This iconic stop on SH One in Mangaweka, at the entrance to the Manawatū Scenic Route, boasts fresh colourful cabinet food, a full breakfast and lunch menu and the best cheese scones to rival your grandmother’s home baking! With a strong focus on sustainability and para kore (zero waste) everything is made onsite and their famous preserves and sauces feature throughout the menu. Soak in the views from the herb and vege garden out towards the mighty papa cliffs.

Browse the local goods on offer to stock up your pantry, from local pottery, Rata Olive Oil, Kiwi Quinoa, Mr Manuka Honey, and their house made range of chutneys, aioli and spice rubs to name a few.

As part of their commitment to sustainability, you won’t find any single-use cups here! Make sure you’ve got a mug or reusable cup in the car if you’re after something on the go.

Open Sunday to Monday

This countryside café offers tasty treats made on-site each morning, filling the cabinet with delicious slices, gourmet pies, panini's, corn fritter stacks and vegetable frittatas to name a few. Get your caffeine hit and order a coffee made with Ebony Coffee Beans which are locally roasted in Palmerston North. Housed within two shipping containers with indoor and outdoor seating options, it's no wonder this is a popular spot with the locals.

Open Tuesday to Sunday.

Open every day from September through to April, Awastone Cafe is a scenic spot just off State Highway One. Enjoy great food and service while sitting amongst beautiful gardens and overlooking the magnificent Papa Cliffs and Rangitīkei River. Sundays in summer bring with them 'Sunday Sessions', live music to top off all the other attractions at Awastone. Make it a stop on your journey along the Manawatū Scenic Route.

Open daily, except over winter.

A peaceful and welcoming atmosphere awaits you at Hansen’s Cafe, situated in the heart of Kimbolton Village. Dining is café style, offering fresh food made in-house and the service at Hansen’s is second to none. Hansen’s is the perfect Saturday family day trip or stop off point when travelling between Taupō and Wellington.

Open Wednesday to Sunday.

Classic rural pub? Tick. Some of the best fish and chips in Manawatū? Tick. Affectionately referred to as ‘The Chelty’ and located just 15 mins from Feilding, this historic watering hole is popular with locals and visitors alike. Originally built in 1876, the pub sits at the cross-roads of Kimbolton Road and Cheltenham-Hunterville Road, a perfect stop off if you’re heading to Vinegar Hill or up through Kimbolton and on to northern Manawatū. The Chelty is also home to the annual speed shear competition – where once a year shearers’ from around the country flock to compete against one another in the lead up to the renowned Golden Shears.

Open seven days. Also available for private functions and bookings.

Located on State Highway One, MOOMAA Cafe and Design Store has a super stylish interior, outdoor courtyard, colourful cabinet food and a delicious breakfast and lunch menu, MooMaa offers the perfect weekend outing – just half an hour from Palmerston North on the outskirts of Marton. While you’re enjoying your meals, make sure you browse the eye candy on display in the MOOMAA Design Store. They have a range of visually tantalizing furniture, homewares, wallpaper and fabrics and owner Emma Shannon, a qualified Interior and Graphic Designer, is on hand to offer her design and consultation services.

Open seven days.

Under new ownership and with an innovative new menu (cooked by an award-winning chef), Āpiti Tavern & Eatery is situated at the foot of the Ruahine Ranges – perfect for that cold drink after an outdoor adventure. It’s a friendly country tavern with a relaxed feel and welcoming staff, and loads of seating both indoor and out. We love the smoked brisket burger and the sticky date pudding. Importantly, there’s plenty of room to park the motorhome!

Open Thursday to Sunday