Top Choice Cafe in Alexandra
Courthouse Cafe & Larder
Fairy lights and bounteous botanical displays dispel any lingering austerity in this stone courthouse building, dating from 1878. The counter groans under the weight of an extraordinary array of baked goods (cakes, …
Top Choice Modern NZ in Clyde
Oliver's
Housed in a gold-rush era general store, this classy complex incorporates a craft brewery, bar and bakery-cafe within its venerable stone walls. The restaurant shifts gears from on-trend cafe fare at lunchtime to a …
Top Choice Cafe in Cromwell
Armando's Kitchen
Cromwell's heritage precinct is best enjoyed from the veranda of Armando's Kitchen, with an espresso or gourmet ice cream in hand. The homemade pasta, pizza and cakes are all excellent, and the breakfasts are legend…
Historic Building in Cromwell
Cromwell Heritage Precinct
When the Clyde Dam was completed in 1992 it flooded Cromwell's historic town centre, 280 homes, six farms and 17 orchards. Many historic buildings were disassembled before the flooding and have since been rebuilt in…
Historic Building in Lauder, Omakau & Ophir
Ophir Post Office
The most photogenic of Ophir's many heritage buildings is this still-functioning 1886 post office, the oldest continually operated post office in NZ. Drop in to get your postcard stamped with a unique Ophir postmark…
Winery in Cromwell
Carrick
Around a dozen or so Bannockburn wineries are open to the public; several offer notable dining. Carrick is up there with the best, with an art-filled restaurant opening out on to a terrace and lush lawns, and a will…
Bakery in Roxburgh
Jimmy’s Pies
Renowned throughout the lower South Island since 1959, Jimmy’s pastry delights are best just out of the oven. If you're at a loss about which of the 20 different varieties of pies to choose, go for the apricot chick…
Pub in Ranfurly
Waipiata Country Hotel
Around 10km from Ranfurly, this friendly country pub right on the rail trail is a great spot to quench your post-ride thirst. It also offers good pub meals – like deer and beer pies and tasty burgers – and has rooms…
Cafe in Lauder, Omakau & Ophir
Stationside Cafe
Country hospitality is on show at this great little trailside place with wonderfully charming hosts. Options include tasty breakfasts, healthy salads and soups, as well as a mouth-watering selection of just-baked sc…
Pub Food in Cromwell
Bannockburn Hotel
A recent refurbishment has turned this historic Bannockburn watering hole into a stylish modern pub with a tapas-inspired sharing menu and a wine list longer than your arm. It's 5km out of town, but it operates a fr…