Arc
Wānaka town centre, Wānaka
Restaurant in Wānaka, New Zealand
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Arc is the Wānaka booking for a seasonal Modern New Zealand set menu with a serious drinks angle and a relaxed, smart-casual feel. It is worth prioritising for couples, food-focused travellers, groups happy with a kitchen-led format; skip it if the table wants a broad à la carte menu or a purely casual drop-in meal.
About Arc
In Wānaka, Arc is a dinner-focused choice for a Modern New Zealand seasonal set menu, with bar snacks available in the garden during open hours. The price is $65 per person, the restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with Monday and Tuesday closed.
James Stapley oversees the kitchen, Sam Cooper is co-owner and head chef. Arc is built around a seasonal set-menu approach, supported by bar snacks for a lighter visit in the garden during open hours.
Seasonal New Zealand cooking with a clear format
The strongest reason to choose Arc is the Modern New Zealand seasonal set menu. At $65 per person, it gives diners a defined way into the kitchen’s cooking. Bar snacks are available in the garden during open hours, which gives the restaurant a lighter use case alongside dinner.
Expect a seasonal Modern New Zealand set menu rather than a lunch service. Signature dishes include scampi dogs, beef croquettes, Jerusalem artichoke gnocchi, pork belly with beans. The better plan is to commit to the set-menu side if dinner is the point, then use the bar snacks when the evening is more about grazing.
The garden bar snacks create a different way to use Arc during open service. Diners who want the set-menu dinner should think of that format first. Guests who want a lighter visit should look to the garden snacks during the restaurant’s Wednesday-to-Sunday evening hours.
Who should book, who should skip it
Book Arc for a Wānaka dinner where a seasonal set menu is the appeal. The smart-casual dress code makes it suitable for an evening that is considered without requiring heavy formality.
Skip it if the group does not want a set-menu dinner or garden bar snacks. The format works well when everyone is comfortable with the restaurant’s defined approach.
The practical play is simple: treat dinner as the main event and plan around the opening days. Arc has a Michelin Guide Plate for 2026. The restaurant is closed Monday and Tuesday and runs dinner from Wednesday through Sunday, 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with bar snacks available in the garden during open hours.
For broader trip planning, use ’s Wānaka restaurants guide if the meal needs to sit alongside other bookings, pair it with the Wānaka hotels guide, Wānaka bars guide, Wānaka wineries guide, Wānaka experiences guide if the evening is part of a longer stay.
Planning details
- Location
- 74 Ardmore Street, Wānaka, 9305, NZL
- Website
- arcwanaka.co.nz
- Phone
- +64 3-428 4938
Planning details
Location
Recognition and awards
Explore Wānaka
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Arc guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arc worth the price?
Yes, if you want a fixed-price dinner at $65 per person and care more about a focused seasonal menu than a more open-ended meal. The 2026 Michelin Guide Plate is a useful trust signal here. If you want a lighter visit, the garden bar snacks are available during open hours.
How far ahead should I book Arc?
Arc is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM for dinner, with Monday and Tuesday closed. Plan around that evening schedule, especially if your Wānaka dates are fixed.
What are alternatives to Arc in Wānaka?
Other Wānaka dining rooms may suit if you want a different style of meal. Arc is the clearer pick when you specifically want a structured $65 Modern New Zealand seasonal set menu, with garden bar snacks as a lighter option during open hours.
Can Arc accommodate groups?
Arc can make sense for groups that are comfortable with the same $65 set-menu format. Plan around the Wednesday to Sunday dinner hours. If the group wants a more casual add-on, the garden bar snacks provide a lighter option during open hours.
What should I order at Arc?
Start with the Modern New Zealand seasonal set menu, since that is the main reason to go. Signature dishes include scampi dogs, beef croquettes, Jerusalem artichoke gnocchi, pork belly with beans. If you do not want a full dinner, the garden bar snacks during open hours are the better choice for a lighter visit. James Stapley oversees the kitchen, with Sam Cooper listed as co-owner and head chef.
