The Lonely Stag
The Lonely Stag is a family-owned and operated Cafe & Store that runs deep in family heritage delivering a warm West Coast welcome and a cafe experience inspired by classic and simple New Zealand food. Born and raised on the Coast, Ange & Rob Lash are the proud owners of this bustling little cafe and store. It was Ange's uncle that originally owned the store. Ange worked for her uncle at the age of 7 years old at the same cafe and remembers telling her uncle that one day she would own it and run it herself. Sure enough, after numerous years away, stunning South Westland was calling the Lash family home and so they re-branded the cafe & store to The Lonely Stag and worked hard to make it what it has become today.
South Westland is renowned for its abundant wildlife and deer populations making it a fantastic terrain for the keen hunter and many locals on the coast still choose to gather much of their own food, why wouldn't you with a backyard rich in natural food resources? The business name, along with the giant mural of a stag and white baiter celebrates the West Coast food gathering culture and helps to tell its story.
Serving breakfast, lunch, take-out, and dinner. There is something for everyone!
"The Best Fish & Chips on the Coast"
Although we can't officially claim it, some say The Lonely Stag serves up the most delicious fish & chips on the West Coast. Elephant Fish and our secret batter recipe is certainly a crowd fav!
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From the river, enjoy the yummiest and freshest whitebait sandwich caught right in the backyard.
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From the mountains, tuck into a classic venison pie.
Hearty & classic food.
West Coast tradition
Our thing is classic, hearty food and sharing with visitors to our region a glimpse of West Coast food gathering culture through select offerings such as our whitebait sandwiches, venison pies, and fish, although not all of these items are sourced 'from the back yard' we are passionate about sharing insight into the natural food resources the West Coast is lucky to have and the regions iconic hunting & gathering culture.
South Westland Glacier Country
The Lonely Stag is located in Glacier Country and is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat or to grab some groceries as you are heading south from Hokitika or north from Franz Josef Glacier on the scenic tourist route. Although Whataroa is a small town, it is worth staying a night to explore our area and get a taste of authentic , rural West Coast life.
Hiking, Helicopter Flights, Whitewater Kayaking, Fishing & Hunting
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The Whataroa Valley is home to many hikes for experienced trampers with around six back-country huts and days of adventure, although not for the faint-hearted. It also proves popular for hunting, fishing, and kayaking.
The Whataroa River and its famous turquoise blue tones are worth getting a closer look at. Take a drive up the road on your left-hand side just after you drive across the Whataroa River Bridge heading south on the state highway. This will take you to the remains of a historic bridge and a great spot to picnic and be in nature.
Book a flight with Glacier Country Scenic Flights taking off from one of the most picturesque helipads you might have ever seen, right beside the Whataroa River.
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An absolute bucket-list tour for many, the White Heron Sanctuary Tours, is located just across the road from the cafe. Venture into New Zealand's only White Heron nesting site.