A MODERN FRENCH AFFAIR IN BEAUTIFUL WANAKA

Whatever reservations you may have about the French, their cuisine is what makes it all worthwhile. Bistro Gentil brings the delights of French gastronomy to the beautiful shores of Lake Wanaka, and of course some decent Gallic wines too.

“We revisit typical flavour combinations using fresh seasonal ingredients from our kitchen garden and the best of our region. Cardrona Merino lamb, Aoraki salmon, Canter Valley duck…”

— Mario Rodrigues, Head Chef

The quaint bistro surrounded by lavender sits just outside of town, offering tranquil lake views and beautiful sunsets. An ideal way to spend your evening.

“Indulge in the classics from our À La Carte menu such as French Onion Soup, Beef Tartare or Crème Brûlée. If you simply can’t choose let our chefs spoil you with our 5 Course Tasting Menu with matching wines or for those feeling adventurous you can Trust the Chef”

Why not spend the day sampling local award-winning wine here at the Maude Tasting Room and stay on for dinner.

Menu

ENTRÉES

  • Soup du jour / 15
  • French onion soup, gruyère crouton / 17
  • 55 day aged fillet tartare, radish, free-range egg yolk, smoked miso mayo, crispy shallots, crouton / 19
  • Ora King Salmon 3 ways, avocado, soy gel, grapefruit gel, pickled radish, fennel / 20
  • Soft cows cheese, smoked halloumi, butternut, persimmon, rice cracker, pomegranate dressing / 18
  • Wild shot venison carpaccio, poached pear, cranberry gel, sundried tomatoes, puffed wild rice / 20
  • Angus beef belly croquette, torched gin washed cows cheese, pickled cucumber, crispy parsley, crab apple jelly / 20

MAINS

  • Market fish, prawns, smoked mussles, boy choy, creamy leek & potato emulsion, charred orange, almonds / 38
  • 200g 55 day aged beef fillet, red onion relish, onion caramel, café de paris, potato dauphines / 46
  • Gnocchi parisienne, kale, peppadews, peas, crème fraîche, comte cheese, shiitake mushrooms, crispy shallots / 38
  • Te Mana lamb backstrap, Jerusalem artichoke, truffle, pecorino, hazelnuts, blueberry relish, spinach / 42
  • Confit duck leg, brussel sprouts, cauliflower purée, sweetcorn, bacon, broccoli, white bbq sauce, cashew pickled golden raisins, crispy kale / 39
  • Free range pork belly, croquette, roast apple purée, pumpkin purée, savoy cabbage, bacon, black garlic butter, cashew, crispy kale / 39

SIDES

  • French fries with truffle salt
  • Roasted yams, maple vinegar glaze
  • Silverbeet, broccoli, lemon & tarragon butter
  • Winter carrots, cranberry, buckwheat, goats feta

– please add $8.50 for sides –

TRUST THE CHEF

  • 2 courses / 55 p.p  -or-  3 courses / 65 p.p

DESSERTS

  • Vanilla crème brulée, almond crumb, boysenberry ice cream  / 17
  • Unbaked fig cheesecake, strawberry & fig textures, candied walnuts, cocoa crumbs, ice cream / 17
  • Chocolate Brownie, miso caramel, citrus, hazelnuts, dehydrated milk foam, chocolate sorbet / 17
  • Salted caramel set mousse, poached apples, earl grey gel, crumbs, ice cream / 17
  • Selection of house made ice cream and sorbets / 15

UN FROMAGE
One 80g portion of cheese, served with accompaniments / 21

TRIO DE FROMAGES
Selection of three 40g portions of cheeses, served with accompaniments / 32

AFFOGATO
Vanilla ice cream, espresso coffee, liqueur / 18

5 COURSE TASTING MENU

with wine matching

Soup of the Day
Maude Methode Traditionelle Brut NV, Marlborough

Soft cows cheese, smoked halloumi, butternut, persimmon, rice craker, pomegranate dressing
Jules Taylor Sauv Blanc ’21, Marlborough

Market fish, prawns, smoked mussels, boy choy, creamy leek & potato emulsion, charred orange, almonds
Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay ’20, Kumeu

Te Mana lamb backstrap, Jerusalem artichoke, truffle, pecorino, hazelnuts, blueberry relish, spinach
Maude Pinot Noir ‘19, Wanaka

Salted caramel set mousse, poached apples, earl grey gel, crumbs, ice cream
Framingham Noble Riesling ’19, Marlborough

5 Course menu / 100
Wine matching / 150

When the season allows, we enhance our dishes using fresh produce from the kitchen garden.

  •   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

    avatar thumb Q5958IBchriss
    10/06/2020

  •   Fabulous meal, thet best we have eaten in a long time. Easily beats the #1 rated place.

    Best on a nice day, to eat outside.

    avatar thumb rbertolott
    1/14/2020

  •   Sensational setting and note worthy food. We opted to do the chefs choice 3 course with wine pairings. It was wonderful! The rabbit gnocchi was very flavorful and excellent texture.... read more

    avatar thumb jessicatJ7836PM
    12/04/2019

  •   Joined friends for dinner and enjoyed a superb meal with a great selection of local wines.
    One of the best dining experiences we have had in Wanaka. Starting with the... read more

    avatar thumb dajeck
    1/03/2020

  •   We had excellent food our entire wonderful Backroads trip but Bistro Gentil was my favorite.
    Beautiful setting, comfortable seating, elegant casual decor. Servers were excellent, even serving our group of... read more

    avatar thumb RandiFayeC
    3/24/2020

  •   Great service and New Zealand produce with a french flair
    large selection of Maude wine .
    a proper Creme burlee , done they way it is meant to be

    avatar thumb iainm75
    8/22/2019

  •   Like Kika, really really good food. Great atmosphere, great local produce, sophisticated dining and delicious meals. Highly recommend if visiting Wanaka.

    avatar thumb LeeseAnneH
    8/13/2019

  •   We happened upon Bistro Gentil by accident. During the day it’s the tasting Room for Maudes Winery. Each night it transforms into a casual but totally decadent restaurant, serving some... read more

    avatar thumb TorontoTraveler_2008
    12/31/2018

  •   We ate here during our three night stay in Wanaka and it was absolutely delicious. Both dishes were perfectly cooked and delightfully flavoured. Service was relaxed and friendly, a good... read more

    avatar thumb Alex H
    4/15/2019

  •   Onion soup was wonderful. My husband had the lamb & I had the duck.. both dishes were done perfectly. Service was excellent

    avatar thumb Wanggal
    7/26/2019

Reservations

To make a reservation, simply complete the form below.

For private hire, large groups and special requests email bistrogentilwanaka@gmail.com.

For parties larger than 8 people, we offer a set menu so we can deliver the best service. Please email us for more details.

If you are unable to make a reservation online call us on 03 443 2299 as we may have still availability.

A request from us:

If you are unable to honour your reservation or would like to make any changes, please let us know as soon as possible. It is important that we reallocate seats to our waiting list during busy times.

We are a small restaurant, so the amount of staff on in an evening is based on our bookings. We will love you for it!

Merci!