If you’re heading down to the south of the south, you’ll be pleased to hear the eating and drinking options are still very much top class. Invercargill may only have a population of around 52,000 – but that doesn’t mean locals don’t know a good cup of coffee when they see one. Here’s our picks of where to park up while you’re in New Zealand’s southernmost town.
The Batch 173 Spey Street
Open since 2011, The Batch has long since cemented its place as a local favourite thanks to its fun, bright atmosphere and its super tempting food cabinet. The stacks of freshly baked muffins, scrolls, croissants and scones go down equally well with a well brewed Humingbird Coffee. Fancy coming back again and again? Choose something from their brunch menu that runs from 7:30am – 11:15am or stay a little later for the lunch menu that’s on offer till 2:30pm.
Industry Café 33 Arena Ave
Sister café to The Batch means you know you’re in good hands as soon as you walk through the door at Industry Café. Running on the ethos of good food, good coffee and good company, you can expect nothing less from the team who have put plenty of love into their big, fresh, open-plan space where they serve up fresh, seasonal and made from scratch food. Choose from decadent brunch offerings between 6:30am – 11:00am, or pop in for lunch from 11:00am onwards.
Zookeepers Café 50 Tay Street
It’s hard to miss Zookeepers Café and that’s because there’s a whole lot of fun and fanciful displays to point you in the right direction (the neon signage and big bear sculpture outside to name a few). Park up and have your coffee in the bright eccentric interior where bikes hang from the roof and Allpress beans are ground into delicious brews behind the counter. Be sure to check out their frequent Open Mic Nights on Thursdays too where local musicians take the stage to impress the crowd. Open till 10:00pm, Zookeepers becomes the perfect place to cosy up and spend the evening.
The Foundry Cnr Gimblett Street & North Road
Fancy fancying things up a notch while you’re down south? Then a trip to The Foundry is in order. A bar and restaurant that prides itself on its spectacular style, decor and atmosphere, The Foundry serves up some of the most impressive meals in town. More catered to the carnivores amongst us, choose from some impressive mains like ribeye, venison, lamb rack, or New Orleans style fried chicken. Open 5:00pm – 10:00pm every evening, make The Foundry a well-deserved stop off before you leave town.
Suzie Q Tapas Kitchen & Bar 16 Kelvin Street
Got a travel partner or two in tow? Then Suzie Q is your best bet for an epic eating experience, and that’s because they are experts at creating a menu that’s easy to share. Taking inspiration from the Spanish palate, expect the menu here to be full of small plates like sauteed prawns, prosciutto and pear salad, filo cigars and crispy polenta bites. Order glass by the wine or bottle, or kick back with a craft beer from some of NZ’s best brewers. Open 5:30pm – 10:30pm every day apart from Monday, make sure to take only the most generous meal sharers with you to Suzie Q.
Any of those take your fancy? Book a Snap Rentals and head down South to discover eats and drinks that is well on par with bigger cities in the country: https://www.snaprentals.co.nz/