Haloumi Dish
Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen
- inspired Central Otago wine & food
  • A culinary gem! The best meal I've had in months. Every dish was a masterpiece of flavor and presentation, the bread, braised beef ribs and twice cooked potatoes were perfect. The staff were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!
    Samantha Ip via Google, 2 July 2024
  • Have now been a few times to Mora, and each time it doesn't disappoint! Whether it's during the winter months or during the beautiful summer/spring season, it's always such a great experience. Beautiful food and wine, beautiful setting and great service :)
    Jacinda Walker via Google, 18 June 2024
  • “Mora” means to linger or pause in Latin, and believe us – this is the place to do just that. Tucked away just outside of Arrowtown, this quaint cellar door and artisan kitchen opens out into a lush garden and cottage setting that may require a few pinches to believe.
    Neat Places Queenstown, 15 April 2024
  • After spending a week eating out in some of the best places in Queenstown, our group of 8 visitors all agreed that Mora was the best overall ! Great food, service, and atmosphere
    Andrew Barltrop via Google, 16 May 2024
Hero dish
LOCATION:
265 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road
Arrowtown 9371

CONTACT:
+ 64 (03) 442 1090
restaurant@mora-artisan.co.nz
OPENING HOURS:
7 Days 9am - 5pm

Bookings essential

Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day

TRANSPORTATION:
We now have a bus stop right outside our gates with a frequent timetable to enable you to make the most of your visit with us and not worry about the drive home.
View Timetable.
Mora (Latin) means to linger, to take pause. This is what we offer our guests at Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen – the opportunity to take time, to slow down and enjoy good food and wine with family and friends.

Owner and Executive Chef John Pickens, and his team at our restaurant offer hand-crafted cuisine that is made from scratch. We use New Zealand’s finest sustainable ingredients, sourced in and around the four coasts of the South Island.

Honest, comforting and social food meets the beauty of Mora Central Otago wines.
Vouchers
Gift Vouchers

Our most treasured possession in life is time. Mora (Latin) means to take pause or to linger. To make time to enjoy the essence of life and live in the moment. It’s a mantra that allows us the freedom to look at things differently. To look at Central Otago anew.

Give your family and loved ones the gift of time with a voucher or dining experience at Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen, where an experience with us will create memories of a time well spent.

Evening Functions image
Evening Functions

We have a number of options for you to host your own private function, whether indoors or outside in our gardens. We cater up to 50 guests seated, from 5:30 pm until 10:30 pm.

To enquire, email restaurant@mora-artisan.co.nz or phone 03 442 1090.

John Exec Chef
Executive Chef and Co-Owner

Executive Chef John Pickens has been cooking in kitchens around the world for more than 25 years. After attending culinary school, John got his first job on a yacht and knew he’d found his calling. The next decade was spent working on yachts around Europe, the Caribbean and America with his wife, Debbie, before returning to New Zealand and settling in Queenstown. Spotting a gap in the market for caterers to high end events, private functions and weddings, together they established Artisan Catering.

Today, John is enjoying his chance to share his food with a broader audience through Artisan Catering’s partnership with Mora Wines. The food coming from Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen is a result of his passion for honest and social food with a focus on seasonal ingredients from Central Otago’s local growers. His dedication to his craft has earned him several accolades, including ‘Outstanding Chef of the Year 2019’ and the restaurant’s recognition as ‘People’s Choice of the Year 2021’ at the Queenstown Hospitality Awards.

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