Restaurants in Marlborough Region
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A
Hislops
This snappy, feel-good cafe maintains its reputation for fresh, wholesome food. Start the morning with fruit salad and toasted muesli, then come back at night for organic meats plus great seafood, veg and vegan choices. The caramelised-pumpkin and blue-cheese salad is delicious.
reviewed
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B
Beach House Café & Bar
Serving the best brunch and coffee in town, this chipper roadside cafe garners more than its fair share of the passing trade. Sit on the front terrace or back deck and reconstitute with green eggs and ham, fish and chips or seafood chowder. Good counter food, too.
reviewed
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Slip Inn
Feel appropriately maritime in this surprisingly slick restaurant and bar in the thick of the marina. Its signature dishes are the mussels, as well as beer-battered blue cod, pizza, pasta specials and home-made dessert. Good for a cruise-by beer-stop, too.
reviewed
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C
Bellafico
A mainstream, main-street eatery with a huge wine and beer list that makes great reading. The menu drifts from light afternoon fare into evening mains with an emphasis on local produce (shellfish, venison, rabbit, field-mushroom paté) cooked with Italian zest. Beware the easy-listening soundtrack, sometimes emanating from a human.
reviewed
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D
Green Dolphin
Quality Kaikoura fish Asian style, and the omnipresent bovine, ovine and lobstery treats, all made with care and a fondness for good local produce. On busy nights, book ahead or nurse a cocktail or aperitif in the pleasant bar or garden. Those with foresight should plump for a table with a view by the floor-to-ceiling windows.
reviewed
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E
Raupo
An airy, high-ceilinged timber-and-stone building alongside the Opawa River. During the day there’s a satisfying cafe menu (brekkies, burgers, mussels, lamb shanks) and sweet treats, seguing into slightly more sophisticated fare in the evenings. Sheltered outdoor seating, and soft-jazz grooves on the stereo.
reviewed
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F
Café Cortado
A pleasant corner cafe with sneaky views of a harbour through the foreshore’s pohutukawa and palms. Quite possibly your best bet for a ‘sophisticated’ meal in a town with limited, decent dining of an evening. The menu focuses on local fish, steak, lamb, pizzas and salads, with bar snacks available too.
reviewed
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Wakamarinian Café
Heavenly home baking in a cute cottage. Get in early to grab one of the popular pies, or console yourself with proper quiche and a sweet slice – the raspberry and white-chocolate shortcake defies description. Great coffee and excellent value, too, from Beth and Laurie: Havelock’s culinary saviours.
reviewed
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G
Le Café
Due credit for longevity and for food that the locals still favour; the space was a bit tired and the service dicey during research. The food, however, tasted made-from-scratch: salami sandwiches, quiche, pasta and mussels, plus sweet tart for afters. Great Havana coffee and occasional live gigs.
reviewed
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Café Encounter
Housed in the Dolphin Encounter complex, this cafe is more than just somewhere to wait for your trip. Good counter food, and coffee plus cakes, crepes, bagels, toasties and daily specials, such as hot smoked salmon on focaccia. Sea and esplanade views from the sunny patio.
reviewed
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Café le Cupp
The best tearoom in town by a country mile. Ogle your way along the counter (egg sandwiches, mince savouries, luscious lamingtons, carrot cake) or get yourself a brekkie such as the full fry-up, French toast or muesli. Note the presence of the ginger gem… there is a God.
reviewed
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Store at Kekerengu
A good place for a pit stop, being halfway between Blenheim and Kaikoura. Your best bet is the counter food or coffee and cake, rather than the overpriced à la carte menu. Enjoy it by the fire in the rustic interior, or out on the wide sun decks, with magical sea-peeks.
reviewed
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J
Secret Garden
A leafy oasis in a somewhat dull townscape, this sophisticated restaurant and garden bar spoils its guests with bacon butties and local coffee for breakfast before pressing on towards wild-game pies, craft beer, single malts and cigars later on. Smart service.
reviewed
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Gusto
This workaday joint, with friendly staff and outdoor tables, injects some class into Picton’s cafe scene. Beaut breakfasts (French toast with bacon, maple syrup and berry coulis), fantastic coffee, and locally sourced mains (mussels, lamb and venison).
reviewed
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L
Sonic
A casual bar-eatery on West End’s southern end, with a pool table, oceans of Mac’s beer and occasional live music. Grab a sundowner on the covered deck or terrace and look out to sea through the grand Norfolk pines on the esplanade.
reviewed
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M
Picton Village Bakkerij
Dutch owners bake trays of European goodies here, including interesting breads, scrumptious pies, super sandwiches, cakes and custardy, tarty treats. Look for the cut-out Amsterdam roofline stapled to the eaves.
reviewed
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N
AS Echo Café & Bar
The deck of this old trading scow, built in 1905 but now high ’n’ dry on concrete stumps, is a quirky place for a drink or home-cooked food, and a good spot to spy the comings and goings in the marina.
reviewed
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Gorgeous Gourmet
Hybrid sandwich shop meets micro-deli, with great coffee to boot. Delectable salads, charcuterie, filled rolls, ready meals and artisan cheeses (don’t go past the Over the Moon brie).
reviewed
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P
Thai Siam
Cheerful, vaulted space on the main drag serving a typically expansive Thai menu of over 45 mains including a good selection of Asian salads. The $10 lunch special is a bargain.
reviewed
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Q
Living Room
Prominent corner café and deli, decorated in warm tones with artistic, Franco style. It's great for a peppy coffee, quality breakfast or quiche on the run.
reviewed
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Pier Hotel
Wide views of bay and mountains beyond make this the grandest dining room in town. A cheerful crew serves up generous portions of honest food, such as fresh local fish, venison medallions and crayfish for those with fat wallets. The enticing public bar has reasonably priced beer and bar snacks, historical photos, and a garden bar. What more could you want?
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Wither Hills
Simple, well executed food in a stylish space. Pull up a beanbag on the Hockneyesque lawns and enjoy a platter or Café de Paris steak before climbing the ziggurat for impressive views across the Wairau.
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Wairau River
Mudbrick bistro with wide veranda and beautiful gardens with plenty of shade. Order a double-baked blue-cheese soufflé, or the sticky pork and peanut salad. Relaxing and thoroughly enjoyable.
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Herzog Winery
Refined dining in Herzog’s opulent dining room. Beautifully prepared food and a remarkable wine list. Less extravagant bistro lunches (noon-3pm) also available.
reviewed
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Te Weka Restaurant
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