The Best Bakeries in Otago

OK, before we begin, we know this has the potential to be controversial, so let’s establish the ground rules from the start.  

To qualify for inclusion, a bakery, bakehouse or café bakery needs to be located within approximately 500m of one of Otago’s walking and cycling trails that are part of the Great Rides network. We know that this excludes some extraordinary bakers and bakeries, but this ride guide for cyclists has been devised so that you can score that sublime scone or consummate croissant with minimal deviation from the trail.

Right, now that we’ve established the rules, let’s get baking…

Cromwell – Pinot Junction

Located in historic Murrells Cottage just off the Lake Dunstan Trail in Cromwell Heritage Precinct you’ll find Pinot Junction. The cabinet is brimming with beautiful cakes and slices baked in-house, whilst on the menu you’ll find bao buns, seafood chowder, seasonal salads alongside classic burgers, pizzas, and super-sized cheese rolls.

And, as the name suggests, Pinot Junction also serves some of Central Otago’s best wines.

Clyde – Merchant of Clyde Cafe, Deli and Bakery

Amongst the historic buildings that make up Olivers in the centre of Clyde, is the Merchant of Clyde – a café, delicatessen and bakery.

The specialist baking team at the Merchant of Clyde start early every day producing an extensive range of delicious baked goods, including fresh bread which sells out quickly each morning. The deli features local cheese, house smoked salmon, Otago honey, plus a variety of other of other local produce.

Also located onsite is the Victoria Store Brewery, a compact, two level, gravity-fed craft brewery - making a stop at the Merchant of Clyde ideal for lunch and a refreshing afternoon beer once you’ve ridden the Lake Dunstan Trail.

Clyde - Dunstan House

Everyone loves Dunstan House where the cabinet is always heaving with delicious treats. Owner, Meredith is all about natural real ingredients, everything made from scratch on-site with a huge focus on using local produce.

Whilst everyone loves the cinnamon scrolls, slices of cheesecake, sausage rolls and other delicious baking, there are also healthier options like salads, wraps and raw slices. Try the cheese scone - Meredith asked every home baker and Nana in town what their secret was and used all the advice to create one that’s a little bit of Clyde all in one delicious mouthful!

Alexandra – Industry Lane Eatery

Located right alongside the Otago Central Rail Trail, Industry Lane knows how to please an audience of cyclists – the portions here are industrial sized!

The cabinet is chock full of epicurean delights, and the donuts are world-famous-in-Alexandra with flavours ranging from blueberry cheesecake to vanilla custard jam, to caramel apple pie, or toffee pop fudge! There’s also an la carte menu for a larger lunch or brunch option.

Omakau – Muddy Creek Café

Oh la la! C'est délicieux!...

A genuine taste of France found in small town Central Otago.

Buttery pain au raisin, soft brioche, seasonal cake specials, soulful soups, and cheese rolls with a French twist… Everything at Muddy Creek Café is made in-house with a liberal dose of French flair by Alice and Marie – who, you might have guessed, originally hail from France.

Ranfurly – Floral & Feast Kitchen

There’s no need for a menu here – an expansive cabinet of home-baked delights takes centre stage. Everything you see is made fresh on site every morning by cousins Rae and Jo.

But it’s Rae and Jo’s desserts that really put the feast into Floral & Feast… classics like warm scones with butter, quintessential Kiwiana slices, and soft cinnamon scrolls which could probably be contenders for the very best in New Zealand.

Queenstown - Boat Shed Bakery

Located at the Queenstown Marina, just off the Frankton Track on the Queenstown Trails, the Boat Shed Bakery offers  a premium “grab-and-go” experience for cyclists featuring artisan baked goods, superb coffee, and Lewis Road Creamery ice creams.

Word on the trail is that the maple and bacon Danish is an absolute sensation with a sweet and salty twist from a traditional Danish recipe.

If you love to run, but also love to eat yummy pastries, then join The Boat Shed Bakery regulars at 10am every second Saturday for a gentle 5km jog along the lake starting and finishing from the bakery.

Provisions of Arrowtown

Located in an historic miner’s cottage, Provisions of Arrowtown pride themselves as ambassadors of fresh, seasonal food, delicious baking and great coffee. The cafe has a "made from scratch philosophy" - everything is baked on the premises daily including sourdough, focaccia, bagels, gingerbread, pies and cakes and also the famous sticky buns.

As one Tripadvisor critic exclaimed in a recent review, Provisions bakes “obscenely good sticky buns”!

We couldn’t agree more.

Arrowtown – The Bakehouse, Ayrburn

Ayrburn is a new purpose-built food and wine neighbourhood! With a track connecting Ayrburn directly to the Countryside Trail, it’s a fabulous destination for cyclists on the Queenstown Trails network, whether it’s for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon refreshments or dinner.

Offering wood-fired pizzas, rotisserie chickens, freshly baked breads and cold beer on tap, The Bakehouse at Ayrburn offers just a touch more than your regular bakery…

Queenstown – European Bakery

Finally, an honourable mention to the European Bakery in Queenstown. Whilst technically a smidge over 500m from a cycle trail, the bakery is such a loyal supporter of the Queenstown Trails Trust that it deserves recognition…however their loaves are available across the region with plenty of stockists close to the trails.

Started by Andre and Daniela, who missed the old-world breads of their European roots, they started to bake bread the old-fashioned way. Today their range includes numerous sourdoughs, classic Italian ciabatta, Turkish, Tuscan and French breads plus buns, bagels and bretzels! All superb and wholesome fuel for the trails.

Bon appétit!