Bistro Gentil

  Lovely French restaurant on a hilltop. Probably our best meal in NZ.

Energetic noise level vs. the quiet candlelight affair I would have expected. Our group had fun... read more dining here enjoying thoughtfully prepared food and good wine.

I didn’t pay the tab so I can’t comment on value but this is probably considered a fine dining experience in Wanaka.

There’s enclosed patio at the front of this restaurant. I’d try to get a seat in there next time, better views.

Service was very attentive. All 12 of us enjoyed everything we ordered so it’s hard to say what I’d recommend after only a single visit but there’s a goof chance you’ll find something good on the menu when you go. And you should go

  Bistro Gentil is described in a major tourist brochure for Wanaka as '...our award winning restaurant ' and came up as #1 on Trip Advisor reviews. The online menu looked... read more exciting too, so off we went for dinner.
Now I don't like writing negative reviews but I really was disappointed.
Wild venison carpaccio as an entree had about as much venison as a single thin slice of prosciutto. And with more than that in the form of poached pear, cranberry gel and sun dried tomato, I just couldn't taste the venison. It's not that these things don't go with venison, but the dish was so mean on the venison that it just got swamped.
It didn't get much better with the fish main. Three tiny pieces of monkfish, while tasting good, just didn't show the character of the fish. The celeriac puree was good, and could have been the main counterpoint of the fish with maybe one other flavour. But add prawns, leek, orange and bok choy to a tiny serve of fish and it just got lost. Somewhere there was apparently black garlic butter too... I've had many entrees that were more generous.
On the plus side, the garden salad was good and so were the wines (though a bit on the high price side by the glass).
Overall I think Bistro Gentil is trying too hard, maybe to hold or rescue some past glory. But the meanness of the and better balanced than this.
A French onion soup was sweet but maybe at the expense of some flavour of the onion. It was saved by a crust of gruyere but we're still trying to work out where the crouton was.
Overall the meanness of the feature ingredients in the serves, and the overcomplicated and overcompensated accompaniments, really it down.
I'm hoping they were just having a bad night, as their menu should really set you alight.

  This place is amazing. We sat out on the terrace and the view of the mountains and lake is lovely.
The food is to die for. We had the... read more Bistro Classic which we loved . French Onion Soup is fantastic, beef cooked to perfection (medium rare) and creme brulee had a lovely crunch and perfect custard inside

Service is attentive without being obtrusive. We highly recommend.

  Warm welcome on a cold and rainy night. The food was excellent, the staff friendly and helpful and the wine selection great. Well worth the drive.

  Bistro Gentil is, far and away, the best restaurant in Wanaka. My husband and I have enjoyed a meal here every time we come to Wanaka, but we also had... read more our rehearsal dinner here the night before our wedding and everything about it was wonderful....More

  We had an absolutely lovely dinner at Bistro Gentil. The service was good and the food was fabulous. We had the French onion soup, both croquettes, oyster, green salad, carrots,... read more seafood dish and steaks——all prepared beautifully. The wine was good (not great). The setting is beautiful, too. We definitely would return if we are in Wanaka again.

  We really enjoyed the food last night which was exceptional. I cannot thank the staff enough for making the night extra special for our engagement and I appreciate the little... read more touches throughout the evening.

  The food was spectacular. We both had the duck with the maple syrup yams and it was all exceptional- easily 10/10. It was one of the best mains we have... read more ever had. The creme brûlée was also amazing. Would definitely recommend here for dinner.

  The best view anywhere in the world! We soaked up the view and clean air whilst we waited for our table. The food was yummy and presented beautifully. It is... read more a popular place and needs to be booked, we can see why. It is more upmarket and a little bit out of town so if you’re walking you may need to stick to something closer. An enjoyable dinner.

  It is sometimes said that there is no such thing as Perfection!

Well there is and it’s the food at Bistrol Gentil!

A fabulous experience!... read more as always!