On the Rail Trail opposite the Lauder Station site.

7 days 9am – 4pm

Opened November 2010

With its quaint cottage design, distinctive red roof and beckoning orange flag, purpose-built Stationside Cafe at Lauder makes a welcome sight for any Rail Trailer hanging out for an energy top-up or light lunch.

Out of nutritional concern for her customers, owner Shirley Vette, a keen foodie and Lauder local, makes no apology for a total lack of pies, fries and white bread sandwiches. “What we have are far more appealing, delicious and nutritious; and won't feel heavy in tummies of customers cycling up the Poolburn Gorge,” laughs Shirley. “Everything is mixed, baked and prepared in our kitchen with most of the dishes assembled right there in front of the customer. It doesn't get much fresher than that. Customers are welcome to sit at our tables or spread out along the edge of the verandah floor which we had built at a convenient sitting height.”

Just some of the reasons to make sure you call into the Stationside Cafe at Lauder... and remember, the blackboard menu changes daily

• Smoked chicken salad.
• Corn fritters with crispy bacon and salad
• Gourmet ham or chicken salad sandwiches – hugely popular – made to order to take away for a picnic lunch in the gorge
• Steak sandwich with caramelised onion sauce
• Hearty soup with crusty bread
• Tasty toasted sandwiches
• Muffins and scones fresh from the oven
• Deliciously decadent cakes and slices
• Phoenix brand organic and carbonated drinks.
• Teza juiced teas of NZ
• Bottled spring water
• Zee Coffee roasted right here in NZ
• NZ's own Chanui brand of teas as served on Air New Zealand international flights (Cha is the Chinese word for tea and nui the Maori word for big... Chanui... big tea)