Food & Drink Experiences in Mount Cook

Food and drinks around Mount Cook mostly come as part of a day out: a candlelit dinner on Lake Pukaki, meat pies on the road in from Christchurch, fresh salmon on the way out to Queenstown, a picnic lunch on the Tasman Glacier. Here is how those meals fit with the rest of the things to do in Mount Cook.

An evening meal under the Southern sky

The evening meal here comes with a view of the night sky. A multi-course dinner followed by guided stargazing starts with seasonal dishes in the candlelit Moraine restaurant, then moves to an underground wine cellar for a welcome drink and an introduction to the Southern sky. An astro guide finishes the night at Pukaki Observatory with a 9-inch reflector telescope.

That mix of fine dining and astronomy suits couples and anyone who wants a slow end to a day of flying or hiking.

Food stops on the drive in and out

Road tours build food into the route. The full-day tour via Tekapo from Christchurch stops at Fairlie Bakehouse for its famous meat pies, and the lunch is pre-ordered from the bakery.

Going the other way, the scenic tour from Mount Cook to Queenstown visits High Country Salmon, where you can feed the fish and taste fresh salmon, and later Jacksons Orchard for fruit.

Meals built into hikes and ski days

Snacks and meals also turn up inside outdoor trips. The Glentanner High Country Heli Hike includes a morning or afternoon tea break with a snack and a drink on the 7km walk. Skiers on Ski The Tasman eat a picnic lunch on the snow, and a multi-day ski trip such as Ski The Glaciers covers all meals and snacks along with accommodation.

Check the inclusions on each trip before you pack your own lunch, because what's covered varies from tour to tour.

Planning food around a Mount Cook day

Match the meal to the day. A road tour already has its food stops, and a flight or glacier walk pairs with a late dinner. For something active before dinner, look at Mount Cook activities, or see how a flight fits in under Mount Cook scenic flights and helicopter tours and Mount Cook tours.

Frequently asked questions

What food and drink experiences can you book around Mount Cook?

Food around Mount Cook is mostly part of a trip: a dinner paired with stargazing, tours with bakery or salmon stops, and ski days with a picnic lunch. Each trip lists what it includes.

Is there fine dining near Mount Cook?

Fine dining near Mount Cook is tied to Lake Pukaki, where a multi-course seasonal dinner is paired with guided stargazing. It is a restaurant meal and an astronomy night in one booking.

Can you go stargazing at Mount Cook?

Guided stargazing near Mount Cook uses an astro guide and a reflector telescope at an observatory on Lake Pukaki. It is usually booked as the second half of a dinner.

Is lunch included on Mount Cook tours?

Lunch on Mount Cook tours depends on the trip. Some include a pre-ordered bakery lunch, some a picnic on the snow and some only a snack and a drink, so check the inclusions before you pack your own.

What is there to eat on the road between Mount Cook and Queenstown?

Tours between Mount Cook and Queenstown build in food stops such as a salmon farm tasting and an orchard visit for fresh fruit. Snacks and water are provided on board.

Food and drinks at Mount Cook arrive with the scenery, from pies on the road in to a late dinner under the stars. Choose the day first, then add the meal that suits it.