Where to Eat in Cromwell: The Best Restaurants and Bars

December 27, 2017 Misti Hsu

Discover the best restaurant in Cromwell, New Zealand including Carrick Winery & Restaurant, Lazy Dog, The Winery Restaurant at Mt Difficulty, Cromwell Brew House, Nichols Garden Cafe, Bannockburn Hotel - Wine Country Restaurant and Bar, Armando's Kitchen, Wild Earth Outdoor Kitchen & Cellar Door, Tarras Country Coffee Shop, Thai Crom Restaurant
Things to do in Cromwell

1. Carrick Winery & Restaurant

247 Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn, Cromwell 9384, New Zealand Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Wine Bar, New Zealand, Gluten Free Options, Vegetarian Friendly Lunch, Drinks +64 3-445 3480
Excellent
61%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 277 reviews

Carrick Winery & Restaurant

Reviewed By AJMglobaltraveller - London, United Kingdom

Lovely lunch at Carrick with a nice glass of Pinot Noir. We were sat on the Terrace under the sails. The lunch platter was three different types of bread, green lip mussels, frittata, cheese, salami, pastrami, salmon, hummus and a beetroot dip. Delicious.

2. Lazy Dog

Cnr Gladsmuir Road & Cromwell-Wanaka Highway | Sh6, Cromwell 9383, New Zealand Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible Wine Bar, New Zealand, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Breakfast, Dinner HK$157 - HK$228 +64 3-445 3211
Excellent
64%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 70 reviews

Lazy Dog

Relaxed Dining & Wine Tasting. Restaurant, Cellar Door with wine tasting and retail pantry . Produce for the menu supplied from own garden, alongside our wine and preserves.

Reviewed By Nmsj1957 - Bathurst, Australia

Passing by and called in on a whim. Although without a reservation, we were given a table on the verandah overlooking the Gardens and surrounding farms. Meals were tasty and well presented. Good range of wines and beers also available.

3. The Winery Restaurant at Mt Difficulty

73 Felton Road, Bannockburn, Cromwell 9384, New Zealand Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Accepts Credit Cards European, Wine Bar, New Zealand, Contemporary, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Brunch HK$157 - HK$196 +64 3-445 3445
Excellent
74%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 466 reviews

The Winery Restaurant at Mt Difficulty

The Winery Restaurant at Mt Difficulty provides a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy a delicious lunch. The restaurant is open daily between 12 noon and 4pm. On a fine day the outdoor Terrace is the perfect spot to take in the flavours of the region while enjoying the uniquely Central Otago views. The chef produces imaginative cuisine, and the menu showcases the freshest of produce, with a choice of substantial fare or platters to share. The kitchen is open and the dining environment is casual. All main meal options come with suggested wine matches, though diners are welcome to make their own choices during a complimentary wine tasting at our Cellar Door tasting counter. Reservations are essential - demand is high year round and much of our Seating is weather dependent.

Reviewed By David E - Leicester, United Kingdom

We had lunch here on our "Queenstown Wine Trail Bannockburn's Finest Full Day Tour". The menu contained many interesting dishes, but we both chose to eat the fish of the day which turned out to be wonderful. The Teraki and scallops were absolutely perfectly cooked and served on an onion purée with lovely tomatoes, potatoes and pine nuts. We would have been pleased if we had been served a dish of this quality in a Michelin starred restaurant. Once we had ordered our lunch we had a tasting of several Mount Difficulty wines, partly with an eye to choosing glasses of wine to accompany our lunch, before returning to eat. The tasting theoretically consisted of 5 wines, but we were actually offered more. All in all a wonderful lunchtime experience.

4. Cromwell Brew House

71 The Mall | Central Otago, Cromwell 9310, New Zealand Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Reservations, Wheelchair Accessible Bar, Pub, New Zealand, International Lunch +64 3-445 0725
Excellent
16%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
5%
Terrible
19%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 84 reviews

Cromwell Brew House

Reviewed By bob t - Gore, New Zealand

Attentive wait staff and a good pub type menu. Portion size also good. Speights on tap and in a handle was good unlike some other restaurants we have encountered.

5. Nichols Garden Cafe

11 Iles St, Cromwell 9384, New Zealand Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Reservations Cafe, New Zealand, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +64 3-445 0242
Excellent
38%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
7%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 134 reviews

Nichols Garden Cafe

A cafe that is set inside nichols garden center

Reviewed By Peter A - Auckland, New Zealand

Visited this place twice for mid-morning snacks when passing through Cromwell and was impressed with the ambiance plus quality of food choices on the menu and in cabinets. The coffee was excellent and service attentive and pleasant. Recommended if passing through Cromwell.

6. Bannockburn Hotel - Wine Country Restaurant and Bar

420 Bannockburn Road, Bannockburn, Cromwell 9384, New Zealand Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Reservations, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards Mediterranean, Bar, New Zealand, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$55 - HK$165 +64 3-445 0615
Excellent
64%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
3%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 231 reviews

Bannockburn Hotel - Wine Country Restaurant and Bar

The Bannockburn Hotel is a Wine Country Restaurant and Bar is just across the bridge from Cromwell, a thriving township in the heart of Central Otago. We are privileged to look out over some of the finest vineyards in the world. We’ve seen the Gold Rush of the 1860’s, the Chinese settlements have come and gone, the valley has flooded and we’re still here serving great food, beer, and amazing local wine. With over 150 wines on our list and more than 40 of those are available by the glass, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to sample some fantastic wine with your lunch, dinner, or lazy grazing snack. Our restaurant and bar menu is a sharing or tapas style and features a varied list of innovative dishes for you to experience together with friends and family. Alternatively, you can choose from the list of classic pub favourites. Come and lose an afternoon or two in our beer Gardens, taking in the views or relaxing in front of the fire… after all, this is a pub with history, in fact we had the first liquor license in Central Otago. The historic nature of the pub’s name does indicate that we have accommodation on site, however there has been no accommodation since the late 90’s. This will be rectified in a few years’ time so watch this space …

Reviewed By RossofIslington - Christchurch, New Zealand

Short drive over the bridge from Cromwell. Stunning views back toward the Mountains. Great selection of lunch time fare. We both enjoyed fantastic beef burgers with fries served on a wooden board. We have copied the style of making burgers at home using similar ingredients with excellent results. Service was first class and the ambiance outstanding. Top marks.

7. Armando's Kitchen

71 Melmore Terrace | Old Cromwell Precinct, Cromwell 9310, New Zealand Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa Cafe, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Dinner, Brunch, Late Night HK$47 - HK$141 +64 3-445 0303
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 266 reviews

Armando's Kitchen

Here at Armando's Kitchen Italian Cafe' we pride ourselves in serving top quality,locally sourced food. Overlooking Lake Dunstan in Old Cromwell Precinct you can come and sip our delicious coffee or have a full lunch in our beautiful Central Otago surroundings. We offer a light lunch menu and traditional Italian dishes prepared by Chef Armando. Our menu also includes classic New Zealand dishes to please our Kiwi friends. Call in for a coffee or award winning locally produced gelato! WE ARE OPEN ON FRIDAY ALL DAY FROM 9.00 AM -8.00 PM FRIDAY NIGHT PIZZA NIGHT !! THURSDAYS FRIDAYS SATURDAYS OPEN FOR DINNER CALL TO BOOK YOUR TABLE !!CIAO

Reviewed By SouthernDuo - Dunedin, New Zealand

We visited for the first time and were delighted with the food. Well made pizza, good salads, nice fish.
Service was a bit haphazard- we were ignored for quite a while when we arrived. The cramped building meant we felt very much in the way of the serving staff, however nobody greeted us or showed us to our table.
However the food was worth the shortfall in service and the price was reasonable.
We will definitely return.

8. Wild Earth Outdoor Kitchen & Cellar Door

803 Kawarau Gorge Road | Goldmining Centre Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell 9384, New Zealand Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol Wine Bar, New Zealand, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Brunch, Drinks HK$47 - HK$228 +64 3-445 4841
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 320 reviews

Wild Earth Outdoor Kitchen & Cellar Door

Cross the bridge over the Mighty Kawarau River to join us in our idillic Central Otago setting, surrounded by Wild Thyme and rocky outcrops.

Reviewed By mrankin8 - Melbourne, Australia

We took a beautiful drive from Queenstown through Cromwell to Wild Earth for lunch. The unique setting added to the experience and excellent food and wine topped it off. The staff were lovely, relaxed and only too happy to spend time explaining the menu, wine and the method off cooking in oak barrels. A lovely memory to keep of our holiday in NZ.

9. Tarras Country Coffee Shop

State Highway 8 | Tarras, Cromwell 9383, New Zealand Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Takeout, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible Cafe, New Zealand, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch +64 3-445 2821
Excellent
45%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
7%
Terrible
10%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 142 reviews

Tarras Country Coffee Shop

Reviewed By Gavin H

Tarras is an oasis on a stretch of pleasant NZ country road. If you're travelling to/from Queenstown or other nearby towns, plan your trip to stop off at Tarras.
There's a neat little country store, a merino shop, a great cafe, very modern and clean public toilets, and plenty of parking.
We ordered coffees at the cafe, as well as an impresdive wedge of bacon and egg pie. Our coffees and food were great. The staff were very friendly.
A popular little spot.

10. Thai Crom Restaurant

54 The Mall, Cromwell, New Zealand Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Highchairs Available, Full Bar Asian, Thai, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner 445-1546
Excellent
45%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
5%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 102 reviews

Thai Crom Restaurant

Reviewed By djcj - Louth, Lincs, UK

In need of refurbishment. Nothing authentic about the food here. Staff pleasant enough and is a BYO. Paid the same here as we did in Dunedin 2 nights later at The Hutong (also BYO) and there was absolutely no comparison in terms of food, presentation, decor, service and ambiance.
No would not recommend this place. We felt like we'd been ripped off.

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