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.
Bistro Gentil
Review
About
Travellers' Choice
2024
Located in a beautiful garden setting infused with artwork from world renowned artists, overlooking the lake and mountains of Wanaka, Bistro Gentil serves wonderful modern French cuisine using only the best seasonal produce from Central Otago and it's kitchen garden. With indoor and outdoor seating, we offer à la carte dining, a degustation menu or Trust the Chef.
Features
CUISINES
French, European, Wine Bar, New Zealand
Meal types
Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
American Express
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Visa
Waterfront
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Parking Available
Is this restaurant good for special occasions?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wednesday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thursday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Saturday
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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4.7
617 reviews
Excellent
486
Very good
83
Average
24
Poor
18
Terrible
6
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Leah G
Yeppoon9 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
On a glowing recommendation from our son and his wife we booked to try this restaurant.
First impression was lovely and cosy - staff were very welcoming
We tried the small size soups - French onion and the soup of the day ( pumpkin and carrot)
Really tasty and a great amount
I ordered the lamb rump and my husband had the venison
We ordered the side dishes of artichoke with goat cheese and the Brussel sprouts.
We love to travel and have eaten in restaurants around the world who pride themselves on their culinary expertise.
This little gem in Wanaka may be the best we have tried for years taste, presentation, consistency across all the meals ( sorry could not fit dessert in) and surprisingly value for money.
We went prepared to spend on good food.
We got a whiskey each as well and it still came to under $200 NZD
Absolutely delighted
Recommend this wholeheartedly for anyone who likes melt in your mouth lamb. As for the venison and the amazing spices to highlight the flavour - wow.
Written 24 June 2024
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.
barbrajayne
Picketts Valley69 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
Take a stroll up past the golf course to find this charming little restaurant with a view even better than down by the lake shore ( those snow capped mountains seem closer, somehow!)
A lovely menu with a good selection of dishes providing vegetarian,fish and meat options, small to larger portion sizes so you can share, or choose soup and a generously sized entree instead of a main course ( and then have room for a gorgeous crème brûlée)
Professional service, tranquil location, great food - and good value too. And a nice after dinner stroll back down past the golf course.
What more could you want!
Highly recommended.
Written 20 October 2023
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.
The Joneses
2 contributions
Jan 2025 • friends
Our meal at Bistro Gentil was a celebration of the end of a great girls weekend away - we wanted something special, and we were not disappointed. We were seated outside, it was a beautiful setting with a glimpse of the lake from our seat (and full view when we stood). The staff were attentive, but not intrusive, the perfect amount of service. Two of us ordered the fish and it was fresh, flaky, cooked perfectly, and went beautifully with the crisp soft shelled tempura crab, bok choy and cauliflower puree - heavenly. The other of us had the lamb loin which was delicious, tender and melted in her mouth, stunning flavors. We wandered the 1.3km back to town talking about how wonderful the evening was. Perfect night, great place, lovely staff, will definitely be back.
Written 23 February 2025
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.
Kelly W
Victoria82 contributions
Feb 2025 • friends
The food was excellent—from the entrees to the mains. Beautifully prepared and presented.
However, when the six of us arrived for our 6:30 pm reservation, we were directed by the hostess to a table inside, despite several free tables outside. This on a day that was 28 C at 6pm (according to weather data for the day). It was much hotter inside. When I mentioned to the hostess that I had made the reservations five weeks earlier, I was told they don’t seat patrons based on when they reserved and, they thought we’d be cosy inside. We were the only patrons inside. I sat down then got up and asked to be seated outside. The hostess told me the outside tables did not allow for a six person configuration. Huh? I sat down stewing, both literally and figuratively. She returned to our table a few minutes later saying she had thought about how she would be able to seat us outside and the table would be ready shortly. Now, I appreciate that we were accommodated, but why was it so much of an effort? I can honestly say the interaction affected my enjoyment of my meal.
The same hostess delivered our meals and placed them in front of us without comment. I acknowledge the menu fully described what was on each plate, but c’mon, take a moment to describe what we’re eating—it should be standard at this price point. Our waitress later described what we were eating when we asked, but why did we have to ask?
Written 4 February 2025
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.
IanfromRAK
Wanaka192 contributions
Nov 2023 • friends
The restaurant is in a great location overlooking the town, with easy parking. The tables are well spaced for easy conversation and the service was quite excellent, polite and well informed. My wife has a garlic allergy but nothing was a bother and lots of options were made available with no fuss. We all agreed that the menu had great variety and local interest, and the food was beautifully cooked and presented. Maude wines are hard to beat and reasonably priced. Just a memorable evening and highly recommended.
Written 17 November 2023
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.
Amy L
Christchurch61 contributions
Oct 2024 • friends
Beautiful dinner while visiting Wanaka. We went on a Wednesday night and had the Wednesday set menu special - french onion soup, fillet beef with blue cheese sauce and creme brulee for dessert, the service was fabulous, the steak was absolutely fantastic. We enjoyed the entire meal. The restaurant is a wee bit cold but they do offer blankets on the chairs. Would definitely go back if we were back in Wanaka again.
Written 4 October 2024
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.
SunValleyTravellers
Sun Valley204 contributions
Mar 2025 • couples
This is a VERY special restaurant! We first visited Bistro Gentil on our trip to Wanaka last year and came back on this trip! The setting, adjacent to the Maude Winery, is lovely and the service is spectacular. Servers are professional, knowledgable, and very well-trained. The food??? FANTASTIC! We had the fresh green salad, the swordfish first course, lovely fresh rosemary bread, and the lamb…all could not have been better presented and prepared. The wine and drinks offerings are very good and present a wide range of prices. Plus the desserts are fantastic—we had their unique crème brûlée last night & it was simply fabulous. We will be back again on next year’s trip to Wanaka!
Written 13 March 2025
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.
Rielle
New Zealand60 contributions
Feb 2025 • couples
Great food. Service was great, it was pretty busy but the girls kept their cool and were nice to interact with. Went the extra step to make sure everything was algood :-) I had the lamb & beef tartare - the beef tartare was perfect, it’s one of our favourites and the flavours were balanced very well. Cocktails were really nice, and that’s from someone who doesn’t usually drink :-)
Written 19 February 2025
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.
Broceliande89
99 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
We had dinner on the veranda. The welcome is attentive and the food is simply delicious. Originality and freshness are there. I just regret the wait before service which was very long (around 1 hour) but I think it must have been an isolated incident and that our order got lost in the kitchen.
Despite everything, I recommend Bistro Gentil without reservation.
Like all reputable establishments, you must take the precaution of booking.
Written 3 March 2024
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.
SunValleyTravellers
Sun Valley204 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
We had an absolutely lovely dinner at Bistro Gentil. The service was good and the food was fabulous. We had the French onion soup, both croquettes, oyster, green salad, carrots, seafood dish and steaks——all prepared beautifully. The wine was good (not great). The setting is beautiful, too. We definitely would return if we are in Wanaka again.
Written 10 February 2024
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.
Lee
Kerikeri5 contributions
Aug 2022 • friends
We were very excited to be going to this restaurant as we had heard lots of good things about it. We were part of a group of six celebrating our friends very special wedding anniversary.
The most disappointing dish was the lamb which two of the party had. This dish was totally overpowered by the sausage!. The other members of our party were also very underwhelmed by their meals although we would have to say we couldn’t fault the service.
Sadly we will not be recommending this very overpriced restaurant to our many friends who regularly visit Wanaka.
Written 21 August 2022
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.
Mary L
2 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
Great location . Good wine. Service standard but food worst in our experience in New Zealand - esp. For among the high end restaurants. Everything was overpowered with mayo type sauces and too salty. Minute crab appetizer tasted more of fried batter stick than crab. French onion soup good. Main meal of lamb - so much mayo sauce that couldn’t taste lamb the way we should. Side dish of veggies again doused in mayo sauce - lost taste here again. Really disappointed . Compared to other many locations in New Zealand , very disappointing and cannot recommend . Liked other local lunch places better in beautiful Wanaka! Recommend to pull back on the very overwhelming sauces!
Written 5 December 2023
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.
Dan C
Chicago264 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Lovely French restaurant on a hilltop. Probably our best meal in NZ.
Energetic noise level vs. the quiet candlelight affair I would have expected. Our group had fun dining here enjoying thoughtfully prepared food and good wine.
I didn’t pay the tab so I can’t comment on value but this is probably considered a fine dining experience in Wanaka.
There’s enclosed patio at the front of this restaurant. I’d try to get a seat in there next time, better views.
Service was very attentive. All 12 of us enjoyed everything we ordered so it’s hard to say what I’d recommend after only a single visit but there’s a goof chance you’ll find something good on the menu when you go. And you should go
Written 1 December 2023
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.
Karen S
18 contributions
Jan 2025 • family
A group of 20 of us came for a pre wedding dinner and the atmosphere, drinks, service and food were 10/10 amazing!! Most of our group were raving about the food and saying it was the best meal out they had in months! The fish starter, lamb and crème brûlée were favourites! If you are in the wanaka region you HAVE to try this place
Thank you so much
Written 11 January 2025
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.
DavidStuttgart
Stuttgart48 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
Highly recommended restaurant in Wanaka, away from the tourist hustle and bustle with great views and delicious food. Especially great: the Dry Aged Beef Tatar (I have never eaten better!). Also a treat: The lamb fillet tips with eggplant mousse and the deer with chorizo crumble!
It is advisable to ask for a place on the terrace when making your reservation.
Automatically translated
Written 2 February 2025
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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