Panners - Bar & Kitchen

About Panners - Bar & Kitchen

Set amongst the rugged scenery of the Kawarau Gorge near Cromwell, Panners - Bar & Kitchen is a welcoming stop offering scenic views, hearty comfort food, and a relaxed destination atmosphere. Whether you are breaking up a Central Otago road trip, catching up over lunch, or joining friends for dinner, the space brings people together around familiar favourites crafted with care.

The kitchen specialises in stone-baked pizzas crafted on house-made dough, along with hearty burgers, fresh salads, pasta dishes, and generous sharing plates. Morning visitors can drop by for Allpress espresso, fresh cabinet bites like jalapeño and cheese scones, and a curated selection of local wines and beverages. With indoor seating and outdoor vantage points overlooking the gorge, it serves as a natural gathering point between Queenstown, Wānaka, and Cromwell.

Panners Bar & Kitchen: Stone-Baked Slices and Scenic Dining in Kawarau Gorge

Perched along Kawarau Gorge Road between Queenstown, Wānaka, and Cromwell, Panners - Bar & Kitchen offers travellers and Central Otago locals a rewarding pause in their journey. Framing dramatic views of the gorge, this relaxed venue combines the atmosphere of an easygoing roadhouse eatery with the care of a contemporary regional kitchen.

Whether stopping off for a morning coffee before heading into the hills or settling into an unhurried booth for lunch, Panners leans into comfort food done properly. The surrounding schist landscapes make it a scenic meeting spot right in the middle of the region's main thoroughfares.

Stone-Baked Craft and In-House Dough

The centrepiece of the menu is their stone-baked pizza offering. The team prepares their pizza dough in-house daily, resulting in an airy crust and a crisp, well-structured base. Finished in a dedicated stone-baked oven, the pies balance classic simplicity with adventurous toppings.

Standouts include the signature Red Curry Prawn pizza, which pairs fragrant, spiced curry creaminess with plump seafood on a blistered crust, alongside crowd-pleasers like the Margherita finished with decadent burrata. Regulars also look forward to midweek pizza specials designed for easy takeout on the journey home.

Generous Plates and Morning Essentials

Beyond pizzas, the kitchen offers a full lunch and dinner lineup starting from midday. Diners will find hearty burgers, comforting pasta plates, crisp salads, and generous sharing boards loaded with crispy fried favourites and sides that encourage lingering over drinks. The bar maintains a regional focus, pouring Central Otago wines and refreshing craft beverages alongside standard pub favourites.

For early travellers passing through the gorge from mid-morning, the cabinet counter fills with freshly baked treats like their signature jalapeño and cheese scones, accompanied by hot Allpress coffee. Between community pub quiz nights, marathon recovery specials, and family gatherings, Panners remains a reliable social hub set against one of Otago's most rugged backdrops.

Signature items

• Red Curry Prawn Pizza
• Margherita with Burrata
• Jalapeño & Cheese Scone
• Stone-Baked House Pizzas
• Allpress Coffee & Morning Bites

Menu

Pizzas

• Red Curry Prawn Pizza — Creamy and fragrant with a kick of spice, topped on a house-made stone-baked base
• Margherita with Burrata — Stone-baked classic pizza finished with creamy burrata cheese
• Handcrafted Stone-Baked Pizzas — Made-to-order pizzas prepared on fresh house-made dough and cooked in a stone oven

Beverages

• Allpress Coffee — Freshly brewed specialty coffee and espresso drinks
• Local Wines & Full Bar Selection — Regional Central Otago wines, beers, and a full drinks menu

Mains & Classics

• Hearty Burgers — Freshly made burgers served with chips and familiar house toppings
• Hearty Pasta Dishes — Comforting pasta dishes made to order
• Fresh Salads — Crisp seasonal salads designed for light lunching or sharing
• Sharing Plates & Small Plates — Assorted savoury platters and sides including chicken, fries, and shareable bites

Cabinet & Morning Bites

• Jalapeño & Cheese Scone — Baked fresh daily and packed with cheese and a gentle kick of jalapeño
• Fresh Cabinet Bites & Pastries — Daily selection of fresh morning snacks and baked cabinet items

Frequently asked questions

Where is Panners Bar & Kitchen located?

Panners is situated at 803 Kawarau Gorge Road near Cromwell, set amongst the scenery of the Kawarau Gorge between Queenstown, Wānaka, and Cromwell.

When does the kitchen open for lunch?

Doors open at 10:00 am Tuesday to Sunday for coffee, cabinet bites, and drinks, with the full lunch menu available starting from 12:00 pm.

Are stone-baked pizzas available for takeaway?

Yes, takeaway pizzas are available for collection, including regular specials such as two takeaway pizzas for $40 on Tuesdays.

Can you host private functions or events at Panners?

Yes, Panners hosts private gatherings, celebrations, and community events such as regular pub quizzes, with table bookings available online.

Do you need a reservation to visit?

Both reservations and walk-ins are welcomed, though booking ahead online via their website is recommended for peak meal times and events.

Tips

• {"body":"Every Tuesday, Panners offers two takeaway pizzas for collection, making it a great road trip dinner stop.","title":"Stop by for the Tuesday Takeaway Special"}
• {"body":"Doors open at 10am for Allpress coffee and cabinet food, but arrive from 12pm onwards if you want burgers, pasta, or made-to-order stone-baked pizzas.","title":"Midday Timing for the Full Menu"}
• {"body":"Participants in regional events like the Lake Dunstan Trail Marathon can show their race bib for meal discounts.","title":"Keep an Eye Out for Local Race Discounts"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Spacious venue suitable for family meals, baby celebrations, and group get-togethers"}