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In Marlborough visit a winery restaurant—there's no better way to ensure that your meal suits what you're drinking. Cloudy Bay clams are harvested here, salmon and Greenshell mussels are farmed in the Marlborough Sounds, and local crops—besides grapes—include cherries and garlic. In Kaikoura try crayfish. The region is named after this delicacy (In M?ori, kai means "food" and koura means "lobster"). Nelson is also famous for seafood, in particular scallops, and for fresh produce and, yes, for wine. On the West Coast, try the local delicacy whitebait fritters—a sort of omelet filled with the whitebait—tiny, young eel-like fish netted at river mouths as they migrate upstream in late spring.
Some restaurants in more remote tourist regions close in winter (June through August); others may curtail their hours. In summer, all doors are open and it's best to make reservations. If a restaurant is open on a major holiday, it may add a surcharge to your bill.
Year-round, the restaurants and cafés around the glaciers and other remote spots can be quick to close their doors at night. Arrive by 8:30 (it's sometimes even earlier in winter) or you might go hungry. Some of the smallest towns, including Punakaiki, settlements in the Marlborough Sounds, and parts of Golden Bay, have few cafés and no general stores, so bring your own supplies.
One of those cozy, buzzing places so prevalent on the West Coast, The Alice May serves country fare that is good and plentiful, with a welcome range of light meals (fish-and-chips, curries, venison sausages) and more substantial main courses (slow roasted pork ribs, beef cheeks, and good vegetarian options). The wine and beer lists are stacked with mainstream NZ favorites. The Alice can get very busy over summer. Courtesy car available on request.
They started brewing beer on the West Coast right here in 1868, and now the modern version of the brewery offers a full restaurant, a brewing museum, brewery tours and, of course, lots of fresh brews. The restaurant serves standard Kiwi fare, along with tapas and platters to match the beers. The brewery tours (NZ$35 includes tastings) take place daily from 4 pm, which are in the hands of an expert brewer. You can also get your own, personally labeled bottle (NZ$10).
Swing by the Mussel Inn for a quintessential slice of Golden Bay life: music, craft beer, and darn good pub food. Locals come for the live music (most evenings in summer), mussel chowder, steamed mussels, or wild goat ragu, washed down with house-brewed beer and ciders. A favorite is the Captain Cooker—brewed first from native manuka leaves by Captain Cook to combat scurvy on his ships. With rough sawn timber, handmade furniture, outdoor fire pit, and a big rambling garden, it’s very much a "Kiwi woolshed meets Aussie farmhouse" feel here.
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.
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.
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 standout along Fox Glacier's main street sparks up no-nonsense options with fresh local flavors, such as the Neve pizza topped with mozzarella, ham, bacon, pepperoni, tomatoes, and pineapple. From breakfast and on to lunch and dinner, the menu is big and varied, taking you through eggs Benedict, BLT sandwiches, soups and chowders, burgers, chicken, pizzas, and rib-eye steak—just what you need after a day exploring or driving. Everything is prepared on-site (muffins recommended). The wine list has only New Zealand vintages, and the beers are boutique.
In the lovely old former Collingwood Courthouse, on the main crossroads into town, this laid-back and popular café makes good use of local produce. Their big breakfast and eggs Benedict will set you up for a trip to the beach or Farewell Spit or Heaphy Track. Look also for the cinnamon pinwheels and panini, the pies and muffins, and daily blackboard special. The coffee is good, too, and all breads are made in-house. There are indoor and outdoor tables, but it gets packed in summer.
From humble beginnings, this long-running institution has been revamped by new owners. Sustainably caught seafood is the star at this casual, friendly restaurant, with dishes ranging from a modest bowl of chowder to top-dollar half or whole crayfish dishes. Other menu offerings are equally appealing, like steak and vegetarian lasagna. A range of the finest Kiwi craft beers is also served at this indoor/outdoor eatery.
This café and pizza place makes some of the best cakes and pastries in the area, many of which are also gluten-free and vegan. Outdoor seating is both on the main street and out the back, in a shady garden. The pizza menu is excellent, which can be ordered takeaway or dine-in—although the dinner menu is otherwise quite limited. They also host some great local artists' exhibits, so be sure to check out the walls inside.
This popular establishment is tucked away down a side street in the heart of Nelson city, serving up a wide variety of dishes that use local produce. They also offer a great list of beer and wine from around the region. Try the tacos or chilled gazpacho soup. In the evening, the busy café transforms into a packed live music venue for bands and DJs, where locals flock to dance.
In this cheery beer garden–restaurant, hearty ales and craft brews are matched with traditional German cuisine, pizzas, gourmet burgers, and Kiwi fare. If beer is your focus, you can also get a beer-tasting tray. It's not all about wine in Marlborough, but yes, there is also a good range of wines. There's also a good kids' menu. This can be a busy venue, especially when the locals are here for a big rugby game or music gig, so think about booking your table ahead of time.
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.
This popular deli is a great place to stop for lunch and coffee, or grab a take-away sandwich to sustain you during the West Coast activities (try the beef pastrami). The bread is baked fresh every morning, the free-range meat is crafted the old-fashioned way by an artisan butcher, and the cheese is handmade by a variety of South Island cheesemakers. Condiments are made in-house daily and salad is grown and fresh-picked daily.
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.
The locally farmed mussels are the stars in this quirky café although the other meals like fish, burgers, pastas, and salads, all served with local wines and craft beers, are also good. As for the mussels, you can order them steamed or grilled with amazing flavors and toppings. On sunny days, head to the courtyard out back.
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.
Sprawling gardens make the perfect surrounding for this rambling, 160-year-old, colonial cottage where the menus are built around organic produce, which is all sourced locally, including from the Riverside Community, which owns and operates the café and its own farm. Menu choices range from stylish restaurant fare to French bistro-style with a range of salads and cakes. Sit indoors or on the big verandas, and enjoy the artwork that surrounds you. If you're interested in the workings of this community, established in 1941 by Christian conscientious objectors, you're welcome to take a closer look. The café sits right by the Great Taste Cycle Trail.
At the top of the township, this groovy little bar and restaurant transforms into a packed music venue almost every weekend, year-round. Relax by the open fire on rustic furniture outside with a hearty burger and pint of craft beer. The space is quite small and can get crammed when busy, but they serve an extensive list of local beers on 12 taps. The food focus is on local, sustainable and ethical, and you’ll find a small menu that delivers on its big words such as wild, vegan, spear-caught and free-farmed. Try the Jamaican wild goat curry.
This place definitely has the classic Irish bar vibe. Irish locals confirm they pour a good Guinness, plus there's lots of live music; it's not all Celtic, but it will get your toes tapping regardless. You'll find the bright red pub a short walk from the waterfront and it's open until the wee small hours so it's a great spot to wait for the late-night ferry.
Serving up the usual café fare with a modern twist, Sime’s Kitchen offers plenty of exciting fusion dishes for those who want to branch out. A few minutes' walk north of the town and worth the trip, the kitchen here is known for using its own honey and in-house-stoneground whole meal bread. There's a big focus on letting the fresh and seasonal local ingredients shine here. Get in there early, as they usually close at 3 pm. On sunny days, snag a table on the veranda.
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.
