Nestled on the lakefront in Wanaka, Big Fig is a sustainable café offering the best coffee, mouth-watering hot dishes, amazing salads, and delightful baking from their in-house pastry chef.

Why slow food, served fast?

The idea came from a limitation: a tiny prep kitchen in their lakefront café that resembled a home kitchen. This inspired the concept of creating family-style food, just like they grew up with, but with the convenience of a fast-food café. Their focus is on thoughtful, seasonal, delicious, and healthy “modern Middle Eastern” food, served quickly.

Started in 2016 by sisters Shaz and Chrissie Lahood, Big Fig reflects their Kiwi upbringing in a food-loving family of ten kids. The café’s name is a nod to the fig tree in their childhood backyard in Taranaki. With its Lebanese heritage as inspiration, Big Fig stands out for its unique “slow food, served fast” concept and fresh, vibrant style.