New Zealand

Wanaka

Last traveled · Nov/Dec 2025
City Snapshot
Best Months
Nov–Mar
Ideal Stay
2–4 days
Best For
Hiking, lakes, scenery
GF Friendliness
7/10
Language
English
English
Native
City Size
Small town
Currency
NZD ($)

Where to Stay

Recommended
Edgewater Hotel lake view from room, Wanaka
Where I stayed

Edgewater Hotel

Lakefront · Sargood Drive
Why Stay Here
Right on the shores of Lake Wanaka with mountain views from every room. Wake up to ducks on the lawn and the Southern Alps reflecting in the lake. Walking distance to town along the waterfront path.
Lakefront Mountain Views Restaurant On-site
Book on Hotels.com

Gluten-Free Survival Guide

Key Phrases
"Gluten-free, please"English-speaking country
"I have coeliac disease"NZ uses UK spelling — widely understood
Grocery Stores
  • New World Wanaka — well-stocked free-from section with GF bread, pasta, and snacks
  • Soulfood Wanaka — health food shop with a dedicated GF grocery selection
Safe Cuisines
  • Steakhouses — naturally GF mains, just watch sauces
  • Cafes — NZ cafe culture is very GF-aware, most mark menus
  • Breweries — b.effect has dedicated GF beer on tap
Score Breakdown
Dedicated GF restaurants
Menu labeling
Staff knowledge & safety
Density of GF dining
Grocery availability
7/10Overall GF Score
Easy

GF Friendly Restaurants

14 spots
GF Score 5/5 3/5 Unrated Hotel

Relishes Cafe

GF Options
Cafe / Brunch
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Lots of GF options on the menu including eggs benedict and calamari. Staff are familiar with GF requirements. Open breakfast and lunch only.
What to Order
GF eggs benedict, calamari, and the daily specials. Good coffee and a relaxed lakeside-town atmosphere.
Location
Town Centre · 99 Ardmore St
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

b.effect Brewing Co.

GF Options
Brewery / Bar
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Craft brewery with GF beer on tap! Good food options alongside the brews. Staff understand celiac needs.
What to Order
GF beer flights — try several of their GF brews. Pair with the GF food options from the menu.
Location
Industrial · 44 Gordon Rd
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Francesca Wanaka

GF Options
Italian
Went here
Safety Notes
Italian restaurant in the heart of town. As with any Italian kitchen, communicate celiac needs clearly — pasta is the house specialty so cross-contamination risk exists.
Location
Town Centre · 93 Ardmore St
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Tititea Steak House

GF Options
Steakhouse
Went here
GF Score
Safety Notes
Has GF options but the menu is heavily steak-focused. Limited variety beyond the main protein — sides and sauces need checking.
What to Order
Stick to grilled steaks with simple sides. Ask about sauce ingredients — some may contain flour.
Location
Town Centre · 76 Ardmore St
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Big Fig Wanaka

GF Options
Mediterranean
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Good GF options available on the menu. Staff are aware of dietary requirements. Mediterranean-style dishes tend to be naturally GF-friendly.
Location
Town Centre · 97 Ardmore St
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Sofi Bar & Grill

GF Options
Mediterranean
Traveler recommended
Safety Notes
Mediterranean restaurant with a good selection of naturally GF dishes. The tuna tartare and grilled meats are standouts for celiac diners.
What to Order
Tuna tartare, grilled proteins, and salads. Ask about dressings and sauces for hidden gluten.
Location
Lakefront · 80 Ardmore St
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Sweet Spot NZ

100% GF
Bakery / Donuts
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
100% dedicated gluten-free donut shop. Everything in the entire shop is GF — zero cross-contamination risk. A celiac dream. One of the only fully dedicated GF bakeries in the South Island.
What to Order
Everything! GF donuts in rotating flavors. Get there early — they sell out fast, especially on weekends.
Location
Lakefront · near Pembroke Park
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Scroggin Coffee and Eatery

GF Options
Cafe / Brunch
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
GF items clearly marked on the menu. Popular brunch spot with a good selection of GF breakfast dishes.
What to Order
GF potato rosti benedict is the standout. Check the cabinet for GF baked goods.
Location
Town Centre · Helwick St
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Kika

GF Options
Modern / Upscale
Traveler recommended
Safety Notes
Wanaka's most upscale dining option. Modern share-plate format with seasonal ingredients. Communicate celiac needs when booking — they can adapt dishes.
Location
Town Centre · 2 Dunmore St
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Soulfood Wanaka

GF Options
Health Food / Cafe
Traveler recommended
GF Score
Safety Notes
Health food cafe with a small GF grocery shop attached. Good for stocking up on GF supplies and grabbing a meal.
Location
Town Centre · Helwick St

The Coffee Shack

GF Options
Cafe / Coffee
Traveler recommended
Safety Notes
Casual coffee spot near the lake. Check the cabinet for GF baked goods — options vary daily.
Location
Lakefront · Ardmore St

The Good Spot

GF Options
Cafe
Traveler recommended
Safety Notes
Laid-back cafe near the brewery area. Ask about GF options — menu changes regularly with seasonal produce.
Location
Industrial · Gordon Rd

Charlie Brown Crepes

GF Options
Crepes / Dessert
Traveler recommended
Safety Notes
Ask about GF crepe batter availability. As a crepe shop, cross-contamination risk is high — approach with caution and communicate clearly.
Location
Lakefront · Ardmore St

Eriks Fish and Chips

Closed
Fish & Chips
GF Score
Safety Notes
Permanently closed. Was the same owners as the Queenstown location, where the whole menu could reportedly be made GF. A real loss for celiac travelers in Wanaka.
See reviews on Find Me Gluten Free

Landmarks & Must-See Spots

2 spots

That Wanaka Tree

Nature
New Zealand's most photographed tree — a lone willow growing out of Lake Wanaka. Best at sunrise or sunset, but beautiful any time of day with the Southern Alps as a backdrop.
Lakefront · 5 min walk from town
Went here
That Wanaka Tree in Lake Wanaka

Clay Cliffs

Nature
Dramatic pinnacle formations carved by millions of years of erosion near Omarama. Towering clay spires and narrow ravines that feel otherworldly. A $5 honesty box at the gate.
Omarama · 45 min drive from Wanaka
Went here
Clay Cliffs near Omarama

Things to Do

Hikes & Outdoor Activities

Roys Peak

Free
One of New Zealand's most iconic day hikes. A steep 16km return track climbing 1,250m to a panoramic summit overlooking Lake Wanaka and Mt Aspiring. Allow 5–6 hours return.
5–6 hours 10 min drive from town
DOC track info

Rob Roy Glacier Track

Free
A stunning 10km return hike through ancient beech forest to a glacier viewpoint in the Matukituki Valley. Waterfalls, hanging glaciers, and dramatic mountain scenery. Allow 3–4 hours.
3–4 hours 1 hr drive (gravel)
DOC track info

Wanaka Lavender Farm

Ticketed
Fields of lavender with mountain views in the background. Best visited December–February when in bloom. Gift shop with lavender products.
1–2 hours 10 min drive
Visit website

Puzzling World

Ticketed
A quirky attraction with a giant maze, illusion rooms, and tilted houses. Fun for all ages and a good rainy-day option in Wanaka.
1–2 hours SH84, 2 km from town
Visit website

Getting Around

Walking
Wanaka town centre is tiny — everything is within a 10-minute walk along Ardmore Street and the lakefront.
Rental Car
Essential for the hikes and Clay Cliffs. Rob Roy track requires a gravel road — check your rental agreement for unsealed roads.
Pick up from Queenstown Airport
InterCity Bus
InterCity runs daily buses between Queenstown and Wanaka (1.5 hrs). Book online for the best fares.
intercity.co.nz
Bike
Several bike hire shops in town. The lakefront path is flat and scenic — great for a leisurely ride to That Wanaka Tree and beyond.
Nearest Airport
Queenstown Airport (ZQN) is the nearest commercial airport, about 1 hour's drive from Wanaka via the Crown Range Road — one of New Zealand's most scenic drives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wanaka scores 7/10 for GF friendliness. It has a dedicated GF bakery (Sweet Spot NZ), several restaurants with GF menus, and a well-stocked supermarket. New Zealand generally has strong allergen awareness.
Sweet Spot NZ is 100% dedicated GF (donuts!). Relishes Cafe, b.effect Brewing Co., Scroggin Coffee, and Big Fig all have good GF options with items marked on the menu.
Yes. New World Wanaka has a free-from section with GF bread, pasta, snacks, and frozen items. Soulfood Wanaka also has a small shop with GF groceries.

Travel Tips

What I'd Do Differently
Have a tip or comment?
Found a great GF spot in Wanaka? I'd love to hear from you.
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