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Restaurant

Kika

2 Dunmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

Recommended by 0 people

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Find Kika

2 Dunmore Street, Wānaka 9305, New Zealand

Directions ↗
+64 3 443 6536
HoursMonday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM Friday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM Sunday: 5:30 – 9:00 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Kika

This Wānaka fixture routinely emerges as travelers' favorite stop across New Zealand for punchy sharing plates. Helmed by Chef James Stapley, Kika trades stuffy formality for the easy warmth of a wood fireplace. Bypass the decision fatigue and take the recommendation of three starters, one main, and two sides—or let the kitchen take over entirely with the \"Just Feed Me\" feast. Plates arrive fast and boldly seasoned: Bluefin Tuna Crudo cut with burnt mandarin and togarashi, crispy fried eggplant slick with tangy sauce, or \"KFC\" chicken tossed in sweet-heat gochujang. Mains mean serious business, anchored by fork-tender Lake Ōhau Wagyu short rib under chimichurri or slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Charred broccoli with cashew cream and crisp chilli oil rounds out the table alongside a citrusy 'Kikarita' or a glass of local Central Otago pinot noir.

  • The 'Just Feed Me' Menu: Relinquish ordering decisions to the kitchen for a multi-course banquet of three starters, a main, two sides, and dessert, easily adjusted for allergies.
  • Inventive Small Plates: Dishes built for the table include Bluefin Tuna Crudo with burnt mandarin, glazed carrots over whipped tahini, and crispy eggplant in tangy dressing.
  • Wood-Fired Mains: Substantial cuts like fork-tender Lake Ōhau Wagyu short rib and melting lamb shoulder anchor the table.
RestaurantNew ZealandRestaurantBar

What's On at Kika

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

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Kika

Discover why travelers and locals consider Kika Wānaka's essential culinary destination.

  • Effortless Curated Dining via 'Just Feed Me'

    Guests can surrender decision fatigue entirely with the curated 'Just Feed Me' multi-course banquet, structured with three starters, a shared main, two sides, and dessert to ensure a hearty, perfectly balanced meal.

    Sit back, and enjoy three starters, a main with two sides, and a dessert. Delicious!

    Jason Poyner

  • Seamless and Safe Dietary Adaptations

    Whether handling celiac requirements, pregnancy safety, or multiple complex allergies, the kitchen and service team proactively adapt dishes without compromising depth of flavor or presentation.

    They were able to accommodate a range of dietary requirements, with apparent ease, without compromising on attention to detail and deliciousness.

    Katie Longson

  • The Culinary Pinnacle of a New Zealand Journey

    Diners frequently describe their meal at Kika as the defining culinary highlight of their entire journey across New Zealand, delivering world-class cooking and inventive flavors.

    Not only the best meal we had in Wanaka, but the best dinner we had in all of New Zealand

    Missy Coyne

  • Wood-Fired Warmth Meets Refined Dining

    The dining room blends wood-fired warmth and a relaxed, unpretentious ambiance with elevated Michelin-recognized technique, delivering world-class gastronomy without stuffiness.

    On a cool night in Wanaka it was a joy to walk into the wood fired warmth of the Kika dining room

    Pip Kearins

  • Convivial Family-Style Shared Plates

    The restaurant's core format centers on generous shared plates across starters, meats, and vegetables, turning dinner into an engaging, interactive group exploration.

    The concept is centered around sharing, which makes the meal even more enjoyable.

    Victoria

  • Harmonious Wine Pairings and Shared Discovery

    Expertly selected local wine matches and warm, attentive table hosting create seamless camaraderie and effortless enjoyment for celebrations and holiday groups alike.

    Food stunning and wine match made the dinner special, it is superb value for money.

    Robyn Woodall

Signature courses and curated dining formats loved by diners

  • Just Feed Me menu

    The design of ‘Just Feed Me’ is definitely friendly to people who are difficult to make decisions😁. Around NZD175 pax

    J

  • Lamb shoulder

    Very significant serving of lamb should that was truly delicious.

    Daniel Toole

  • Lake Ōhau Wagyu short rib

    The short rib was cooked to absolute perfection — so tender it fell apart with the touch of a fork, yet still retained a beautifully caramelised crust on the outside. It was rich, deeply flavorful and executed flawlessly.

    Wieland Matzig

  • Fried eggplant

    Fav dish was the fried eggplant that’s crispy on the outside and perfectly soft in the middle, complement v well by the unique tangy sauce. I never had anything like this before. Best meal we had in nz! 10/10 recommend!

    stairy

Other favorites

Sides, sweets, and cocktails to complement the meal

  • Charred broccoli

    The charred broccoli, served with silky cashew cream and crispy chilli oil - it was packed with smoky, light nutty flavours and had just the right amount of heat.

    Wieland Matzig

  • Glazed organic carrots

    Equally impressive were the glazed organic carrots, paired with a bright Sicilian dressing and whipped tahini. The sweetness of the carrots, balanced by the creamy tahini, made for a beautifully composed dish.

    Wieland Matzig

  • Honeycomb dessert

    honeycomb desert was refreshing and sizable

    J O

  • Kikarita

    We started of with some cocktails, a 'Kikarita' and a Mandarin Daiquiri - both absolutely amazing.

    Wieland Matzig

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful hospitality moments and kitchen touches that elevate dinner in Wānaka

  • Personal Table Visit from Chef James Stapley

    Chef James Stapley personally steps out into the dining room to connect with guests, sharing his passion and culinary perspective directly at the table.

  • Surprise Kitchen Scampi Course

    The kitchen surprised guests with an off-menu scampi course served in its own delicate beurre blanc to begin the tasting experience.

  • Proactive Pregnancy Menu Screening

    Staff proactively cross-checked online booking pregnancy notes against menu selections, immediately flagging unpasteurized ingredients and adapting the preparation.

  • Wood-Fired Hearthside Dining Room

    A wood-burning fireplace anchors the dining room, providing genuine hearthside warmth and a welcoming atmosphere on cool Wānaka evenings.

Before you head over

Essential guidance on menu choices, dietary accommodations, and reservations for an effortless dining experience.

  • Opt for the 'Just Feed Me' Tasting

    Opt for the chef-curated banquet—featuring three starters, a main, two sides, and dessert—to avoid ordering fatigue and guarantee a hearty, balanced meal.

  • Specify Dietary Needs in Advance

    Note any pregnancy, celiac, or allergy constraints when booking; the team actively flags unpasteurized or gluten ingredients and adapts courses seamlessly.

  • Book Early Online

    Reserve well ahead online to ensure your dining slot, but check directly with management if fully booked as they occasionally accommodate walk-in additions.

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