Restaurant

Gusto

1 Lakeside Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

Recommended by 67 people

Updated

Find Gusto

1 Lakeside Road, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

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HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

Plan your visit

About Gusto

Skip the usual meat pie after a long day on Wānaka trails and head to Gusto for generous, unapologetic Chinese comfort. Tables pack out fast for steaming plates built with serious wok hei—from crisp chicken and tender black pepper beef to local delicacy pāua stir-fried with ginger and spring onion. Communal dishes arrive in massive portions made for sharing over abundant bowls of rice. The dining room runs tight and lively, while staff keep the atmosphere warm and seamlessly pack up remaining rice for tomorrow's lunch.

  • Oversized Sharing Portions: Large sharing portions and generous rice servings satisfy big appetites after trail hikes or lake adventures.
  • Local Seafood Delicacies: Classic wok technique applied to local delicacies, including stir-fried pāua with ginger and onion alongside scampi.
  • Welcoming Hospitality: Friendly, attentive front-of-house hospitality makes travelers and regulars feel settled instantly.

What's On at Gusto

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose Gusto

Discover why diners choose Gusto for authentic regional Chinese cuisine in Wānaka.

  • Substantial Portions for Active Refueling

    Mains and rice orders are sized for substantial appetites and communal sharing, providing abundant refuelling after long days outdoors.

    The portions of the dishes were impressively large and incredibly filling.

    xian
  • Hot and Carefully Packaged Takeaway

    Carefully wrapped containers and brisk prep times ensure takeaway dinners arrive intact and piping hot at nearby accommodations.

    The meal was packaged well and it was all still hot when I got home.

    Annaliese Boot
  • Comforting Tastes That Cure Homesickness

    Dishes recreate deeply rooted regional flavour profiles, offering welcoming familiarity and comfort for travellers far from home.

    The flavours were very local, authentic, and comforting — truly helped solve my homesickness.

    Fanfan Cheung
  • Welcoming Hospitality That Feels Like Home

    Attentive front-of-house staff and management create an inviting environment that puts guests at ease immediately.

    Their warm hospitality made us feel right at home and added to the overall dining experience.

    Jason
  • Cantonese-Style Preparation of Local Pāua

    Fresh New Zealand delicacies such as pāua are skilfully stir-fried using traditional Cantonese techniques to preserve tender texture.

    I went with the stir-fried version with ginger and onion, the classic Cantonese cooking style, and it turns out pretty good!

    Huilin Dai
  • Intense Sichuan Heat on Chilly Nights

    Dishes deliver fiery Sichuan pepper heat and rich wok aromatics, satisfying cravings for bold spice on cold evenings.

    The taste was to perfection and the spiciness satisfied my craving for hot food on a chilly night.

    E Y

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful service touches and dining care experienced at Gusto

  • Attentive Leftover Packing Assistance

    When dishes or rice portions prove too abundant to finish, waitstaff proactively assist diners by packing up leftovers to take home.

  • Leak-Proof Secure Takeaway Packaging

    Takeaway orders are packaged with protective wrap around leak-prone sauce containers inside paper bags, ensuring dishes arrive piping hot without spills.

  • Customised Heat Levels Upon Request

    The kitchen accommodates specific dining requests, such as tailoring Szechuan Dan Dan noodles to be extra spicy to satisfy cold-weather cravings.

  • Hands-On Personal Management Hospitality

    Front-of-house leadership, including manager Diana and lady boss Ms Zhou, personally welcomes guests and engages tables with warm hospitality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do main dishes come with rice, and how large are the portions?

Dishes are designed for sharing and do not automatically come with steamed rice, so make sure to order rice separately as a side. Mains are generously portioned, with single dishes often providing enough food for two to three people.

Is it easy to get a table during peak hours, and can you book ahead?

Seating is compact and indoor tables fill up quickly during peak lunch and dinner services. Outdoor seating is available when the dining room is full, and booking ahead is accepted if you wish to reserve a table.

What are the parking options around the restaurant?

Street parking is available directly outside and along nearby streets, though spaces directly in front can fill quickly, meaning you may occasionally need to park a short walk away.

Is takeaway available, and how is the food packaged?

Yes, full takeaway service is offered. Dishes are packaged securely to prevent leaks and stay piping hot for pickup.

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