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.
Bienvenue au Bistro Gentil
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, Marlborough, NZ
Course 3:
Beef tartare, radish, egg yolk, soy gel, miso mayo, crispy shallots, croutons
OR
Seared yellowfin tuna, buttermilk dashi, wakame, pickled fennel, citrus kosho, sesame tapioca cracker
Pairing: TWR 2022 Riesling, Marlborough, NZ
Course 4:
Wildshot venison, caramelised cauliflower purée, brussels sprouts, crispy bacon, roasted hazelnuts and marmite jus
Pairing: Le Gentil 2022 Pinot Noir, Wanaka, NZ
OR
Market fish, vongole, potato darphin, parsnip purée, bouillabaisse lobster sauce, spring onion and chives
Pairing: Maude 2025 Chardonnay. Wanaka NZ
Course 5:
Chocolate crémeux, meringue, berry jam, hazelnut praline
Pairing: Campbell’s Muscat, Rutherglen, Aus
Bon appétit!
We had high expectations and it delivered. First off the wine experience is top notch. The ability to taste all types wines before you get a bottle is... read more fantastic. The sommelier worked with us in getting the right wine for our taste. The best part...More
Pete P
Had a delicious meal. Super impressed with the service, food and ambience. We both had fish of the day which was delicious. Very generous servings and the service was top... read more notch. Will be back!
desertdwel
Wow! Top class food that is probably one of the best in NZ, friendly and attentive service and to top it off outstanding views. Can not recommend this any higher!... read more Thank you Bistro Gentil for a great evening and appreciate you fitting us in last minute too!
Amy098765
Stumbled upon this gem on our last night and was very impressed with everything on offer. From the cosy setting to the genuine service! I did the Chef's Choice and... read more he didn't disappoint! Yes, the food is a little pricey but you get your money's worth. Plus the wine list was great, I was impressed with all my selections including the local MAUDE wines. When I'm back in NZ, I'll make the trip to Wanaka just to eat here again!
kellydZ8895PN
3 of us opted for the 3 courses for $69. The beef tartare, asparagus with the goat's cheese etc and the beef belly croquette with the torched goat's cheese all... read more proved to be top quality and very flavoursome. The fish of the day was monkfish and voted the best of the 3 mains although the beef fillet and lamb backstrap were also praised by all. Everyone was also happy with their dessert.
Service was nicely paced and friendly and the ambience was very pleasant. We thought, given the quality of the food that the price was good value. We hope to return on our next trip to Wanaka.
emptyhead
We spontaneously went to the bistro in the evening. Without reservation and got a place outside. It was quite cold, but okay, since we had not reserved a table. We... read more got the menu and when we wanted to order, the waiter said we had to...More
757_Judith
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 cheese board outstanding. Great bottle of French Chablis. Well worth the $’s. Attentive service. Would...More
Joanne P
My husband (woo!) and I recently wed in an intimate ceremony in Wanaka, New Zealand, and we chose Bistro Gentil for our celebration dinner with our family that evening. Sinead... read more from Bistro Gentil was my main point of contact from my first email, and she was so helpful and accommodating with all of our requests. On the night, I was thrilled when I found that she was also our host for the evening. We opted for the 5 course tasting menu with matched wines, and Sinead was very happy to accommodate deviations to the menu for those with dietary restrictions or non-drinkers. Every single dish was world class, and the wines were some of the best I've ever tasted. The atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and welcoming and we loved having our own little private area with stunning views for the night. We are so happy that we chose Bistro Gentil to top off the best day of our lives!
kimwaldo
Been traveling throughout New Zealand for about 3 weeks now. Wanaka is a great town to rest on the way to/from the west coast. After reviewing other TripAdvisor restaurant ratings,... read more we called to make a reservation. On this particular night, the menu was called “chefs choice” rather than their published a la carte choices. My wife’s a vegetarian, but they assured us she would be provided with vegetarian options. We both thought that this was one of the most outstanding dinners we have had in New Zealand. The sauces and flavor pairings for each of our entree and main courses was exceptional. They also have excellent wines, and it’s all served in a beautiful small restaurant setting overlooking the lake. We rate this a solid 5 stars.
mywaypete
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 best creme brulee ever. Loved being able to sample various local wines by choice of...More
Ellen TTo 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:
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!
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