Bistro Gentil

  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 of the best food we’ve had anywhere in the world. Chef Mario is from South...More

  One of our best meals during our 3-week holiday in New Zealand! Beautiful setting just outside Wanaka, friendly service, warm casual atmosphere and outstanding food! Creative, very well prepared and... read more presented dishes using the best local ingredients. For six of us, to begin our meal,...More

  We had this restaurant recommended by one of our hosts on the rail trail plus it starred on Trip Advisor
Great service great food kiwi/ French and tight but well... read more thought out wine list reflecting the restaurant is Maude Wines tasting room during the day
The crème brûlée was the very best I have had in a long time
Will be back

  We were grateful to get in on a Saturday night after another group cancelled - but after overnight rain their carpark was flooded so we had to park in a... read more muddy road side area - maybe an omen of what was to come.
However that cancellation did not do us any favours.
Three of us had "Trust the chef" suggestions- well I dont think I would trust him with my grandma - entrees were a pastry case ( read pappadum) filled with tasteless array of shredded meats and a few blobs of cornichon puree ( gherkin puree) to pretty up the plate . Somewhat disappointed we were then looking forward to our suprise main meal - what we got was fatty, slimy glutinous pork slices with green beans and roast potatoes- the pork was inedible for one of us - and the plate was returned uneaten. The saving grace was the crunchy roast potatoes....Our other dining partner had ordered off the a la carte menu - a good move - French onion soup which proved to be delicious followed by a rib eye steak and dauphin potatoes. Wish we had not Trusted the Chef - very very disappointed overall and over priced pretentious French cuisine.

  We had high expectations for our meal here, and Bistro Gentil delivered on them. We did the works. I had french onion soup, steak, and a canele for desert. The... read more steak was brilliant-perfect quality thick fillet, cooked exactly as requested. Blue cheese sauce, potato dauphines with an onion caramel and onion jam, washed down with a glass of Cote du Rhone. And all with a view to the majestic lake and mountains of Wanaka. Highly recommended.

  Take a stroll up past the golf course to find this charming little restaurant with a view even better than down by the lake shore ( those snow capped mountains... read more seem closer, somehow!)

A lovely menu with a good selection of dishes providing vegetarian,fish and meat options, small to larger portion sizes so you can share, or choose soup and a generously sized entree instead of a main course ( and then have room for a gorgeous crème brûlée)

Professional service, tranquil location, great food - and good value too. And a nice after dinner stroll back down past the golf course.

What more could you want!

Highly recommended.

  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 service and assistance from very well trained and polite staff.
Not a huge menu but choices to savour. Beautiful presentation, good sized portion and an excellent description of each course.
Very highly recommended - pricy but you get what you pay for in this restaurant.

  This is a busy casual place for lunch or dinner. In the evening, the bar scene is buzzing with locals, who all know each other and the lively barmaids on... read more a cheerful first name basis. We enjoyed beer, pizza and a hummus dish and the...More

  The food was good, the service attentive, the tables are well spaced, the restaurant had a nice buzz but not too noisy for conversation. All the makings of a very... read more pleasant evening

  This was an awesome dining experience.
I ate off the menu and wife tried the “Trust the chef” option and was most impressed.