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, 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.

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

Menu

Bienvenue au Bistro Gentil

APPETISERS

  • Rosemary ciabatta and Bistro’s compound butter/9
  • Manuka smoked olives/8
  • Chicken liver parfait cigar, quince paste, ash/8
  • Oyster, mignonette/8
  • White anchovy, celery, whipped buratta, aji verde, seeds cracker/11
  • Wild mushroom croquette, aioli/11
  • Beef croquette, hot sauce mayonnaise/12

POTAGES

(GIVE ME A TASTE, OR JUST HAVE ONE!)

  • French onion soup, gruyere crouton/13/21
  • Soup of the day/11/18

ENTREES

INDIVIDUAL OR SHARING

  • Stracciatella, edamame, walnut pesto, lemon gremolata, raw seed crackers, green strawberries/23
  • Oyster mushroom, crying tiger sauce, toasted brioche, wild rice, miso mayonnaise/23
  • Seared swordfish, smoked buttermilk, kaffir lime oil, orange gel, pickle daikon, squid ink tapioca/26
  • Aged beef fillet tartare, radish, egg yolk, soy gel, miso mayo, crispy shallots, croutons/24

  • Earth board, selection of 3 cheeses, house chutney, walnut, croutons, ciabatta/35

PRINCIPALS

  • Market fish, sautéed leeks, calamari, smoked cream, chorizo oil, chives, buckwheat/46
  • Red Tussocks venison, carrots, tamarillo chutney, kale, harissa & garlic oil/47
  • Lumina lamb tenderloin, cauliflower, plum sauce, white bbq sauce, cashews, mizuna/48
  • Roasted beetroot, hazelnut rye crumb, sumac labneh, smoked beetroot purée, fennel seed/38
  • 200g Angus reserve beef fillet, onions, potato dauphines, blue cheese butter, herb oil/57

ACCOMPAGNEMENTS

  • Bistro’s signature truffle fries/14
  • Sautéed asparagus, fried egg mayonnaise, pecorino/15
  • Peas, shallots, bacon, crispy kale/13
  • Steamed broccoli, broccolini, bok choy, café de Paris butter/15
  • Seasonal garden salad, apple vinaigrette/13

DESSERTS

  • Vanilla crème brûlée, peanut crumb, strawberry sorbet/20
  • Tiramisu brownie, chocolate crumble, vanilla ice cream/20
  • Pistachio friand, crème anglaise, candied orange, whipped cream/19
  • Dame blanche, vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate ganache, nuts/18
  • Selection of house made ice cream and sorbets /18
  • Mini Bistro dessert /8
  • Affogato, vanilla ice cream, espresso, liqueur of choice /23

Feel like a sweet wine?

  • Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Sauv Blanc /18
  • Campbells Rutherglen Muscat /16
    Bon appétit !

  • star rating  Thanks again to the team at Bistro for making our evening truly enjoyable and one to remember. It’s not often that every box is ticked when you go out for... read more

    avatar thumb Wanderer789290
    August 29, 2022
  • star rating  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

    avatar thumb barbrajayne
    October 21, 2023
  • star rating  This was a return visit to Wanaka and dinner at Bistro Gentil the first thing booked. Though a Monday, the bistro was open, but not busy. All diners accommodated easily... read more

    avatar thumb pietrr2023
    November 16, 2023
  • star rating  Loved the ambiance. We went in winter and the restaurant is cozy and has lovely character. Service cannot be faulted. However, the food was a bit of a let-down on... read more

    avatar thumb H M
    July 16, 2021
  • star rating  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

    avatar thumb kimwaldo
    October 10, 2019
  • star rating  Situated near the Golf Club,a bit out of town,this establishment is a wine tasting room by day & a beaut restaurant by night specialising in local produce...We particularly enjoyed the... read more

    avatar thumb john241Caloundra
    May 15, 2018
  • star rating  Amazing! We loved this place, great food, wines and service. Right from when you pull in the driveway and see the whole place lit up like a Christmas tree you... read more

    avatar thumb ChrisD1982
    July 30, 2018
  • star rating  This is hands down the best meal i had during my entire 14 days trip in the South Island. Definitely amongst the top 10 meals , I had for ... read more

    avatar thumb RickHunterW
    May 15, 2019
  • star rating  Outstanding food and out on terrace was exceptional. They even had hats until the sun dropped enough. Great local wines to enjoy as well as many others.A lovely garden and... read more

    avatar thumb H349ORpaul
    February 27, 2020
  • 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 GZPCManager
    October 12, 2018

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
Monday to Saturday 6 pm – late  

Sunday 6:30 pm – late 

To Make a Reservation
Click here

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

Top