Del Mar Village is getting a full-on Kiwi comfort takeover this week as Queenstown Hospitality Group brings its New Zealand-inspired menu, cocktails and famously dog-friendly patio to the coast. The new full-service spot will roll out the group’s signature lamb dishes, smashburgers and meat pies alongside weekend brunch and sunset-ready drinks, marking Queenstown’s first dedicated North County location after years of building its footprint across San Diego.
The restaurant’s website lists an opening date on Friday and notes that reservations are now live, according to Queenstown Del Mar. The site also posts dinner and weekend brunch menus and links directly to OpenTable for booking.
As reported by The San Diego Union‑Tribune, the roughly 2,500-square-foot corner restaurant will move into the former WestBrew Del Mar space and will pour a full bar, with weekday happy hour from 3 to 6 PM. Weekend brunch kicks off at 9 AM. The paper also notes a slate of opening promos, including a buy-one-get-one burger deal for National Burger Day on May 28 and a free kids’ meal with each entrée through May 28.
Menu and the kitchen
The Del Mar menu leans hard into Kiwi comfort food, with lamb and wagyu smashburgers, a Blazin' Ahi sandwich, New Zealand-style meat pies, fish and chips, sausage rolls and breakfast staples all in the mix. True to the group’s patio reputation, this location will even feature a dedicated dog menu. Executive chef Yohalmo Rosales is listed as overseeing the food program; Rosales has led kitchens across the Queenstown family of restaurants, according to San Diego Magazine.
From Pacific Beach to Del Mar
Owners Matt Baker and PJ Lamont have been building the Queenstown universe for two decades, starting with Bare Back Grill in Pacific Beach in 2005. From there came Raglan Public House, Dunedin New Zealand Eats in North Park, Queenstown Public House in Little Italy and Queenstown Bistro at UTC. The growth streak and eventual rebrand to Queenstown Hospitality Group have been chronicled by local outlets including There San Diego. Co-founder Matt Baker told The San Diego Union‑Tribune that Del Mar felt like a natural next step for the group.
Design and the space
The new buildout comes from designer Michael Soriano of Onairos Design, a frequent Queenstown collaborator known for indoor-outdoor materials and relaxed, plant-forward patios. The corner space is set up to pull in coastal light and neighborhood foot traffic, with a casual bar and seating arranged for both small groups and families.
What to expect
Planned service hours are daily from 11 AM to 9 PM, with the kitchen staying open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend brunch will start at 9 AM. Diners can find reservations and the full menu on the restaurant’s site, Queenstown Del Mar, where the team notes that more events and promotions are on the way in the coming weeks.
