Harlau House Cafe (formerly The Stables)

About Harlau House Cafe (formerly The Stables)

Harlau House Café is a scenic country destination café housed in a historic 19th-century brick stable building just outside Timaru. Surrounded by manicured gardens, lush grounds, and mature trees, the café provides a relaxing rural escape where guests can enjoy casual dining indoors or alfresco in the spacious sunny courtyard.

The kitchen crafts dishes from scratch using regional, seasonal ingredients, paired alongside an extensive cabinet selection of fresh slices, cakes, and quiches. Catering to all dietary requirements, the venue features vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, a dedicated children's selection, quality coffee, and a fully licensed bar. The grounds also feature Maree Hynes Interiors, a 400-square-metre design hub, making it a complete destination for breakfast, lunch, or private celebrations.

Country Charm and Architectural Heritage at Harlau House Café

Located just outside Timaru's southern boundary along Beaconsfield Road, Harlau House Café offers a tranquil countryside retreat where the South Canterbury plains give way to gently rolling hills. Situated only a short drive from the centre of town, the destination blends nineteenth-century architectural provenance with warm rural hospitality and fresh, seasonal cooking.

The café is housed within the historic brick stable building of the Harlau estate, designed in the late 19th century by French architect Maurice de H’Arven Duval and constructed in 1890 for Edward George Kerr, an early proprietor of the Timaru Herald. Duval, who also designed regional landmarks such as the Convent of Mercy in Timaru and St Mary’s Church in Geraldine, incorporated distinctive architectural hallmarks that remain visible today, including structural quoin detailing that lends the heritage buildings their enduring presence.

Relaxed Courtyard Dining and Seasonal Flavours

Dining at Harlau House centres on relaxed, casual comfort. On sunny days, visitors gravitate toward the expansive courtyard patio bordered by established mature trees and flowering garden beds. Diners can enjoy their meals outside overlooking the estate grounds and the historic homestead, taking in the serene pastoral setting.

The kitchen focuses on regional ingredients and scratch cooking, providing dishes that range from hearty breakfast favourites to composed lunch plates. Morning offerings feature classic eggs benedict, fluffy pancakes, and housemade muesli drizzled with the property's own Harlau honey, alongside an early Sunday morning buffet breakfast. Come midday, the kitchen transitions into light meals and lunch mains such as crispy wings drizzled in hot honey, housemade curry fries using rustic Makikihi potatoes, fresh herb salads, and comforting filo pastries.

Design Hub and Destination Gatherings

Complementing the full kitchen menu is a counter brimming with freshly baked cabinet food, offering daily selections of slices, cakes, and savoury quiches. With vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets readily accommodated, the café welcomes varied gatherings from casual family coffee outings to formal occasions. A fully licensed bar allows guests to pair local wines or cold beers with their meal.

Adding to the venue's appeal as a day-trip destination, the property is shared with Maree Hynes Interiors, a 400-square-metre interior design hub showcasing homewares and décor. Whether visiting for a relaxed morning tea, exploring the landscaped grounds on a garden tour, or hosting a private function in the courtyard, Harlau House Café preserves an inviting piece of Timaru's heritage for locals and travelers alike.

Signature items

• Creamy Cranberry Chicken Filo
• Curry Fries
• Portobello Stack
• Sweet & Spicy Wings
• Fresh Herb Chicken Salad
• Housemade Muesli

Menu

Lunch

• Creamy Cranberry Chicken Filo — Served with fresh salad & fries
• Fish of the Day — Served with fresh salad, fries & tartare sauce
• Vegetable Stack — Potato gratin, portobello mushrooms, spinach, mozzarella, aioli & salsa
• Rich Beef & Mushroom Hot Pot — Hearty slow-cooked beef and mushroom hot pot

To Share

• Garlic Ciabatta Baguette — Toasted ciabatta baguette infused with garlic
• Bowl of Fries — Makikihi rustic thick cut fries served with aioli (gluten-free)
• Curry Fries — Makikihi fries topped with house made curry sauce & grilled cheese (gluten-free)

Breakfast

• Bacon & Eggs — Bacon & eggs any way with toasted ciabatta (gluten-free option available)
• Big Breakfast — Bacon, eggs, hash brown, tomato, portobello with ciabatta (gluten-free option available)
• Eggs Benedict — Poached eggs, hollandaise, bacon, hashbrown on ciabatta (gluten-free option available)
• Pancakes — Served with banana & bacon or berries, yoghurt & maple syrup
• Portobello Stack — Portobello mushrooms, hashbrown, tomato, spinach, pesto & aioli on ciabatta (vegetarian, gluten-free option available)
• Housemade Muesli — Muesli, yoghurt, fruit & Harlau honey (gluten-free, vegetarian)
• Sunday Buffet Breakfast — Sunday morning buffet breakfast available from 9am to 10:30am

Light Meals

• Sweet & Spicy Wings — Crispy wings tossed in hot honey with Alabama white sauce, fries & salad
• Beef Nachos — Served with sour cream & salsa or sweet chilli (gluten-free)
• Fresh Herb Chicken Salad — Coriander, mint, parsley, salad greens & crispy shallots with coconut & lime dressing (gluten-free, dairy-free)
• BLT — Bacon, lettuce, tomato on toasted multigrain bread served with fries
• Pork & Prawn Spring Rolls — Served with fries, salad & Asian style dipping sauce

Snacks & Children Meals

• Kids Chocolate Chip "Piggy" Pancake — Pancake served with maple syrup & yoghurt

Frequently asked questions

Where is Harlau House Café located?

The café is situated at 253 Beaconsfield Road in Timaru, approximately 5 to 10 minutes from the Timaru CBD.

How can I book a table?

Table bookings can be made online via their website calendar or by phoning the café directly at 03 683 1887. Phone calls are strongly encouraged for parties of more than six people.

Do you offer options for dietary restrictions?

Yes, the menu includes gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. The kitchen caters to all dietary requirements with advance notice.

Is the venue fully licensed?

Yes, Harlau House Café is a fully licensed establishment serving alcoholic beverages.

Can the venue be hired for private events?

Yes, the venue accommodates everything from intimate group gatherings to full venue hire for events, weddings, and private evening functions by special request.

What else is located on the property?

The estate grounds are also home to the 400-square-metre Maree Hynes Interiors design hub, historic brick stables, and surrounding garden settings.

Tips

• {"body":"On bright and warm days, request an outdoor table in the courtyard to enjoy views of the heritage brickwork and surrounding gardens.","title":"Secure a Courtyard Table"}
• {"body":"If you are visiting with a group of six or more people, call ahead directly by phone rather than emailing to secure your reservation.","title":"Phone Ahead for Larger Groups"}
• {"body":"Set aside extra time before or after dining to wander through the 400-square-metre Maree Hynes Interiors showroom on site.","title":"Browse the Design Hub"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Kids menu available, including pancake options.","dietary":"Vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free options available; custom dietary requirements accommodated with advance notice.","accessibility":"Outdoor courtyard seating available."}