Bistro Gentil

  Highly recommend reservation to avoid disappointment - parking at the rear or on the front or better still get a taxi - this is not really a place for young... read more children/younger teens (no kids menu) it’s more for adults wanting fine dining experience - Bistro Gentile is in a fabulous location and even better if it’s a nice day/evening and you can reserve a table with lake view - dine in or on the covered outside area - lovely decor inside - can get chilly on the outside covered area but there are heaters overhead or take a shawl if it’s going to be a chilly evening/day - staff are super friendly - GF diners be wowed as nearly everything on the menu can be made GF (it does not say what’s GF or DF etc on the menu which would be nice and makes it more easy but staff are super helpful) the food is amazing cooked to perfection whatever your choice is - the food presentation is fabulous - a lovely selection of wine, cocktails and soft drinks - we were a party of 4 - our choice ratings best: tartare or soft goats cheese or salmon all totally amazing - mains: beef fillet or hanger steak or market fish accompanied with french fries with yummy truffle salt, spring carrots again totally amazing - we couldn’t leave without me having my all time favourite: creme brûlée which was and always is exceptional - if you’ve got time to treat yourself or a special occasion then this is the restaurant to dine at in Wanaka, it’s exceptionally the best. Okay you may pay more but it’s totally worth it. Well done to Bistro Gentile for being such a fabulous restaurant.

  The best food in Wanaka by far.
Great location, great view and great menu.
Clean and just yummy, i recommend it to anyone wishing to have a decent diner away... read more from the usual pub food all around town.

  Loved the food, the wine, the atmosphere and the service. The steak and the pork were amazing, the chefs dessert converted my partner to desserts, and the wine was lovely.... read more Would love to come back again

  We have a meal here each time we visit Wanaka, about 4 times each year. The food is always excellent- always a special night.

  Bistro Gentil shares the restaurant space with Maude Wines. The restaurant is intimate and cosy, not too spacious but they utilise the outdoor area with overhead heating, making it an... read more extra outdoor but enclosed room.

Staff were friendly, especially Richard, very knowledgeable and explained each dishes with extra detail. We had the beautiful bottle of Maude Pinot Gris, lovely wine to complement our meal. My husband had the lovely pork belly and I had the tiger prawns with calamari on a small bed of beautiful broth/sauce and a small bun to soak up the sauce. For main, we had the lovely lamb with sausage. Accompanied by French fries and peas and bacon. We finished with ice cream to cleanse our palette.

If you love a nice meal, you definitely need to visit Bistro Gentil.

  Lacklustre service but food food
If I was the chef here I would be disappointed to see this comment, food was generally pretty good however let down by poor... read more service and non attentive service staff.

I was hosting a table of 8 people on a quiet Tuesday evening, the wait staff were more interested in chatting to themselves than wanting to assure our needs were met. I had to get up and interrupt their conversation to get table service. Not good enough when paying their prices.

  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

  Magnifique - what a delight it was to sit at a table and dine at Bistro Gentil. The food & wine was amazing and enjoyed by all.
The service... read more was attentive with good knowledge of each plate offering. Highly recommend Bistro Gentil for your next dining experience.

  This place was a gem. The food was superb, particularly the tartare and confit. Same room for dessert . The Maude wine selection was good. ... read more About 100% markup on their own cellar door which is a bit rich but nice reserve Pinot.

  Delicious modern French cuisine served in a cute restaurant overlooking the hills in Wanaka. Service took a little too long though, but overall was a good experience.