In case you haven’t heard, Ayrburn is officially opening its doors tomorrow — much to the delight of gourmands country-wide. The sprawling dining precinct, set against the striking, mountainous backdrop of Arrowtown’s outskirts, boasts a series of exceptional hospitality venues that offer a vast array of experiences. From delicious, family-friendly eateries to intimate bars, fine dining restaurants, picnic spots, a gelateria and more, here, you’ll find something for every taste and proclivity.
The first destination to welcome diners is The Woolshed, a casual, bistro-style eatery promising day-to-night fare that the whole family can enjoy wholeheartedly. There, the philosophy is simple: quality reigns supreme, which means you’ll find delicious, uncomplicated food that is utterly enjoyable, served in a classically elegant setting.
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When it comes to the food itself, the menu is a flavourful exploration of our local landscape, utilising the finest meats from local farms, freshly caught fish and seasonal seafood to craft soulful sharing plates and hearty, comforting dishes. Those visiting for breakfast would do well to order the heirloom tomatoes, perfectly paired with whipped tofu, miso, furikake and aged balsamic, or the prawn and chilli scrambled eggs with herb and garlic flatbread, topped with whipped cow’s feta and spicy harissa.
If it’s a long lunch or convivial dinner with friends on the cards, we’d suggest several exceptional sharing plates — the market oysters with mignonette and house-made hot sauce are a perfect place to start, while the Asian spiced duck, topped with lemongrass and date relish and served alongside white kimchi and nashi pear, or the R.M. Speciality Lumina lamb shoulder, slow roasted and served with lashings of mint sauce (one of our personal favourites), are guaranteed to satisfy.
If you’re in with the kids, you can’t go wrong with a selection of Roman-style stone-baked pizzas, the typically Southern shoestring fries with chicken salt, or The Woolshed cheeseburger — sure to become a fast favourite amongst mini gastronomers and their charges alike. Park up by the outdoor fire come winter, or take to the sun-drenched deck and while away a sublime summer evening soaking in the unmatched vista while the kids explore the nearby stream and perfectly-manicured grounds.
The space, like all of Ayrburn’s dwellings, hums with history and the vitality of something reimagined anew. Within The Woolshed, diners are invited to perch beneath carefully preserved, barn-like roofs, and are surrounded by an extensive collection of New Zealand art, while those dining outdoors will find hardy schist accents, a sturdy timber pergola and weathered corrugated cladding, all of which combine to pay homage to the land’s historical roots.
The Woolshed is an eatery for everyone, where the food and drink is as exceptional as the spectacular setting. Our table is booked, is yours?
