Nelson
Step into a dimly lit room imbued with the glamour of old Shanghai and order a Singapore-style cocktail before delving into a menu filled with delectable…
Must-see restaurants in Marlborough & Nelson
Blenheim
A versatile and sociable spot in central Blenheim, Scotch offers local wines, craft beer on tap and delicious sharing plates in a range of sizes. The…
Havelock
How would you like your greenshell mussels? Steamed with white wine and garlic? Grilled in garlic butter? Beer-battered? Crumbed? In a chowder, fritter or…
Nelson
Slurp oysters from the shell, or revitalise with sashimi and ceviche, then sate your cravings with street-food dishes such as kung pao Sichuan fried…
Blenheim
Although it calls itself a cafe, that doesn't really cover the sophisticated but concise modern NZ menu on offer here (for example, monkfish, steak and a…
Nelson
Hopgood’s relaxed approach to service and gastro-pub feel seem a little at odds with the hefty prices, although the bistro menu (two/three courses $49/59,…
Nelson Region
This fantastic cafe serves excellent breakfasts and lunches such as salmon hashcakes, lamb burgers, pies and some good vegan options, then stays open late…
Havelock
With a deck jutting over the water, this brasserie-style cafe serves plenty of seafood: fish and chips, steamed greenshell mussels, and a particularly…
Blenheim
This modish, mud-brick cellar door and bistro has a wide veranda and beautiful gardens with plenty of shade. The adventurous cuisine-straddling menu may…
Nelson
Stellar cocktails and a vast array of gin make the corner bar an essential destination, but this heritage space also serves up excellent food. A concise…
Nelson Region
There's a huge menu to peruse at this highly fragrant restaurant, so cut straight to the house specialties, such as the venison yellow curry and the…
Havelock
Beyond cute, this baby-blue cafe has cloth bunting around the windows, potted succulents on the tables and a counter filled with scrummy baked goods…
Nelson Region
Relocated from its original location after a 2016 fire at the Waimea winery, Cellar Door is a very popular eatery near the rural town of Richmond. The all…
Nelson Region
Formerly called Shoreline, this cafe-restaurant near the beach has re-emerged as Kai, a modern and stylish bistro. Breakfast and lunch options include…
Nelson Region
The art-bedecked interior of this popular place opens on to an outdoor terrace with distracting views. Seafood is showcased on the menu, including kokoda…
Nelson
Addictive burgers with international flavours partner with craft beer, wine and cocktails at this recent opening on Nelson's Trafalgar St eating and…
Marlborough Region
Pleasant corner cafe and bar with views of the harbour through the foreshore’s pohutukawa and palms. This consistent performer turns out fish dishes,…
Blenheim
Dining at Herzog's cellar door offers two options. Select a three-, five- or seven-course degustation menu in the more formal restaurant – wine matches…
Blenheim
A shopfront for a local fair-trade and organic coffee roaster, this cool little cafe is all leadlights and lampshades. Cooked breakfasts include the usual…
Nelson Region
Long-standing Jester House is reason alone to take this coastal detour, as much for its tame eels (friendly critters that like to be hand fed) as for the…
Marlborough Region
A spot perennially popular for its quayside location, dependable food and Havana coffee. The likes of salami sandwiches and sweets are in the cabinet,…
Takaka
Aside from being Takaka's best bar, this hip joint also turns out its most interesting food. Wild game meat finds its way into venison burgers, goat…
Nelson Region
With oddball art on the walls and a barista that looks like he's been beamed in from Woodstock, this is the ultimate Golden Bay hippy cafe. The name…
Nelson Region
An old Austin truck serves as the coffee station inside this hip, greenery-filled barbecue joint, where lamb and pork shoulders are grilled for 12 hours…
Takaka
Within the cavernous, brightly painted interior of this old theatre is a cabinet groaning under the weight of tempting savoury and sweet options. They…
Takaka
Trust Takaka to have a kooky takeaway joint in a shipping container, painted with a giant squid mural. The menu isn't run-of-the-mill either. Sure, they…
Nelson
Most of DeVille's tables lie in its sweet walled courtyard, a hidden boho oasis in the inner city and the perfect place for a meal or morning tea. The…
Takaka
This cafe serves good-value fare such as falafel salads, pizza, burritos, pasta and baked goods, as well as juices and local wines and craft beer. It's…
Nelson
Shared tables, colourful local art and a side-street terrace all combine to make Morri Street a top place for a leisurely breakfast or lunch. You may have…
Kaikoura
Organic ingredients shine at this long-established Kaikōura eatery. Come for breakfast on the shaded deck and enjoy blueberry hotcakes with blueberries, a…
Blenheim
The humble pie rises to stratospheric heights at this fabulous bakery-deli on Blenheim's rural fringes; try the pork-belly or steak and blue cheese, or…
Takaka
Sweet-toothed travellers should start their days with a chocolate-and-almond croissant at this cute little shop, where all the chocolate truffles,…
Nelson
Located upstairs in the State Cinemas complex, this Italian-run joint turns out the town's best pizza. Thin, crispy, authentic and delicious, with some…
Nelson Region
This relaxed cafe-bistro is a versatile slice of cosmopolitan cool. Kick off with eggs Benedict for brunch, before returning at dinner for fish and chips,…
Blenheim
Located in the thick of Renwick wine country, Marlborough's most lauded restaurant focuses on local produce fashioned into top-notch contemporary dishes…
Nelson
This saffron-coloured Edwardian bungalow houses a convivial Indian restaurant serving impressive interpretations of standards such as tandoori chicken,…
Nelson
Nelson's resident Scandinavian baker serves up delicious breads, pastries, cakes and small chocolate treats in this bijou bakery cafe. The freshly filled…
Blenheim
Injecting a little Latin passion into the Blenheim dining scene, Gramado's is a fun place to tuck into unashamedly hearty meals such as lamb assado,…
Kaikoura
Beachy artwork fills the walls of this cosy cottage cafe but, despite the name, it's on the highway with no water in sight. Choose between tasty muffins…
Marlborough Region
Don't be put off by the sports-bar vibe, this place adjacent to the train station serves very tasty dishes including a delicious spaghetti with massive…
