There were happy faces around dining tables and sofas all over the Wanaka region on Tuesday night (April 28), as many of us enjoyed our first takeaway meal for nearly six weeks as the country moved into alert level three.

And for those in need of a caffeine fix or a celebratory drink, many cafes, breweries, wine and liquor stores are now back at work throughout the Upper Clutha.

This reporter’s family went for takeaways from the Hawea Store and Kitchen, and the Wanaka App was one of only two customers when we arrived to pick up the order. Meanwhile Hamish and Harry bustled about in their gloves and masks, answering the phone and taking orders to the kitchen staff. It seemed like the place was running like a well-oiled machine. 

“We’ve had lots of orders but no people in the shop, which is exactly what we want,” owner Hamish Mackay said.

The Wanaka App asked Hamish how much demand there was for takeaway coffees under alert level three. 

“I’d say we’re operating at about 50 per cent of our normal trade,” he said. “We offer takeaway coffees from 9am to 2pm, and that’s been pretty good, actually. But we’ve had to stop using the metal loaner cups and go back to disposables, to comply with health and safety rules.”

Hamish also said it was very difficult to make sure staff kept physically distant from each other and the public at all times. “The changes to our work environment are a big challenge. If it was really busy, it would be very difficult for me to help the kitchen staff, without having too many people in too small a space.” 

But the vast majority of people were abiding by the alert level three rules, Hamish said. “We’ve had a few people very excited about coffee and hot chips, but it’s nothing like usual. Now we’re all just hanging out for level two.”

Albert Town Fish Company opened for the first time post-lockdown for lunch on Tuesday and stayed open until 9pm.

Harry answers the phone at the Hawea Store and Kitchen.

Manager Cassie Hailes said they were busier than expected, and were using the WanaFeed app for ordering and contactless payment, which was going “pretty well”.  

“We have two tables set up out front where people can collect their orders. You can also enter your car number plate, and stay sitting in your car until your order’s ready,” she said. 

For those in need of a caffeine fix, options abound in the Wanaka and Hawea area, including Ritual Espresso in Helwick Street, Big Fig, Albert Town’s Double Black and the Pembroke Patisserie, as well as Florences, Hawea Store & Kitchen, the Food Truck at the Camp, the Lake Hawea Hotel, and The Luggate Hotel.  

Most cafes are operating with reduced hours, with some coffee places closing as early as 1.30pm. 

Chris Hadfield, owner of Ritual Espresso Cafe on Helwick Street, said on a typical day pre-lockdown, Ritual would sell about 400 coffees. He added: “It’s been really nice seeing our regular locals come back in.”

“On Tuesday we weren’t officially open, but we still sold 100 coffees. So I guess that was about 25 per cent of a normal day, which is not too bad. The government subsidy is helping us pay our staff and we’re just glad we have got some money coming in now.” 

For those in need of something to go with their coffee or a celebratory cake, Adam and Eve’s Bakery in Reece Crescent, Wanaka, is now open every day until 2pm. You can order through their website for takeaway coffee, a selection of baked goods, cakes and custom-made celebration cakes, all for contactless pick-up.

Bakery owner Martina Kunovjankova said the bakery was “not so busy” on Tuesday and Wednesday.  

“You can still get a cake made to order,” she added. Cakes started at $25 for a small ‘mini cake’ and ranged up to $70 for a lavish peanut brownie cheesecake or a lollycake cheesecake.  

Hawea Flat organic bakery The People’s Bread has been delivering to their regular individual customers throughout lockdown. 

Co-owner Ruth Heath said they expected to have their bread back in local stores next week.

Beer, wine and spirits are also more readily available in the Wanaka area than they were under alert level four.

If you need a celebratory drink there are many diverse options available locally, such as Ground Up Brewing Ltd. B.effect, Rhyme and Reason and Pembroke Wines - to name just a few.  

Ground Up Brewing Ltd on Gordon Road offers contactless, curbside pick up from the brewery between 2-7pm daily. The brewery’s tasting room is also now open from 2-6pm every day. 

Pembroke Wines on Dungarvon St is now open from 10am to 5pm every day. They also offer deliveries every day between 5pm and 6pm. 

“You can ring us up and then come down and collect your order,” manager Andrew Macfarlane said. “We don’t have full online ordering yet, but we have a table out front with an EFTPOS machine so you can pay and pick up contactlessly.” 

See the Wanaka App’s full list of level three Takeaway/Delivery.

More businesses are being added every day, so if your favourite haunt isn’t listed, check back again tomorrow.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App