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

A friendly and very stylish eatery, Arbour is innovative and critically acclaimed yet so laid-back and hospitable. The quality produce is matched with quality local wine. Owners Bradley and Liz have brought their international, five-star hospitality experience to Arbour, just out of town on the way to the airport. The decor is simple yet sophisticated, and the garden comes into its own in summer. The signature menu is seven-course dining experience, with the option to purchase wine pairing, the ever-changing dishes showcasing a local producers and Marlborough stories.

Chef–owner Kevin Hopgood focuses on using regional produce and regularly wins national restaurant awards for this small, eponymously named bistro-restaurant. Along with the à la carte menu, Hopgoods offers a five-course degustation tasting spectacle. This dinner spot is likely to be busy, though the service is always attentive and discreet.

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).

The owners spent years restoring this old pub, and now the place hums with activity and tasty food like angus beef burgers and homemade lamb pies. Bar snacks and baked goods are offered all-day and dinner steps up with a stylish à la carte menu. Riders from the local cycle trail will be staying here; there's also a great local scene with live music and community events.

The Māpua Wharf setting complements the food, and you can watch the boats go by while dining on quality produce (organic when possible) washed down with Nelson wines, ciders, and craft beers. All bread is baked in-house, the coffee is great, and the menu serves a mix of small and large plates. You can dine inside or outside. Once an apple packing shed, this restaurant utilizes its waterfront location perfectly. 

Located inside the Recreation Hotel (known by locals as “The Rec”) on the main street through Greymouth, Buccleugh’s serves quality food from 5:30 am until late every day. Head there for a big breakfast before setting off on your activities for the day. The lunch and dinner menu features Kiwi fare from the land and sea, like blue cod, whitebait, and venison. Plenty of gluten-free and vegetarian options are offered. There's a busy sports bar separate to the restaurant, where you can order a snack or a meal through the bistro window to enjoy with a drink and catch whatever game is on.

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. 

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.