The Lodge Bar

The Lodge Bar opened in 2016 on the shores of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu, as Kiwi clothing label Rodd & Gunn’s first blended retail-hospo venture. It now has an Auckland sibling, The Lodge Bar & Dining, which opened in 2020 on the ground floor of the Commercial Bay precinct, followed by a Brisbane version in late 2022.

Overseen (as they all are) by executive chef Matt Lambert with wines curated by master sommelier Cameron Douglas, The Lodge Bar’s menu homes in on hyperlocal, seasonal produce – such as Bluff oysters and venison from the hills of Cardrona nearby.

The space is relaxing and cosy, with leather armchairs, a fireplace and thick fur throws around the place. You can also sit lakeside, outdoors under a heater and a blanket.

Given the location, many of the dishes are cold-weather appropriate with an emphasis on comfort throughout mains like game pie, parsnip tortellini with brown butter sauce and sage, and Royalburn lamb shank with garlic mashed potatoes. For the many who’d be stopping by for a post-ski drink and snack, there’s a sharing platter with prime cured meats and local cheeses. Other bits include the signature meat-pie croquettes and pāua from caught-to-order fisher, Tora Collective.

Drinks-wise, there’s coffee and tea for a further warm-up, as well as a generous selection of original house cocktails. A hefty wine list that promises something for everyone, and an impressive range of spirits – both from boutique Aotearoa makers and international names. For beer, a mostly local craft selection includes several by Queenstown-based Altitude Brewing.