Queenstown native and head chef Trent Watson knows his own backyard better than anyone. Championing green cuisine in a land where meat reigns supreme, Trent has been the head chef at local haunt No5 Church Lane for eight months.

Only last month, No5 debuted a refreshed menu and new direction in favour of veggies and vegans. But don’t be fooled, New Zealand’s world-renowned prime beef and lamb are still amongst Trent’s favourites. He says the restaurant’s revival is set to offer the tourism capital’s visitors and locals a point of difference in the South Island dining scene.

There are so many foodie spots to try while in town, veggie or otherwise. Read on for Trent’s Queenstown hit list:

The Grille by Eichardt’s sits on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with prime views of the snow-capped peaks but it’s what’s on the menu that truly wows. With a name like The Grille it’s no surprise the signature dish is the Te Mana lamb rump sourced from just across the lake at Walter Peak Station. For a larger crowd, go for the tomahawk steak – it’s an epic cut of beef. Wash it all down with a cocktail or three – The Owner’s Margarita never disappoints.

Another steak lover’s dream dinner destination is Jervois Steak House, but surprisingly it’s the seafood that keeps me going back. Proving it’s not all about the red meat (something we know well at No5), red king crab, oysters and calamari all take pride of place on the menu. It’s a local favourite but the Mediterranean style Kiwi whitebait is a must-try for tourists.

Queenstown institution Fergburger tops every tourist’s list and for good reason. With talk of it being the home of the best burger in the world, for many it’s worth the hours’ long queue. With nearly 20 burgers on its menu at any one time, there’s something for everyone. But just around the corner is where you’ll find the locals. Devil Burger delivers all the deliciousness without the wait time. What’s the saying? When in Rome…

Of course, no trip to Queenstown would be complete without a bite at No5 Church Lane. Swing by for a mid-week lunch with a Japanese inspired Kai Box to cater to all. Or book a table for dinner and try our homemade olive pappardelle with slow roasted heritage tomatoes and creamy goat cheese – it’s a crowd pleaser. With so many varied vegetarian and vegan dishes to choose from, we’ve made sure each is perfectly portioned for sharing (not that you’ll want to…).