Powerhouse Cafe & Restaurant

About Powerhouse Cafe & Restaurant

The Powerhouse Cafe occupies one of Hanmer Springs' more storied buildings: constructed in 1926 to house a small hydro-electric generator fed by water from the Rogerson River along wooden-staved penstocks, it once supplied power to Queen Mary Hospital and a few street lights before serving time as a vegetable shop and storage facility. Today the industrial bones are honoured in the decor, and the room has become a local icon for great coffee, baking and breakfasts.

Owned and managed by the much loved Mary Holloway with a small, passionate team, the cafe serves breakfast, brunch and lunch built on fresh, seasonal and local produce, with a menu crafted by its team of chefs. Dietary needs are catered for without compromising on quality or flavour — gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options run throughout — and there is a dedicated children's menu for younger guests.

Coffee is Mojo's organic, fair trade 'The Injection' blend, and the cabinet is baked in-house daily with gluten free, dairy free and vegan treats always available. Sit in the sun beneath the trees of the neighbouring Queen Mary Reserve, or cosy up on a cold day and soak up the history — the Heritage Forest, mountain bike tracks and hot pools are all close at hand. Open 7 days, 7.30am–2pm, dine in or take away.

Powerhouse Cafe Hanmer Springs: Historic Power Station Turned Breakfast and Brunch Favourite

On Jacks Pass Road, in a building that once made the lights come on in Hanmer Springs, the Powerhouse Cafe now does a rather different job: it fuels people. The building went up in 1926 to house a small hydro-electric generator, driven by water carried from the Rogerson River along wooden-staved penstocks. The power it made supplied the Queen Mary Hospital and a few street lights; by 1934 the main lines had connected Hanmer Springs with the rest of the grid, and the little powerhouse moved on to other lives — a vegetable shop, a storage facility — before finding its calling as a cafe. The modern decor honours that industrial history, and the result is one of the village's most distinctive rooms in which to eat breakfast.

Owned and managed by the much loved Mary Holloway and run with a small, passionate team, the Powerhouse has become an icon in Hanmer Springs for its great coffee, baking and breakfasts. The kitchen works to three stated principles — fresh, flavourful and friendly — with a menu built on seasonal and local produce. Dietary requirements are treated as part of the job rather than an afterthought: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options run through the menu, and there is a dedicated children's menu to keep younger guests happy.

What the regulars order

The Highland Fling is the showpiece: rolled oats simmered in milk, served with caramelised rhubarb and banana, brûlée sugar blow-torched to a crunchy finish, a wee lick o' Drambuie and cream on the side — porridge turned into pure decadence. Eggs Benedict gets a local rework, its poached eggs and Manuka-smoked bacon sitting on crispy grilled potato rosti under the house hollandaise; swap the bacon for cold-smoked salmon and it becomes Eggs Montreal, or take the spinach-and-parmesan Eggs Florentine. The French Toast Crumpets — batter-coated crumpets grilled and loaded with berry and black cherry compote or bacon and banana — come with gluten free, dairy free and vegan routes through the dish, as do the plant-based Powerhouse Pancakes with poached cardamom pear and coconut yoghurt.

Heartier appetites head for the Powerhouse Big Breakfast — two eggs, Manuka-smoked bacon, sausage, chorizo, a whipped colcannon potato cake, toast and the house tomato relish — or the Loaded Nacho Breakfast with the kitchen's own mild tomato chilli beans. At lunch, served from 11am to 2pm, the seafood chowder of tarakihi and smoked salmon in a creamy wine and herb potage is the classic move, though the sesame-crusted seared tuna tataki, the Silver Fern Farms organic ribeye steak sandwich and the 'Flavours of the Hurunui' salad with Akaroa salmon or grilled haloumi all have their fans. The kids are covered too, from Baby Bear's Porridge to a crispy pizza.

Coffee, cabinet and cacao

The coffee is Mojo — the independent Wellington roastery founded by Steve and Julie Gianoutsos in 2003 — and specifically The Injection, an organic, fair trade blend with notes of dark chocolate, cloves and nutmeg and a dark cocoa finish. Every coffee is a double shot, and the list stretches from short blacks to cappuccinos served in a bowl, plus matcha, beetroot and fresh turmeric lattes. More unusual still are the drinks from the Cacao Ambassador: a hot cacao super smoothie blending 100% cacao with maca, tahini, cashew butter, hemp, chia and banana, and a ceremonial cacao elixir the menu calls a 'hug in a mug'.

The cabinet is baked in the cafe every day — scones, muffins, cinnamon scrolls, slices, cookies and friands — with gluten free, dairy free and vegan options always on hand. There are local Brew Moon beers and Paynter's ciders, a compact New Zealand wine list, cocktails and a liqueur coffee with your choice of nip.

Before the forest, after the pools

The setting does half of the welcoming. The cafe sits beneath the magnificent trees of the neighbouring Queen Mary Reserve with views to the mountain peaks beyond, and it has become the natural staging post for the Hanmer Springs Heritage Forest walks and the mountain bike tracks nearby. It is also, as the cafe itself puts it, a stone's throw from the hot pools — handy for a restorative lunch after a soak. Doors open seven days a week from 7.30am to 2pm, with brunch served all day, and you can dine in or take away. Gift vouchers are available in person or by email from Mary.

Signature items

• Highland Fling
• Eggs Benedict
• Powerhouse Pancakes
• Powerhouse Big Breakfast
• Seafood Chowder
• Seared Tuna Tataki

Menu

Teas

• English Breakfast — Tea Total loose-leaf black tea.
• Earl Grey — Tea Total loose-leaf black tea.
• Green Tea — Tea Total loose-leaf green tea.
• Peppermint — Herbal teabag infusion.
• Chamomile — Herbal teabag infusion.
• Mango Star — Tea Total loose-leaf infusion.
• Energiser — Tea Total loose-leaf infusion.
• Gran's Garden Fruit — Tea Total fruit infusion.
• China White Hair — Tea Total loose-leaf tea.
• Japanese Lime Green Sencha — Tea Total loose-leaf green sencha.
• Chocolate Tea — Brewed from cacao bean husk.

Lunch

• Seafood Chowder — Tarakihi and smoked salmon in a creamy wine and herb potage with garlic herb sourdough.
• Caesar Salad — Organic leaves, crouton, crispy bacon, shaved parmesan, soft-poached egg and aioli.
• Seared Tuna Tataki — Sesame-crusted tuna on warm potato salad with toasted nori, gomasio and soy-ginger dip.
• Shiitake Mushroom and Cashew Burger — Portobello, spinach, avocado and grilled haloumi with miso sauce and beetroot kimchi.
• Powerhouse 'Flavours of the Hurunui' Salad — Local organic leaves, caramelised walnuts, dried pear and quince; choice of topping.
• Creamy Leek and Pea Risotto — Topped with shaved parmesan; add Akaroa salmon, chicken or sautéed mushrooms.
• Fillet of Orange Roughy — Herb-buttered crumb on whipped potato and spinach with lemon hollandaise.
• Powerhouse Steak Sandwich — Silver Fern Farms organic ribeye on garlic sourdough with fried egg and onion marmalade.

Wines

• Providore Rosé — By the glass or bottle.
• Georges Road Riesling — By the glass or bottle.
• Brightwater Pinot Gris — By the glass or bottle.
• Bladen Sauvignon Blanc — By the glass or bottle.
• Te Awanga Chardonnay — By the glass or bottle.
• Misty Cove Pinot Noir — By the glass or bottle.
• Georges Road Syrah — By the glass or bottle.
• Landauer Special Reserve Brut NV — Sparkling; bottle only.
• Landauer Brut NV (200ml) — Sparkling; small-format serve.

Brunch

• Powerhouse Granola and Fresh Fruit — House crunchy granola with fresh fruit, yoghurt and milk of your choice; vegan option.
• Highland Fling — Oats simmered in milk with caramelised rhubarb, banana, Drambuie, brûlée sugar and cream.
• Bacon and Eggs on Toasted Wholegrain — Two eggs poached, scrambled or fried with Manuka-smoked bacon.
• Chilli Scrambled Eggs on Toasted Sourdough — Mild roast chilli and stir-fried greens on toasted sourdough.
• Powerhouse Pancakes — Plant-based buckwheat, hemp, almond and chia pancakes with poached cardamom pear.
• French Toast Crumpets — Grilled crumpets with berry and black cherry compote or bacon, banana and maple.
• Eggs Benedict — Poached eggs and Manuka-smoked bacon on crispy potato rosti with house hollandaise.
• Eggs Montreal — Poached eggs and cold-smoked salmon on crispy potato rosti with house hollandaise.
• Eggs Florentine — Poached eggs, spinach and shaved parmesan on a whipped colcannon potato cake.
• Loaded Nacho Breakfast — House mild tomato chilli beans with sour cream, avocado, tortilla crisps and your topping.
• Grilled Kumara Corn Cake — Stacked with spinach, grilled tomato, roast vegetable relish, avocado and aioli.
• Avocado Smash on Wholegrain — With spinach, tomato, hummus, grilled halloumi and mushrooms.
• Powerhouse Big Breakfast — Eggs, Manuka-smoked bacon, sausage, chorizo, colcannon potato cake, toast and relish.

Coffee

• Short Black — Double shot of Mojo's organic, fair trade The Injection espresso.
• Long Black or Americano — Double shot; all Mojo coffees are double shots.
• Vienna Coffee — Served short or long.
• Macchiato — Served short or long.
• Cappuccino — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Flat White — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Latte — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Mochaccino — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• White Chocolate Mocha — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Hot Chocolate — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• White Hot Chocolate — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Chai Latte — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Matcha Latte — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Beetroot Latte — Available small, medium, large or served in a bowl.
• Fresh Turmeric Latte — A glass of fresh turmeric latte.
• Belgian Hot Chocolate — Made with 56% Belgian chocolate.
• Hot Cacao Super Smoothie — 100% cacao, maca, tahini, cashew butter, hemp, chia and banana, steamed with milk.
• Ceremonial Cacao Elixir — 100% cacao paste with a touch of maple syrup — a 'hug in a mug'.
• Hot Syrup — Lemon honey ginger or blackcurrant.

Smoothies

• Power Smoothie — Banana, yoghurt, orange juice and honey.
• Monkey Business — Coconut cream, chocolate and banana; vegan.

Kid'S Menu

• Bowl of Fresh Fruit — A bowl of fresh seasonal fruit.
• Baby Bear's Porridge — Served 'just right' with brûlée sugar, maple syrup and fresh fruit.
• French Toast Crumpets — Bacon and banana, or berry and black cherry compote; whipped cream on the side.
• Kid's Pancakes — With fresh fruit, maple syrup and whipped cream.
• Toasted Wholegrain Bread — Bacon with egg, or grilled tomato, mushrooms, spinach and avocado.
• Crispy Pizza — Topped with bacon, chicken sausage, salami, tomato and cheese.

Iced Drinks

• Iced Chocolate, Coffee, Mocha or Chai — Served with ice cream and milk, topped with cream.
• Iced Latte — Syrups and alternative milks available.
• Iced Americano — Served over ice.

Soft Drinks

• Orange Juice — Served by the glass.
• Apple Juice — Served by the glass.
• Tomato Juice — With a spiced option.
• Karma Carrot Orange and Turmeric Juice — From the Karma Drinks range.
• Gingerella Ginger Ale — From the Karma Drinks range.
• Karma Cola — From the Karma Drinks range.
• Lemmy Lemonade — From the Karma Drinks range.
• Sparkling Mineral Water — Chilled sparkling water.

Beers & Ciders

• Brew Moon Amberley Pale Ale — Brew Moon pale ale.
• Brew Moon Czech Please Pilsner — Brew Moon pilsner.
• Steinlager Pure — New Zealand lager.
• Corona — Classic lager.
• Heineken 00 — Alcohol-free lager.
• Paynter's Cider — Pilgrim — Dry cider.
• Paynter's Cider — Alchemist — Medium cider.

Cabinet Treats

• Scones — Baked fresh in the cafe daily.
• Muffins — Baked fresh in the cafe daily.
• Cinnamon Scrolls — Baked fresh in the cafe daily.
• Slices — From the daily in-house bake.
• Cookies — From the daily in-house bake.
• Friands — From the daily in-house bake.

Cocktails & Liqueur Coffees

• Espresso Martini — Kahlua, vodka and espresso.
• Mimosa — Bubbly and orange juice.
• Bloody Mary — Spiced tomato juice and vodka.
• Liqueur Coffee — Quad shot topped with whipped cream and a nip of your choice.

Frequently asked questions

What are the opening hours?

Open 7 days a week, 7.30am to 2pm, for dine in or take away (hours subject to change).

Do you cater for dietary requirements?

Yes — gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options are available across the menu without compromising on quality or flavour.

Is there a children's menu?

Yes, the children's menu runs daily from 7.30am to 2pm, from Baby Bear's Porridge to crispy pizza.

What coffee do you serve?

Mojo Coffee's 'The Injection' — an organic, fair trade blend with notes of dark chocolate, cloves and nutmeg. All coffees are double shots.

When is lunch served?

Lunch runs from 11am until 2pm; the brunch menu is available all day from 7.30am.

Can I buy a gift voucher?

Yes, gift vouchers are available in person at the cafe or by email from Mary.

Tips

• {"body":"Power up for your walk through the Hanmer Springs Heritage Forest or one of the nearby mountain bike tracks — the cafe is right on Jacks Pass Road.","title":"Fuel before the forest"}
• {"body":"The cafe is a stone's throw from the hot pools, making it an easy stop for a relaxing lunch after a soak.","title":"After the hot pools"}
• {"body":"The full brunch menu runs from 7.30am to 2pm, so there's no rush to make it for the Eggs Benedict.","title":"Brunch all day"}
• {"body":"The baking changes daily — scones, muffins, cinnamon scrolls and more, with gluten free, dairy free and vegan options always available.","title":"Check the cabinet"}
• {"body":"Gift vouchers can be bought in person or arranged by email with Mary if you're gifting from afar.","title":"Vouchers by email"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Children's menu available daily.","dietary":"Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options throughout."}