the best grocery without gluten in NZ.
Another location worth stopping by is the aforementioned Soul Food, which has a great higher-end grocery section filled with gluten free options. Like this chocolate.
The Best Coffee in Wanaka
In every new city we go to, I go on a quest to find the best coffee. Wanaka was no different.
In general, the coffee quality in New Zealand ranged from comparable to what`s found in Europe to on par with coffee from Australia. In smaller towns, finding good coffee was challenging. In Wanaka, quality coffee was readily available everywhere we went.
There were three coffee retailers we visited in Wanaka that impressed me – all were located in the town center and relatively near to each other. Kiwi coffee culture emphasizes coffee combined with milk, unlike in the US where filter (or plain) coffee is more common. I didn`t see any filter coffee during our three-week stay in New Zealand. Not even in Wanaka, which had the finest coffee options out of everywhere we traveled to.
If you prefer something similar to coffee found in the US, opt for an Americano or Long Black. Otherwise, embrace the local flavor and get a flat white while in New Zealand!
- The Coffee Shack: Great java in a petite shack in the city center. They have a practical guide to espresso drinks on the wall in case you were wondering about the distinction between a flat white and a cappuccino.
- Urban Grind: Right next to Soul Food in an open, airy space with loads of brick and wood aesthetics. Nice environment, quality java, and they have an upper bar.
- The Good Spot: Off the main road by a couple blocks, but worthwhile traveling. Good vibes all around at this small java trailer. I love java from a vehicle. Good vibes and quality java – perfect to grab some of Wanaka`s best java on a sunny summer morning.
Where to Stay in Wanaka
We stayed at this Airbnb listing and truly enjoyed it. It’s a bit outside of town, but it’s an easy drive downtown. They have another property on the grounds as well, if that one is booked.
This Airbnb also appears AMAZING. Again, a bit of a drive outside of Wanaka, but secluded, private, and beautiful.
If you’d rather be downtown, inspect this Airbnb or this Airbnb.
Preference for hotels? The Wanaka Springs Lodge will likely be your best option.
What to Do in Wanaka
There are abundant activities in Wanaka that will appeal to all types of travelers – whether you crave thrills or prefer relaxation.
Here are some ideas based on what we did (or wish we did) while we were there.
Hiking around Lake Wanaka: Roy’s Peak (do it for the ‘gram), Isthmus Peak (the most difficult hike I’ve undertaken in some time, but the vistas were amazing and it feels like you’re hiking through Lord of the Rings), or the Rob Roy Glacier track in Mt. Aspiring National Park.
Adventure Sports: An experience parachute jump can be done at Skydive Wanaka, take a motorboat ride through Mt. Aspiring National Park, visit Mt. Aspiring National Park. Or maybe you’re into horseback riding. You can probably experience any activity you like in Wanaka.
Wanaka Bike Tours: Bike tours around Lake Wanaka through guided routes with various options, or the ability to rent bikes independently and explore on your own. Torpedo 7 is another good choice if you want to hire bikes without a guide
Wine sampling with scenic views:Rippon Vineyard offered one of the finest landscapes from a winery I`ve seen. It sits atop a ridge, encircled by vines and overlooking the lovely Lake Wanaka. They produce primarily Pinot Noir alongside some other intriguing white wines.
Wanting to do a more comprehensive wine tasting tour of the Otago Valley, one of New Zealand’s primary vineyards? Take a wine tasting guided tour.
Wanaka Lavender Farm: Abundant gardens, farm animals, delectable honey, and afternoon tea. We spent some time here on a beautiful morning, and Alysha loved it. Worth the brief drive just out of town.
Planning a trip to New Zealand? Start here!
We accomplished this trek at dusk, and it was one of our preferred experiences on our Washington Road Venture a handful of years past.
