A popular Queenstown lakefront restaurant is celebrating the arrival of spring with a new menu bursting with fresh New Zealand flavours.

Finz Seafood and Grill on Steamer Wharf has been serving classic bistro-style cuisine to locals and visitors for more than 13 years.

With uninterrupted views across Lake Wakatipu towards the Remarkables Mountain range the restaurant is a great place to enjoy the longer evenings and watch the TSS Earnslaw cruise by.

Restaurant manager Kirk Webster says Finz offers a classic Queenstown combination of casual dining and friendly service.

“We’re all about presenting the best food and wine, sourced as much as possible from New Zealand, in a relaxed atmosphere. We encourage our staff to engage with customers, sharing stories of where they’re from and what they like to eat so we can help make the best choices from our menu for them.”

Signature dishes include sesame rolled tuna loin, seared rare with carrot and zucchini noodles, bok choy and soy chilli dressing, and lamb rack in a herb panko crumb with mint jelly and smashed peas.

“I always recommend our seafood platter to share. It’s an opportunity to try the best seafood on our menu – it’s a true taste of New Zealand including Marlborough mussels, tuna tartare, battered Southland blue cod and Bluff oysters, when they are in season,” says Kirk.

“When it’s available we offer West Coast crayfish, but naturally it’s weather dependent and sometimes it’s good not to know exactly what specials we’ll have from day to day – then our chefs can make decisions based on what’s fresh.”

The extensive wine selection is almost exclusively sourced from New Zealand while tap lager comes from Queenstown craft brewer Altitude.

“Mondillo Pinot Noir from Bendigo matches perfectly with the Cardrona lamb rack while a glass of Amisfield Sauvignon Blanc with our tuna loin is a great combination and refreshingly good value,” he says.

Finz also offers an expanded take away menu to suit those looking to nd their own spot by the lake or dine back in their hotel rooms.

“Our classic take away blue cod and chips is nearly half its normal price from 5.00pm until 7.00pm making it a great option for families and day trippers.”

Bookings are recommended year-round, especially over the summer months when the restaurant’s lakefront location draws big crowds to enjoy the exceptional setting.