Haloumi Dish
Mora Wines & Artisan Kitchen
- inspired Central Otago wine & food
Hero dish
LOCATION:
265 Arrowtown-Lake Hayes Road
Arrowtown 9371

CONTACT:
+ 64 (03) 442 1090
restaurant@mora-artisan.co.nz
OPENING HOURS:
7 days / 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Open until 6:00 pm Friday - Sunday

Bookings essential

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 (formerly Akarua) was launched in November 2022. Mora is the name of our new wine brand, following the sale of Akarua in Bannockburn to Edmond de Rothschild Heritage. John and Deb Pickens along with the Skeggs family are still the owners of the restaurant and cellar door in Arrowtown, and will continue to look after you in the same way they have always done.

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.
  • “The food was exquisite!! Seriously beautiful food and absolutely wonderful wine. Love coming here!! A true treat and experience”
    Tina Purdie, Google
  • “I went to Mora with my partner and I was super happy with everything, their food is just amazing, very tasty and well presented. Customer service also very good and the place is cute with an amazing atmosphere… a place to come back for sure!”
    Fernanda Machado, Google
  • “Where do we even start? If you haven’t heard of this absolute gem, then your world is about to get a whole lot better. As you walk up the cobblestone path to the gorgeous white weatherboard cottage…you’ll feel instantly at home.”
    Urban List NZ
  • "An outstanding return visit to Mora, and it never fails to please. The food, service and venue are fabulous. Mora is a great venue to take time to catch up with family and friends in a relaxed environment while the kitchen and staff perform their magic."
    David Glen, Google
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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