Casual Dining

Wharekauhau offers a 'Trust the Chef' concept for casual dining. It is a great way to sample the best from the kitchen and estate, whilst spending time in the wonderful environment that is Wharekauhau!

Relax and enjoy a true destination dining day out. After lunch feel free to stroll the expansive gardens, or relax by an open fire. Please note only one final account per table, unless pre-arranged. This is subject to our availability.

Sample Lunch Menu

As much as we dislike admitting it, when it comes to food, the chef does know best, and we trust his knowledge! The talented team in the kitchen create a 4 course degustation-style tasting menu each day, (4 course set menu, with options for main course). 

The inspiration behind the menu is to showcase the bounty that we harvest from our local region, paying particular homage to the natural systems at play. The pastures, streams, coastline, forests, gardens and orchards are a proverbial natural grocery store for us to seek produce, and inspiration. Looking further afield, our suppliers are people we know and trust, who follow similar guiding principles and practices.

We believe food is a fabulous medium for people to bond over, share stories, and break bread. We would be thrilled to share this menu and our concept with you.

Bookings cancelled less than 48 hours out will result in a cancellation fee of 50% of booking.

Seating start from 12 noon, with the last option for seating at 1:30pm

Should you have a party of 10 persons or more on Mondays, Tuesdays,or Wednesdays we will open the restaurant.

Please ensure your party are dressed in smart casual attire befitting of one of the worlds best luxury lodges. We also ask guests to be conscious of our in-house guests that may be around the lodge during the dining experience.

If you are arriving via car please park in the carpark to the right of reception and make your way to the lodges front entrance where you will be welcomed.

We ask that guests depart the property no later than 4.00pm, unless arranged prior with the lodge.

If you have arranged a private driver please pre-advise the lodge of their name, contact details and time they are due to collect you form the lodge.

Being a small property in a rather remote part of New Zealand we ask that you please pre-advise us of any dietary requirements or food allergies that we can alert our kitchen and restaurant to. Please understand that we do our absolute best to cater for these requests.