Discover the greatest places to eat, drink, shop, and explore in Mid Canterbury.
Ashburton is the New Black - A New Look Guide to this Mid Canterbury Town
Cafe 45
Stand on the corner of Methven's Forest Drive and McMillan Street and two sights are hard to miss: the hulking peaks of the Southern Alps,...
Station Coffee
Station Coffee on Methven's Forest Drive began life as a little white trailer parked across from the Blue Pub.
Amara Bar & Snackery
City-calibre cocktails aren't what most people expect in the foothills, but Amara Bar & Snackery on Methven's Main Street makes a convincing case.
Aqua
Under a thatched awning and two red lanterns on Methven's Main Street you can find Aqua, and the type of Japanese food a high country town...
The Staveley Store
Sitting pretty on Burgess Road in the shade of Mt Somers, the red-roofed Staveley Store has anchored its village since around 1876.
Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa
Most hot pools draw their warmth from deep underground, but Methven's Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa on Mt Hutt Station Road looks skyward instead.
Homestead Store
For decades, Ashburtonians have furnished their abodes with the help of Homestead Store and its curated collections on Tancred Street.
The Rabbit, Ashburton
The Rabbit is an exciting eatery in the heart of The Triangle in Ashburton.
Triangle Espresso
Triangle Espresso is a landmark of Ashburton’s up-and-coming Triangle District.
Smoke Restaurant, Ashburton
Ashburton's Smoke restaurant is a carnivore's haven specialising in American low and slow barbeque.
Rokowhiria Art & Heritage
Rokowhiria Art & Heritage is home to both the town’s art gallery and museum. The grand building on West Street, one of the main avenues across town, is hard to miss.
Good Places, Great Owners: Where to Find Real Rural Hospo in Mid Canterbury
We've all heard of the warmth and deliciousness of good old-fashioned rural hospitality. What we might not know is that it can be found in abundance at the end of a long straight leaving Christchurch.
Out in Mid Canterbury there's no luxury of consistent foot traffic or big city lights to draw in hungry patrons. It takes work, consistency and usually a hands-on approach. But once they're established in the community, the regulars remain loyal, and visitors pop by for a legend known throughout the land.
Between the plains and the Southern Alps, a run of cafes, pubs and restaurants are doing the unglamorous work of feeding their towns properly all year round. Some have been at it for decades, others for a season or two. Here are ten worth the drive, starting in Ashburton and winding inland to Methven.
The Cakelady, Ashburton
Tharina Nel is the Cakelady of Ashburton. A self-taught baker of incredible creations, she can whip up just about anything you can imagine.
