The Thirsty Moa | French Press Cafe & Wine Bar, Ranfurly
The Thirsty Moa — Slow Coffee, Done Properly, in Ranfurly
The Thirsty Moa isn't a drive-through coffee counter. There's no espresso machine and no queue — just French press coffee, made properly, and a reason to actually sit down. If you're passing through Ranfurly on SH85 or the Otago Central Rail Trail, this is the stop where you stay for twenty minutes instead of two.
Why Plunger, Why Slow
We make coffee the way it should be made — steeped in a French press, not pulled from a machine in ten seconds. It takes a little longer, and that's the point. The Thirsty Moa is a destination stop, not a pit stop: pull up a seat, let the plunger do its thing, and take in Lohi Linen's handmade linen and local makers while you wait.
- French press coffee — properly brewed, unhurried, made to be enjoyed sitting down
- Light lunch & shared plates — for Rail Trail riders refuelling before the next leg
- Wine bar — Central Otago wines by the glass, best enjoyed after 3pm
- A place to linger — browse handmade linen and local makers while your coffee steeps
Right on the Route
The Thirsty Moa sits inside Lohi Linen at 8 Charlemont Street, Ranfurly — on SH85 and steps from the Otago Central Rail Trail. Easy to find, easy to park, easy to make part of your trip.
Address: 8 Charlemont Street, Ranfurly, Central Otago
Hours (Winter): Friday–Sunday, 10am–7pm
Phone: 022 343 0560
Slow Coffee, Slow Fashion
The Thirsty Moa is part of Lohi Linen — a slow-fashion store stocking handmade linen and over 40 local Central Otago makers. It's the same philosophy either way: made properly, meant to be enjoyed slowly. While your French press steeps, take a look around; every piece has a story, and several are named after the landscape right outside the door.