Wānaka restaurant Kika has received two ‘hats’ from the prestigious Cuisine Good Food Awards for the first time, as well as the ‘Casual Dining of Year’ title for 2024.

Kika made Cuisine’s top-100 list as part of the awards in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021 (the awards didn’t take place in 2020 due to Covid-19), and in 2022 and 2023 it stood out further, receiving one ‘hat’, for restaurants scoring 16 or more out of 20.

The restaurant has improved again, Cuisine judges say, awarding it two hats, reserved for restaurants which are ‘consistently outstanding’.

The Wānaka App asked Kika owner James Stapley how the long-running restaurant continues to improve.

“We have always just done our own thing and not really followed trends too much,” James said. 

Kika owner James Stapley said the recognition from Cuisine was a “huge boost”.

We know what we are and what we do and have a unique style that is uniquely Kika.”

He said Kika provided a combination of consistent quality and “constant innovation”, with an ever-changing menu, aside from a few classic dishes that have been on the menu since the early days.

Receiving the two accolades from Cuisine was “a huge boost,” James said.

“It’s been a tough year in hospitality so it’s so really nice to get some good news. We are very proud of what we do but to receive two hats was just an incredible surprise.”

James said he was especially pleased to receive the casual dining award as “casual is what we do”.

The recognition “drives us to be better and to keep evolving”.

Cuisine judges said Kika nailed “contemporary Kiwi cuisine” with an atmosphere that is “warm, inviting and lively”.

They singled out Kika’s “delectable” beef tartare, “juicy, tender” lamb shoulder and “masterful” Otago cherry and chocolate pavlova as must-tries.

Kika was the only Wānaka restaurant awarded hats, but other restaurants also caught the eye of Cuisine judges.

Muttonbird, Paloma Taqueria, The Cow, The Cardrona Distillery, Arc Wānaka and Bistro Gentil will all be featured in Cuisine’s Good Food Guide for 2024/2025, which celebrates quality eateries around the country.

PHOTO: Cuisine