Riverstone Kitchen
New Zealand restaurant · Waitaki Bridge ·

Riverstone Kitchen

New Zealand restaurant · Waitaki Bridge ·

Garden-to-table dining with fresh local ingredients & stunning views

delicious food
great desserts
excellent service
organic gardens
seasonal menu
fish and chips
lamb
blackcurrant icecream
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by Photo courtesy of Riverstone Kitchen
Riverstone Kitchen by Photo courtesy of Riverstone Kitchen
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null
Riverstone Kitchen by null

Information

1431 Glenavy-Hilderthorpe Road, Waitaki Bridge 9493, New Zealand Get directions

$$

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Lunch reservations recommended
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended

Information

Static Map

1431 Glenavy-Hilderthorpe Road, Waitaki Bridge 9493, New Zealand Get directions

+64 3 431 3505
riverstonekitchen.co.nz
@riverstone_kitchen

$$ · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Lunch reservations recommended
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic

Last updated

Jan 27, 2026

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@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"A short drive north of the South Island town of Oamaru, Riverstone Kitchen is often lauded as one of New Zealand's best regional restaurants. The stylish dining room is anchored by a robust fireplace crafted from local river stones, and much of the seasonal menu is crafted from the restaurant's own organic orchards and gardens. A more relaxed café ambience for daily breakfast and lunches segues to a more formal mood at dinner from Thursdays to Saturdays, and the savvy drink list includes wines from the nearby Waitaki Valley as well as small-batch beers from around New Zealand. Ask if any of the excellent Belgian-style farmhouse ales from Oamaru's Craftwork Brewery are available."

The Best Restaurants in New Zealand
Photo courtesy of Riverstone Kitchen
Riverstone Kitchen
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"A short drive north of the South Island town of Oamaru, Riverstone Kitchen is often lauded as one of New Zealand's best regional restaurants. The stylish dining room is anchored by a robust fireplace crafted from local river stones, and much of the seasonal menu is crafted from the restaurant's own organic orchards and gardens. A more relaxed café ambience for daily breakfast and lunches segues to a more formal mood at dinner from Thursdays to Saturdays, and the savvy drink list includes wines from the nearby Waitaki Valley as well as small-batch beers from around New Zealand. Ask if any of the excellent Belgian-style farmhouse ales from Oamaru's Craftwork Brewery are available."

The Perfect Week on New Zealand's South Island
Photo courtesy of Riverstone Kitchen
Riverstone Kitchen

Garth B.

Google
Book - this place is popular.. You’ll need most of the two hours they give you to enjoy the food at leisure. The desserts are great (yes, plums in sherry with zabaglione, I am looking at you) and the seasonal produce is superb. Take a walk in the gardens after they’ve finished feeding you from them. Smell the flowers. Well worth planning your stop here.

Carol M.

Google
We were excited to visit Riverstone Kitchen as we all had previously had great food there previously but none of us had been for many years. We had a late lunch on Sunday while driving south and all our meals were absolutely delicious. We couldn’t resist the desserts and they were all amazing as well. The portions were generous, this food is fresh and perfectly prepared. Our waitress was so friendly and about as great as you could get. Coming home today we couldn’t resist another visit, lunch again. Three more great meals, three more great desserts. The same waitress who not only remembered us but somehow remembered many details from our earlier visit. This is a fantastic restaurant, really delicious food and incredible service.

vincent C.

Google
I always leave this restaurant fully satisfied…. Food is exceptionally good, service people very switched on, inviting atmosphere, what else could you ask for in a restaurant! And Riverstone Kitchen Oamaru delivers it all. Every time I am in town, it’s my go to for a good meal either lunch or dinner. Last night’s standout dish for me was the Organic Roast Chicken and the desserts were not far behind. We enjoyed the meal so much that we forgot to take pictures. (I went back again a week later to have the roast chicken dish and sticky date pudding dessert - see photos) Highly recommend that you visit this restaurant if you are ever in Oamaru. It’s a bit away from the town centre but worth a drive there. Advance booking is essential.

NZ W

Google
The restaurant was closed but we have been in the past and it's awesome. The gift shop was open. Nice big gift shop. Worth a look around and you can walk through the beautiful gardens. Nicest toilets in NZ with interesting hand basins. 😍

Alice A.

Google
All the staff were incredibly kind, and the food was absolutely amazing! And the view? Just as great! The combination of the castle and snowy mountains was beautiful—just looking at it made me feel good. The fish and chips had a unique batter—it felt like it was lightly coated with flour. Definitely the best dish! The cheese scone was also delicious—crispy texture with a nice salty flavor. The atmosphere was wonderful too. Highly recommended!

Lesley J.

Google
Superb lunch yesterday. Highly recommend the set menu to share. And the blackcurrant icecream is next level!

Marty B.

Google
This is one of my favourite places to eat. Food is well made and presented by kind and attentive staff.

Elva B.

Google
One of my favourite restaurants. Food was absolutely delicious, particularly the dessert, which was a standout
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Jason L.

Yelp
You must stop here for dinner if you'll be in the Oamaru area. A bit of a random spot off of the motorway with a moated castle in the back and a faux-storefront shop next door, the restaurant had a solid wine list with local varietals and very tasty dinner. We all had some tasty salads to start. The fish green curry was amazing, very tasty, and a big portion. Venison was tender but a small portion. Desserts were great too!
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Gordie F.

Yelp
A world class experience in a casual setting. This quirky stop along NZ Highway 1 between Timaru and Oamaru provides a culinary experience second to none! An exceptional wine and craft beer menu compliments a diverse and dynamic menu. Great service, stunning views and a castle add to the ambiance.
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Olga V.

Yelp
Really surprising place for cafe near rode! Amazing sunny space with outdoor seats with a view in green field. Rather short menu with delicious food. A little bit overpriced but it's normal for New Zealand.
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Michael Y.

Yelp
Stopped in at Riverstone Kitchen based on a tip from a friend and it was well worth it! I had the steamed mussels finished with Thai Curry Sauce and a cilantro "salad". The mussels were plump and juicy. Perfectly cooked. The Thai curry sauce was appropriately spicy, but didn't overwhelm the delicate flavor of the mussels. I added a glass of Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough and the lunch was complete. As I checked out, I couldn't resist the sugar coated fresh donuts which had custard and raspberry filling. I was too full to eat it then, but it was delicious later! The setting doesn't look like much from outside, but once inside it is modern, full of windows and very well appointed. Service was excellent and attentive.
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Simon W.

Yelp
Riverstone Kitchen is outstanding. Not much of a secret nowadays but that's ok because it can take a crowd. For lunch we tried the crayfish risotto, pork sausage, meatballs and a doz bluff oysters (half fried, half au natural). Washed down with a glass of Ostler Pinot Noir, it was a fantastic meal... Although dessert was still to come - tiramisu, affogato, pear tart and chocolate nemesis were all destroyed! And we even took a slice of brownie for later! Without a doubt, one of the most impressive meals I've had in the South Island!
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Matt K.

Yelp
Wonderful. Had the feasting menu and loved it - great, fresh flavors. If spending any time in Oamaru or driving through, highly recommended!

Jeff D.

Yelp
Amazing! Worth the drive out out of town. We enjoyed the fish and chips and the lamb. Both were excellent.

Richard B.

Yelp
Truely a great experience. The food, the staff, the atmosphere and surroundings. This is a place not to be missed at all as displayed by the number of visitors it gets. The cafe is large enough and efficient enough to handle. Well done team.

Hayden M.

Yelp
Stopped for lunch after recommendation from a friend. Was very hot and kids loved the playground. Was turned away from the diner door as no shoes for the kids. Waitress could have behaved in a more customer focussed manor.