Our mantra of ‘Wild Beautiful Luxury’ easily describes our food and beverage programme. We bring seasonal elements into our estate-inspired menus and beverage offerings. We champion local artisan producers and are seen as a leader in sustainable food procurement and practices.

Executive Chef Norka Mella Munoz heads the culinary team, which is a little more diverse than just a classic chefs brigade and front of house team. We have a dedicated master forager in the kitchen team, as well as a gardener dedicated to the edible gardens, chickens and pigs. The wider Wharekauhau Country Estate is home to over 100 varieties of homegrown vegetables, fruits, berries, proteins, and foraged plants. 

Our restaurant and beverage programme is headed up by Nicolas Simonucci who has been with the lodge for over 6 years, embracing local producers and working closely with our gardeners and forager to ensure we are bringing the best of the estate to you each season. Nicolas has developed one of the best wine cellars in New Zealand with a deep-reaching wine list that spans decades of vintages and showcases New Zealand and Martinborough wines perfectly 

Over and above everything we are big believers in simply talking to us… If you are craving something or want to try a dish, or just feel like some comfort food, our outstanding team will do everything they can to ensure each meal is absolutely memorable

Breakfast

The day starts with a relaxed country-style breakfast consisting of continental and cooked farmhouse favourites.

Lunch

There is a relaxed a la carte menu available all afternoon. The hardest part is choosing your location! Enjoy it at the pool-house, the country kitchen, the lodge courtyard or ocean view terrace, or cozy in your cottage suite in front of the fireplace.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, our talented team create a 'Trust the Chef' 4-course degustation tasting menu to highlight our local, seasonal bounty.

Dinner

The dining room comes alive in the evening with summer views out over the vast Pacific Ocean. Choose between our a la carte menu or our tasting menu each evening. Please note our tasting menu requires 24 hours’ notice. 

Picnics

Wharekauhau Country Estate is famous for our 'Chef in the Wild' picnic series, which sets up a picture-perfect 'white cloth' dining experience hosted by one of our chefs in various locations around the estate. For something a little simpler we also have our 'active picnics' which you can take while exploring at your own pace.

Children

We love having families at the estate, and know that sometimes our little ones have specific wants and needs. Please just speak with the team before arrival, and during your stay, if you wish for simpler options. We do try to dine children a little earlier, or in one of the private lounges, to best accommodate our other guests.

High Tea

On the first Sunday of every month from March - December we host Wellington's best classic high tea, channeling our inner Great Gatsby with croquet and petanque on the games lawn.