Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Queenstown Bistro

    3.8 (605 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Queenstown Bistro Takeout or Delivery

    Queenstown Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    QUEENSTOWN BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    More like Queenstown Bistro

    Recommended Reviews - Queenstown Bistro

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Fendi suggested I have hot tea
    Henri V.

    Queenstown Bistro is beneath the clocktower located in the courtyard at the UTC shopping center in La Jolla. First hour parking is free. We had reservations and were seated outside under yellow and white sun shade umbrellas. It's the perfect spot for dining and people/dog watching. Have dined here several times and usually during daylight. My recent visit order included: a spot hot green, finger sandwiches and the warm butter toffee cake. I specifically requested lemon and honey for my tea and also silverware and napkins but the older male server wasn't focused and only brought it after the tea had gotten cold :( The trio of finger sandwiches consisted of: one cucumber and pimento peppers, chicken salad with green onions and also a brie tomato basil cut into shareable pieces were delicate and delish. The warm butter toffee cake with fresh strawberries were devine and not too sweet. It no pairs well with the hot green tea. Unfortunately, I was not able to fully enjoy the tea with lemon and honey as I requested. Thus, my dining experience wasn't pleasant. This restaurant is at a great location in the plaza and looks very stylish. The menu offer casual food with a New Zealand and Southern California twist. My previous dining experiences were very good: shrimp and mango salad, blackened grilled salmon salad and iced berry cocktails were all good. Will have to consider my last visit as not so good due to subpar service by that particular server. Service from the other servers and hostess were nice and accommodating but I would consider a return visit and expect better service as this is a nice place even if you're not from New Zealand mate!

    Ann V.

    Queenstown Bistro is located in Westfield UTC Shopping Center by the Clocktower. This eatery specializes in New Zealand inspired dishes. Their menu is expansive. There's something for everyone...even have a Burger of the Month Club for those who looove wagu beef. I enjoyed eating my yummy food in a unique beauuutiful and comfortable patio setting. It's always niiice to dine outdoors when the opportunity arises. The service was pretty good. My waiter was on his A game. I appreciated his attentiveness. I definitely recommend Queenstown Bistro to the Yelp Community :-D

    Megan H.

    Always amazing service and excellent food! Giselle was such an amazing server and took great care of us! Some of my favs are the sliders and the pretzel that comes witch nacho cheese. Staff is very accommodating, even on super busy days. It's super cute inside and they have a fabulous bar as well. They also do to go drinks since it's at the UTC so you can shop after!

    Shrimp and mango salad and mimosa
    Ana M.

    Dropped my car off at the automotive repair place down the street. They dropped me off at UTC and I needed something to eat. As soon as I walked out of the food court, Queenstown caught my eye. It's a cute little place. I stood I at the front reading the menu they have posted. I may have looked as though I was not ready to come in as it did take a few minutes before I was addressed, but they let me sit in this cute little area that allowed me to lounge and read. Nate assisted me and he was very nice and welcoming from the first interaction. I also love that he reminded me of his name multiple times. I ordered the shrimp and mango salad. It was exactly what I needed. The mimosas were perfect. Most places add too much juice. The perfect mimosa is made with just a splash of juice and Queenstown stepped up. Will definitely come back when I am at UTC, again. Side note: I was reading reviews and other persons do not know what reviewing a place means. The service was bad, but the food was great, yet you still give only one star? Grow up.

    Pretzel and cheese
    Sean O.

    Very relaxing location with lovely service. Cool and clean in the shade on a warm day. Great service, friendly and prompt.. great attitude. Nice selection of draft beers.

    Menu
    Norbert K.

    We fell in love with New Zealand meat pies when we visited Queenstown a few years ago. So ... we came to Queenstown Bistro in UTC to try theirs. The NZ Meat Pie & Wedges (4/5) was delicious -- lamb and cheddar in two puff pastries -- but a little less cheddar would have been better. ($24) Queenstown Bistro is an open-air pavilion near the center of UTC -- near the Skating Rink. The view from most tables is of shoppers walking the mall. 2 Service was good but slow.

    Steak Caesar, avocado toast!
    Courtney O.

    Queenstown is a fantastic regular spot for us; an all around balanced place. Covered, cute outdoor area. Food is tasty, simple, and feels super healthy and fresh. The steak & Cesar is probably our most ordered and is so good, so balanced. $5 mimosas on Sat & Sun from 10am-noon! A STEAL! They're killer. Also you can get some to go. Super dog friendly; they love our doggies & even have a lil menu for them! Everyone is so nice and kind!!!! We love the manager. Just be kind and understanding when you're at an establishment and they will treat you the same. :)

    Sausage rolls
    Sylvia H.

    Queenstown Bistro has been on my list for a long time. Finally made it here and it did not disappoint. We had the sausage rolls as an appetizer and it was really good. For my main, I got the lamb burger which came with wedges. It had a lot of different ingredients but they all worked really well together. Wedges were ok but the aioli was good. We also got the new Zealand breakfast. Thought it was ok but liked the other dishes better. Server was friendly though took a little while to get our order in after we initially put the appetizer order in. However, once it was in, food came fast. I would come here again to try more of the dishes. Make a reservation. This place gets busy!

    Veggie wrap with oven baked potatoes
    Jennifer C.

    Food is decent but the service leaves a lot to be desired. We came on a Sunday around 2:30 and it wasn't busy so we were seated right away. Right off the bat the service was bad. The hostess wasn't there to greet us. When we got to our table she actually handed us a wipe to wipe off the seats ourselves instead of doing it for us. The waiter we had seemed like he was in his own world and didn't acknowledge when we made certain comments or had questions. All that being said, the food came out quickly and was pretty good. I got the veggie wrap with the oven baked potatoes. The potatoes were really well seasoned and tasty! The wrap was a good size and had a good amount of ingredients, albeit the flavor was lacking for me. Don't think I'd come back to this location purely because of the service.

    Steak and eggs, espresso martini
    Andrea U.

    Had brunch here with my husband and loved it! I got the steak and eggs with potatoes -- steak was cooked perfectly -- and a perfect portion for me, my espresso martini was delicious. My husband ordered the scramble and literally ate every bite. The outdoor seating is beautiful with lots of sunlight -- perfect if you're spending the day shopping at UTC. Super pet-friendly and family-friendly too; we saw plenty of families with kids enjoying brunch. It is bit on the pricey side, but worth it for the food and atmosphere.

    Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc.

    The Queenstown satellite in the UTC shopping center is a delightful respite from the tourism, and student traffic in the area. The service is correct, lighthearted, and prompt. The menu is extensive,typically delicious, and the wine list is very horizontal for their means. I always make it a point to make a visit!

    Wagyu Double Smash and lamb skewers
    Zakira J.

    Wonderful First-Time Experience! I was honestly amazed at how generous the portion was for my lamb skewers--I couldn't believe it! They were so delicious that I even had plenty left over for later. Everything on my platter was absolutely perfect, from the presentation to the flavors. The homemade bread came out warm and fresh, the cucumbers added a refreshing crunch, the hummus and seasonings tied everything together beautifully, and the lamb was cooked to perfection. My husband ordered a burger, and it was just as impressive--he devoured it without hesitation (lol). The only downside was the service did take a bit long, but we were in somewhat of a hurry and maybe they were understaffed? Either way it didn't hinder our experience and was still a great time. We'll definitely be back!

    Katherine K.

    First time I came here, I didn't get to eat because I had waited 50 mins for my appetizers to come out. Server was nice and very apologetic, and I felt bad for him since it seemed like he was the only one working. My guy wanted to try again, so we did. We sat outside at those incredibly tiny tables that for 1.5 dishes at a time. We tried the Loaded Wedges (the cheese was okay but I enjoyed how fresh it was. The potatoes still had a very nice texture to it) and the Lamb Skewers (chimichurri hummus was yumm! Sadly the lamb was incredibly fatty and overcooked. The naan would've been extra good if it had been toasted). Overall, there were good and bad things for each dish giving it an overall average experience.

    See all

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jess W.
    0
    57
    39

    23 days ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 20
    Thanks 6
    Love this 18
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ana M.
    95
    5
    3

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jan F.
    20
    26
    0

    6 hours ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 8
    Thanks 4
    Love this 7
    Oh no 2

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Don A.
    1
    25
    0

    11 days ago

    Poor service. Did not let us know about happy hour or give us a happy hour card. Did not have desserts.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    25 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Phillip L.

    Phillip L.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 16

    Queenstown Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Queenstown Bistro

    Do you still offer afternoon tea?

    Do they validate parking?

    No, they don’t!

    View All 4 Questions

    You might also consider

    Raised By Wolves

    Raised By Wolves

    4.4
    (2.3k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Located in the UTC mall by La Colombe and the Apple Store. Parking is first hour free, $2 per hour…read moreafter with a $15 daily max. Check in with hostess. Reservations are encouraged but not mandatory as I saw numerous people get in as walk ins before my reservation. Walk-ins are seated at the bar and limited to 1 hour. For reservations they do not seat early even if you check in early. No dress code, saw people with tube tops and flip flops. They sell lots of different types of alcohol in their store. I purchased a $33 bottle of Amaretto that said it had a cookie essence. Bar Entry: The hostess will check ID and then you sit or stand on the platform and it slowly spins you around to the inside. Bathrooms are on the left and exit on the right. Our server was great and listened to what we wanted in a drink and offered options. Tried: Amuse $4 - we were celebrating a birthday so these were offered as birthday shots. Amaretto sour $18 - very good. Smooth and not too strong. French kiss - very strong. Didn't like this one. Mint mojito mocktail (aka dealers choice) $11 - this was so good and refreshing. I love the atmosphere inside. We were seated in throne like chairs which was very cool. A good speakeasy spot to take friends and dates!

    For our first and only visit, my husband and I were looking forward to trying this local spot. We…read moreput the kids at the gym who hosts a "kids night out" so us parents could enjoy some alone time. We made a reservation and although we arrived on time, we had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated. I agree with some of the other commenters when they say that the revolving fireplace needs some love. It has the look and feel of needing to be updated. Also, for it to be a "speakeasy" vibe, you could hear the loudness of the bar through the walls. It just kind of ruins the facade a little bit. Regardless, we enjoyed the novelty of being slowly admitted to the speakeasy on the opposite side. We were given seats and upon first glance it was a dark lit space with an old fashioned aesthetic. I was surprised to see how casual everyone was dressed- I assumed there was a dress code, but I guess flip flops made the cut ‍. It took a few minutes for our server to attend to us, and when he did you could tell he was slammed. We just didn't get the table side manner one was hoping for an establishment like this. Peeking at their drink menu, I found myself disappointed that much of their options had a lot of sweet or fruit juice ingredients. So, I went for their old fashioned. For the price, it was just okay. Another disappointing moment. In all, it wasn't terrible, but it just isn't worth the hype. Overpriced and mediocre drinks and a seemingly overworked staff didn't make for a memorable experience and ended up not being for us. Glad to have tried it...but look elsewhere if you've actually been to a speakeasy. This just doesn't live up to what it's trying to sell you.

    Photos
    Tiramitini and Mojito.
    Tiramitini and Mojito.
    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.
    The secret panel that rotates like a carousel into the wolf den.
    (stole this pic from my friend)

    See all

    (stole this pic from my friend)
    Javier's La Jolla

    Javier's La Jolla

    3.6
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$$
    Fine dining
    Outdoor seating

    I had a negative experience in the past, which was 4 years ago but I gave Javier's another try…read more This time around our waiter, I believe his name is Angel, made our experience a lot better and the food was tasty. Their Cortes menu was probably the best part. They do give chips and salsa as an appetizer but it is kinda spicy, for those that prefer mild or no spice, they have alternatives but they were kinda mid. I'm not a fan of their antojitos menu, just specifically their cortes menu. I think it's kinda pricey, but if you want something on the more lavish then this place isn't a bad choice. I think would come back every now and then.

    I'm not sure why this is considered upscale. Is it because the decor? Is it the pricing? Is it the…read morefood? Is it the cocktails? Is it the service? I can tell you the food is not elevated to something special. If the food is not elevated then what constitutes the pricing? Some of the food served was dry, other food was lukewarm. The menu states that special reqests/substitutions will be declined. That sure tells you who takes priority The decor is different than a lot of Mexican food restaurants. It was pleasant enough but nothing compared to high-end restaurants im Mexico City. The cocktails offerings seem pleasant enough but certainly not innovative. The service should be quite attentive as every wait staff that passed by asked if anything was needed. Though when asked for more water it seemed the wrong person, food runner, was asked. The wait staff responded immediately several minutes later. All in all I wouldn't recommend this place especially at the prices they ask.

    Photos
    La Jolla Location
    La Jolla Location
    La Jolla Location.
    La Jolla Location.
    Jalapeño Margarita

    See all

    Jalapeño Margarita
    Bazille

    Bazille

    3.9
    (208 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Experienced the Nordstrom icon member complimentary dinner…read more Appetizers, entree, desert for 4 and unlimited mocktails. It was a fun time, the server let us customize everything to our liking and the bartender kept us laughing and entertained. It does feel a little bit weird being right in the store and seeing other people shop. Food was great overall, it is on the saltier side be warned. My top picks are between the steak and halibut. Finished it off with a lemon ricotta cookie that melts in your mouth. Nice lil spot that won't break the bank.

    If you're looking for a meal where you're treated like family from the moment you walk in, Bazille…read moreis it. From start to finish, our visit was absolutely top tier. Head Chef Richard and Restaurant Manager Courtney went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, and you can taste the care that goes into every plate. My Caesar salad was perfectly dressed -- not drowning, not dry, just exactly right, and the cup of crab bisque was rich, comforting, and exactly what I was hoping for (paired with an ice-cold Diet Coke, of course). My daughter happily devoured her buttered noodles, and my mom raved about her French dip, which arrived beautifully toasted and full of flavor. A special shout-out to our waitress Sam, who took such excellent care of us throughout the meal. Attentive without hovering, warm, and genuinely lovely, exactly the kind of service that turns a good meal into a memorable one. This was a standout experience from a team that clearly takes pride in hospitality. We can't wait to come back, I do wish they would bring back the rosemary French fries, but I will settle for the other new LOVELY menu options!

    Photos
    Crème brûlée, forgot to wait for the picture
    Crème brûlée, forgot to wait for the picture
    Bazille
    Kung pao brussel sprouts - deeelish!

    See all

    Kung pao brussel sprouts - deeelish!
    Seasons 52

    Seasons 52

    4.0
    (2k reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Outside restaurant is attractive with palm trees and easy to identify name on the top…read more Wednesday night walked in solo around 6:45pm, greeted right away and directly lead to the table. The staff who led the way seemed to have a really bad day, cold tone and no facial expression when asked politely to switch to a mini booth instead a four ppl table. And he was able to accommodate . Then there comes Hannah, she is very sweet, friendly and easy to talk to. Her smiles and just right check-ins, totally work 5 stars service. Unfortunately the dishes were not impressive as the service, big failure is the Tuscan white bean soup, too salty to swallow, the ahi tuna tartar is good but seasoning was a little plain. And the sea bass tastes fresh, but the flavor is boring -- tasted like something easily comes out from home. When Hannah noticed that I didn't drink much of the soup, she asked me about it. And she even went to her manager to take that off my bill without asking or complaining. .... Great mental values I got from her during this meal. Overall Hannah's service is FiVe , and food taste 3 stars . So overall total 4 stars . The restaurant is big , fits for small and big parties.

    Date Night Done Right at Season 52!…read more My husband and I enjoyed a fabulous date night at Season 52, and it exceeded our expectations! A special shout-out to Victoria, our waitress, who served up outstanding customer service from start to finish. She kept our drinks flowing, checked on us often, and made our evening feel extra special with her warm smile and attention to detail. We started with the Shrimp & Crab Stuffed Mushrooms and a bowl of Lobster Bisque--both were flavorful, fresh, and absolutely delicious! For my entrée, I ordered the 8 oz. wood-grilled Filet Mignon with a lobster tail, potatoes, asparagus, and warm butter for dipping. Everything was cooked perfectly and packed with flavor. My husband enjoyed the caramelized glazed scallops with a filet mignon, Yukon mashed potatoes, and asparagus. Another winner! The biggest surprise? The value! At around $55 per entrée, we felt the portions, quality, and presentation were exceptional. Steak, lobster, and scallops at that price point made this meal a fantastic value. Bonus: Plenty of parking at UTC, and Season 52 validates your parking ticket! If you're looking for a romantic date night, delicious food, and outstanding service, head over to Season 52 and ask for Victoria. She'll make sure your experience is just as memorable as ours. We left as very happy customers and can't wait to return with our family and friends! Happy Customers, Laura & Mike Songer

    Photos
    Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops served with broccolini and mascarpone risotto.
    Caramelized Grilled Sea Scallops served with broccolini and mascarpone risotto.
    Cedar Plank-roasted Salmon with seasonal vegetables, marble potatoes and dill-mustard sauce
    Cedar Plank-roasted Salmon with seasonal vegetables, marble potatoes and dill-mustard sauce
    Seasons 52 has a wide selection of varietals on our wine menu

    See all

    Seasons 52 has a wide selection of varietals on our wine menu

    Queenstown Bistro - tradamerican - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...