We were recommended to check out Botswana Butchery (one of Queenstown’s best restaurants) from a few different locals in the area, so thought it would be the perfect place for lunch once we checked out of the hotel.
ATMOSPHERE & SERVICE
It was a bright sunny last day for us in Queenstown, when we arrived to Botswana Butchery with a gorgeous outdoor fireplace roaring. I would have loved to sit outside and enjoy the stunning views of the lake next to the fire with a big glass of wine, but it was still a bit too chilly for us!
Walking inside, the space is a contemporary style steakhouse, playing on the ‘butchery’ theme. With door handles as butcher knives and cleavers hung from the wall as decor, it was an innovative way to incorporate these items.
Gorgeous oversized velvet chairs filled the main level dining space and black and white accent walls created a vibrant space. The marble bar is a great meeting point to enjoy a hand crafted cocktail before being seated.
Moving your way up the black staircase, you are welcomed by a stunning wine cellar, which houses the superb wines that have made their way on to the extensive wine list.
The second floor has several different smaller rooms, which act as their many private dining spaces. Each with a slightly different set up, the theme is consistent with black and white walls, large velvet chairs and minimal decor.
The service was flawless from the moment we walked through the door. The hostess instantly welcomed us and showed us to our seats, while taking our coats to hang. Our waiter was knowledgeable with the food and wine, giving fantastic recommendations. This was everything you would expect from a fine dining establishment.
FOOD
When in New Zealand, it’s always a must to try their lamb, as this is what they are known for. After a quick search, we found Botswana Butchery in fact serves some of the best in the country. Unfortunately, I am not a lamb lover, so had to miss out on this experience.
Since we dined for lunch, we weren’t after a full three course meal, so instead decided to go with a main each, a few sides and see if we had room for dessert at the end.
Since we had our little one with us, trying to find something for her was a bit of a mission. I noticed on their ‘Sides’ section they had ‘Macaroni Cheese & Bacon’ which she discovered when we were in the USA. You really can’t go wrong with super cheesy noodles and bits of bacon!
I thought if I ordered the ‘Raw Pad Thai’ our little one would be able to have some of mine, but unfortunately the menu doesn’t tell you it’s spicy. Served with noodles, courgette, carrot, bean sprouts, capsicum and a delicious peanut dressing, this was the perfect afternoon portion.
Being at a steakhouse, MC had to order the ‘Eye Fillet – Canterbury Angus’, with a side of their house made ‘Botswana Horseradish Cream’. The steak was cooked to perfect, with the perfect amount of pink in the centre, and the sauce had a slight bite, which worked so well with the meat.
Since the steak doesn’t come with any sides, we decided to order two for us to all share. My pick was the ‘Cauliflower Cheese’ served with prosciutto crumbs, which was delicious! MC ordered the ‘Duck Fat Potatoes’ which were crunchy on the outside with a fluffy potato interior. Definitely two perfect sides to go with a steak!
MC still had a bit of room for dessert, so we decided to share the ‘Chocolate Mousse’, served with a dark valrhona chocolate liquid centre, sacher base, raspberry compote, Tonka bean ice cream and tuile. What a stunning dessert! The centre oozes dark chocolate when you cut into it and the raspberry compote added a refreshing element to a rather rich dessert.
Overall, I’m so glad we had the chance to pop in and check out Botswana Butchery. The service was flawless, the location stunning, the food delicious and the ambiance relaxed.