16 Best Restaurants in Upper South Island and the West Coast, New Zealand

The food at this all-day café is great (a huge breakfast menu, burgers at lunch, beef rib eye, and lamb cutlets for dinner) but the scenery steals the show. If the weather plays ball you'll be able to enjoy a memorably stunning view: an amphitheater of mountains (Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman) and, in the foreground, tall kahikatea forest. Lunches include salads, curries, risottos, burgers, and bagels while evening has the classics: pork belly, rib-eye steak, salmon, lamb leg, and pastas are served.

This big, indoor–outdoor café–restaurant overlooking a rolling surf beach on State Highway 1 makes one of the best road stops in the area (maybe even the whole country). You can choose lunch from a selection of prepared dishes or order from the menu. You'll find it halfway between Kaikōura and Blenheim. It's a beautiful, wild spot with the Kaikōura Mountains towering in the background. There's a huge log fire inside and a large outdoor deck with several private garden areas. Just make sure you stop early because it usually closes by 4 pm. 

Named Best Café in New Zealand 2023, enjoy breakfasts of French toast, eggs Benedict bagel, or asparagus bruschetta. This is also a shop and produce market, located in a former church, so stock up for your holiday travels from the food market. Or you can just chill over a wholesome lunch like the excellent slow-roasted lamb burger. There's also an interesting kids' menu, and you can indulge in the cakes and gelato anytime. Beverages include fresh brews from the Townshend Brewery next door. Weekend dinners in summer feature music performances.

Lots of wholesome breakfast and lunch options, hot snacks, and sweet treats are offered here. Some popular choices include the snapper (fish) sandwich, Beechwood burgers, and real fruit ice cream. This is a great place to stock up for your rafting or hiking efforts, and they manage the passing crowds well.

South American and Mediterranean influences are paired with top Marlborough wines and craft range beers at this prime waterfront spot with a laid-back atmosphere. Cortado, a family-run restaurant, prides itself on its sustainable practices.

Here's a bright outdoor eatery sharing space with the Dolphin and Albatross Encounter operations and a gallery/shop. Food is available off the all-day menu or from the cabinet; breakfasts and light lunches are appealing; and their cakes and slices are always tempting. The partially glassed-in courtyard is sheltered in most winds, and there's plenty of indoor seating. As at any outdoor café in Kaikōura, don't leave your food unattended because the birds will snatch it quicker than you can say "seagull!"

This on-the-road café on the highway in Rai Valley is perfect for both a quick stop-over or a place to sit down and grab a bite. Friendly locals serve home-baked treats and hearty sandwiches. There are gluten and dairy-free options available, too. The coffee and drinks are excellent and if you're hitting the road in a rush, they'll give you takeout. 

This old bank building is loaded with local character in its current guise as a cheerful pub and gathering spot. If the coal-mining heritage of this town interests you, you will enjoy the memorabilia and photos on display. They serve good Kiwi food here, from brunch to light meals to kids' meals to stone-grill steaks and seafood. The meals are hearty, and it's a very kid-friendly spot. There's a big covered courtyard for summer dining.

Homey hospitality and a great vibe in this colorful, retro-style spot comes with house-cooked breakfasts (scrambled eggs are as good as you'll find anywhere), lunches, and baked goods. Plus, the outlook over the Grey River is terrific.

Every town needs a darn good café, and this one is Blenheim's. The all-day menu features all the standard Kiwi fare like French toast, eggs Benedict, and muesli. There are even a few keto dishes and plenty of gluten-free.  The menu offers a few fresh, simple dishes for lunch, as well as an impressive tea and coffee menu. Try the smoked chicken Caesar salad. Locals love this place, with its sharp, almost industrial decor.

The locally sourced, mainly organic food at this funky place includes a raft of home baking, chutneys and dressings, and hearty country fare like chowders and salads. There's cozy indoor seating, and tables dotted throughout the garden and veranda. For the kids there's a small playground, an enchanted forest, and some extremely tame eels that can be hand-fed (September–May). This eclectic establishment makes no apologies for being open only on Friday 10 am–10 pm. Down in the back garden, the Boot B&B has comfy accommodations for couples.

Sitting outside Le Café on the waterfront you can look right down Queen Charlotte Sound and watch the local boats and the big Cook Strait ferries coming and going. Staffers source organic, local, and free-range foods wherever possible—your fish was probably landed on the wharf at the end of the street and, if it's beef, lamb, or pork, they reckon they know the farmer. Casual meals, coffee, and baking are available all day before dinner kicks in; that's when the tempo at the bar picks up and live acts perform regularly.

A little café open daily, Pancake Rocks serves a full breakfast, lunch, and (in summer) dinner menu. This place is famous for it all-day pancake stacks and gourmet stone-oven pizzas, the cabinet food is delicious too. There's also a small gallery/gift shop here, selling quality New Zealand souvenirs, including jewelry. The staff copes well given the hordes that can arrive here.

Good food and good coffee is served every day in a welcoming, rustic setting. It's hard to find, tucked around a corner, so it's mostly frequented by locals and those in the know. They have plenty of classic baking in the cabinet, and standard kiwi fare like nachos and burgers, on the menu. There's plenty of room and free Wi-Fi, with hours extending a touch in summer.

This waterfront restaurant is at the marina with a large deck overlooking the main boat ramp and working port area. The menu features local seafood but offers a range of other options, including daily specials. A good selection of wine, craft beer, and cocktails. 

Set in the old Tākaka movie theater, this long-running institution is synonymous with the alternative feel that is Golden Bay. The breakfast and lunch menus are substantial and wholesome, or you can choose from the extensive cabinet range. There's usually a good curry on special, and their famous curly fries are a must. There's plenty of room to find a table, even at the height of summer. Eat indoors or out, and you’ll be joined by all walks of the local community.