The list of tasty foodie restaurants in New Zealand is long. In fact, we’ll happily fly back to the land of the long white cloud if it means we can eat at all of our favorite places again. When you ask a local in Queenstown, New Zealand where to grab grub, there’s no shortage of options. In Queenstown proper there’s Bespoke Kitchen, Blu Kanu and Madam Woo’s. Over in Wanaka, there’s The Fed and in Arrowtown, there’s just one place you can’t escape and that’s The Chop Shop Food Merchants. (By the way, massive shout out to Kim, the owner of a wicked cool shop in Queenstown called Antipodean Trader. Kim, if you’re out there, we ended up eating at all of the places you recommended and they were as fabulous as your adorable little shop.)
If you’re looking for something different and unique, the quirky grub served up at The Chop Shop Food Merchants ought to do the trick. Owner Chris Whiting and his team just passed the four year anniversary of this hipster vintage foodie hot spot set a stone’s throw away from the Arrow River.
There are tables held up by books and quirky little nooks set up throughout the restaurant.
Everything about The Chop Shop Food Merchants oozes personality, from the table decorations to bathrooms.
Even if you aren’t hungry, it’s worth pulling up a mismatched chair and indulging in a unique pot of tea. The Chop Shop Food Merchants is a great spot for people watching and unwinding.
If you are hungry, there’s plenty of options that will whet your appetite.
Our favorite dish during our visit was a spunky nasi goreng that was served with something we’ve never had before, a son-in-law egg. Apparently a son-in-law egg is a typical Thai specialty. You boil an egg until it’s basically fried into a beautiful golden brown color and then serve it with sweet and sour sauce.
We also had an excellent smoked pork hock hash dish. The serving was portioned just right, so you didn’t feel as though you had to squeeze yourself through The Chop Shop Food Merchant’s doorway on your way out of the place. Whether you’re in the mood for a French toast brioche made with strawberries and triple sec or some crispy beef cheek, The Chop Shop Food Merchant’s constantly changing effervescent menu will leave you wanting more.
The Chop Shop Food Merchants
Address: 44 Buckingham Street
Arrowtown, New Zealand 9302
Hours: Monday Through Sunday 8:00am to 3:00pm
Phone: +64 3-442 1116
Email: thechopshop65@gmail.com
Pricing (All in New Zealand Dollars or NZD): Afternoon Dishes From $14.00 to $26.00
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