Flame Bar & Grill

About Flame Bar & Grill

Flame Bar & Grill is a premier Queenstown steakhouse founded in 2008 by South African expats Grant Sneddon, his wife Dawn, and Colin, who brought the tradition of African braai to their adopted home. The restaurant specializes in award-winning ribs and steaks—hand-picked beef aged for 55+ days, grilled over searing hot specialized grills with a secret South African basting sauce that produces signature caramelization and flavour. The kitchen is open, allowing diners to watch the magic happen, while a balcony overlooks the stunning expanse of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Flame has earned TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards (2018, 2022) and Certificate of Excellence (2019), plus Gold and Silver awards at the World Steak Challenge in the UK. The atmosphere is casual yet intimate, with hand-picked staff known for their passion and enthusiasm. An extensive cocktail and wine list, featuring local award-winning selections and signature hand-crafted cocktails, complements the grilled fare. The menu extends well beyond ribs and steaks—fresh seafood, peri peri chicken, tender skewers, burgers, and salads ensure something for every palate.

Flame Bar & Grill: Queenstown's Premier South African Steakhouse with Award-Winning Ribs and Steaks

A Dream Born from African Fire

Flame Bar & Grill began with a dream. In 2008, three South African expats—Grant 'Sunny' Sneddon, his wife Dawn, and their mate Colin—came together to bring the smoky, soul-warming traditions of the African braai to their adopted home of Queenstown. Grant, a Durban local, was obsessed with it. In South Africa, a braai is more than just a barbecue; it's a cultural phenomenon as revered as rugby itself. Good wood, big hunks of meat, cooked properly over fire—that's the way it's done.

Grant set out to replicate that magic, developing his own hand-made sauces to bring out the most succulent flavours on the grill. Since opening, Flame's ribs and steaks have become a Queenstown tradition, beloved by locals and visitors alike. Tragically, Grant was taken from us in 2012, but his flame burns bright through every perfectly charred steak and every dripping rib that leaves the Flame kitchen.

The Meat Matters

Flame's reputation rests on an unwavering commitment to quality. Working with meat partners who hand-select the finest marbled beef, the restaurant ages every cut for at least 55 days—a process that creates unprecedented levels of flavour, tenderness and succulence. All cuts maintain a 4+ marble score, ensuring the quality you'll taste on your plate.

This dedication was recently honoured at the World Steak Challenge in the UK, where Flame's steaks took out Gold and Silver awards. It's not just marketing—the proof is in the sear, the crust, and the flavour that follows. The ribs are equally legendary: succulent, juicy, and addictive, basted in Flame's secret South African sauce and caramelised on searing hot grills that produce aromas that draw people from across town.

The Experience

Flame occupies a prime position on Steamer Wharf with an open kitchen and a balcony overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Watching the flames dance over the meat, smelling the wood smoke, seeing the grill-master work—it's part of the theatre. The restaurant has earned TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice awards (2018, 2022) and a Certificate of Excellence (2019), recognition of the consistent quality and service that define the place.

The atmosphere strikes a balance: casual enough for a relaxed dinner, intimate enough for a special occasion. The staff are hand-picked for their passion and knowledge. Service moves at your pace—quick when you want it, leisurely when you don't.

More Than Just Meat

While ribs and steaks are the heroes, the menu extends far beyond. Fresh Mozambique prawns sizzle with spicy rattlesnake sauce. Miso-glazed salmon comes with pickled cucumber and sesame. Peri peri roasted chicken and char-grilled venison rump offer variety. Burgers, salads, and seasonal vegetables round out the offerings. And the signature Flaming Bomb Alaska—a dramatic finale where the dessert is set alight at your table with flaming Cointreau—is unforgettable.

Cocktails & Wine

The bar programme is serious. Hand-crafted signature cocktails pair beautifully with the grilled fare, and the wine list features many local award-winning selections, ensuring the perfect match for your meal. Whether you're after a classic or something with a Kiwi twist, Flame has you covered.

Signature items

• Pork Ribs
• Rib-Eye Steak
• Flame Mixed Grill
• Mozambique Prawns
• Flaming Bomb Alaska
• Peri Peri Roasted Half Chicken

Menu

Sides

• Flame Fries — Hand-cut signature fries
• Garlic Roasted Baby Potatoes — Chive sour cream
• Flame Mash — Silky smooth, topped with red wine jus
• Roasted Carrots — Maple sour cream, toasted pecans
• Apple Slaw — Apple, pinenuts, mint, lemon mayo
• Creamed Spinach — Vegetarian, confit garlic, parmesan cream
• Grilled Courgettes — Vegetarian
• Roasted Portobello Mushrooms — Roasted field mushrooms, broccolini, chimichurri
• Cauliflower Steak — Vegetarian and vegan, roasted

Salads

• Iceberg Wedge Salad — Buttermilk & honey mustard dressing
• Beet & Feta Salad — Balsamic beets, greens, feta, honeyed walnuts, pomegranate vinaigrette
• Caesar Salad — Cos, bacon, croutons, parmesan, soft egg, Flame Caesar dressing
• Garden Green Salad — Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mixed seeds, pomegranate dressing

Desserts

• Flaming Bomb Alaska — Signature dessert, raspberry, mango and passionfruit gelato, Italian meringue, flaming Cointreau
• Warm Sticky Date Pudding — Salted caramel sauce, yoghurt ice cream
• Tarte Tatin — Apple sauce, vanilla bean ice cream
• Caramel Pecan Tart — Caramel and pecan combination

Appetisers

• Freshly Baked Cheese Balls — Warm cheese balls, vegetarian
• Fresh Shucked Oysters — Natural with shallot mignonette and lemon
• Gin Cured New Zealand Salmon — Mandarin gel, crème fraiche, capers, pinenuts
• Buffalo Chicken Wings — Blue cheese ranch, celery sticks
• Burrata — Fresh tomato, oregano, basil, red wine vinegar, toasted sourdough
• Yellow Fin Tuna — Burnt orange, miso sesame dressing, chilli
• Green Lipped Mussels — Creamy dill sauce, toasted sourdough
• Szechuan Crusted Calamari — A Flame favorite with toasted sourdough
• Tomato Bruschetta — Sweet potato bun, confit cherry tomatoes, basil, kalamata olives

Signature Sauces

• Flame Creamy Roquefort — Creamy blue cheese sauce
• Peppercorn — Bold peppercorn cream sauce
• Mushroom Blue Cheese — Roquefort and mushroom blend
• Rattlesnake — Spicy house-made sauce
• Red Wine Jus — Rich red wine reduction
• Spicy Peri — House spicy peri peri paste
• Chimichurri — Fresh herb chimichurri

Mains - Steaks & Grills

• Rib-Eye Steak — Hand-picked, aged beef with 4+ marble score
• Sirloin Steak — Premium aged cut, grilled to your liking
• Aged Fillet Steak — Tender premium cut
• NY Strip Steak — Bold flavour and texture
• T-Bone Steak — Impressive bone-in cut
• 1kg Bone In Dry Aged Ribeye — Premium aged bone-in selection for sharing
• Pork Ribs — Signature dish, succulent and addictive, Flame-basted in secret sauce
• Ribs & Steak Combination — 150g aged fillet steak & half rack of signature ribs
• Flame Mixed Grill — Signature pork ribs, aged sirloin, roasted peri peri chicken, boerewors

Mains - Seafood & Poultry

• Mozambique Prawns — Sizzling tiger prawns, spicy rattlesnake sauce, rosemary rice
• Chatham Island Crayfish Roll — Brioche bun, spiced mayo
• Half Chatham Island Crayfish Tail — Premium crayfish tail preparation
• Skull Island Peri Prawns — 3 each, peri spiced tiger prawns
• Miso Glaze Salmon Fillet — Broccolini, pickled cucumber, sesame and chilli salad
• Peri Peri Roasted Half Chicken — Lemon yoghurt sauce, house peri peri paste
• Char Grilled Venison Rump — Broccolini, chimichurri

Mains - Skewers & Burgers

• Fragrant Lamb Skewer — Garlic and rosemary marinated lamb rump, lemon yoghurt sauce
• Glazed Chicken Skewer — Apricot and red onion, lemon yoghurt sauce
• Surf N Turf Skewer — 200g aged beef fillet, peri peri tiger prawns, choice of two sauces
• Flame Basted Beef Burger — Brioche bun, burger salad, roasted tomato ketchup, Flame fries
• Mozambique Chicken Burger — Spiced chicken breast, burger salad, roasted tomato ketchup
• Portobello Mushroom Burger — Sweet potato bun, beetroot relish, burger salad, Flame fries

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to book in advance?

Reservations are strongly encouraged, especially for dinner and weekends. Walk-ins are welcome subject to table availability. Book online or call 027 349 4469.

What are your opening hours?

Open 7 days a week from 12 noon to 10:00pm. Last bookings are at 9:45pm.

What makes your ribs special?

Signature pork ribs are basted in Flame's secret South African braai sauce and caramelised on searing hot grills. Hand-selected meat and a traditional braai approach create succulent, addictive results.

Have you won any awards?

Yes. TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice (2018, 2022), Certificate of Excellence (2019), and Gold and Silver awards at the World Steak Challenge UK for our steaks.

Do you have vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. Vegetarian options include burrata, portobello mushroom burger, cauliflower steak, creamed spinach, and various salads. Ask your server for vegan adaptations.

Can you accommodate group bookings?

Yes. Group bookings are available. Contact [email protected] or call 027 349 4469 to arrange.

Is takeaway available?

Yes. Takeaway is available through the Deliverect platform. Visit the website for details.

Tips

• {"body":"The restaurant is popular year-round. Reserve online or call to guarantee your preferred time, particularly for dinner service.","title":"Book ahead, especially weekends"}
• {"body":"This dramatic, shareable dessert is set alight at your table with flaming Cointreau—a memorable finish to any meal.","title":"Try the signature Flaming Bomb Alaska dessert"}
• {"body":"The balcony offers stunning views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Request it when booking for a special occasion.","title":"Request balcony seating for lake views"}
• {"body":"Fresh tiger prawns with spicy rattlesnake sauce and rosemary rice are a signature highlight beyond the steaks and ribs.","title":"Don't skip the Mozambique Prawns"}
• {"body":"The wine list features local award-winning selections. The knowledgeable team can pair perfectly with your meal choice.","title":"Ask the staff for wine pairings"}

Good to know

• {"group":"Group bookings available; gift cards also offered","views":"Balcony overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range","kitchen":"Open kitchen allows you to watch the grilling in action","parking":"Located on Steamer Wharf, 88 Beach Street","cocktails":"Extensive hand-crafted signature cocktails and local wine selection","reservations":"Strongly recommended for dinner and weekends; walk-ins welcome subject to availability"}