One of the Locals: Your Insider's Guide to Central Otago
Pinot Junction
Set in the heart of the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, Pinot Junction is a café and wine store with a sense of community that reaches well beyond the region’s...
Recharge Bar & Cafe
In the heart of Clyde, Recharge is your go-to for fresh, feel-good food complemented by the friendliest service around.
Terra Sancta
Tucked away at the far end of Felton Road, an address that rings loud in New Zealand wine circles, Terra Sancta feels like a well-kept secret.
Orchard Garden Cafe
Tucked between Clyde and Alexandra on Dunstan Road, Orchard Garden is more than a place to caffeinate, it’s a serene escape set within an enchanting garden landscape.
Domaine-Thomson Wines Cellar Door
Perched on a hilltop in Central Otago’s picturesque Pisa subregion, just outside Cromwell, Domaine Thomson is as much about diving into the region’s rich past as...
Dicey
Tucked into the hillside on Felton Road, one of Aotearoa’s most famous wine stretches, Dicey is a breath of fresh Bannockburn air.
Quartz Reef
Tucked away in an industrial pocket of Cromwell, just down from Pinot Noir Drive and Chardonnay Street, Quartz Reef may not offer sweeping vineyard views, but that’s...
The Post Office Cafe and Bar
On the corner of Blyth Street in Clyde, The Post Office Cafe and Bar is a beloved local gem with a rich past and warm, welcoming spirit.
Tarras Village
Just 30 minutes from Wānaka and 20 minutes from Cromwell, Tarras Village is a delightfully unique and unexpected stop that has become a destination in its own right.
Paulina’s Bar
Right on the corner of Holloway and Naylor Street, Paulina’s Bar is the pub of Clyde, an unpretentious, welcoming and much-loved gathering place where regulars know...
Monte Christo Winery
Hidden away on Springvale Road just outside of Clyde, you’ll find Monte Christo, a winery unlike any other.
The Stoaker Room
Tucked off the highway near Lake Dunstan and the neighbouring Freeway Orchard, The Stoaker Room converts old wine barrels into unique cooking apparatuses that steam and...
11 Independent Food Producers of Central Otago
Vulcan Hotel
Tucked away at the end of a winding dirt road off the highway, the Vulcan Hotel feels like a step back in time, where you might half-expect a horse and carriage to appear...
Blacks Hotel
In a handsome Art Deco building that marks the turn off into Ophir, Blacks Hotel is a quintessential country pub that has seen its fair share of history.
Feinerman’s General Store
Roxburgh may be a small town, but Feinerman’s General Store delivers a specialty grocery store experience that rivals even the big cities.
Te Kano Estate
Pulling up at the entrance to Te Kano is sure to garner some gasps from the passenger (or bike) seat.
The Best Places to Dine Alfresco in Central Otago
Floral and Feast Kitchen
With its bright neon sign and a cabinet of all things nice, Floral & Feast is a cheerful addition to the Ranfurly community.
Black Forest Cafe
Named after the local woodland, Black Forest is known by Naseby locals as the best little cafe in New Zealand. We can certainly see where they got that idea.
Waipiata Country Hotel
Waipiata may be just a wee speck on the South Island map, but its one-and-only pub has become a magnet for travellers seeking a comfortable bed, hearty meals, and a warm...
Muddy Creek Café
It may be a petite town, but Muddy Creek Cafe provides one big reason to hit the brakes and pull up in Omakau.
Olivers
A place to relax, sip and savour the best of Central Otago, Olivers is one of Clyde’s most celebrated destinations.
The Packing Shed
After your first visit to The Packing Shed, you’ll find yourself torn between sharing this hidden gem with everyone you know and wanting to keep it as your little secret.
Sanga’s Pies
Started in 2021 and already a staple in hot cabinets across the South Island, you’ve likely spotted the golden glow of a Sanga’s pie during your Central Otago...
Carrick Winery & Restaurant
A small single-estate vineyard producing wild fermented and certified organic wine in Bannockburn, Carrick Winery offers a multi-layered cellar door and restaurant...
Station Brewing
Is it a car wrecker? A juice factory? Well yeah, once upon a time it was, but nowadays this Boundary Road warehouse is home to Station Brewing, a small, family-run brewery...
Three Peaks Coffee
As you cross the Clyde Bridge from Earnscleugh, a small stucco building is waiting on the other side with a cup of specialty coffee – and a few buttery treats too.
Industry Lane Eatery
Easy-going and always welcoming, Industry Lane Eatery is a bright and bustling cafe that offers a comfy seat for all.
Chatto Creek Tavern
On the highway between Alexandra and Omakau, this historic stone and mud-brick tavern has been a local icon since the days when travellers pulled up in horse and carriage.
The Great Country Pub Crawl of Central Otago
Danseys Pass Hotel
In Central Otago, getting away from it all doesn’t require a long road trip.
Bannockburn Hotel
Just over the bridge from Cromwell, Bannockburn Hotel perches on a hilltop overlooking lush vines and a stunning mountain range.
103 The Store
Some destinations in Central Otago involve fast-flowing rivers or lush orchards, and others reward the traveller with a cheese roll topped generously with butter.
