The restaurant at Lake Ōhau Lodge has a reputation for outstanding food, great service and warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Our cosy restaurant features an open fire, big windows with lake views, a bar and lovely big tables. Guests are invited to sit together which often is one of the highlights of your time here.

The Team

The heart of any place is the kitchen and indeed this is the case at Lake Ōhau Lodge.  We always have a very talented team using great local products to produce beautiful food. We are very fortunate to have an excellent Head Chef in Arthur So'oalo assisted by Joe Wagenaar & Harry Cutler who combined make a well oiled team.

Our really awesome restaurant team is headed by Kira our Maitre d' and Coco.   

In the bar, we have Fonzi our Chilean and Tom from the UK who love being in the bar, having fun, creating some interesting drinks and serving both young and old - and in between!

Dinner, bed and breakfast

Each evening we serve a 3 course set menu, the "chef's special" each night.  This includes a soup with Ōhau fresh bread, a choice of two main courses on the same vegetables and a dessert.  We ask that you advise on booking of any dietary requirements so that we can cater individually for that requirement.  i.e. it is no problem to prepare a vegetarian option or bake a gluten free loaf of bread or gluten free dessert but whatever your diet we will try our best to cater for you.

For breakfast there is a buffet where you help yourself to the selection of cereals including our wonderful home made muesli, fruits and yoghurt and then once you are seated our waitress will come and ask you if you would like a cooked breakfast.  This includes crispy bacon, free range poached eggs, grilled sausage and tomato.  Toast is served to the table and there is filter coffee and tea that you can help yourself to or we can make an espresso coffee if you prefer for an extra charge.

For families with small children we offer the option of an early dining time, if required.  In the winter season it is not uncommon to have 30 children all dining together at 6pm - that is when the adults retreat to the bar!!

Take advantage of our excellent dinner, bed and breakfast packages to experience the best Lake Ōhau Lodge has to offer or ring (03) 4389 885 to enquire for a casual dinner booking.

Dinner

Sample menus 2023

Menu 1

• Thyme roasted butternut soup with a parmesan crisp
• Ohau fresh bread
• Cocoa & wild-fire spiced Cervena venison

Or

• Manuka smoked Aoraki salmon fillet with herbed horseradish creme fraiche & pickled red onion
• Kumara mash
• Steamed greens
• Hazelnut crumble

 Tarte au citron with Italian meringue & a berry coulis

Menu 2 

• Truffled cauliflower soup
• Ohau fresh bread
• Mustard crusted roasted rib eye served medium rare with herb compound butter

Or

• Lemon & thyme rubbed chicken breast
• Crushed duck fat roasted potatoes
• Glazed baby beets
• Green beans
• Port wine jus

Dark chocolate frangipane tart with a pear tuille & chocolate zabaglione

Menu 3

• Minestrone
• Ohau fresh bread
• Red wine & rosemary braised high-country Merino lamb shank

or

• Coq au vin free range Organic chicken leg
• Cheesy parmesan polenta
• Shaved fennel & brussel sprout salad
• Broccolini

Tiramisu

Lunch - Please ring (03) 4389 885 to make a booking.

Over winter, as most guests are up the mountain, lunch is a very casual affair.  We offer simply some of our home made soup and bread or toasties and salad and there will always be an espresso coffee and cake to hand!  Best to get up the mountain!!