The Cow
A Queenstown institution opened in 1977 in a converted stone cow byre, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its pizzas and pastas.
Tucked away in Cow Lane in the town center, this restaurant opened in 1977 in a converted 1860s cow byre. Dimly lit and rustic, it is a legendary Queenstown dining spot. Selected for a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2026, the guide notes that the menu has remained virtually unchanged since opening, focusing on pizzas, pastas, soups, bread, and salads, with garlic bread and chicken liver spaghetti highly recommended, alongside gluten-free pizza bases. The guide warns of long queues during dinner hours, suggesting dining at off-peak times or contacting the restaurant beforehand. Moderately priced and just a few minutes' walk from the lakefront and main streets.
Opening hours
Daily from 12:00; official website lists until 23:00, Michelin lists until 22:30
Nearby sights
- Fergburger
- TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak
- Queenstown Gardens
- Kiwi Birdlife Park
- Skyline Queenstown Gondola
- Queenstown Hill
- Shotover Jet
- Ben Lomond Track