Central Otago, New Zealand, is a region known for its excellent food experiences, attracting food lovers with its award-winning restaurants, cellar doors, and food events. The terrain and weather patterns of the region create ideal growing conditions for various produce, including cherries. Here are some notable restaurants and cafes in Central Otago:
The Stoaker Room offers a unique "Barrel Cuisine" experience, featuring a stoaker banquet with gourmet game, meat, and seafood. Pitches Store, housed in a stone building, provides fine-dining comfort food such as lamb with gooseberry chutney and braised beef cheek, paired with New Zealand wines. Eat.Taste.Central is a springtime event where local establishments collaborate to create a "Central Otago Regional Menu" celebrating the region's culinary delights. The Courthouse Café & Bar, established in 1876, is renowned for great coffee, excellent food, and an outdoor dining area to enjoy the balmy weather of Central Otago. The Old Clyde, located in the historic Bank of New Zealand building in Clyde, offers a cozy atmosphere and delicious food. Waipiata Country Hotel provides a rustic dining experience, featuring country-sized pies and a welcoming ambiance. Olivers Restaurant and Bar, a historic venue built in 1869, offers dine-in options and a café/bakery with an open kitchen. Bannockburn Hotel Wine Country Restaurant and Bar, with an unassuming frontage, offers sharing food and an exceptional wine list with over 200 local and international options. Carrick Winery provides a fine dining experience with a focus on local ingredients. These examples showcase the diverse culinary experiences that await visitors to Central Otago.