Tees Street Café is Cucina’s little sister and one of Ōamaru’s best hubs for daytime dining. The two spots are both home to local ingredients, flavourful dishes and genuine hospitality. 

Owners Yanina, Pablo and their team are so glad you’re here- so much so in fact, that this phrase is spelled out in neon lights across the back of the café. Once you take a peek at the treats in the cabinet, you’ll be nothing but glad that you’ve come, too.

Everything at Tees Street is made from scratch. Their bombolino doughnuts, for one, are made the traditional way without cutting corners and are filled with sweet concoctions like dulce de leche. The slightly tart, pillowy yet chewy outer is balanced by the sticky, sweet caramel encased inside. One of these delicious dough balls paired with a flat white is a combination you’ll struggle to go past.

Do, however, persevere and try a few other things - Tees Street’s larger menu is also a thing to behold. Yanina and Pablo are originally from Argentina and love showcasing the flavours they grew up with at their restaurants. As a result, brunch at Tees Street is anything but standard. Forget your ‘same old, same old’ brunch plates and try their huevos rancheros, sticky pork bao buns or fried chicken tacos. These dishes have been winning over big brekkie traditionalists since 2016. 

The huevos rancheros, a firm favourite, feature fried eggs with smoked paprika oil, fried beans, tomato salsa, burnt tortilla, smoked sour cream and pickled red onion – it’s one of the most colourful and flavourful morning meals we’ve found. There’s a bit of smoke, a touch of heat, a dash of acidity and all the protein you’ll need for a day spent exploring Ōamaru.

Whatever you choose here, you’ll want to enjoy it with a coffee. Tees Street’s baristas work with Supreme beans to whip up all the classics as well as speciality coffees. They’ve got flat whites, long blacks and mochaccinos alongside turmeric, red velvet and ginger lattes and even do Vietnamese coffee, too. If it’s a hot day or coffee isn’t your thing, try the house-made kombucha on tap, cold-pressed juices or any of their local wines and beers.

With lush indoor plants, vibey music and exposed Ōamaru stone Tees Street marries an urban cafe feel with the kind of service and welcoming environment only found in smaller places. It’s a winning combination and the steady flow of regulars is testament to just that.