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.

“We revisit typical flavour combinations using fresh seasonal ingredients from our kitchen garden and the best of our region. Lumina lamb, Red Tussocks venison, Lake Ohau Wagyu…”

— Mario Rodrigues, Head Chef

Just minutes from town, our bistro is a serene spot to unwind, with sweeping lake views and sunsets worth savoring.

“Enjoy timeless favourites from our À La Carte menu, from French Onion Soup and Beef Tartare to our signature Crème Brûlée.”

Pair your evening with a visit to the Maude Tasting Room earlier in the day, and don’t forget to reserve your table for dinner. 

Menu

Bienvenue au Bistro Gentil

Appetisers:

  • Oyster, mignonette /8 ea
  • Manuka smoked olives /8
  • Rosemary ciabatta and butter /9
  • Chicken liver parfait cigar, quince paste, ash /8 ea
  • Mushroom croquette, aioli /6 ea
  • Salt cod croquette, preserved lemon mayonnaise /7 ea
  • Beef croquette, onion caramel, spicy mayonnaise /7 ea
  • Duck croquette, parsnip purée, plum kasundi /7ea
  • Earth board, selection of 3 cheeses, house chutney, walnut, croutons, ciabatta /37

Entrées:

  • French onion soup, gruyere, crouton/16 small/23 large
  • Aged beef fillet tartare, radish, egg yolk, soy gel, miso mayo, crispy shallots, croutons /26
  • Cured salmon, horseradish emulsion, compressed cos, pickled daikon, beetroot, dill chickpea cracker /27
  • Burrata, pumpkin seed pesto, prosciutto shard, asparagus textures, balsamic dressing /26

Principals:

  • Deboned duck leg, creamy leeks, mushroom & duck breast, rhubarb chutney, cider jus/53
  • Market fish, prawns, fennel, tangelo beurre blanc, peas, sorrel, dried red peppers, puffed wild rice /50
  • Royalburn lamb rump, courgette pesto, cucumber & courgette, pickled red onion, mint oil, polenta crisps /55
  • Salt baked celeriac, mushroom ketchup, whipped goats cheese, charred celeriac puree, shallot bahji /44
  • 200g beef fillet, red onion relish, potato dauphines, café de paris butter, onion caramel/65
  • Glazed confit pork belly, raw spinach maifun salad; shiitake mushrooms, celery gel, cider jus, almonds /53
  • Alpine venison striploin, creamy savoy cabbage & bacon, roasted kumara, harissa dressing, kale /56

Accompagnements:

  • Rosemary ciabatta loaf & butter /9
  • Bistro’s signature truffle fries/15
  • Garden salad, medlar dressing /14
  • Fried brussels sprouts, medlar dressing, preserved lemon mayonnaise/15
  • Roasted pumpkin. ricotta salata, crispy shallots/16
  • Roasted yams, whipped cumin sour cream, spiced grains /16

Desserts:

  • Vanilla crème brûlée, peanut crumb, berry sorbet/20
  • White chocolate & cream cheese mousse, chocolate sablé tart, berry jam/20
  • Dark chocolate mousse, chocolate custard, crumbs, sea salt tuile/20
  • Lemon curd slice, confit lemon, coconut crumb, vanilla ice cream/20
  • Dame Blanche, vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate ganache, nuts/19
  • Café gourmand, selection of 3 mini bistro desserts served with coffee or tea /25
  • Selection of house-made ice cream and sorbet/17
  • Affogato, vanilla ice cream, espresso, liqueur of choice /24

5 Course Tasting Menu /99 pp

Wine pairing /60 pp

+ 4 oysters /32

Course 1: 

Beef croquette, hot sauce mayonnaise 

OR

Mushroom croquette, aioli 

Pairing: Maude Méthode Traditionnelle NV, Wanaka, NZ

Course 2: 

Soup of the day 

Pairing: Matawhero 2025 Pinot Gris, Gisbourne, NZ 

Course 3: 

Beef tartare, radish, egg yolk, soy gel, miso mayo, crispy shallots, croutons

OR

Cured salmon, horseradish buttermilk, daikon, dill chickpea cracker

Pairing: TWR 2022 Riesling, Marlborough, NZ

Course 4: 

Glazed confit pork belly, raw spinach maifun salad; shiitake mushrooms, celery gel, cider jus, almonds

Pairing: Le Gentil 2022 Pinot Noir, Wanaka, NZ

OR 

Market fish, prawns, fennel, tangelo beurre blanc, peas, sorrel, dried red peppers, puffed wild rice

Pairing: Maude 2025 Chardonnay, Wanaka NZ

Course 5: 

Chocolate crémeux,  meringue, berry jam, hazelnut praline

Pairing:  Campbell’s Muscat, Rutherglen, Aus

Bon appétit!

  • star rating  Absolutely amazing food - it's art designed to wow your eyes and taste buds.
    Definitely recommend for a date night, but also as a special occasion place to treat yourself... read more

    avatar thumb livma94
    August 15, 2023
  • star rating  Bistro Gentil created the BEST of problems- we wanted to eat more than we knew we could! After some haggling for favorites we had three entrees and two mains with... read more

    avatar thumb curiousgrins
    September 30, 2018
  • star rating  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

    avatar thumb MagicRoundabout365
    January 9, 2022
  • star rating  A winery for tastings in the future and French bistro by night. The best meal in NZ to date. Confit duck leg with tart plums and sweetcorn puree and the... read more

    avatar thumb Ellen T
    March 6, 2019
  • star rating  Went to Bistro Gentil last night with friends to celebrate my husbands birthday and had a wonderful night. The staff were absolutely lovely and nothing was too much trouble, they... read more

    vanessaprentice266
    July 6, 2019
  • star rating  We are Wanaka locals and have dined at BG many times over the past 6-8 years. Some time ago, I found that while the food was amazing, it was often... read more

    avatar thumb Chris P
    October 3, 2018
  • star rating  Recommended by both the waitress in the pub and our accommodation host!! Stunningly good. Casual atmosphere yet slightly poshy. The food was the winner. Monk fish was sensational and the... read more

    avatar thumb Joanne P
    May 10, 2019
  • star rating  We had dinner here and it was super! Up on a hill with views out to the lake and across from a golf course. Beef tartare , fish and sorbet... read more

    avatar thumb Imapepper79
    January 27, 2024
  • star rating  We had an enjoyable birthday dinner at the cozy and romantic Bistro Gentil. The Chef and his team put much love into their dishes. They are beautifully plated. The menu... read more

    avatar thumb John W
    October 12, 2018
  • star rating  The setting is beautiful with views to the lake and mountains beyond. The food is spectacular, every course was delicious, so fresh and amazing combinations of flavors, was definitely one... read more

    avatar thumb 13canadiankiwi13
    October 6, 2020

Reservations

RESERVATIONS

To make a reservation, simply complete the form below, a credit card registration will be required to confirm your booking. No charge will be made to the card at this stage. In the case of ‘no show’ a $50 fee will be charged to the card. Please refer to our booking policy below. 

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

For parties larger than 9 people, we offer a 3 course 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 still have availability.

BOOKING POLICY
Please note that the cancellation must be requested 24 hours prior to the reservation time otherwise cancellation charges may apply. When booking we request credit card details via the secure Stripe payment platform in order to confirm the booking.

Bistro Gentil reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee of $50 per head when one of the following conditions has been met:

  1. Booking is cancelled with less than 24 hours notice.
  2. Guests do not show up for the reservation (bookings will be considered no-show after 30 minutes)
  3. Party size is less than the original booking by 2 or more guests without notice.
    The cancellation fee will be deducted from the registered card on file and the person responsible for the booking will be notified by email.

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!

Contact

Opening Hours

Tuesday & Wednesday 5:30 pm – Late

Thursday – Saturday 6 pm – Late

Sunday & Monday – Closed

To Make a Reservation
Click here

For Inquiries
Ph: 03 443 2299
Email: bistrogentilwanaka@gmail.com

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