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. As soon as you turn off the road and down the tree-lined driveway, it’s clear you’re in for a memorable experience.

A beloved local institution for decades, Orchard Garden was thoughtfully revived in 2022 by Bryan and Frances Raymond; the team behind Dunedin’s iconic The Good Oil Café. Alongside their daughter Lana and her husband Cam, who manage the café and catering, the family spent months restoring the café and surrounding grounds with care and consideration.

The result is a warm, rustic and family-friendly environment with elegant French touches. Inside, you’ll find stunning dried flower arrangements, charming weathered chairs softened with sheepskin, baskets of pinecones, exposed schist stone, and whimsical surprises in every corner, like that chic rooster wearing pearls. In winter, guests cosy up by the open fireplace while summertime offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy a leisurely lunch in the garden.

The menu is wholesome, simple, and inviting;  from chicken salads and open sandwiches to a cabinet of Southland classics, all best enjoyed with a glass of Central Otago wine in our opinion. On the counter, a selection of buttery scones, zesty cakes, and sweet slices, all baked in-house, are destined to be served with your morning coffee.

With such a stunning setting, it’s no surprise Orchard Garden is a popular spot for weddings and special celebrations. The café often closes for private events on weekends, so be sure to check their social pages before you visit. Another favourite attraction for many is the immaculate macrocarpa hedge maze, a joyful adventure through lush plantings that delights young and old for a $5 entry fee.

Whether you’re here for lunch or to lose yourself among the trees, Orchard Garden is a dreamy destination in every season.