River-T Wines Cellar Door
River-T Wines Cellar Door is a small boutique vineyard with a mix of grape varieties, on the banks of the Waitaki…
Foodies, unite! Indulge in award-winning wine, food and friendly hospitality in Waitaki. Find exceptional fine dining, craft breweries, award-winning wineries, globally-recognised cheese, pub grub, and brunch-worthy bakeries and cafes from Ōamaru up the Waitaki Valley and along the coast to Dunedin.
Award-winning wine and cheese
Tickle your tastebuds with the region’s drop. Head to the banks of the Waitaki River for a long lunch at River-T Wines, or enjoy a nightcap at VALLI Wine Bar in Kurow.
What better way to pair your wine with cheese than at Whitestone Cheese Diner & Deli, a retrofitted American-style diner serving up delicious food with a cheesy twist. Making cheese since ‘87, Whitestone Cheese has gone from DIY in a dairy farmer’s garage to recognition on a global scale.
Choose from a selection of gourmet burgers, cheese rolls, platters and milkshakes, or make it dinner and drinks with cheese to match. Bon Appetit!
A taste of the Victorian Precinct
Visitors are spoilt for choice with the number of hidden gems on offer. Stroll down the Victorian Precinct in Ōamaru and stop off at local favourite The Harbour Collective for a fresh coffee or hearty meal.
For an afternoon to evening tipple, pop into Craftwork Brewery for a Belgian-style beer handcrafted on site or mingle with the cocktail menu at Victorian Lounge Bar. Next door you’ll find Cucina, the award-winning restaurant boasting fresh produce and a seasonal menu, or their sister cafe on Tees St for brunch favourites with a twist.
For a slice of history and a heritage pub, you can’t go past the flagship building, The Criterion Hotel Bar and Eatery.
Cucina
Having won the gold medal in the 2019’s Beef and Lamb excellence awards, as well as other awards, dining at Cucina is a…
Craftwork Brewery and Tasting Room
We are a Belgian-inspired brewery, making Farmhouse, Abbey, and Barrel-aged sour beer, and in the heart of…
Exceptional coffee and delicious sweet treats
For a hearty pie or that home baked feeling, follow your nose down Thames St and beyond.
Check out Badger & Mackerel, Shortblack, The Galley, Milligan’s Cafe & Store and more. There’s plenty of delicious options on offer!
Indulge the senses in pristine natural beauty
For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, book your visit to The Black Diamond by The Lindis.
Ride by horseback into the remote reaches of the Ahuriri Valley before enjoying a champagne picnic or a three-course lunch prepared by the Lindis chef.
Bask in the sun or sit indoors while enjoying panoramic views of the valley beyond.
Hidden gems and highly revered
If you like hidden gems, get off the beaten path and visit Riverstone Kitchen, next to Dot’s iconic Riverstone Castle.
The award-winning restaurant is owned by chef Bevan Smith, whose ethos is reflected in fresh, seasonal menus inspired by the all-encompassing gardens that surround Riverstone Kitchen.
Tickle your tastebuds from mountains to sea
Driving inland along the Waitaki Valley, stop off at Waitaki Braids for a cup of fresh coffee and the perfect pick-me-up – it's a community favourite!
For comfort food and delectable pub grub, head to the Kurow Hotel or the Ōtemātātā Best Dam Pub.
If you’re heading to Moeraki, grab a huge ice cream in Hampden, or have lunch at the famous food truck The Fish Wife once you reach your destination. Rumour has it they have the freshest crayfish in town.
