Thirsty Acres

About Thirsty Acres

Thirsty Acres Bar & Restaurant continues the tradition of the pioneers who brought water from the hills and rivers to quench these 'Thirsty Acres,' proudly providing refreshment to locals and travellers alike. Taking inspiration from its place between two mighty rivers, the mountains, and the sea, Thirsty Acres shares the best of the local backyard through its food and drink.

The menu covers bar snacks, small plates, burgers, pub classics, salads and pasta, plus dinner plates and premium steaks from Southern Station Wagyu, grass-raised and grain-finished right in Kirwee. Local suppliers feature throughout, including Darfield Village Meats sausages and bacon, Jones Family Farms Pecorino cheese, and venison from Merchant of Venison.

A large drinks list covers wine, tap and bottled beer, cider, and alcohol-free options, and there's also a Gold Card menu available on weekdays. Thirsty Acres is open 7 days a week from 11am, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available across much of the menu.

Thirsty Acres Bar & Restaurant: A Kirwee Pub with Local Wagyu and a Big Drinks List

Thirsty Acres Bar & Restaurant carries on the tradition of the pioneers who once brought water from the hills and rivers to quench these 'thirsty acres.' Sitting between two mighty rivers, the mountains, and the sea, Thirsty Acres shares the best of its Canterbury backyard with locals and travellers alike.

From bar snacks to premium steak

The menu spans bar snacks like fried pickles and loaded fries, a wide range of small plates including arancini balls, Lumina lamb ribs and green-lipped mussels, and a dedicated burger kitchen with options like the Classic Dirty Cheeseburger and a Halloumi & Mushroom burger. Pub classics cover the Seafood Chowder — described as a Thirsty Acres classic — Thirsty's Famous Beef Schnitzel, and an all-day big breakfast built on locally sourced Darfield Village Meats sausage and bacon.

Dinner plates and local Wagyu

From 5pm, dinner plates step things up with dishes like a Chicken Roulade, a White Wine & Butter Monkfish, and a Lumina Lamb Duo served two ways. The steak dinner selection features Southern Station Wagyu, grass-raised and then grain-finished for 100 days right in Kirwee, available as rump or rib-eye. Other local suppliers feature throughout the menu, including Jones Family Farms Pecorino sheep milk cheese in the carbonara, and venison from Merchant of Venison.

A menu for every diet

Many dishes are marked vegetarian or can be made with gluten-free ingredients, and the kitchen is upfront about which items contain sesame, making it easier for guests to navigate dietary needs.

A serious drinks list

Thirsty Acres backs up its food with an extensive drinks list: sparkling and champagne, white, rosé and red wines from Marlborough, Hawke's Bay, Central Otago and beyond, a full tap and bottled beer range including rotating local craft options, ciders, and a strong low and no-alcohol selection including Curious AF alcohol-free cocktails like a Gin & Tonic, Apero Spritz and Dark & Stormy.

Practical details

A Gold Card menu is available Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm, though not on public holidays. Free guest wifi is available in-store, and private functions such as business breakfasts can be arranged outside normal hours by enquiry.

Visiting Thirsty Acres

Thirsty Acres is open 7 days a week from 11am. It's located at 1265 Courtney Road, Great Alpine Highway No 73, Kirwee, Canterbury, and can be reached by phone for bookings and enquiries.

Signature items

• Thirsty's Famous Beef Schnitzel
• Seafood Chowder
• Southern Station Wagyu Rump/Rib-Eye
• Lumina Lamb Duo
• Green Lipped Mussels
• Classic Dirty Cheeseburger

Menu

Sides

• Fried Egg — Add a fried egg to your meal.
• Pub Style Fries — Side of pub style fries.
• House Made Slaw — Side of house made slaw.
• Mashed Potato — Side of mashed potato.
• Onion Rings — Side of onion rings.
• Green Leaf Salad — Side salad.
• Steamed Vegetables — Side of steamed vegetables.
• Roasted Mushrooms — Side of roasted mushrooms.

Tap Beer

• Heineken — Available in half pint, glass, pint, jug or pitcher.
• Tiger — On tap.
• Heineken Silver — Low carb, on tap.
• Tuatara Hazy Pale Ale — On tap.
• Export Ultra Low Carb — On tap.
• Monteith's Original — On tap.
• Export 33 — On tap.
• Monteith's Pilsner — On tap.
• Craft Rotating Tap — Rotating selection from local craft brewers.
• Monteith's Cider — On tap.

Bar Snacks

• Fabulous Frickles (Fried Pickles) — Crumbed and fried quarter cut pickles, a salty and sweet snack to enjoy with an ice-cold beer. Vegetarian.
• Pub Style Fries — Signature crispy pub style fries, small or large; add house gravy or curry sauce. Gluten-free ingredients.
• Onion Rings — Heineken beer battered onion rings served with ranch dipping sauce. Vegetarian.
• Loaded Fries — Crispy pub style fries smothered with cheddar cheese, spring onions and house gravy, with a choice of bacon or pulled pork.
• Calamari — Tender lemon pepper calamari fried to perfection, served with herb aioli and lemon. Gluten-free ingredients.
• Finger Lickin Chicken Wings — Buffalo-style basted chicken wings, served with ranch and buffalo sauce, available in different portion sizes.

Wine - Red

• Haha Merlot — Hawke's Bay.
• Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz 2021 — Barossa Valley.
• Melton Estate Syrah — Canterbury.
• The Last Shepherd Pinot Noir 2022 — Central Otago.
• Saddleback by Peregrine Pinot Noir — Central Otago.
• Rockburn Pinot Noir 2022 — Central Otago.
• Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2021 — Waipara.
• Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2020 — Martinborough.

Pub Classics

• Seafood Chowder — A Thirsty Acres classic — real cream-based chowder loaded with mussels, prawns and hoki, served with a soft roll. Gluten-free option.
• Country Style Meatloaf — A hearty beef and onion loaf, served with mashed potato, peas and house gravy.
• All Day Big Breakfast — Darfield Village Meats pork sausage, bacon, locally sourced free range eggs, hash browns, roasted mushrooms and toasted sourdough.
• Calamari Meal — Popular lemon pepper calamari served with pub fries, green salad, aioli, herbs and lemon. Gluten-free ingredients.
• Bangers & Mash — Darfield Village Meats sausages, onion jam, creamy mashed potato, mushy peas and house gravy. Gluten-free ingredients.
• Thirsty's Famous Beef Schnitzel — Crumbed beef schnitzel served with pub-style fries, slaw and gravy.
• Fish & Chips — Beer-battered terakihi, crispy pub style fries and house slaw, served with tartare and tomato sauce. Panfried gluten-free option.
• Open Steak Sandwich — Southern Station Wagyu rump steak cooked medium rare on focaccia, with leafy greens, cucumber, red onion, pickled beet, red wine jus and horseradish creme. Gluten-free option.
• Beef & Guinness Pot Pie — Irish-style wagyu rump and root vegetable stew in a thick Guinness beer gravy with a flaky pastry lid, served with creamy mashed potato and peas.
• Steak & Chips — Rump steak or rib-eye steak, served with a choice of garlic butter or creamy mushroom sauce.

Small Plates

• Garlic Ciabatta Loaf — A classic sharing starter from Christchurch's own French Bakery. Vegetarian.
• Turkish Loaf — Warmed Turkish loaf served with in-house truffle and herb butter. Vegetarian.
• Cauliflower Bites — Golden-coated cauliflower florets with toasted almonds and a miso and truffle aioli. Vegetarian, contains nuts, gluten-free ingredients.
• Arancini Balls — Pumpkin, feta and thyme risotto balls, crumbed and fried, served with tomato relish. Vegetarian.
• Butternut & Ricotta Filo Parcels — Served on a bed of capsicum coulis and lemon ricotta. Vegetarian.
• Pork Belly Bites — Tender pork belly bites glazed in a sticky hoisin, orange and sesame sauce.
• Lumina Lamb Ribs — Twice-cooked Lumina lamb ribs with date and pomegranate chutney. Gluten-free ingredients.
• Wagyu Beef Skewers — Southern Station Wagyu rump skewers marinated in soy and ginger glaze, grilled. Gluten-free ingredients.
• Green Lipped Mussels — Half a kilo of NZ green-lipped mussels with a choice of white wine and cream, or tomato and fennel sauce, served with toasted sourdough; can be doubled to 1kg.
• Baby Back Ribs, Baby! — Oven-roasted baby back rib portions in a smokey BBQ rub, basted in an in-house sticky plum BBQ sauce.

Steak Dinner

• Southern Station Wagyu Rump — Grass-raised, grain-finished for 100 days in Kirwee, with crispy herb-roasted potatoes, glazed seasonal vegetables, horseradish creme and red wine jus.
• Southern Station Wagyu Rib-Eye — Grass-raised, grain-finished for 100 days in Kirwee, with crispy herb-roasted potatoes, glazed seasonal vegetables, horseradish creme and red wine jus.

Wine - Rosé

• Haha Rosé — Hawke's Bay.
• Melton Estate Summer Love Sparkling — West Melton.
• Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rosé — Central Otago.

Wine - White

• The Grayling Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough.
• Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough.
• Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough.
• Church Road Chardonnay — Hawke's Bay.
• Main Divide Chardonnay — Waipara.
• The Grayling Pinot Gris — Marlborough.
• Oyster Bay Pinot Gris — Hawke's Bay.
• Giesen Riesling — Marlborough.
• Main Divide Riesling — North Canterbury.

Burger Kitchen

• Pulled Pork Burger — Slow-cooked pulled pork, house slaw, onion jam and BBQ sauce on a brioche bun with pub style fries. Contains sesame.
• Classic Dirty Cheeseburger — Smashed beef patty with beer and cheese sauce, melted Swiss cheese, pickles, dijonnaise and onion jam. Gluten-free option, contains sesame.
• Halloumi & Mushroom — Grilled mushroom, halloumi, lettuce, red onion, beetroot, cucumber, chutney and vegan mayo. Vegetarian, gluten-free option, contains sesame.
• Fried Chicken Burger — Buttermilk-fried chicken, iceberg lettuce, red onion, pickles, mayo, maple bacon jam and Swiss cheese. Gluten-free option, contains sesame.

Platter To Share

• Hot Platter — A selection of popular small plates including calamari, arancini balls, fried pickles, onion rings, chicken wings and ribs, served with pub style fries.

Alcohol-Free Wine

• Giesen 0% Sauvignon Blanc — Non-alcoholic sauvignon blanc.

Bottle & Can Beer

• Heineken — Bottled.
• Monteith's Radler — Bottled.
• Monteith's Black — Bottled.
• Steinlager Classic — Bottled.
• Corona — Bottled.
• Guinness — 500ml can.
• Craft Beer Bottles/Cans — Rotating selection including Liberty Juice Bro Hazy Pale Ale, Liberty Oh Brother Pale Ale, Parrot Dog Bitter Bitch IPA and Behemoth Brain Smiles Hazy Pale Ale.

Cider & Ginger Beer

• Orchard Thieves Peach & Passionfruit Cider — Cider.
• Orchard Thieves Berry Cider — Cider.
• Rekorderlig Strawberry & Lime Cider — 330ml.
• Crimson Badger Alcoholic Ginger Beer — Alcoholic ginger beer.

Salads, Pasta & Rice

• Caesar Salad — Lettuce, bacon, parmesan, croutons, a poached free-range egg and anchovy Caesar dressing; grilled chicken can be added. Gluten-free option.
• Grilled Chicken & Pesto Fettuccine — Grilled chicken pan-tossed with basil pesto, sundried tomatoes, spinach, cold pressed oil and parmesan.
• Fettuccine Carbonara — Pasta in a rich, silky sauce of egg, bacon, cracked black pepper and local Jones Family Farms Pecorino sheep milk cheese.
• Mushroom Risotto — Field mushrooms, baby spinach and truffle oil, served with shaved parmesan, lemon and fresh herbs. Vegetarian, gluten-free ingredients.

Low & No Alcohol Beer

• Heineken Light 2.5% — Low alcohol beer.
• Export Citrus 2.0% — Low alcohol beer.
• Heineken 0.0% — Non-alcoholic beer.
• State of Play 0% Craft Beer — Choose from IPA or Nectaron Unfiltered IPA.

Alcohol-Free Cocktails

• Gin & Tonic — An alcohol-free alternative to a favourite.
• Apero Spritz — A classic bitter and beautiful aperitif cocktail, alcohol-free.
• Dark & Stormy — Dark rum and spicy Caribbean ginger beer, alcohol-free.

Dinner Plates (From 5pm)

• Chicken Roulade — Tenderised and rolled chicken breast with a chicken thigh stuffing and mushroom duxelles, served with creamy potato gratin, ratatouille and a velouté sauce.
• Twice Cooked Pork Belly — Served with creamy potato gratin, cauliflower puree, house slaw, caramelised apples, crackling and jus.
• White Wine & Butter Monkfish — South Island monkfish baked with fennel, lemon and herbs in a white wine butter sauce, with crispy hasselbacks and seasonal vegetables. Gluten-free ingredients.
• Mountain River Venison Rump — South Island farmed venison rump served rare with crispy herb-roasted potatoes, glazed seasonal vegetables, butternut puree and jus, supplied by Merchant of Venison.
• Lumina Lamb Duo — Lumina lamb loin served medium rare with a braised leg mini pie, crispy hasselback potatoes, glazed carrots, peas and minted lamb gravy.

Wine - Sparkling & Champagne

• Makers Anonymous Prosecco — Available by the glass or bottle.
• Brancott Estate Brut Piccolo — 200ml bottle.
• Mumm Grand Cordon Champagne — Available in half or full bottle.

Frequently asked questions

What are Thirsty Acres' opening hours?

Open 7 days from 11am; closing time isn't specified online.

Is there a Gold Card menu?

Yes, available Monday to Friday 11am-5pm, not available on public holidays.

Does Thirsty Acres have wifi?

Yes, free guest wifi is available in-store.

Are there vegetarian and gluten-free options?

Yes, many dishes are marked vegetarian or can be made with gluten-free ingredients.

What is Thirsty Acres known for?

Their Seafood Chowder, Southern Station Wagyu steaks, and Thirsty's Famous Beef Schnitzel.

Does Thirsty Acres do private functions?

Yes, private functions like business breakfasts can be arranged outside normal hours by enquiry.

Where is Thirsty Acres located?

1265 Courtney Road, Great Alpine Highway No 73, Kirwee, Canterbury.

Tips

• {"body":"Southern Station Wagyu is grass-raised and grain-finished right in Kirwee.","title":"Try the local Wagyu"}
• {"body":"Available weekdays 11am-5pm, not on public holidays.","title":"Ask about the Gold Card menu"}
• {"body":"Dinner plates are only available from 5pm.","title":"Book ahead for dinner"}
• {"body":"Network: Thirsty Acres Guest.","title":"Connect to the free wifi"}

Good to know

• {"wifi":"Free guest wifi available in-store (network: Thirsty Acres Guest).","dietary":"Vegetarian and gluten-free options widely available, and sesame content is marked on the menu."}