I’ll take THE HIGH TEA ROAD!
ANNABELLE WHITE ENJOYS SOME CULINARY CAPERS ON TOUR
To me, the journey is as important as the destination. Here, in New Zealand, we have beautiful scenery, fantastic fresh air, good roads and hopefully delicious rest stops. Finding tea rooms where you are overwhelmed with great choices – from great home baking through to a good coffee – is a top priority and far removed from the days when your only choice was your Thermos and picnic basket on the roadside.
I recently toured the country for Farmlands Ladies’ Nights and these places were well worth the detour! Sometimes it’s even worth phoning ahead to make sure their specialist treats, such as doughnuts at The Court House, will be there when you arrive.
If you are in Dunedin, leave time to go into Best Café on Stuart St, just minutes from the Railway Station. If it’s a Saturday, head to the Otago Farmers’ Market at the station first, then leave room for the café’s most divine fresh fish, fries and a salad. Owner and patron is the delightful Jessica Marks. Earlier this year, she came home from the UK, where she was working as a chef, to buy her great-grandfather’s former business, which was established in 1932. Jess is committed to great simple food – the pan-fried blue cod or battered cod will leave you speechless.
Heading out to Central Otago, leave time to stop at Marsh’s Honey in Ettrick and pick up a jar of stunning product, then head to Roxburgh. Be sure to pick up a Jimmy’s Pie for later, and stop at 103 The Store and Lounge.
‘Great simple food – the pan-fried blue cod or battered cod will leave you speechless’
Owners Teresa Bennetts and Sally Smith are super-fun, and Kelly Jeffrey on the counter will guide you through all the delicious treats to enjoy with a great coffee. The lounge, or café, has been open for five years, but Sally and Teresa have had the store for 22 years.
Next stop, The Courthouse Café & Bar in Alexandra, where the beautifully appointed space filled with masses of flowers will delight your senses, then on closer inspection, the cabinet food is sure to overwhelm with super options. Friday is cake day. If you “like” the business on Facebook, they’ll give you
a free little cake! On Saturdays, talented chef Rebecca Farrell serves specialty doughnuts – brandy snap doughnut, anyone? Her husband, Dublin-raised Barry, is a great host.
Head to Ranfurly’s E-Central café for scrumptious homemade scones and great baking, all served with good coffee, where owner Di Brenssell is super-friendly. Cyclists from the nearby Rail Trail love to pop in here.
Hokitika has great coffee at Stella Café, while at Fat Pipi, whitebait pizza with salad, designed by Pamela Byrne, is outstanding. Forty kilometres north of Hokitika (and 10km south of Greymouth), King
Dick Café at the Shantytown Heritage Park has a great afternoon tea option.
Call ahead to book a high tea and get a “free pass” at the ticket office to get to the café – Monica Pfiefer, who runs the café, is very kind and helpful. In Kumara Junction, heading to Arthur’s Pass, Amanda and Brenda at the Junction Café and Honey Centre might even throw in a delicious whitebait pattie with your free-range poached egg breakfast!
Heading from west to east across the South Island, in Blenheim I have a few favourites. Order a coffee and a home-made pie at Burleigh Pies and if you are passing through the town, head to Chantilly Cafe for traditional home baking and hot meals with Pat Holm and her team.
If it’s later in the day and late in the week, stop off at Roast on the Run. It has wonderful meat, great service and is incredibly inexpensive. It serves generous portions and is mainly takeaway, but some table seating is available.