AJ's Kitchen is a charming café in the heart of Twizel, at 25 Market Place, that has quickly become a local gem for its scrumptious food and warm hospitality. The menu caters to various dietary preferences, including several gluten-free options, and the café holds a strong 4.4 rating from 79 reviews.
The café is led by owner and passionate chef Amie, whose culinary creations have earned genuine praise — customers rave about the steak and stout cottage pie, a family favourite, and the chicken burger with its crispy chips, described by diners as "the best fast food in town." Homemade treats like the Snickers slice and hearty breakfasts like Eggs Benny round out a menu built on homemade pastries and prepared-from-scratch cooking.
The coffee is just as celebrated, with many visitors calling it the "best coffee in Twizel." AJ's Kitchen offers outdoor seating, takeaway, dine-in and delivery, and is known as a welcoming, kid-friendly spot for breakfast, lunch or a quick coffee.
Tucked into the heart of Twizel at 25 Market Place, AJ's Kitchen has quickly become a local gem, known for its scrumptious food and genuinely warm hospitality. With a menu catering to various dietary preferences, including several gluten-free options, there's something here for most appetites.
Behind the counter is owner Amie, described by regulars as a talented, passionate chef whose hard work and attention to detail show in every dish. Customers consistently rave about the steak and stout cottage pie, a genuine family favourite, and the chicken burger — praised as some of the best fast food in town, with crispy chips that reviewers describe as simply perfect.
Everything at AJ's Kitchen is homemade, and it shows. The Snickers slice has become a personal favourite for regulars, and the cabinet is stocked with pastries, sausage rolls, a brioche breakfast bun and a ham and cheese croissant. For breakfast, the Eggs Benny is a standout, with one reviewer calling the accompanying pie "the best I've had in the whole of NZ."
It's not just the food that keeps people coming back — the coffee is just as celebrated, with many visitors declaring it the best coffee in Twizel. A matcha latte is also on offer, made from packet powder rather than whisked matcha.
Despite being short-staffed at times during busy periods, the friendly service at AJ's Kitchen consistently earns praise. It's described as breastfeeding and kid-friendly, with a relaxed, cosy atmosphere that suits solo diners, groups and tourists passing through Twizel alike. The café offers outdoor seating, takeaway, dine-in and delivery, with free parking and full wheelchair accessibility, including an accessible car park, entrance, seating and toilet.
AJ's Kitchen is located at 25 Market Place, Twizel. It's open Monday to Thursday from 8:30am to 2:30pm, and Friday from 8:30am to 3:30pm, closed Saturday and Sunday.