Reviews

'Notoriously hard to find, it's definitely worth the hunt if you enjoy top cocktails and fine dining in an intimate lounge environment with roaring fires and leather sofas.' -QANTAS in flight magazine.

'It's hard to find this tiny retsaurant, tucked away in a back alley, but once inside you are rewarded with an intimate atmosphere, a roaring fire (in winter) and smart contemporary food with a definite classical bent.' -CUISINE top restaurant guide.

'As the name suggests, The Bunker is private, small and secreted down a back lane. At up to $45 for a main, it's expensive certainly, but if you're looking for a dimly lit romantic dinner with the highest culinary standards and an excellent wine list, The Bunker is it.' -METRO magazine.

'I've heard a whisper about The Bunker in Queenstown's Cow Lane, a self-effacing dining room and bar. But be warned, even with the address in hand it's hard to find.'

'In my book there are two ways to do lamb: slow roasted until meltingly soft, or served pink and tender. This lovely piece of New Zealand lamb loin with confit shoulder, boulangere potatoes, cherry vine tomatoes, wilted baby spinach and thyme jus, somehow manages to achieve both, and it does it impressively.' -SUNDAY STAR TIMES

'The menu boasts fine dining favourites such as venison, lamb and duck and the bars serve everything from exquisite single malt whiskies to cocktails and local beers. Although a little expensive, this is a sumptuous dining experience.' -BRISBANE COURIER MAIL

'Things could not feel more secretive if we had been told to knock three times and ask for Louie the Rat. Inside it feels like a Chcago speak easy during prohibition times.' -THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN

'The Bunker remains top of an impressive list of Queenstown restaurants in this writer's view' -THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

'It's 7.30pm and we're about to step through a tattered wooden door in Cow lane, one of the town's trendy walkways. Inside is a chic restaurant called The Bunker, which for the second time in recent years provides us with the best dining experience in town.' -THE SUNDAY MAIL

"This hard-to-find gem is discretely hidden down a dark alley behind the elusive wooden door with no signs or advertising. The discreet exterior of this favourite Queenstown establishment has an intoxicating mix of fine dining downstairs with a private cocktail lounge upstairs, complete with open log fires, ambient music and leather couches to sink into until the wee small hours. Inside it’s as exclusive as a member’s bar except in Winter your fellow drinkers are quite likely to be skiers not stockbrokers. With a menu that boasts the finest in Central Otago produce - including lamb, venison, scampi, duck and quail – accompanied by an impressive International & NZ wine list that features many Central Otago wines from this alpine region’s world-renowned vintages, "The Bunker" offers its local and international customers an exquisite dining experience – and more than one reason to return again the next night. Escape to The Bunker for a wonderfully intimate cocktail and dining experience. This is a place that’s not to be missed!" - RESTAURANTSINQUEENSTOWN.COM

"This has to be one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. It is going for the Apres Ski market and they nail it. The food was superb, the service was exceptional and the restaurant has a very cool little upstairs bar that was cool too. Its a little hard to find (Cow Lane, look for the grey door) Highly recommended." - www.dineout.co.nz Member Review 19/03/06

" I left it late for a reservation (1hr prior) and was told the only available tables were upstairs. Initially I was disappointed as the atmoshpere in the main restaurant, once you find it, is excellent. However, by the end of the night I was more than impressed and may well consider to ask to be seated upstairs again in the future... A small room (3 tables, Sofa, Open fire and Bar) with a very 'private dining' feel, excellent music selection and a very approachable london-bred waiter/bartender who made us feel very welcome and could answer all our questions with knowledgable answers. The pre-dinner martinis were made exactly to order. For Entree we had the Terrine (Good, maybe a little plain) and Scampi (Sublime, delicatly steamed scampi meat served in a lemon crepe)... followed by Venison (A* great delicate flavour) and Duck (Lacking a little colour, but otherwise very nice). We were recommended a bottle of local Pinot Noir that was very smooth and went well with both dishes. All in all the food was great, but the service and atmosphere made our night... Thank you Bunker, one of the best experiences we've had in Queenstown for a long time." - www.dineout.co.nz Member Review 20/04/06