Kika

At Kika, chef-owner James Stapley has created a restaurant that captures the relaxed spirit of Wānaka while delivering bold, flavour-packed food designed to share. Drawing on local produce and inspiration from cuisines around the world, the menu celebrates the seasons with inventive dishes that are both approachable and full of personality. Start with the cured Ōra King salmon, served with citrus ponzu, kimchi mayo and a crisp seaweed cracker, before moving on to the Lake Ōhau Wagyu short rib with smoked shallot purée and chimichurri. To finish, the limoncello tiramisu with pistachio ice cream and caramelised white chocolate is a standout dessert that's well worth saving room for. The creative food is matched by an equally impressive cocktail list and a front-of-house team that is friendly, knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about what they do. Relaxed without compromising on quality, Kika is the kind of restaurant you'll want to return to, whether you're sharing a feast with friends or enjoying a long evening over great food and drinks.