Fire and Ice Cafe Restaurant & Bar

About Fire and Ice Cafe Restaurant & Bar

Fire & Ice Cafe Restaurant & Bar sits opposite Hanmer Springs' famous thermal pools, anchoring the village's dining scene with spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas. The venue is designed for all seasons—two large fireplaces provide warmth on crisp winter days, while expansive outdoor dining capitalizes on Hanmer's natural beauty and thermal atmosphere.

The restaurant operates on a no-reservation, first-come-first-served basis, making it an easy, casual destination for families, couples, and groups. An on-site playground keeps children entertained, and the kids menu ensures younger diners are well-catered for. The broader menu spans from breakfast (8am) through late dinner (until 9pm), with distinct offerings for each service—Build Your Own breakfasts, light lunch plates from 11:30am, and a full dinner menu from 5pm.

Fire & Ice has built its reputation on a few signature dishes. The Famous Seafood Platter showcases succulent Pacific Ocean catch with house tartare and crusty bread. The Farm on a Plate is a multi-protein tour de force designed to test even the biggest appetite—lamb chop, beef steak, chicken thigh, ham steak, sausage, tomato, onion rings, fried egg, fries, and a choice of steak sauce. The Chicago-style ribs and house-made fried chicken are celebrated items. Beer Towers are a social draw, especially during the Friday-Saturday Wings & Beers promotion (2-5pm) when a free kilo of wings comes with any tower purchase.

The drink program covers beer (tap and bottle), cider, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. The wine list emphasizes New Zealand regions (Marlborough, Central Otago, North Canterbury) across all classic varietals. Cocktails include reimagined classics like the Peanut Butter Espresso Martini alongside timeless options like the Old Fashioned and Margarita. The bar's weekend promos and beer selections keep it a destination for both diners and drinkers.

Fire & Ice Hanmer Springs: Thermal Pools, Fireplaces, and Pacific Seafood

Fire & Ice Cafe Restaurant & Bar has become the village anchor for casual dining in Hanmer Springs, capitalizing on its prime location opposite the famous thermal pools. The venue combines year-round appeal—spacious outdoor dining for summer guests and warm indoor seating with two large fireplaces for the crisp alpine winters that define the region.

A No-Reservation Casual Approach

The restaurant operates on a deliberate first-come, first-served basis, avoiding the formality of advance bookings. This philosophy shapes the experience: guests arrive, settle in quickly, and enjoy a relaxed meal. An on-site children's playground ensures families don't feel rushed, making Fire & Ice a genuine destination for multigenerational groups.

From Sunrise Breakfasts to Late-Night Cocktails

The day begins at 8am with Build Your Own breakfasts—a budget-friendly anchor that drives weekday morning traffic. Guests construct their own plate from toast, eggs, sausage, mushrooms, bacon, and grilled halloumi. Pancakes, eggs Benedict, and the more adventurous Breakfast Burger (homemade pattie, bacon, egg, hollandaise) round out early service.

Lunch (from 11:30am) pivots to lighter plates—crabcakes, baked brie, tacos—before transitioning into heartier fare. The full dinner menu (from 5pm) unfolds a broad repertoire: steaks (ribeye and rump), seafood (seared salmon, beer-battered fish), and meat-focused showpieces.

The Signature Dishes

Three items define Fire & Ice's reputation. The Famous Seafood Platter showcases Pacific Ocean catch—crayfish, mussels, fish—with house-made tartare and crusty bread. At the other end of the spectrum, the Farm on a Plate is an unapologetic carnivore's dream: lamb chop, beef steak, chicken thigh, ham steak, sausage, tomato, onion rings, fried egg, fries, and a choice of steak sauce.

The Chicago-style ribs bridge the two. Slow-cooked until tender and served on seasoned wedges with sour cream, they're a crowd favorite that appears across multiple menus (half-kilo lunch, six-rib entree).

The Bar Program

The drinks menu is designed for Hanmer's mix of thermal-pool tourists and alpine locals. Tap beers emphasize New Zealand craft (Panhead, Emerson's) alongside accessible mainstream options. The wine list stays deeply regional—Marlborough sauvignons, Central Otago pinots, North Canterbury rieslings—reflecting New Zealand's winemaking geography.

Cocktails lean into both classic (Old Fashioned, Margarita, Cosmopolitan) and playful (Peanut Butter Espresso Martini). The house offers beer towers and a Friday-Saturday Wings & Beers promotion that pairs a free kilo of chicken wings with any tower purchase—a draw for groups and regulars.

Family-Friendly by Design

The kids menu mirrors the adult offerings but in scaled portions and simpler flavors. Kids breakfast runs until 11:30am, kids lunch items from that point forward. The playground operates as a release valve for families mid-meal, and the casual service style means kids can move around without disrupting the dining room.

Location and Ambiance

Sitting opposite the thermal pools, Fire & Ice naturally draws guests between water time and meal time. The dual indoor-outdoor setup allows the venue to shift with the seasons and weather. Summer diners enjoy open-air views and thermal steam rising across the road; winter guests huddle near the fireplaces with hot cocktails or local wine. The result is a venue that feels different each visit—relaxed, accessible, and genuinely part of Hanmer's thermal-holiday rhythm.

Signature items

• Seafood Platter
• Farm on a Plate
• Chicago Style Ribs
• Fire & Ice Chicken Fry
• Beer Tower
• The Fire & Ice Platter

Menu

Beers

• Tap Beer - Beer of the Month — Rotating selection
• Tap Beer - Speights — Classic NZ lager
• Tap Beer - Stella Artois — Premium European lager
• Tap Beer - Panhead Supercharger APA — American pale ale
• Tap Beer - Panhead Sandman Hazy Pale Ale — Hazy pale ale
• Tap Beer - Speights Summit Ultra Low Carb — Low carb option
• Tap Beer - Guinness — Irish stout
• Tap Beer - Zeffer Alcoholic Lemonade — Alcoholic lemonade
• Tap Beer - Emerson's SuperQuench — Local craft beer
• Bottle Beer - Corona — Mexican lager
• Bottle Beer - Corona Cero — Non-alcoholic Corona
• Bottle Beer - Steinlager Classic — NZ premium lager
• Bottle Beer - Steinlager 0% — Non-alcoholic Steinlager
• Bottle Beer - Peroni — Italian lager
• Bottle Beer - Emmerson's Pilsner — NZ craft pilsner
• Bottle Beer - Speights Mid — Low carb beer 2.5%
• Bottle Beer - Mac's Ginger Giant — Ginger flavoured beer

Cider

• Tap Cider - Emerson's Apple — Local apple cider on tap
• Bottle Cider - Orchard Thieves Feijoa & Lime — NZ feijoa and lime cider
• Bottle Cider - Somersby Pear — Pear cider
• Bottle Cider - Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime — Strawberry and lime cider
• Bottle Cider - Zeffer Crisp Apple 0% — Non-alcoholic apple cider

Lunch

• Ribs - 1/2 Kilo — Famous Chicago style ribs on seasoned wedges with sour cream
• Chicken & Bacon Pasta - Lunch — Spaghetti with chicken and bacon in creamy white wine, garlic and parmesan sauce
• Open Steak Sandwich — Tender beef steak cooked to order on toasted ciabatta with lettuce, tomato, mushroom, onion jam and parmesan; served with fries
• Fish & Chips - Lunch — Beer battered fish of the day with potato fries and light salad; pan fried available
• Chicken Stack — Chicken, bacon, mushroom and camembert with pesto dressing and mixed leaves
• Mediterranean Pasta - Lunch — Spinach, pesto, garlic, black olives, sundried tomato in vermicelli pasta with soy
• Giant Burger - Beef — Seasoned beef patty, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, beer battered onion rings, mayo, Dijon mustard with fries
• Giant Burger - Chicken — Coated chicken thigh with bacon, Swiss cheese, Fire & Ice slaw, tomato, garlic aioli with fries
• Giant Burger - Kumara & Halloumi — Kumara rosti, grilled halloumi, lettuce, tomato, Fire & Ice slaw, garlic aioli with fries
• Giant Burger - Pulled Pork — Slow cooked BBQ pulled pork with Fire & Ice slaw and Swiss cheese with fries
• Chicken & Bacon Salad - Lunch — Grilled chicken and crispy bacon with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, poached egg and house vinaigrette
• Latin American Empanadas — Hand crafted empanadas filled with ground beef, onion, tomato, potato, capsicum and cumin in golden pastry; served with chimichurri; three pieces

Mains

• Chef's Inspiration — Slow cooked pork belly on creamy mash with oven roasted broccolini, asparagus spheres and maple mustard gravy
• Creamy Sundried Tomato Chicken — Chicken breast in creamy sundried tomato pesto, garlic, white wine sauce on potato rosti with bacon wrapped green beans
• Fish & Chips - Mains — Beer battered fish of the day with potato fries and salad; pan fried available
• Chicken & Bacon Salad - Mains — Grilled chicken and crispy bacon with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber and house vinaigrette
• Chicken & Bacon Pasta - Mains — Spaghetti with chicken and bacon in creamy white wine, garlic and parmesan sauce
• Mediterranean Pasta - Mains — Spinach, pesto, garlic, black olives, sundried tomato in vermicelli pasta with soy
• Farm on a Plate — Lamb chop, beef steak, chicken thigh, ham steak, sausage, tomato, onion rings, fried egg, fries and choice of steak sauce
• Lamb Rump — Marinated in rosemary, thyme with garlic jus; pan roasted medium rare on creamy mash with bacon wrapped beans
• Venison — 300g medium rare venison Denver leg on creamy mash with chargrilled seasonal vegetables and redcurrant jus
• Salmon — Seared salmon medium rare with crispy potatoes, chargrilled seasonal veg and creamy lime cilantro dressing
• Giant Burger - Mains Beef — Seasoned beef patty, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, beer battered onion rings, mayo, Dijon mustard with fries
• Giant Burger - Mains Chicken — Coated chicken fry with bacon, Swiss cheese, Fire & Ice slaw, tomato, garlic aioli with fries
• Giant Burger - Mains Kumara — Kumara rosti, grilled halloumi, lettuce, tomato, Fire & Ice slaw, garlic aioli with fries
• Giant Burger - Mains Pulled Pork — Slow cooked BBQ pulled pork with Fire & Ice slaw and Swiss cheese with fries
• Ribeye Steak — 300g ribeye with choice of two sides and sauce
• Rump Steak — 350g rump with choice of two sides and sauce

Juices

• Most Apple Juice — Organic apple juice
• Most Orange Juice — Organic orange juice
• Most Mango Juice — Organic mango juice
• Most Apple & Blackcurrant — Organic apple and blackcurrant juice
• Most Apple & Peach — Organic apple and peach juice
• Kerri Juices — Various fruit juice options

Snacks

• Garlic Bread - Snack — Whole baguette with garlic butter and warm cheese sauce for dipping
• Seasoned Wedges — Potato wedges with bacon, cheese and sour cream
• Nachos - Chicken & Chorizo — Topped with mozzarella cheese and sour cream
• Nachos - Vegetarian — Topped with mozzarella cheese and sour cream
• Chicken Fry & Dipping Sauces — Famous fried chicken served with fries, aioli and plum sauce
• Lemon Pepper Calamari — Calamari rings in lemon pepper coating with lemon and garlic aioli
• Fries — Potato fries served with aioli and ketchup
• BBQ Chicken Wings — Fire & Ice famous chicken wings coated in tangy BBQ or spicy buffalo sauce; 1kg

Entrees

• Garlic Bread — Whole baguette smothered in garlic butter with warm cheese dipping sauce
• Flatbreads & Dips — Flatbreads served with trio of dips - beetroot hummus, turmeric hummus and basil pesto
• Satay Chicken Kebabs — Chicken tenderloin coated in herbs and spices with satay sauce and lime wedges
• Ribs - Entree — Six famous Chicago style ribs with spring onion garnish
• Thai Mussels — New Zealand green lipped mussels in garlic, chilli and ginger cream sauce with bread for dipping
• Tandoori Prawns — Charred tandoori prawns with aromatic spices, tzatziki and fresh salad of cucumber, red onion and cherry tomato; served with poppadom
• Latin American Empanadas - Entree — Hand crafted empanadas with ground beef, onion, tomato, potato, capsicum and cumin in golden pastry with chimichurri; three pieces

Desserts

• Creme Brulee — Served with vanilla ice cream and blueberry shortbread
• Apple & Mixed Berry Crumble — Served warm with custard and creamy vanilla ice cream; GF available on request
• Chocolate Brownie — Served with creamy chocolate ice-cream and chocolate sauce
• Churros — Coated in cinnamon sugar with warm chocolate ganache and caramel sauce for dipping
• Sorbet — Today's sorbet flavour served with berry coulis

Platters

• Seafood Platter — Selection of succulent Pacific Ocean seafood with house tartare sauce and crusty bread
• The Fire & Ice Platter - Half — Chicago style pork ribs, garlic baguette, famous chicken fry, chicken wings, salt and pepper calamari, cauliflower bites with three dipping sauces
• The Fire & Ice Platter - Full — Chicago style pork ribs, garlic baguette, famous chicken fry, chicken wings, salt and pepper calamari, cauliflower bites with three dipping sauces

Breakfast

• Pancakes - Bacon, Banana & Maple — Fluffy pancakes with bacon, banana and maple syrup
• Pancakes - Berry & White Chocolate — Pancakes with berry compote and white chocolate shavings
• Breakfast Burger — Homemade beef pattie, bacon, egg, tomato, onion rings and hollandaise
• Eggs Benedict — Toasted ciabatta, wilted spinach, poached eggs, hollandaise; choice of crispy bacon, mushroom or smoked salmon
• Breakfast Vege Stack — Toasted rye, hashbrowns, spinach, mushrooms, tomato, poached eggs, hollandaise; vegan tofu option available
• Granola — Grain-free toasted coconut with NZ hazelnuts, currants, chai and Nelson honey; served with berries and Greek yoghurt
• Bacon, Eggs & Toast — Simple breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast
• Omelette — Eggs, cherry tomatoes, spinach, chives, feta cheese with toasted rye bread; egg white option available
• Creamy Mushrooms — Sauteed mushrooms in garlic and thyme cream sauce over crispy potato rosti
• Build Your Own — Create your breakfast: choose from toast, baked beans, sausage, hash browns, tomato, eggs, mushrooms, bacon, grilled halloumi

Cocktails

• Old Fashioned — Bourbon, sugar, Australian bitters, ice, orange twist
• Peanut Butter Espresso Martini — Espresso martini reimagined with peanut butter whiskey
• Cosmopolitan — Vodka, Cointreau, cranberry in martini glass
• Margarita — Tequila with lime, orange and peach liqueur
• Aperol Spritz — Aperol and Canti prosecco; Italian summer spritzer
• Dark & Stormy — Ginger beer and lime classic
• Long Island Iced Tea — Mix of five white spirits

Wine - Red

• Kopiko Bay Pinot Noir — Marlborough pinot noir
• Greystone Nor'Wester Pinot Noir — North Canterbury pinot noir
• Roaring Meg Pinot Noir — Central Otago pinot noir
• Mt Difficulty Pinot Noir — Central Otago pinot noir
• Kopiko Bay Merlot — Marlborough merlot
• Angus the Bull Cabernet Sauvignon — Australian cabernet sauvignon
• Barossa Valley Shiraz — Australian shiraz

Light Meals

• Crabcakes — Housemade crabcakes served with tartare, lemon wedges and crisp green leaf salad
• Baked Brie — Oven baked brie topped with dried fruit, nuts and honey drizzle; served with crostini and crackers
• Tacos - Crispy Chicken — Lettuce, pickled onion, cherry tomato with cilantro and jalapeno aioli on floury tortilla; two pieces
• Tacos - Pulled Pork — Lettuce, pickled onion, cherry tomato with cilantro and jalapeno aioli on floury tortilla; two pieces

Wine - White

• Kopiko Bay Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough sauvignon blanc
• Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough sauvignon blanc
• Wither Hills Early Light — Marlborough sauvignon blanc
• Waipara Springs Sauvignon Blanc — North Canterbury sauvignon blanc
• Roaring Meg Sauvignon Blanc — Central Otago sauvignon blanc
• Kopiko Bay Chardonnay — Gisborne chardonnay
• Wither Hills Chardonnay — Marlborough chardonnay
• Roaring Meg Chardonnay — Central Otago chardonnay
• Kopiko Bay Pinot Gris — Gisborne pinot gris
• Wither Hills Pinot Gris — Marlborough pinot gris
• Roaring Meg Pinot Gris — Central Otago pinot gris
• Camshorn Riesling — North Canterbury riesling

Kids Breakfast

• Pancakes - Kids — Light, fluffy pancakes with bacon, banana and maple OR berry compote, white chocolate and maple
• Bacon, Egg & Toast - Kids — Bacon and egg served on toast
• Little Big Breakfast — Sausage, egg, bacon and beans served with toast

Kids Lunch & Mains

• Beef Burger - Kids — Beef pattie with lettuce, cheese, tomato, potato fries and ketchup
• Chicken Burger - Kids — Crispy chicken fry with cheese, lettuce, tomato, fries and ketchup
• Chicken Salad Wrap - Kids — Warm flour tortilla with crispy chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomato, cucumber and mayo
• Fish & Chips - Kids — Crumbed fish with potato fries and ketchup; pan fried available
• Creamy Chicken & Bacon Pasta - Kids — Spaghetti with chicken, bacon in creamy garlic and parmesan sauce
• Mediterranean Pasta - Kids — Spinach, pesto, garlic, black olives, sun-dried tomato in vermicelli pasta

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

• Soft Drinks — Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Fanta
• Mixer - Tonic — Premium tonic water
• Mixer - Ginger Ale — Ginger ale
• Lemon, Lime & Bitters — Classic Australian-style mixer
• Old Fashioned Lemonade — House made lemonade
• Schweppes Ginger Beer — Ginger beer
• San Pellegrino Natural Mineral Water — Sparkling mineral water

Wine - Rosé & Sparkling

• The Ned Rosé — Marlborough rosé
• Saddleback Rosé — Central Otago rosé
• Lindauer Sauvignon Blanc — NZ sparkling sauvignon blanc; 200ml
• Lindauer Brut — NZ sparkling brut; 200ml
• Lindauer Fraise — NZ sparkling fraise; 200ml
• Canti Prosecco DOC — Italian prosecco; 200ml
• G.H. MUMM — Champagne; 750ml

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation?

No. Fire & Ice operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Just walk in and staff will arrange a table for you.

What time does Fire & Ice open and close?

Open daily 8am to 9pm. Breakfast is served from 8am-11:30am, lunch from 11:30am-5pm, and dinner from 5pm-9pm.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes. Kids breakfast is available 8am-11:30am, and kids lunch/mains are available from 11:30am onward. All kids meals include a soft drink or juice and an ice cream sundae.

What is Fire & Ice most famous for?

The Famous Seafood Platter, Farm on a Plate (multi-protein plate designed to test the biggest appetite), Chicago-style ribs, and their house-fried chicken are signature items. Beer Towers are also a popular social draw.

Is the restaurant family-friendly?

Absolutely. There is an on-site children's playground, a kids menu, and a casual no-reservation approach. The venue welcomes families throughout service.

What special offers or promotions do you have?

Build Your Own Breakfast is available daily 8am-11:30am at a budget-friendly price. Friday and Saturday 2-5pm features Wings & Beers—any beer tower comes with a free kilo of chicken wings.

What is the location like?

Fire & Ice sits directly opposite Hanmer Springs' famous thermal pools. The restaurant features spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas with fireplaces for winter warmth and open-air seating for summer guests.

Tips

• {"body":"First-come, first-served means peak times can have waits. Arrive early for breakfast or lunch to secure a good table quickly.","title":"Arrive early for no-reservation service"}
• {"body":"It's the restaurant's signature dish and worth the splurge. Pacific Ocean catch with house tartare captures what makes Fire & Ice memorable.","title":"Try the Famous Seafood Platter on a special occasion"}
• {"body":"2-5pm promo offers a free kilo of chicken wings with any beer tower purchase. Great for groups looking for a lively atmosphere and value.","title":"Visit Friday or Saturday for Wings & Beers"}
• {"body":"The location opposite the pools is Fire & Ice's biggest asset. Outdoor seating on a summer day offers a unique Hanmer experience.","title":"Sit outside in summer to maximize the thermal pool views"}
• {"body":"The wine list is heavy on NZ Central Otago and Marlborough selections. A local pinot noir pairs beautifully with the ribeye or lamb rump.","title":"Pair local wine with your steak"}

Good to know

• {"family":"On-site children's playground; kids menu; casual no-reservation policy","dietary":"Vegan options available (vegan Breakfast Vege Stack tofu option, Mediterranean Pasta marked VE); gluten-free bread available; dietary notes on menu","parking":"Easy parking available (noted in reviews)"}