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Cure Weekend Brunching with the Best Cafés in Ōamaru

Birdseye view of brunch from Tees Street.

If you catch yourself in Ōamaru in some form of the morning, here are the spots to hit up for your brunch needs.

Words by: Johnny Gibson

Photography by: Nancy Zhou

It’s hard to know if time in Ōamaru moves backwards, forwards or stands still all in the same moment. But luckily the food scene has had a real upgrade in recent years thanks to some forward thinkers, passionate locals and a real emphasis to showcase what’s grown in the regional food basket of Waitaki. 

Waiter holding breakfast board with yogurt and fruit, an orange and carrot juice, and a piece of toast with a poached egg and pickles on top

Tees St

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3 Tees St, South Hill, Oamaru

If you’re a regular to Ōamaru or have just passed through enough times to cotton on to Tees Street, you’ll agree that this spot has set a new standard for the region. Forget your ‘same old, same old’ brunch plates, the options here are reborn and made with local ingredients and flavours of South America, Asia and the Mediterranean. Picture huevos rancheros, sticky pork bao buns or fried chicken tacos. These dishes have been winning over big brekkie traditionalists since 2016. Supreme beans and bomboloni doughnuts will most definitely round out your brunch experience. 

Badger & Mackerel

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175 Thames St, Oamaru

A hub for great food, excellent service and a refreshing mix of big brekkie classics and modern brunch plates. Badger & Mackerel does a full breakfast-brunch menu. The standout dish is the pork belly eggs benny made with local free-range eggs, twelve-hour slow-roasted pork belly, a dash of hollandaise and a bit of chilli on the side for those who like heat. Alongside the menu, there’s also a cabinet that brings the ‘wow’ factor, there’s just so much to choose from and it’s all homemade - even the pies. Don’t fret if you’re gluten-free, vegan, or vegetarian - Badger & Mackerel does it all.

Riverstone Kitchen

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1431 Glenavy-Hilderthorpe Rd, Waitaki Bridge

A remarkable foodie's destination just off Highway 1, 20 minutes north of Oamaru, is Riverstone Kitchen. Their menu changes with the seasons, and it’s no wonder why once you stroll through the beautiful surrounding gardens. On the breakfast menu, expect to see a breakfast bowl, something creative using local smoked salmon and your essential egg options. Celebrating and plating up beautiful, honest and most importantly delicious representations of Waitaki, it’s no wonder this place is generally heaving. 

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Street view of Ōamaru.
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Scottish heritage, limestone-rich soils, industrious people… Ōamaru and the wider Waitaki region was destined to fill glasses, beer mugs and tumblers with some first-class tipples. When it comes to sipping something extra nice, there are several adventures available, depending on your mood and preferred drink of choice. Wander down the Victorian Precinct for Belgian beers or drams of whisky served in authentic, old-world settings, relax by the harbour for a classic pint and pizza combo, or follow the winding road to Kurow for boutique wine experiences. Ready to wet your whistle? Here are 6 of the best destinations serving up locally made beer, wine and whisky in the wonderful Waitaki region.

Neat Ōamaru & Waitaki Places

Harbour Street Bakery

Fresh bread lined up on bakery shelves at Deja Moo & Harbour Street Bakery in Ōamaru.
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Goods key icon.

Visit Harbour Street Bakery in Ōamaru for a delicious range of bread, buns, pies, cookies and other goodies. Whatever you choose, you’re in for a treat.

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A close up of a plate of Thai food on a table at Bangkok Recipe Oamaru.
Place Ōamaru & Waitaki
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On the hunt for authentic and traditional Thai food in the heart of Ōamaru, then look no further than Bangkok Recipe.

The Terraces

Old artifacts on a dresser and land yacht at The Terraces with table in foreground in Ōamaru.
Place Ōamaru & Waitaki Editor's Pick
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Local Kevin Murdoch restored The Terraces building and filled it with historical relics and an art studio. Pop in for a chat with Kevin and the other Ōamaru artist in residence, Al Bell - this is something of an alternative visitors’ centre.

The New Zealand Whisky Cellar Door

Signage of The NZ Whisky Cellar Door.
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Bars key icon.

Located in the historic surroundings of Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct, The New Zealand Whisky Collection Cellar Door is an opportunity to experience a rare dram of...

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Waiter serving wine to two guests sitting on bench chair outside wine bar
Place Ōamaru & Waitaki
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When you think of Kurow, rugby culture and rustic hotel pubs may come to mind – but the little wine bar on the corner of Bledisloe Street is proof that more boutique...