F is for Food

We are incredibly fortunate at The Cottages at Lake Hayes to be surrounded by so many world class restaurants, as well as being close to a fantastic farm shop and a farmers market.

For those that are looking to head out for a bite to eat, we would recommend the following ... 

Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen for brunch.

Owner and Executive Chef John Pickens, and his team offer hand-crafted cuisine that is made from scratch, using New Zealand’s finest sustainable ingredients, sourced in and around the four coasts of the South Island. The waffles are out of this world:

And after brunch, why not taste some, or all, of Mora's delicious Central Otago wines at the Mora Cellar Door. Their friendly and knowledgeable team will host you with much humour and banter, and you will leave with a greater understanding of their vineyards in the Bannockburn and Pisa subregions and how these unique landscapes shape the flavours and textures of the wines.

For dinner, if you are looking to spoil yourself, head to Amisfield, and let Vaughan Mabee take you for an exploration of the season's best local produce via his degustation menu that can also be matched with wines produced on Amisfield's single vineyard estate. Amisfield's focus is on creating dishes that represent the work of a small group of fisherman, hunters, gatherers and farmers, who bring their products together to epitomise the tastes of Central Otago and these dishes cumulate in a dining experience that helps define NZ cuisine to the world. 

If you are looking for somewhere a little more casual but equally as delicious, then La Rumbla is for you - an exceptional tapas and cocktail bar in historic Arrowtown. La Rumbla was born upon Sam and PJ's return from living in Spain, where they took inspiration from the streets and culture of Catalonia, providing dining until late with a lively and relaxed atmosphere. Their ever changing menu is a collection of ideas from not only Spain but Latin America and the Mediterranean. 

For those that are wanting to stay in and make use of the fully equipped kitchen at The Cottages at Lake Hayes, and have a "home" cooked meal using local produce, whilst taking in the stunning sunset on Lake Hayes and the surrounding mountains, then we would recommend that you stock up your fridge and pantry at the following ...

The Royalburn Farm Shop

In a bid to directly connect people with where their food is grown, Nadia Lim and Carlos have converted an old shed in Arrowtown into a farm shop where you can buy Royalburn produce straight off the farm and meet the people who have grown, raised and harvested it. The shop is filled to the brim with fresh produce, meats, charcuterie, free-range eggs and other small goods. It’s the perfect place to put together a beautiful meal or picnic, or pick up a culinary gift. The farm shop interior – everything from the corrugated iron walls to the timber display shelves – is made of recycled materials from the farm’s past buildings and machinery, so it’s a little slice of history. On the walls you will see tools, bottles and other bits and bobs found on the farm, many from the late 1800s. 

And if you are staying at The Cottages on a Saturday between October and April, then head to The Remarkables Market, where you can shop, eat and relax while listening to live music in this unique mountain setting at Remarkables Park. You'll find quality produce including fruit and vegetables, coffee, fresh bread and pastries, tea, cheese, salmon, honey, award winning sausages, sauces, olive oil, cupcakes, wine, freshly made juices and coffee. Brunch and lunch options available with options for vegetarians & vegans. A variety of wonderful crafts including handmade cards, home wares, jewellery, ceramic art and Christmas decorations, cushions, children's clothing, soaps and candles. Family friendly with a huge children's sandpit, picnic rugs provided, and newspapers on their coffee tables. 

For a real treat, you can have a platter of all sorts of local goodies, including artisan cheeses from Gibbston Valley & Whitestone, charcuterie from A Lady Butcher, hot smoked salmon from Fishwives Smokehouse, freshly baked bread, pate and more, delivered to your cottage by Rosie's Plate. Many of our guests take the platter up to the fire pit and enjoy it with a glass of local pinot noir whilst watching the setting sun on the lake and the mountains beyond. A great way to end the day.

There are so many other great restaurants and cafes in the area, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time to enjoy as many of them as possible when you stay at The Cottages at Lake Hayes. 

Posted by The Cottages on February 05, 2023