Twizel Restaurant
Cafe Twizel
Twizel Cafe

About us

Poppies Café is a fully licensed restaurant specialising in fresh homemade fare.
Our café opened in December 2005 to help satisfy a need for a new restaurant in Twizel, the closest town to Mt Cook in the Mackenzie Country.

Designed by Kieran and Lyn Walsh, who have many years experience in opening new restaurants, they were joined by John and Maria Lodge to make Poppies Café become a reality.

Dinning at Twizel
Poppies Cafe Twizel
New Zealand Restaurant
Restaurant Mackenzie Country
Mackenzie Country Restaurant
Twizel enjoys exceptional weather in summer. As a result, Poppies has made special efforts for our guests to enjoy outside dining. With seating for 70, the outside dining area is set in lovely garden surroundings with magnificent views of the Southern Alps.
New Zealand Mackenzie country

We can also cater for 100 guests inside the restaurant throughout all seasons. Our front of house staff, trained by Lyn and Sarah Walsh, always strive to deliver the ultimate in service excellence.

The menu was designed by Head Chef Michael Borick with help from Kieran Walsh. Both Mike and Kieran have used local produce and themes in the menu where ever possible. Poppies Café also has its own gardens and, where possible once again, we use organic produce.

Most of our products are made on the premises including all our breads, bakery products, pizza bases and pasta products, which are made daily in our purpose designed kitchen. We also make our own sausages and small goods which are pure pork with no added preservatives or gluten. The menu is designed to cater for most tastes from vegetarian to full-on carnivores.

Mike Borick, Head Chef

Mike completed his formal training at Otago Polytechnic whilst working part time with Kieran Walsh at the French Café in Dunedin. After finishing his studies, Mike went on to work full-time at the French Café with Kieran and daughter Sarah Walsh.

Mike spent three years at French Café before moving to Auckland where he worked for two years at The Stamford Plaza. He then moved on to The George in Parnell and then to the Villager in Remeura. Mike then went on to head the onsite catering for several TV shows in the Pacific Islands. In late 2005, Mike became involved in the setup of Poppies Café and also became a partner in the business.