5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies© Pixabay
5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies

5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies

© Pixabay

Food Tours and Activities in Alexandra and Clyde

While many will venture off the beaten track to these Central Otago towns for their iconic bike trails, those a little more in-the-know about Alexandra and Clyde come for their boutique wineries, honest craft beer and orchard experiences. With a warm and dry climate – one of the driest in the country – trying fresh local cuisine while dining alfresco is a staple of a visit here. So plan your food-orientated activities, market visits, food and wine tours with this list of things to do in Alexandra and Clyde for foodies.

For more food-related travel advice, check out The Foodie Guide to Alexandra & Clyde.

1. Tour the Boutique Wineries of Alexandra

Forget the large commercial wineries you may have seen in Marlborough or the nearby Queenstown; the boutique winery scene in Alexandra and Clyde begs to be savoured! The region is home to more than 10 boutique wineries, many opening their cellar doors for tastings, purchases, some for platters while others have accommodation to stay the night! Visit them independently using the 10 Best Wineries in Alexandra. Alternatively, let someone else worry about the driving and setting the itinerary on a relaxing wine tour with Vine2Wine Uncorked or a 4WD bespoke wine tour with Rock and Tussock Safaris. Grey Ridge Vineyard, Hawkdun Rise Vineyard and Legacy Vineyard also offer accommodation in their vineyards, which tend to include at least a complimentary glass of wine to full vineyard tours for guests.

Location: See here for the wineries’ locations. Tours offer pick-ups from local accommodations.

5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies© NZPocketGuide.com

2. Sample Craft Beer at the Local Breweries

If you’re more of a beer drinker, then you won’t feel shortchanged in Alexandra and Clyde. Treat your tastebuds to the hoppy flavours of Ferris Road Brewery’s beers, open Thursday to Sunday for beer tastings accompanied by pizzas, wine, coffee and various bar snacks. In Clyde, don’t miss The Victoria Store Brewery inside a 125-year-old gold miners store, now a two-storey gravity-fed brewery with a bar, restaurant, cafe and accommodation on-site. More beer highlights include Manuherekia Brewery, found at the local markets and beer festivals, and Dark Horse Brew Werkz inside the grounds of the Omakau Commercial Hotel along the Otago Central Rail Trail.

Location: Ferris Road Brewery – 7 Ngapara Street, Alexandra. The Victoria Store Brewery – 34 Sunderland Street, Clyde. Manuherekia Brewery – Letts Gully Road, Alexandra. Dark Horse Brew Werkz – 1 Harvey Street, Omakau.

5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies© NZPocketGuide.com

3. Pick Your Own Raspberries or Enjoy Afternoon Tea at Monte Christo Raspberry Cafe

For a foodie experience that’s more family-friendly, why not sample the fresh fruit of Monte Christo Raspberry Cafe?! Pop in to pick your own raspberries, indulge in berry fruit desserts and ice cream at the cafe or enjoy a traditional afternoon tea experience at their tea shop. They also have a children’s play area and gardens, which is ideal if you’re travelling with little ones. See more like this in the 9 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde with Kids.

Location: 100 Springvale Road, Clyde.

5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies© Unsplash

4. Check Out the Alexandra Friday Food and Produce Market

Like most Kiwi towns, Alexandra hosts its own foodie market for a more comprehensive food experience. Held in Pioneer Park in Alexandra, the Alexandra Friday Food and Produce Market offers an eclectic selection of stalls selling seasonal fruit and vegetables, as well as gourmet and deli food products, cheeses, eggs, preserves, bread, smoked salmon, gluten-free food, fermented foods, healthy food and much more. You’ll also be able to pick up local street eats at the food trucks, such as coffee, Dutch waffles and an array of hot and cold food.

Location: Pioneer Park, Alexandra.

5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies© Pixabay

5. Enjoy Local Cuisine at the Restaurants and Cafes

In a region awash in orchards and vineyards, you can hardly beat the freshness of Central Otago’s cuisine. One of the must-visit restaurants in the area is Olivers for its charming heritage setting with three eateries in this complex: the fine dining and local fare of Olivers Restaurant, the casual dining of the Merchant of Clyde Cafe, Deli & Bakery, and the Olivers Bar pouring beer straight from their in-house brewery. Clyde is also home to Paulina’s Restaurant & Bar, which draws inspiration from Spanish, Italian, Japanese cuisine to create a menu of wholesome food. Cosy cafes inside charming historical buildings are also a staple of Alexandra and Clyde, with some of our top picks including the Post Office Cafe & Bar, The Bank Cafe and The Court House Cafe & Bar. For more recommendations, head to The Foodie Guide to Alexandra & Clyde.

Location: Olivers – 34 Sunderland Street, Clyde. Paulina’s Restaurant & Bar – 6 Naylor Street. Post Office Cafe & Bar – 2 Blyth Street, Clyde. The Bank Cafe – 31-33 Sunderland Street. The Court House Cafe & Bar – 8 Centennial Avenue, Alexandra.

5 Things to Do in Alexandra & Clyde for Foodies© NZPocketGuide.com

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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