Where to Eat in Milford Sound
Milford Sound and the surrounding area are very remote and often catch people off guard with the expectation that there will be plenty of cafes, restaurants, and shops available, but that’s not the case.
Being well-prepared for food is one of the most important parts of planning a Milford Sound trip. This article covers where you can eat in Milford Sound itself, along the Milford Road, and in Te Anau, so you can plan your day accordingly.
Key Takeaways
Milford Sound has one restaurant (Pio Pio at Milford Sound Lodge) and one cafe (Discover Milford Sound Cafe). Food options in Milford Sound are limited.
Some cruises offer a buffet, bar, or cabinet food on board.
The only food option along the Milford Road itself is a vending machine at Knobs Flat.
Te Anau is the closest town to Milford Sound and has a wide range of restaurants cafes to choose from.
If you're travelling on a tour, most operators offer some kind of food option, either included or as an add-on.
Where Is Milford Sound?
Milford Sound is located in Fiordland National Park in the south-western corner of New Zealand's South Island. It's about a 3-hour drive from Te Anau, or around 5-6 hours from Queenstown when accounting for rest breaks and scenic stops along the Milford Road. The area is very remote, with limited amenities and infrastructure. There are no supermarkets or convenience stores in Milford Sound, and only a couple of places to buy food once you arrive.
Planning your food ahead of time makes a real difference to your day, and whether you’re self-driving or on a tour, it’s a good idea to bring some snacks with you.
Places to Eat in Milford Sound
Pio Pio Restaurant
Pio Pio Restaurant is located at Milford Sound Lodge, about a 1-minute drive from the Milford Sound cruise terminal carpark. The restaurant focuses on locally sourced cuisine, including wild Fiordland venison and seafood from the West Coast.
Lunch is served in a cafe-style format with takeaway options, and dinner is a full sit-down menu. Prices are on the higher side of what you'd typically pay in New Zealand, at around $40-$60, reflecting the extra costs of operating in such a remote location, but the food itself is excellent.
If you'd like to have dinner at Pio Pio, it's generally recommended to stay the night in Milford Sound before returning to Te Anau the next day.
The Milford Road can be closed or affected by roadworks from around 6 pm onwards, which can make the trip back difficult in the evening.
Accommodation in Milford Sound is limited to Milford Sound Lodge, with a range of chalet options available or campervan spaces.
If you'd like to experience Pio Pio without staying overnight, our Premium Plus day tour from Te Anau includes a sit-down lunch at the restaurant as part of the day.
Discover Milford Sound Cafe
The Discover Milford Sound Cafe is located on the waterfront, and it's the only cafe in Milford Sound itself. It serves barista-made coffee, cabinet food, and some hot lunch options such as burgers and pizza.
Opening hours are 8 am to 4 pm in summer and 9 am to 4 pm in winter.
Food on Milford Sound Cruises
Most Milford Sound cruises include tea, coffee, water, and light snacks such as chips or muffins. Some of the larger cruises have a bar, buffet, or cabinet food available, usually at an extra cost.
On our tours, guests have the option to add on a lunch for the cruise at the time of booking. We allow guests to pre-order meals before the day so they're ready when you board, letting you enjoy lunch without missing any of the cruise scenery.
Food Options on the Milford Road
There's only one option for buying food along the Milford Road between Te Anau and Milford Sound: a vending machine at Knobs Flat, located in the visitor information shelter at Eglinton Valley Camp. It accepts credit cards and cash, and stocks lollies, chocolate, chips, and cans of drink.
We don't recommend relying on this being in operation. If there's an internet issue in the area, the machine may not work.
Places to Eat in Te Anau
Te Anau is the closest town to Milford Sound and has plenty of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most main meals in town are in the $25 to $38 range, and prices are fair across the board.
In summer, it's important to book ahead, as places often fill up. In winter, be aware that some places have limited hours.
Here are some of our favourites:
Restaurants
Pub/Bar Style
Cafes/Quick Eats
Food on a Luxe Tour
Different tour operators all offer different options and inclusions for food during the day, so check what’s available at the time of booking.
If you're joining us on a Luxe day tour from Te Anau or Queenstown, a fresh muffin is included for a snack break along Milford Road, baked fresh that morning by our friends at the Milford Road Merchant. You have the choice of selecting from sweet, savoury, vegan, and gluten-free options at the time of booking.
For lunch, you can pre-order a meal to enjoy during the cruise on Milford Sound, or bring your own snacks and food if you'd prefer. Full details are available at the time of booking.
On our Premium Plus day tour from Te Anau, lunch is instead a sit-down meal at Pio Pio Restaurant at Milford Sound Lodge.
Whether you're on a tour or self-driving to Milford Sound, it's a good idea to bring some light snacks with you. Milford Sound is remote, and you don't want to be waiting for the next chance to grab something to eat.
And if you're on a tour, take advantage of what the operator offers, whether that's lunch on the cruise or a snack included in the day.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
How many places are there to eat at in Milford Sound?
There is one restaurant (Pio Pio Restaurant at Milford Sound Lodge) and one cafe (Discover Milford Sound Cafe on the waterfront near the cruise terminal).
Should I bring my own food to Milford Sound?
Yes, some snacks are always a good idea.
If you're travelling on a tour, some kind of food inclusion or add-on is likely available. If you're self-driving, we suggest checking what your cruise operator offers for food, and bringing spare snacks in case of delays.
Is food in Milford Sound expensive?
Food in Milford Sound is generally 10-20% more expensive than in a town like Te Anau or Queenstown. This reflects the extra logistics of getting supplies into such a remote location.
