The Bunker Restaurant
+64 3-441 8030+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Mon
5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Tue
5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Wed
5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Thu
5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Fri
5:00 pm - 4:00 am
Sat
5:00 pm - 4:00 am
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, European, New Zealand, International, Contemporary, Vegetarian friendly
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Bar Scene
Does this restaurant serve Romagna food?
Details
About
Hidden away down a back alley in the center of Queenstown behind a rustic old wooden door, The Bunker offers discreet and intimate 'rustic' fine dining – specializing in red meats, game and local produce with a distinctly New Zealand flavour complimented by crackling log fires, intimate atmosphere, personal service and an impressive wine list. Our Cocktail Bar upstairs from the restaurant offers hand crafted classic and modern cocktails and an extensive wine and premium spirit list in a cosy lounge atmoshere which welcomes guests right through to the wee small hours. Wowing locals and visitors alike for over a decade with superb cuisine, friendly and knowledgeable service and a unique atmosphere, The Bunker is certainly a Queenstown experience not to be missed. PRIVATE DINING ROOM AVAILABLE FOR LARGE GROUPSDiscover The Bunker – Queenstown's best kept secret since 1997.
PRICE RANGE
$27.00 – $54.00
CUISINES
International, European, Contemporary, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
1,532 reviews
Excellent
1,103
Very good
277
Average
83
Poor
44
Terrible
25
KiwichickAuckland
Kerikeri504 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
We were visiting Queenstown for hubbys significant birthday and needed a dining experience that we could remember for all the right reasons!
We chose the Bunker based on the menu and the cozy atmosphere and for the extensive cocktail list. It was easy to make a booking online which is essential as the restaurant is small .
The cocktail bar is upstairs and has a large fireplace which on this night had a roaring fire. The bar has comfortable seating with leather deep buttoned couches. We had a MaiTai and a Toblerone which were delicious. service was good.
The restaurant is downstairs through a secret door! The wait staff were very good. As stated the restaurant is small maybe 10 tables. We were seated at the back of the room with one other table behind us. The young lady on that table kept up a running commentary and we could hear everything she said! We didn't hear her partner at all so can only surmise she was talking loudly.
For starters we had the Duck liver parfait which was really good and the Southern Ocean scallops which were also excellent but for $28 would have expected more than just 2 smallish scallops. There should have been at least 4 for that price.
For mains we had the beef and the pork belly with pork loin. All competently prepared with flavoursome jus but the pork had no crackle. What!! pork belly with no crackle it's the best part!!
We had 2 glasses of wine. 1 pinot gris and 1 Shiraz.
We were too full for dessert.
Had this been a memorable meal??? Probably for the wrong reason of the 2 scallops!! It was certainly good and in a tourist town like Queenstown they do appear to take pride in the food and their business.
For a special night out it is worth it.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom A
1 contribution
Jan 2020 • couples
Jerome is the best waiter we have ever had and the food and wine pairings are incredible. Snapper, Venison, Scallops and the Petite Fours blew us away. Take everything as the Chef recommends and go with the wine pairings. If you have to pick one restaurant to enjoy in Queenstown this has to be the one. The food and ambiance was by far the best we experienced in our two weeks of travel and we would come back halfway around the world just for another experience at this restaurant. My wife and I lucked out getting a private room upstairs with Jerome taking care of us and literally could not recommend this place enough. Be prepared to spend a good bit of money but be advised that this will be one of the top meals and dining experiences you have ever had. How this place hasn’t topped the list with Trip Advisor blows my mind!
Written 18 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren H
London252 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Booked online (easily) based on a friend’s recommendation. Decided to do a la carte rather than the degustation menu as we preferred the choices. Both of us really enjoyed each of the three courses and the service. Cocktails and beer selection great too! The Belgian waiter was particularly helpful. We consider the prices good for the quality of food. Just under $300 for 2 of us including drinks. The only thing that was not great was that every other table seemed to get a recap of the contents of each dish when brought to the table; on all 3 courses for us this didn’t happen.
Written 23 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen & Sue
Canberra2772 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
The better restaurants in this part of NZ offer a similar selection of main courses (venison, beef, lamb, fish etc) and they all do it well.
But for the prices charged here ($42-$49 for mains) they really need to offer something special, and we didn't find that.
The setting doesn't help - it sounds romantic, a bunker with a wood fire, but if that's your main aim make sure you specify this, as half the diners are actually accommodated in a separate room 2 floors up, and it's hard to catch the attention of the servers who are pounding up and down the stairs.
There's a strange attempt at atmosphere with movie posters decorating the walls, and a bizarre playlist which at one point had Carly Simon's "Nobody Does It Better" playing 4 times in half an hour.
Good food, warm service, but for these prices, there needs to be more.
Written 4 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lyonsaj
Philadelphia50 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
I went here on my honeymoon and had a good experience. The highlights were the waitstaff and the atmosphere which are both flawless. The food is quite good and priced as such which is why if I could I would rate this 4.5/5. The only thing is that for such prices I was hoping for some memorable dishes and instead I got consistently good meals but nothing truly memorable. Still, it was very good and overall I would recommend this place.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer G
3 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We were lucky enough to get a last minute booking at The Bunker last week. We were very impressed with the knowledgeable staff. Bianca was so warm and friendly with great information on how the menu was designed and she convinced me to pair the wines for the Taste of the South menu which was great.
The food was absolutely amazing the best we have had in a long time I can't recommend this place enough. We'll done guys!!!
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pathfinder419635
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
A must try if you're in Queenstown! Staff are very professional and they knew a lot about the wines and food they're serving. I've tried fine dining restaurants around the world and this one belongs at the top of my list. Will definitely come back!
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jandc8491
Wilmington1238 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
My wife and I were on an organized tour of New Zealand. While staying in Queenstown, our travel guide recommended The Bunker as having a great wine menu and a super classy setting. We agree.
I had the scallops as the starter, beef steak as the main, and chocolate mousse for dessert. The food was tasty and well-prepared. I tried the Prestige Rose Cuvee, the Pepperjack Cabernet Sauvignon, and the Church Grand Merlot Cabernet by the glass with various courses.
Our server was Tom, and he was attentive and helpful with suggestions. It seemed like the restaurant was popular with Americans on a Thursday night when we went--I didn't see any other nationalities.
The meal was not inexpensive, but the service was very good as was the food. It was a nice way to splurge for our last dinner in New Zealand.
Written 5 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fran
Timaru19 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
Oh my god! Were to start, the food, the drinks, the service absolutely amazing! This is our second time visiting the bunker and we made a decision to end every Queenstown trip with visiting the bunker on the last night!
The service is next level, they make you feel like royalty, taking your coats on the way in, putting the napkin on your lap, explaining the menu so well.
The drinks are lovely, the red wine is delicious, they also keep it by the fire which is lovely! They are very good at keeping your water filled up.
Now onto the food.. me and my partner got a starter and a main each. I got goats cheese founde and vegetables and he got the duck starter. Both were so so good!!
We then got a lovely little surprise from the chef a little sorbet palette cleanser, then the main course came, I got the lamb my partner got the steak and then a side of truffle mash croquettes. Both meat dishes medium rare, it was mouth watering, so tender and tasty. It was fantastic.
I couldn’t recommend this restaurant enough and we will definitely be returning.
Written 20 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
722sophie
Auckland Central10 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
We loved the food here, delicious and reminded us of classic white tablecloth fine dining back in the UK. Our waitress (so sorry we forgot your name, you're British too!) was absolutely charming. The male waiters were a little too similar to old school white tablecloth dining had a slightly judgy air, which made us feel a little out of place despite us dressing nicely and having good manners but this was saved by lively, friendly interactions with the waitress :)
Written 25 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
niamhs456
County Cork540 contributions
Aug 2020 • couples
Stopped in for dinner at the weekend
It was faultless ,such a special wee romantic spot with nice lighting and warm fire.
The staff are second to none,delightfully welcoming and friendly they make you feel at home keeping drinks topped up or advising with menu
For dinner we kept things simpler for ourselves having starters and mains to share as there is a tasting menu with most of those options also being on the menu but would have been too much for us.
For starters we had the hare and the duck . The hare was lovely ,two small nice pieces cooked rare and accompanied by the hare leg in the tortellini,lovely flavors ,for me the tortellini pasta was to think but that preference. The duck was great ,little theatre with adding the consume at the table ,nice flavour to this and comforting in winter with a good mix of texture and duck flavour
For mains we had the snapper ,superb dish and not too fishy which usually hits me. Great tasting basil and beetroot textures with the fish and a lovely amount of the fish and ratatouille. Such a great portioned dish . I had the venison which is the stand out well cooked rare meat ( can be cooked more if needed but it's amazing as is) lovely complimenting sauce and some wilted greens and I got some extra greens which complemented it very well. Cant fault anything ,a must visit for a delightful dinner or something special
Written 11 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick
6 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
The food at The Bunker is incredible. We had every dish on the menu (spare one) and they were all wonderful, creative, inspired, and had clear meaning in metaphor that connected each to New Zealand. The only reason that I'm rating the place a 4 is because the service was slightly awkward. There were three staff: a very socially awkward guy, a sarcastic girl, and a stuffy older man. They're not bad people but interactions with each of them was uncomfortable in its own way. I wouldn't say I felt particularly welcome there but I still very much enjoyed the food. Maybe it was just us. Nevertheless, that was our experience.
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Layne L
Auckland119 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
Dined here on our last night in Queenstown and it really was saving the best for last. The food was exceptional and plentiful (we ordered a side salad but didn't really need it as the meals were bog enough) the service was excellent and the atmosphere was lovely.
We had the beef and the lamb and both were fantastic, cooked to perfection and delicious, the prices are actually very reasonable when compared to similar restaurants and with The Bunker the meals come with enough garnishes you may not need any sides.
The wine and beer are also very reasonably priced, we started off at The Bunker's roof top bar which was nice (the Goldfinger cocktail was great and came with a small sample from the chef which was a nice touch). The service in the bar was also very good.
All in all it was a fantastic experience and well worth the what we considered to be a fairly reasonable cost
Written 30 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce D
Sydney65 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
On entering the restaurant we were greeted with a roaring fire which completed the intimate atmosphere of this restaurant. We opted for a la carte rather than 7 course option...and enjoyed the boar / scallop entrees with salmon / snapper mains....topped off with central Otago pinot noir..yum
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kiwibear
Napier339 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Was encouraged to come in despite my being coeliac and eating no red meat.
But when there the waiter became overwhelmed by the many restrictions for me on nearly all the dishes.
I made a choice from what he said
But then another waiter took over explaining that he previous waiter just couldn’t cope.😳
We nearly left
But the second waiter said he had spoken to the chef
And from what I had wanted the shef came up with a great plan and I had a Paua and mushroom Ragout with a kingfish foam and shredded greens - it was divine!!!
So they worked it out!
How to accomodate a coeliac who cannot be fobbed off with a deep fried offering. They made sure it was coeliac safe as well as what I actually wanted!!!
Good on the Bunker!!
I highly recommend!
Written 23 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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