We made a trip to the South Island of New Zealand (Queenstown, Te Anua, Dundedin, Tekapo, Wanaka) and were in gluten free heaven for two weeks. Nearly everyone knew what coeliac (they add an “o”) disease was and there were so many good options. Tekapo was the most difficult since it’s a small town, but someone warned us in advance, so we brought a cooler of groceries with us. We stayed in AirBnB’s in each city which had full kitchen’s which also helped so we could prep meals. Below are all of our favorites!
- Restaurants:
- Queenstown & Wanaka: Erik’s Fish and Chips – dedicated gluten free facility – we ate here as often as possible – the deep fried red onion wedges and deep fried kiwis – whew – so good!
- Queenstown & Dunedin: HELL Pizza – gluten free crust available – accredited by the NZ Coeliac Association
- Queenstown: Taco Medic – dedicated gluten free facility
- Queenstown: Fergburger – gluten free bun available (the best GF bun you’ve ever had) – has separate prep area in the back (the line is long – call and make a to-go order!)
- Dunedin: Best Cafe – gluten free batter!
- Tekapo: Mackenzies Cafe Bar Grill – able to make gluten free meals – cook your own meat on a hot stone!
- Columbus Coffee – had GF options, but there seems like opportunities for cross-contamination, so maybe not coeliac safe
HELL Pizza
Erik’s Fish and Chips
Taco Medic
Fergburger
- Best grocery stores for gluten free products on our trip:
- Favorite GF Brands:
- Pavilion – we loved the frozen gluten free meat pies
- ALFF – pizza, sausage rolls, and more!
- Kauri Coast – Kumara cakes are delicious (kind of like sweet potatoes – great for breakfast!)
- Vogel’s – this was our favorite bread brand! Made great PB&J’s for hiking
- New World grocery store had great store brand gluten free meat pies and sausage rolls
- Heartland Chips – these are gf, but watch out for wheat in most other chip brand (even Lay’s in NZ)
- Orgran
Frozen meat pie
Package for kumara cakes and sausage rolls
Licorice!
PB&J Sandwiches
- You also just have to try:
- Whittaker’s chocolate
- Manuka honey – buy it for cheap at a grocery store (not a souvenir shop)
- Hokey Pokey (unique NZ flavor) ice cream (go to a “Dairy” (convenience store) and get Tip Top ice cream in a dish – most flavors are GF)
- Golden Kiwis (kiwis that are yellow inside – they taste better!)
- Baby Fish (fish-shaped chocolate covered, flavored marshmallows)
- Other good resources:
Gluten Free Freitag 