The Best Places to Dine Alfresco in Central Otago

Just outside of Clyde, Monte Christo’s winery experience revolves largely around its outdoor setting. An apricot-coloured food truck, endearingly named Fritzy, is parked up in the garden and serves as the kitchen, offering delicious small plates and pizzas to enjoy alongside a list of award-winning and predominantly organic wines. The garden is expansive and thoughtfully designed, with a relaxing atmosphere that invites you to take your time. Let the kids roam free in the play area and battle it out on the pétanque court after your meal. Woolly blankets are always on hand during the chillier months.

With access to incredible views across the Kawarau River and the region’s iconic mountain range, days at Te Kano are a spectacle. The wine is exceptional, and guests can enjoy tastings of the complete award-winning range, with a ‘build-your-own picnic’ option available. Head over to the shelf to fill your basket with local goods, from Central Otago chutneys and truffle-infused olives to cheese and cured meats, and then find a cosy spot on the expansive lawn to snack and sip while soaking in the gorgeous surroundings.

It’s not easy to cater to everyone, but Carrick Winery does an impressive job of being as accessible as possible, with an experience that can be adapted to any group, whether arriving on two wheels or by helicopter. While the main restaurant inside is dedicated to fine dining, the outdoor area has a more casual, laid-back atmosphere that pairs just as wonderfully with the wines. In summer, every pocket of the garden buzzes with visitors gathering around picnic tables, lounging on grassy knolls, or enjoying a more intimate moment in the private glasshouses or cabanas. Similar to Monte Christo, Carrick’s Pedal & Pour trailer takes care of all, with coffee and baked goods in the morning, and gourmet pizzas, fries, and ice cream as the day goes on.

A beloved family-friendly destination hidden within the trees between Clyde and Alexandra, Orchard Garden Cafe is home to an enchanting garden setting. The menu is wholesome, simple, and delicious, with options suited to slow mornings in the sun as well as leisurely group lunches. Whether you’re after a coffee and freshly baked scone, or a moreish chicken salad paired with a glass or two of local wine, a few hours at Orchard Garden will leave you feeling revitalised. Don’t leave without a trip through the macrocarpa hedge maze, a joyful adventure for all ages. Cycling the Rail Trail? You can access the café car park directly from the track for a convenient (and tasty) refuelling stop.

Located in Murrells Cottage in the heart of the Cromwell Heritage Precinct, Pinot Junction is a café and wine store full of heart, passion, and some seriously famous cinnamon scrolls. Whether you're a local regular or a first-time visitor, expect to be welcomed as an old friend by owner Kate Barnett and her exceptional team. Seating ranges from cosy indoor corners to picnic tables down at the lake’s edge. On sunny days, the shores of Lake Dunstan are filled with dogs and their owners enjoying a post-walk treat, as well as groups of friends sharing Pinot Junction’s delicious lunch menu.

Open from 7.30am every morning, The Merchant of Clyde is a go-to for locals and out-of-towners in search of great coffee and a hearty brunch to fuel their day of adventure. Choose from a cabinet and countertop laden with freshly baked goods, vibrant salads, and sandwiches, or dig into the rustic yet refined breakfast and lunch menu. During the hot, dry season, the café’s courtyard transforms into a lush garden dining space, brimming with fruitful apricot trees harvested for The Merchant of Clyde’s popular range of preserves.

Another local Clyde favourite, The Post Office is housed in a charming schist stone building that served as the town’s post office until the 1990s. Today, it’s a family-friendly café and restaurant open from morning till night. Out back, you’ll find a green oasis full of picnic tables and fragrant flowers blooming throughout the sunny season. Relax in the garden and enjoy coffee and cheese scones, pancakes and eggs, and hearty pub classics paired with local wines and craft beers. Bliss!

You’re sure to bump into a few characters here, whether it’s Harriet the Hippo or chipper locals. Chatto Creek Tavern is an iconic drinking hole set along the Rail Trail between Alexandra and Omakau. The lively garden space is undeniably the main attraction, where friends and tired cyclists congregate for brews and baskets of fries, and parents enjoy a relaxing afternoon while the kids entertain themselves with a playground, a bottomless box of toys, and a trio of friendly donkeys: Pablo, Henry, and Benjamin Button.

A delightful destination at the end of a winding dirt road, Vulcan Hotel is a historic country pub perched above the Blue Lake in St Bathans. It’s a popular spot even when the weather packs in, thanks to a roaring fire inside, but the dog-friendly beer garden shows off its best side in summer. Settle in for a cold drink, a perfect plate of fish and chips, and don’t forget to bring your togs for a dip in the lake afterwards!

Another culinary destination making the most of the region’s breathtaking beauty, Bannockburn Hotel is perched on a hilltop overlooking vines, lakes, and mountains, let’s just say every seat is the best in the house. While the large windows in the main dining room showcase the Central Otago landscape all year round, the retractable doors open right up in summer, with outdoor tables accommodating long lunches and dreamy sunset dinners. Bannockburn Hotel is renowned among wine and food lovers for its beautiful Spanish-inspired plates and, most notably, an extensive wine list of over 200 bottles, with around 60 wines available by the full or half glass.

Just over the bridge on your way into Cromwell, the irresistible scent of smoky, slow-cooked food will guide you to The Stoaker Room. Set in an outdoor kitchen, the chefs gather around old wine barrels that have been ingeniously repurposed into unique cooking apparatuses, known as “stoakers”, used to grill, bake, steam, and smoke local produce. Everything is designed to be shared, and while lamb, beef, and pork are the heroes, just as much care goes into the vegetables, sauces, and sides. Rain or shine, outdoor dining is a 365-day affair here. In summer, shady picnic tables are spread throughout the courtyard, which transforms into cosy, heated shelters in winter, so you can enjoy the al fresco atmosphere without the frostbite.