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Hours
Sun
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Mon
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tue
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thu
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri
9:00 am - 4:00 pm6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat
9:00 am - 4:00 pm6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, European, New Zealand, Contemporary, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Does this restaurant allow dogs or considered pet friendly?
Details
About
Riverstone Kitchen is an award-winning restaurant nestled in the spectacular North Otago countryside which has gained a reputation for delicious food, simply prepared from local, seasonal ingredients. Chef, restauranteur, author of four cookbooks and father of two, Bevan Smith is the owner of the renowned and award-winning Riverstone Kitchen, located just 15km north of Oamaru. Bevan’s food ethos is reflected in the all-encompassing gardens that surround and define Riverstone Kitchen. Bevan Smith is founder, and owner of Riverstone Kitchen restaurant, opening Riverstone Kitchen in 2006 and very quickly making a name for himself winning Cuisine’s prestigious Restaurant of the Year Award in 2010. Riverstone’s focus on local suppliers and its large production gardens has helped redefine, seasonal dining in rural New Zealand. 15 years on from when it began, Riverstone Kitchen continues to be a vibrant and busy restaurant with Bevan leading his dedicated team from within the kitchen.
PRICE RANGE
$8.00 – $48.00
CUISINES
European, Contemporary, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Playgrounds, Dog Friendly, Non-smoking restaurants, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
892 reviews
Excellent
648
Very good
151
Average
50
Poor
27
Terrible
17
bertyApril2017
Christchurch21 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
My wife & I had booked a table for lunch on the way to Dunedin for the Elton John concert. The Riverstone Cafe is set in a beautiful location, with the castle, grounds (gardens) & craft store to look around & generally a great place to stretch your legs. The food was out of this world, pure quality, made from the finest ingredients, I imagine alot sourced from the grounds/gardens or locally. I had the sheared squid, which was delicious, amazing deserts, which I went for the carrot cake.
We had heard the cafe was going to be closed on the Wednesday when we were travelling back, although popped in the way back & they had a small cafe hut set-up which was serving again food on another level. I had the best chicken sandwhich i've had in my life, quality fresh ingredients & I had some chips which were almost to good to call chips & again tried a slice of the orange cake which like everything else was amazing.
It would take about 3 hours from Christchurch to get there, it is almost worth making that trip just for this place. I hope they keep up the great work and quality food that they serve for many years to come.
Written 5 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah W
Baldivis232 contributions
Mar 2020 • friends
Was advised to try this restaurant by a Chef friend of mine & was not disappointed. We went for breakfast and all three of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals eagerly eating up every last bit of a very substantial meal. I had the hot smoked fish hash which was salmon and felt it was perfect & I’m pretty fussy.
Customer service was also awesome being quick and attentive which was appreciated with one party having a broken leg.
Highly recommend, would definitely return.
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
896melh
Dunedin59 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
If you are in or near Oamaru, then you should try visiting this restaurant. Lunch there was the highlight of our weekend visit. Spicy pumpkin soup & toasted Ciabatta bread, followed by pulled Lamb and stir fry Brussel sprout & Hazel nut salad. My wife would not normally eat sprouts, but she had to admit that this dish took her be surprise. Were we able to afford to eat there every day, we would be regulars, the staff are helpful and friendly, the surroundings include a Castle are worth visiting alone. Then when you have enjoyed your fill, you can walk it off by visiting the numerous and well stoked gift shops and surrounding gardens. We have not been disappointed by this venue, it has to be added to your must visit list!
Written 17 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna
43 contributions
Dec 2020 • family
We visited as a large pre-booked group.
First, rather than putting our table of 12+ in one of the side areas, we were directly by the counter so our experience was of continuous to-ing and fro-ing of staff and customers past our seats.
I had a very wierd interaction with a grumpy staff member. She accidentally spilled some of my drink on the table. Did not clean it up straight away. When she did come back to mop it up she only partially got rid of it. I used a napkin to soak up the rest and asked for a replacement napkin to replace the dirty one. She sort of threw one at me and it fell on the floor. She was not happy!
Also at the end the first staff member could not add up our bill. A second person had to come and take over at the till.
Food was OK, not startling. One of our party commented about the tiny containers of pepper. "Enough for one person" on our table.
Staff were brusque not friendly.
Thankfully food did all come out at the same time. It was okay. The best dish was probably the fish with rissotto I had fish and chips and was very underwhelmed, though homemade tartare sauce was nice and tasty.
Puddings were better. A good selection of cakes. The deep fried custard was actually nasty. The egg in the custard turned to scrambled egg with the heat of frying making the texture horrible.
A calmer atmosphere would have been nice, as would attention to detail. Some flowers on the tables would be good, and some proper napkins not paper. More vegetarian options on the menu would also be nice, as there was only one.
All in all not great, hence the 3 stars only.
Written 23 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tigersden
New Zealand40 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
Stopped in for a meal it was very busy . Easy to see this is a slick operation staff and service were top notch. Had pad fried fish it was first rate great flavours will call again.
Written 5 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharpeze
Dunedin331 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
We had a tour of the fabulous Castle and then booked at the restaurant or my birthday lunch. We started with the fresh bread and Olive oil. I wanted the pan fried fish but it was tuna (which I don't like) but it was no hassle for the kitchen to give me fresh sole instead. It was delicious. Hubby had the pork dish which he enjoyed very much. We shared a dessert of Spanish Custard and that was equally a mouth watering surprise. A pricy lunch at $117 including a drink each and coffee but you don't mind when its a special treat which we really enjoyed.
Written 23 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah Jane Rule
New Zealand84 contributions
May 2020 • none
My friends and I visited Riverstone Kitchen yesterday for lunch and it was amazing. Two of us had the venison pie with mashed potatoes, one the baked fish, one the mushroom risotto and finally the salmon dish. They were all amazing. Our waiter was fantasic, attentive without being overbearing. We had a great time. Thanks so much! I would definitely come back and will be recommending you to others.
Written 23 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet B
Lower Hutt39 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
We came for a belated birthday dinner for my husband. Amelia looked after us very professionally for the evening; she was friendly and attentive, understands the menu well and worked with the chefs to ensure my dietary needs were met. John's lamb was delicious, as was my meal, and his affogato came with a candle, such a charming touch. The wine list is excellent as well. We'll be back when we're next in Oamaru.
Written 16 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mumma&Co
Timaru7290 contributions
Nov 2020 • friends
After throughly enjoying a tour around the castle & a look around the shops we came for lunch.
My fish was delicious, the one pork dish looked like cat food & was cold, my friend was so disappointed!
Service was pretty good, things like bringing one bottle of water to a table of six is silly.
Just found it so expensive!!
Written 6 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trail46337813870
1 contribution
Jan 2021 • none
The food served to us today was 'to die for'. We both had the Okaahu lamb and I have never tasted lamb as well prepared and served. The atmosphere and service all combined to make this an excellent dining experience.
Written 16 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scottygirl
Auckland2304 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
We went for coffee before a tour of the Castle and then returned for lunch. We had the most amazing date and orange scone with our coffee and was told by Dot (of Dot's Castle) that the recipe was handed down from through her family.
Lunch was equally as delicious -- we had the lamb and the pork. We had the same server for both morning coffee and lunch and she was extremely helpful and professional.
Written 19 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiesta902
Christchurch14 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Wow. We enjoyed the feasting menu with wine match and every dish had beautiful flavours accompanied by a range of delicious fresh produce. It truly was a feast and the wine matches were also perfectly balanced. Our waitress could not have been any more friendly or efficient, this was a total ten dining experience on every level. A very memorable meal and I am so glad we had the opportunity to sample Bevan's fabulous feast and his culinary expertise. It is difficult to say which course was my favourite, but ohh...that salted caramel ice-cream and deep-fried custard...just saying. I would return here in a heartbeat.
Written 29 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bwucee0
Tauranga177 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
This review is a bit of a misnomer because what you first go to see is this castle in the middle of nowhere. If you didn't know, you'd drive past past. The cafe is a side thing but the food is great. We turned up on a rainy day to see the chef wandering through the exceptional vegetable garden to select his herbs for the day. You have to see to believe with a garden that was brimming with fresh veggies. fruit and herbs. The cabbages were huge so the local climate does assist with growing and then all the fruit trees surrounding the place were just part of the image.
In the shop, you have to wonder at the range of things in there and where they come from, not cheap but what a mixture. You can just wander and wonder..... Dont miss it.
Written 23 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deang243
56 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
Heard good things and kept thinking ”we must stop on day”. So after a trip to Moeraki we did.
Great food, but also lovely gardens and cool ”funky” gift shops.
If you're a guy travelling with you partner and mother in law you will get brownie points for stopping here!!! But anyone who likes gardens and good food I also highly recommend stopping in.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
knitina
Wanaka46 contributions
Oct 2020 • couples
Thank you for a Fabulous evening, and spectacular food. We chose the feasting menu because it was a celebration for my husbands 60th birthday and everything was delicious, You could taste the freshness in the produce and perfectly matched Nz wines . My husband was delighted when his desert came out with a personalised message. It could not have been more perfect :)
Written 31 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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