Reviews

"We had beautiful sunny weather the following day. Around 28 degrees. So we soaked it up sitting beside Lake Wanaka which is beautiful with stunning mountainous views. We had a delicious dinner (Fajitas) before watching Apocalypto at Cinema Paradiso (an independent cinema with a difference - worth checking out). Cool little cinema with proper old style couches and an intermission when you can buy some cakes or ice cream. I really enjoyed it...Wanaka is a beautiful place and definitely worth checking out for a few days (at least)." RealTravel.com, May 2007

"Although you should mainly go to Lake Wanaka for the stunning lake and the surrounding views, it is also worth visiting the very cool, independent cinema that this tiny town has. You can kick back and relax on the lovely, beaten up sofas (instead of the uncomfortable chairs normally found in this type of establishment!) There is even an old shell of a car, decked out with cushions, which you can sit in!" BeenThere, September 2007

"Our next stop after Franz Josef was the lakeside town of Wanaka. This has possibly one of the coolest (sweet as?) cinemas ever! It's a small affair, with a cafe attached and a projection pod which, according to Hannah, is much like Flix's (her old student cinema) in that there's rubbish everywhere inside it. The cool bit, apart from the intimate size and indie-ish film schedule, is the seating. There are about four rows of assorted old sofas and big leather armchairs, a chest full of cushions and beanbags, and about two-thirds of a yellow Morris Minor at one side! It was so homely that we felt compelled to take our shoes off. They also have a proper intermission, in which you have a chance to buy some of their huge home-made cookies - fabulous, if extremely filling! Oh - the film we saw was "Lord of War", with Nicholas Cage." TravelPod, May 2006

"The essence of theatre, maintains devotee Roy Colbert, involves two things; half-time and ice-cream. Long may they continue...I go to the theatre for the ice-cream at half-time. I make no bones about this, that's the main reason I'm there show after show. The ice-cream...I could point out that Cinema Paradiso in Wanaka, whose furniture includes a yellow Morris Minor, is a lovely little boutique theatre that has brought the half-time back...it's just like the golden period of the movies" Sunday Magazine, July 2006

"If watching a movie in a Morris Minor captures your imagination, head for the Paradiso Cinema in Wanaka. There’s always a rush for the little car positioned inside the cinema, but you could also try for one of the Paradiso armchairs if you miss out on the Morry. Scottish immigrant Calum Macleod is the innovative owner of the Paradiso and he doesn’t blink an eye when you sink into one of his chairs with a pizza, panini, falafel or fizzy. In fact, he encourages the civilised art of simultaneous movie-watching and dining. If you prefer to keep the two separate, Calum will serve you your main course in his adjoining restaurant before the movie and dessert at the end. In between there’s time for a beer because no matter how much suspense in the story there’s always an interval."Susan Buckland, AA Magazine, Spring 2003

"It is the coolest theatre experience you're likely to find this side of the equator. And what's this warm, witty welcome all about? Where are the bored ticket-tearers, the intolerably cramped seats, and skinny armrests? Hasn't anyone told MacLeod about the etiquette of modern movie-going?...'It's fantastic. This is like having a big screen cinema in your living room!' Melbourne visitor John Hutcheon says...Macleod, who is particularly fond of arthouse and independant films says Cinema Paradiso is unique...'The generic cinema that you walk into could be in Bangkok, London, Sydney, Auckland wherever. You walk out thinking that you have been processed.' There is no chance of feeling that way at Cinema Paradiso, revered by locals and visitors as a Wanaka treasure. The Paradiso puts a premium on home comforts, giving patrons the choice of -Several Sofas, A Lazyboy Recliner, A Brown Vinyl Monstrosity held together by duct tape, 32 other Lounge Chairs, 3 Seats in a Morris Minor, 3 Passenger Seats from a Chinese Airline [rescued from a basement of a Wanaka home -  'Something that gives me a real buzz is having people leaving at the end of the night going 'This is the best cinema I've ever been to' Hopefully they will remember Wanaka and the tossy Scotsman who talked shite!" " The Christchurch Press, October 2001

"My week started with a very pleasant couple of days in the lakeside town of Wanaka. It's a small place but with a good selection of bars and cafes and it's in a beautiful setting, nestled among the mountains of the Southern alps. There are a number of good walks you can do along the lakeshore or in the surrounding hills. I had been planning to climb Mount Roy. But while strolling around the western shore I stumbled across the tiny Rippon Vineyards where you could do wine tasting. After a few glasses of the local riesling, a little sleep in the sun among the vines seemed a much more relaxing option than climbing mountains. That evening I treated myself to a trip to the pictures. The movie was a laughably bad Dennis Quaid vehicle called Frequency. But the film didn't really matter because Wanaka cinema was such a delight. About the size of a village hall, the seating was a motley assortment of armchairs and sofas with a convertible Morris Minor thrown in for good measure. Halfway through, the film stopped and we had a short interval. Everyone went outside to the adjoining cafe and got freshly baked cookies (still warm), homemade ice cream or a beer and then settled back into their armchairs. This is how all cinemas should be. It was more like being round someone's house."The UK Guardian, January 2001

"It would be rare to find a cinema listed as a tourist attraction in an international backpackers guide, let alone find a classic Morris Minor convertible as part of the everyday furniture. But, Lonely Planet lists the Wanaka Cinema Paradiso in the "must do" category and yes, it does have an old car parked in the front row. While owners Calum McLeod, his wife Andrea Riley and friend Brian Hildreth did not deliberately set out four years ago to create such a popular ambience in their business, it came about more out of necessity. Mr McLeod recalled how they originally set up in the Wanaka town hall with one couch. "That is where the rugby scrums started as everyone wanted the comfortable couch." Garage sales and second-hand stores unearthed the rest of the seating and cushions which have become the trademark of the cinema. There are a couple of rows of the traditional old movie seats if nostalgia is your thing." The Otago Daily Times, November 1999

Unwinding in Laid Back Wanaka "Another must in Wanaka is the flicks. Scotsman Calum MacLeod has converted an old electrical sales shop into his own Cinema Paradiso by spreading out 50 comfy chairs and couches. It's a special occasion with a decent intermission, fresh coffee and home-made ice-cream. Be prepared to hear Mr Macleod stand up and lambast the poor local who requested a bad movie. 'That all started when someone requested The Blue Kite - a Chinese film. It should have been called The Blue Shite' he grins ' It was intrinsically boring, set entirely in a courtyard, all of the main characters died and the moral of the story was totalitarian regiems are bad!' Fortunately, the occasional badly chosed movie is about the only boring thing you'll find in this cinema." The Sunday Star Times, September 1998

Sample Menu

We have a new chef at the cinema. His name is Calum and he is as tall and almost as good-looking as Calum. Our menu is now switched over to get us all ready for this winters icy blast. We havea strong focus on wholesome, hearty brews which are designed to keep you feeling warm on the inside so that you can focus on the job in hand - enjoying the show in our air conditioned, warm and comfortable cinema.

As with all our meals you are welcome to eat before, during or after, the film of your choice. If you wish to eat one of our meals during the interission it pays to order before the session starts. This will enable us to prepare your treat or feast as you are watching the movie. That way your meal will be ready for you when the intermission starts.

We still have all of our usual treats, like fresh, hot cookies at half-time, our own home-made ice-cream and a counter selection of cakes & slices. This is just another good reason to enjoy The Paradiso.

Pizzas or Calzone

Our own Home-made Pizza base with a rich Tomato Sauce, Mozarella Cheese & your choice of toppings

Chicken, Brie & Cranberry 

Chorizo, Pesto & Fetta 

Bacon, Mushroom & Caramelised Onions

Oven Roasted Vegetables, Oven Roasted Garlic, Pesto & Fetta

Venison, Oven Roasted Kumera & Fetta

Chicken, Broccolli & Cream Cheese

Chorizo, Jalapeno Chillies, Cream Cheese, Spinach & Fetta 

 

Wraps

A fresh Salsa Tortilla filled with Hummus, Salad greens & any combination of the above ingredients