Relishes Cafe

About Relishes Cafe

Relishes Cafe is a Wanaka lakefront icon, owned and run by local team Toby, Tasha and Paul, who have been passionate about Wanaka, food and service for one and a half decades. For 30 years Relishes has created modern New Zealand cuisine from the wild and wonderful ingredients found on Wanaka's doorstep.

The kitchen uses the best of the region's food alongside flavours from around the world, house smoking its own produce and serving local goat and lamb with fresh, seasonal local produce. The cafe pours beer from Wanaka's many craft breweries, lists award-winning local wines, and serves Venus, Wanaka's only locally roasted organic fair trade coffee.

Described as a relaxed, sunny cafe by day, Relishes serves breakfast and lunch every day from 7am to 3pm, with legendary breakfasts and divine lunches. The cafe does not take reservations.

Relishes Cafe: A Wanaka Lakefront Icon for 30 Years

On Ardmore Street in Wanaka, Relishes Cafe has been a lakefront icon for 30 years, creating modern New Zealand cuisine from the wild and wonderful ingredients found right on its doorstep. It's owned and run by local team Toby, Tasha and Paul, who have been passionate about Wanaka, food and service for one and a half decades.

Local Ingredients, Global Flavours

Relishes' kitchen draws on the best of the region's produce alongside flavours from around the world. The team house smokes its own produce and serves local goat and lamb, built around fresh, seasonal local ingredients. Breakfast, served from 7:30am to 2:30pm, includes the Relishes Cooked Breakfast with free farmed bacon and pork sausage, a three grain porridge with poached pear and plum, and an eggs benedict served with bacon, mushrooms or smoked salmon.

A Lunch Built on Local and Global Flavour

From 11:30am, the lunch menu leans further into the kitchen's range - a creamy seafood chowder loaded with salmon, mussels, prawns, clams and squid, a slow cooked Nepalese lamb dahl with spiced silver beet rice, and a barbecue beef brisket served on kumara and rosemary focaccia. A chargrilled halloumi and pear salad and a hot honey chicken rice bowl round out the lighter options, alongside simple sides like garlic bread and a bowl of fries.

Drinks with a Local Focus

Behind the counter, Relishes pours beer from Wanaka's many craft breweries and lists award-winning local wines, alongside Venus - Wanaka's only locally roasted organic fair trade coffee - for those wanting a proper coffee fix.

Visiting Relishes

Relishes Cafe is open every day from 7am to 3pm, at 1/99 Ardmore Street, Wanaka. Described as a relaxed, sunny cafe by day, it's known for legendary breakfasts and divine lunches. Please note the cafe does not take reservations, so it's a first-come, first-served experience.

Signature items

• Relishes Cooked Breakfast
• Relishes Creamy Seafood Chowder
• Slow Cooked Nepalese Lamb Dahl
• Barbecue Beef Brisket
• Hot Honey Chicken Rice Bowl

Menu

Lunch

• Chargrilled Halloumi & Pear Salad — Spiced pecan, rocket, fennel, celery, maple mustard dressing
• Roasted Mushroom & Hazelnut Pâté — Balsamic caramelised onions, hazelnut crumble, house made breads
• Relishes Creamy Seafood Chowder — Salmon, mussels, prawns, clams, squid, tomato, toasted ciabatta
• Smoked Salmon — Kumara turmeric rosti, tartare cream cheese, rocket, fennel, popped caper salad
• Hot Honey Chicken Rice Bowl — Rainbow slaw, pickled red onion, ginger, broccoli, miso mayonnaise, toasted gomassio
• Slow Cooked Nepalese Lamb Dahl — Spiced silver beet rice, coriander, mint coconut yoghurt
• Barbecue Beef Brisket — Kumara and rosemary focaccia, red onion quince jam, rocket, beetroot and horseradish sour cream

Breakfast

• Relishes Cooked Breakfast — Eggs any style, toasted ciabatta, free farmed bacon, pork sausage, parmesan potato cakes, grilled tomato, onion jam
• Three Grain Porridge — Poached pear, plum, almond milk, lemon curd, brown sugar ginger snap
• Tomato & Chilli Baked Black Beans — Cashew nut queso, baby spinach, avocado, chimichurri, housemade corn tostada
• Eggs Benedict — Toasted ciabatta, fresh spinach, house made hollandaise, with free farmed bacon, buttered mushrooms or smoked salmon
• Free Range Bacon & Fried Egg Butty — Chipotle tomato relish, garlic aioli, toasted Turkish bun
• Couple of Eggs Any Style (Ciabatta) — Buttery ciabatta
• Couple of Eggs Any Style (with Bacon) — Free farmed bacon
• Toast and Homemade Jam — Ciabatta, soy & linseed, or gluten free bun, butter, homemade seasonal jam

Bit On The Side

• Garlic Bread — Baked ciabatta loaf, garlic butter, melted mozzarella
• Bowl of Fries — Chipotle tomato sauce, confit garlic aioli
• Green Goodness — Wild rocket, baby spinach, maple mustard dressing, tamari roasted seeds

Frequently asked questions

Where is Relishes Cafe located?

At 1/99 Ardmore Street, Wanaka, 9305.

What are the opening hours?

Every day from 7am to 3pm, with breakfast served 7:30am-2:30pm and lunch from 11:30am-3pm.

Can I make a reservation?

No, Relishes Cafe does not take reservations.

What coffee does Relishes serve?

Venus, Wanaka's only locally roasted organic fair trade coffee.

Does Relishes serve alcohol?

Yes, beer from Wanaka's craft breweries and a list of award-winning local wines.

Who owns Relishes Cafe?

Local team Toby, Tasha and Paul, who have run the cafe for one and a half decades.

What is Relishes known for?

Its legendary breakfasts and lunches built from local ingredients, including its cooked breakfast and seafood chowder.

Tips

• {"body":"Relishes doesn't take reservations, so it's first-come, first-served.","title":"Arrive early, no bookings taken"}
• {"body":"Loaded with salmon, mussels, prawns, clams and squid - a house favourite.","title":"Try the seafood chowder"}
• {"body":"The cafe pours craft beer from Wanaka breweries and award-winning local wines.","title":"Ask about the local wine and beer list"}
• {"body":"Described as legendary, with eggs, bacon, sausage and potato cakes.","title":"Go for the cooked breakfast"}