Where is Rakau located?

Rakau is located at 170 Arthurs Point Road in Arthurs Point, Queenstown.

What kind of oven does Rakau use to cook pizzas?

Rakau cooks its pizzas in a wood-fired oven fueled with native red beech wood.

Where does Rakau source its cheese?

Rakau partners exclusively with Gibbston Valley Cheese for its mozzarella and artisanal cheeses.

Does Rakau offer vegan and vegetarian options?

Yes, the menu includes dedicated vegetarian pizzas, calzones, salads, and a vegan pizza topped with Berkano vegan cheese and wood-fired vegetables.

Can I order takeaway food from Rakau?

Yes, Rakau provides online ordering and takeaway packaging made from commercially compostable pulp sourced from paper plantations.

What days is Rakau open?

Rakau is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Sunday, and is closed on Wednesdays.

Rakau

pizza — Arthurs Point · Queenstown

About Rakau

Rakau is a bistro-style pizzeria located in Arthurs Point, Queenstown, dedicated to crafting fresh wood-fired pizza and grill dishes. Inspired by classic New Zealand flavours, the kitchen centres its approach around seasonal cooking and regional ingredients sourced directly from Otago.

At the heart of the restaurant is an oven fueled by red beech wood, used to cook pizzas topped with fresh produce and artisanal cheese from Gibbston Valley Cheese, Rakau's exclusive cheese supplier. Sustainability is also integral to the operation, with the kitchen using commercially compostable food packaging made from paper plantation pulp. Alongside wood-fired pizzas, Rakau serves calzones, sandwiches on homemade focaccia, fresh salads, and a full range of espresso coffee, desserts, and cold drinks.

Rakau: Wood-Fired Craft and Local Flavours in Arthurs Point

Tucked away along Arthurs Point Road just minutes from Queenstown, Rakau brings a distinct bistro-style approach to wood-fired pizza and casual dining. Surrounded by the rugged alpine scenery of Otago, this neighbourhood eatery pairs traditional stone oven techniques with ingredients gathered close to home.

From the moment you arrive, the aromatic warmth of burning red beech wood signals an oven kept at high heat, ready to blister dough and caramelise local toppings. Rather than following standard takeout conventions, Rakau focuses on fresh, seasonal preparation where Otago produce takes centre stage.

Local Ingredients Cooked over Beech Wood

The driving philosophy behind Rakau's kitchen is a strong belief in regional sourcing. Menus adapt as the seasons change, ensuring that vegetables, meats, and garnishes reflect the freshest produce harvested across the region.

A cornerstone of their menu is an exclusive partnership with Gibbston Valley Cheese. Whether melted across a simple Margherita or layered into a decadent multi-meat pie, the artisanal cheese provides a rich, creamy baseline that balances crisp wood-fired crusts. Red beech timber fuels the hearth, imparting a subtle smokiness unique to southern New Zealand wood-fired cooking.

Beyond the Pizza Paddle

While pizza remains the headliner, the kitchen extends its wood-fired craft into a wide selection of sides, calzones, and handheld sandwiches. Fresh flatbreads emerge hot from the oven to wrap wood-fired chicken, tzatziki, and crisp salad for their house gyros, while sandwiches feature homemade focaccia and freshly baked pizza bread layered with prosciutto, brie, or slow-cooked beef.

Those stopping by earlier in the day or after an outdoor adventure will find a welcoming counter lined with sweet treats like amaretti, fruit friands, tiramisu, and slices, accompanied by full espresso service, regional juices, and tea.

Mindful Practices in a Mountain Setting

Care for the surrounding landscape shapes more than just the food on the plate. Rakau operates with a clear commitment to environmental stewardship, using commercially compostable food containers and takeaway packaging derived from sustainable paper plantation pulp.

Whether dropping by for an easy takeaway meal after exploring Arthurs Point or dining in to enjoy the relaxed bistro vibe, Rakau delivers an authentic taste of Otago craftsmanship.

Signature items

Meat Supreme Pizza
Chinese Pork Pizza
Queen Margherita
Gyros
Prosciutto Sandwich
Ham and Cheese Calzone

Rakau Extra Crispy Coated Chips / Fries — Extra crispy coated chips served with Aioli and ketchup
Garlic Bread — Garlic bread, available with or without cheese
Pizza Bread: Salt & Rosemary — Freshly baked pizza bread seasoned with salt and rosemary
Ham and Cheese Calzone — Folded pizza pocket stuffed with ham and melted cheese
Chicken Calzone — Folded calzone filled with seasoned chicken
Vegetarian Calzone — Calzone filled with roast vegetables and cheese
Lamb Calzone — Folded calzone packed with slow-cooked lamb

Salads

Greek Salad — Tomatoes, feta, olives, red onion, mixed lettuce, cucumber, and house dressing
Winter Salad — Mixed lettuce, butternut, goat cheese, walnuts, and honey

Add-Ons

Extra Vegetables — Additional vegetables added to your dish
Extra Meats (Chicken or Beef) — Choice of added roast chicken or grilled beef
Alternative Milk — Choice of oat, coconut, or soy milk
Extra Espresso Shot — Additional espresso shot for coffee beverages

Sandwiches

Beef Sandwich — Homemade focaccia, lettuce, tomato, grilled beef, with horseradish sauce
Smoke Salmon Focaccia — Rocket, cream cheese, capers, peri peri sauce, and salmon on homemade focaccia
Bacon Focaccia — Homemade focaccia, burger sauce, fresh tomato, and mixed lettuce
Prosciutto Sandwich — Olive oil, brie, tomato, prosciutto, and rocket served in pizza bread

Cold Drinks

Sparkling Bottled Water — Bottled sparkling mineral water
Still Bottled Water — Bottled pure still water
Coke — Classic Coca-Cola
Coke Zero — Sugar-free Coca-Cola
Sprite — Refreshing lemon-lime soda
McCoy Juice — Choice of Apple, Apple-Mango-Orange, or Blackcurrant-apple

Meat Pizzas

La Picante — Homemade Tomato base, Gibbston Mozzarella, Chorizo, Roast capsicum, Red onions, Chili Oil
Napoli Pizza — Homemade Tomato Base, Gibbston Mozzarella, Anchovy, Capers
Smoke Ham — Homemade Tomato Base, Gibbston Mozzarella, Smoke Ham, Mushrooms, Kalamata Olives
Prosciutto — Homemade Tomato Base, Gibbston Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Rocket
Chicken and Bacon — Homemade Tomato Base, Gibbston Mozzarella, Chicken, Bacon, Red onion, Kalamata olives, herbs-garlic oil
BBQ Beef Steak — Homemade Tomato Base, Gibbston Mozzarella, Beef Steak, Caramelized Onions, Home Made BBQ Sauce
Mushrooms and Bacon — Creme Fraiche, Gibbston Mozzarella, Mushrooms, Bacon, Truffle oil
LA Maxicano — Homemade Base and Tomato sauces, Gibbston mozzarella, oven Roasted chicken, Chorizo, roasted capsicum, salsa Macha, jalapeño and chipotle
Chinese Pork — Homemade Base and Tomato sauces, Gibbston mozzarella, Overnight marinated Pork belly with char sui sauce, pork crackling, spring onion
Smoked salmon & Capers — Creme fraiche, smoked salmon, Capers, onion, Rocket, Lemon slices
Meat Supreme — Homemade Base and Tomato sauces, Gibbston mozzarella, slow cooked Lamb, Oven roasted chicken, pork belly, caramelized onion, Garlic Confit

Sweet & Desserts

Amaretti (GF) — Gluten-free traditional almond biscuit
Chocolate Caramel Slice — Decadent chocolate and caramel slice
Banana Muffin — Freshly baked sweet banana muffin
Peach Friand — Delicate almond tea cake baked with peach
Tiramisu — Classic layered Italian coffee dessert
Lemon - Cheesecake — Chilled citrus cheesecake with lemon flavours

Pizzas Vegetariana

Queen Margherita — Homemade Tomato Base, Gibbston Mozzarella, fresh Basil
Vegetable Supreme — Homemade Tomato Base, Gibbston Mozzarella, Wood-fired roast vegetables, fresh Baby Spinach, Kalamata olives
Vegan — Homemade Tomato Base, Berkano Vegan Cheese, Wood-fired roast vegetables, Butternut squash, Rocket, Honey, Nasturtium Leaf & flower
3 Cheese — Mozzarella, Blue Cheese, Brie Cheese, Herbs-Garlic Oil

Coffee & Hot Drinks

Espresso — Freshly extracted espresso
Long Black — Double espresso over hot water
Americano — Classic diluted espresso drink
Flat White — Espresso with velvety steamed milk
Latte — Smooth espresso with steamed milk
Cappuccino — Espresso topped with foamed milk and dusting
Mochaccino — Blend of espresso, steamed milk, and rich chocolate
Piccolo — Small shot of espresso topped with silky warm milk
Macchiato — Espresso marked with a dash of foamy milk
Rakau Hot Chocolate — Warming hot chocolate made in-house
Tea Selection — Assorted tea served by the cup or teapot

Frequently asked questions

Where is Rakau located?: Rakau is located at 170 Arthurs Point Road in Arthurs Point, Queenstown.
What kind of oven does Rakau use to cook pizzas?: Rakau cooks its pizzas in a wood-fired oven fueled with native red beech wood.
Where does Rakau source its cheese?: Rakau partners exclusively with Gibbston Valley Cheese for its mozzarella and artisanal cheeses.
Does Rakau offer vegan and vegetarian options?: Yes, the menu includes dedicated vegetarian pizzas, calzones, salads, and a vegan pizza topped with Berkano vegan cheese and wood-fired vegetables.
Can I order takeaway food from Rakau?: Yes, Rakau provides online ordering and takeaway packaging made from commercially compostable pulp sourced from paper plantations.
What days is Rakau open?: Rakau is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday through Sunday, and is closed on Wednesdays.

Tips

{"body":"Pizzas feature cheese sourced directly from neighbouring Gibbston Valley Cheese, showcasing local Otago dairy craftsmanship.","title":"Pair with Local Cheese"}
{"body":"Rakau closes on Wednesdays, so plan your pizza and gyros cravings for Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday through the weekend.","title":"Check the Day"}
{"body":"Don't overlook the wood-fired calzones, gyros, and sandwiches served on house-made focaccia and warm pizza bread.","title":"Explore Beyond Pizza"}

Good to know

{"dietary":"Offers vegetarian pizzas, salads, a vegan pizza with Berkano vegan cheese, and gluten-free amaretti."}