The Running Duck

Stepping inside the Running Duck café in the heart of Geraldine is like stepping inside a proper kiwi bach, albeit with great coffee on tap. Furnished with classic kiwiana objects, such as vintage thermoses, old skis, formica tables and framed family photos, the atmosphere in this iconic café is warm and invitingly informal.

Expect a similar down-to-earth-vibe on the food side:  the stars of the show here are proper burgers, grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes (which come in nostalgia inducing flavours such as pineapple lump, peanut slab or bounty bar).

Little ducklings are well looked after at The Running Duck as well, with kiwi kids’ favourites like cheerios and fairy bread on the littlies’ menu, plus there’s a box full of wooden toys to discover.

While menu items are kept simple and non-pretentious, the quality of the food plated in the kitchen is as important as the laid back feel of the café. Everything possible is made on site too, including the yoghurt, bacon and pastrami.

During the warm months, the café's doors are propped open and customers can spill out onto the sunny courtyard at the front where people watching is a great pass time. And during the winter, a wood fire keeps it nice and cosy indoors. 

On top of the food and drinks prepared on the premises, you can also stock up on Al’s Laboratory’s hot sauces at The Running Duck, which are made by Alistar, one of the cafe owner’s.