Open daily
Bar 11:30am 'til late
Kitchen 12–8:30pm, 7 days
Kitchen's done for tonight — back at midday
Closing time flexes with the seasons — if you're travelling, give us a bell.
Otematata 9412
Get directions
Otematata · Waitaki Valley
Find us
- Address
- 2736 Otematata–Kurow Road
Otematata 9412
Get directions - Phone
- 03 438 7899
Opt 1 Bar · Opt 2 Accommodation - info@bestdampub.nz
Enquiries only — table bookings go through Book A Table
Table or bed
Tables are booked through the Book A Table button — that goes straight into the restaurant diary. Beds are handled by Otematata Escapes just up the road.
In the middle of everywhere
Base yourself here and explore
We're on State Highway 83, the Waitaki Valley road, halfway between the coast and the mountains — and a stop on the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail. Half the South Island's best days out are inside a morning's drive.
Up the valley
- Omarama 25 min Clay Cliffs, gliding, hot tubs
- Kurow 30 min Down the lakes, wine country
- Twizel 35 min Gateway to Aoraki / Mt Cook
- Oamaru 1 hr 20 Victorian precinct and penguins
Day trips from the door
- Timaru 1 hr 35 136 km, out to the coast
- Wanaka 1 hr 45 143 km over the Lindis Pass
- Dunedin 2 hr 40 About 200 km south-east
- Christchurch 3 hr 35 About 300 km north
Times are a rough guide and the Waitaki lakes road is worth taking slowly. The Lindis Pass on the Wanaka run can get snow and ice in winter, so check conditions before you commit. If you're coming a distance for dinner, give us a bell so we can keep the kitchen on.