Restaurant
arc
74 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
Find arc
74 Ardmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand
Directions ↗*Opening hours may differ during holidays.
Book NowAbout arc
Sister spot to Kika—arc is the table dialed-in eaters target on Ardmore Street. The draw: an ambitious monthly set menu with casual South Island ease. Dinner kicks off with warm beer bread under melted Welsh rarebit butter, moving through whitebait toast and rare steak sauced in mushroom beurre blanc. Travelers cite the full progression as the culinary peak of their trip, though tables regularly downshift to the trimmed-down lite set. Floor staff field dietary requests without missing a beat, pacing the meal toward a tart green apple sorbet spiked with booze.
- Monthly Rotating Tasting Menus: Inventive multi-course sets rotate every month—from whitebait toast and kingfish to steak in mushroom beurre blanc—alongside an accessible lite set option.
- Signature Bread Course: Warm beer bread served with rich Welsh rarebit butter kicks off the dinner service.
- Attentive, Accommodating Service: Knowledgeable floor staff walk guests through cellar pairings and modify tasting courses smoothly for dietary needs.
What's On at arc
Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.
No events or specials listed right now.
Why Diners Choose arc
Experience Wānaka's most inventive rotating set menus and relaxed bistro warmth—reserve your table early to secure your South Island culinary highlight.
Monthly Evolving Menus That Define South Island Travel
Arc continually overhauls its multi-course dinner sets each month, crafting inventive, finely calibrated dishes that routinely stand out as the culinary peak of a New Zealand holiday.
Every course on the January monthly dinner menu was amazing! This was my favorite restaurant on our 3 week NZ trip.
Megan McLaughlin Inventive Culinary Twists and Sensory Precision
The kitchen elevates local ingredients with unexpected flavor profiles and creative twists, turning each course and wine pairing into an imaginative sensory journey.
Every course was superbly cooked with clever twists which really worked.
Patricia Herron Calibrated Portions via the Dedicated Lite Set Menu
Diners seeking a refined tasting experience with a lighter footprint can choose the tiered lite menu, ensuring impeccable technique and pacing without overwhelming volume.
We had the lite fixed menu. For me it was the perfect amount of food and every course was perfectly cooked, super tasty and beautifully presented.
Hilary Strang High-End Fine Dining at an Accessible Price Point
Arc pairs high-end bistro standards with accessible pricing through its tiered tasting options, delivering the full polish of its service and kitchen at exceptional value.
We had the locals lite menu which was an absolute steal at $59pp.
Petra Pearce Attentive Halal Dining Accommodated on Short Notice
The kitchen demonstrates remarkable culinary agility by accommodating strict halal requirements on short notice without compromising the set menu's high standard.
We eat halal only and the chef was able to get us halal beef for a main dish which was extraordinary effort on such short notice!
Aazaz Rehman Seamless Plant-Based and Dietary Adaptability
Arc easily customizes courses for plant-based guests, allowing vegan and omnivore companions to share an equally inspired multi-course dinner together.
They can make several menu items vegan on request. We went for the set menu with my omni partner and both were very satisfied.
Tímea Vincze
Most popular items
Standout dishes from arc’s rotating menus and seasonal offerings—reserve your table early.
Beer Bread & Butter
It started with the incredible bread and butter and continued on!
Josie Silver Steak with Mushroom Beurre Blanc
Cook on rare steak was perfect. Mushroom beurre blanc perfectly accompanied the steak.
Zuhayr Hussain Cheese Fondue
ordered the cheese fondue which was delicious.
Elaine Kelly Green Apple Sorbet
This is the embodiement of an ideal palate cleanser. It achieves an almost candly like green apple flavour, with a refined hit of booze.
Zuhayr Hussain
Other favorites
Thoughtful drink pairings, craft cocktails, and standout sides that complement the multi-course experience.
Cocktails
The cocktails were outstanding
Monica Valle-Douglas Wine Matches
the wine matches were perfect.
Nicola Mitchell Fries
The texture of the fries was amazing, delicately crispy yet pillowy in the centre.
Zuhayr Hussain Charred Cabbage
The charred cabbage with burnt onion ranch was delicious and I almost scoffed it down before the steak.
Zuhayr Hussain
Beyond the menu
Attentive, highly adaptable kitchen hospitality that caters effortlessly to individual dining needs—reserve your table well in advance.
Short-Notice Halal Sourcing
When notified on short notice, the kitchen sourced halal beef specifically so diners with strict dietary practices could enjoy the full multi-course tasting experience.
Personalized Sensitivity Adjustments
The chef tailors individual courses across the multi-course set to handle personal food sensitivities without compromising the flow of the meal.
Flexible Plant-Based Adaptations
Kitchen staff readily adapt several set-menu courses for plant-based diners on request, allowing vegan and omnivore guests to dine together seamlessly.
Equal High-Touch Service on Tiered Menus
Guests selecting the accessible lite set menu receive the same dedicated floor service, pacing, and hospitality as full-price set diners.
Before you head over
Practical advice to navigate tasting formats, dietary needs, and seatings. Reserve your table early and settle in for an unforgettable Wānaka dining experience.
Book in Advance
Tables in the intimate dining room fill quickly, especially for travelers touring the South Island. Secure your table well in advance to lock in your preferred dinner seating.
Consider the Lite Set Menu
If a comprehensive multi-course meal feels too heavy or you are mindful of budget, opt for the lite set menu, which delivers the kitchen's signature technique across fewer courses.
Signal Dietary Needs Seamlessly
The kitchen readily accommodates strict dietary preferences, successfully preparing vegan adaptations, halal alternatives, and sensitivity adjustments upon notice.
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