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03 218 3249

Visit and functions

Pull up a chair, or bring us to your do.

Hours, parking and directions for our Esk Street café, plus everything you need to plan a function, book catering or buy a gift voucher.

Morning sun through tall windows onto timber tables and stools, beside an old brick wall hung with sea-green glass

Opening hours

When the doors are open

We’re open six days, from early till mid-afternoon. The kitchen takes its last orders half an hour before we close, and the coffee and cabinet run right to the end.

Public holidays: open 9am to 2pm on most of them, with a 15% surcharge. Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. We post any changes on the door a week ahead.

Opening hours and kitchen last orders, by day
DayOpenLast orders
MondayClosedClosed
Tuesday7am to 3pm2:30pm
Wednesday7am to 3pm2:30pm
Thursday7am to 3pm2:30pm
Friday7am to 3pm2:30pm
Saturday8am to 3pm2:30pm
Sunday8:30am to 2pm1:30pm

Getting here

Esk Street, Invercargill

We’re in the middle of town, a block north of Tay Street and just along from the Kelvin Street corner.

Look for the sea-green door, the chalkboard with the soup of the day, and a dog bowl on the footpath. If you reach the corner of Dee Street, you’ve gone too far west.

  • Parking

    There’s street parking along Esk Street and the side streets: check the signs for time limits. For a longer stay, the multi-level car park off Tay Street is a two-minute walk.

  • Mobility parking

    There are mobility parks close by. Give us a ring before you come and we’ll point you to the nearest one.

  • Coming from out of town

    From Gore or Bluff, State Highway 1 brings you along Tay Street, one block south of us. From Winton or Queenstown, State Highway 6 comes down Dee Street.

  • Bikes and scooters

    There’s a bike rack right outside the door, and you’re welcome to bring a helmet in out of the rain.

Map of central Invercargill A simple street map. Tidewater Café is on Esk Street, just east of Kelvin Street. Tay Street, part of State Highway 1, runs one block south. A multi-level car park is entered from Tay Street, between Dee and Kelvin Streets, a two-minute walk away. DEE ST KELVIN ST DON ST ESK ST TAY ST · SH1 SH6 north to Winton South to Bluff SH1 east to Gore 2 min walk P Car park, enter off Tay St Tidewater N Not to scale
A simple sketch of the streets around us. Call 03 218 3249 if you get turned around.

Accessibility

Easy to get in, easy to stay

Everything is on one level. If there’s anything that would make your visit easier, ring ahead and we’ll have it sorted before you arrive.

  • Step-free entry

    A flat, step-free entrance straight off the Esk Street footpath, with a wide door that stays open in good weather.

  • Room to move

    Space between the tables for wheelchairs, walkers and prams. Ask and we’ll happily shift a table for you.

  • Accessible toilet

    A roomy accessible toilet on the ground floor, with a baby change table.

  • High chairs

    Three high chairs, a box of crayons and a fluffy for the small ones. There’s room to park the pram beside you.

  • Dogs welcome outside

    Dogs are welcome at our outside tables, with a water bowl and the odd crust. Assistance dogs are welcome inside, of course.

  • Quieter corners

    The music stays low and the back corner is our quietest spot. Large-print menus are at the counter.

Functions and catering

Feeding a crowd? We’ve got you.

Morning teas, work lunches, birthdays, farewells and everything in between. We cater right across Invercargill, or you can bring everyone to us.

Trays of golden pies and savoury pastries laid out on a table for a function

Catering, delivered

Platters for your office, hall or home anywhere in Invercargill. Give us 48 hours’ notice and we’ll handle the rest, with everything labelled for dietary needs.

  • Morning or afternoon teafrom $12 a head
  • Lunch plattersfrom $18 a head
  • Cheese roll platter, 24 rolls$80
  • Delivery in Invercargillfree over $250
A long table set for an evening do, with white plates, folded napkins, candles and glass bottles

Venue hire

The back room seats 30, or the whole café is yours from 5pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Good for birthdays, baby showers, book launches and long lunches that turn into dinner.

  • The back room, up to 30 seatedfrom $250
  • The whole café, eveningsfrom $600
  • Food packagesfrom $28 a head

Tell us about your event

Send us the details and we’ll come back to you with ideas and a quote, usually within one working day. Rather talk it through? Call 03 218 3249.

A rough number is fine.

Catering or venue hire?

For example: 4 gluten free, 2 vegan, 1 nut allergy.

Times, budget, the vibe you’re after: anything that helps.

All fields are needed unless marked optional.

Gift vouchers

Give someone a good morning

Tidewater vouchers come in any amount from $20, printed on heavy card with a little envelope, and they’re good for a full year. Perfect for teachers, new neighbours and anyone who helped you move house.

Choose an amount