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South Island, New Zealand Food Guide: 10 New Zealand food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Nelson
Reviews on New Zealand food in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Nelson’s thriving arts and music scene has helped to establish it as a destination for free spirits and art-lovers. Festivals, studios, galleries, craft markets… Every cranny of this South Island city seems to buzz with artistic energy. Lord of the Rings fans will flip for the Jens Hansen workshop in Trafalgar Square—Hansen is the goldsmith who designed the “precious” guarded by Frodo in the LOTR films.
Things to do in Nelson
10. The Styx
Overall Ratings
4 based on 563 reviews
Sited on the Wakefield Quay Wharf offering spectacular views of the Tasman Bay with its amazing sunsets The Styx takes advantage of the fresh seafood bounty and agricultural produce to offer you delicious and innovative dishes. We are a relaxed casual din
Reviewed By danjonelson
Went here for a working lunch and it was very good, staff were attentive and professional, location was great, right on the waterfront with good views over the harbour. Comfortable seating and the food was fresh, tasty and promptly delivered.For waterfront dining the price was goodCoffee was also goodMenu selection covered for lots of different tastes, and certainly our meals were very good
9. Speight's Ale House
Overall Ratings
4 based on 550 reviews
Situated on Quarantine Rd opposite Mitre 10 Mega and the WOW Museum we are proud to be the 17th Speight's Ale House across the country and the very first of the new look Ale House! Whether its good hearty portions of southern style food or Speight's exclu
Reviewed By silverhead2016
We have had many enjoyable lunches at SPEIGHT'S, however, when we went this week and had the BLUE COD it was just plain awful, not very fresh and over cooked. We should have sent it back but just wanted to get out quickly. Will not hurry to go back.
8. The Tides Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 427 reviews
Reviewed By 74robadams
We are staying at Trailways Hotel and their signature restaurant is The Tide. What can i say but unbelievable atmosphere,beautiful decor,very exuberant and happy staff. Our service was excellent and my wife and son shared the seafood platter which was too die for. There was plenty of variety and cooked to perfection.I had the ribeye and it was delicious. Cooked to perfection. My boy Joshi had choc sundae for dessert and it was soo yummy. I want to thank Tommy for the great service he and his team produce and for the toy muscle car he gave our son. Joshi is soo thankful.Hello 74robadams, Thank you for taking the time to leave The Tides Restaurant a review. We are very pleased you enjoyed our extensive seafood platter, service and dessert. We hope to welcome you back in the near future. Kind regardsToby M
Nelson Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Nelson
7. Boat Shed Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1483 reviews
Reviewed By Rachaefox
Nice service, nice view, nice food vegetarians can get nice tapas here but not any main meals. The side of brocoli was beautiful, lovely small souffle plate and bruchetta.
Where to eat European food in Nelson: The Best Restaurants and Bars
6. Melrose House Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 431 reviews
Reviewed By joyfully11
Was expecting a great morning tea, however, the cake selection looked old and unappealing, so decided to just have tea. The tea was so extremely disappointing that we did not drink any of it in the end. We told the lady at the counter, she seemed inexperienced, with no idea what to do in this situation and proceeded to tell us the price. Would never come back or recommend.
Most Popular Brew Pub food in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand
5. FORD'S Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1037 reviews
Reviewed By KerenB_13
Decided to eat here on a Friday night before the movies, we both had the fillet steak, perfectly cooked, delicious potato gratin and sauces...dessert was just as good, definitely reccomend....not the place for a cheap feed though, but well worth the price with the service and quality of food.
4. Harbour Light Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 580 reviews
Harbour Light Bistro is a locally owned Nelson restaurant based on Wakefield Quay, one of Nelsons beautiful waterfronts. Harbour Light offers a selection of locally and internationally inspired dishes. All dishes are made fresh and our menus change seaso
Reviewed By ElsaMiro
Went for lunch - the views looking out to the shimmering water and snow capped mountains magnificent.Friendly prompt service, yet never felt rushed, was a long leisurely lunch catching up with family.Food exceptional, very hard to choose from menu and wide range of wines.So good to see such a wide range of innovative dishes using seafood.Couldn't think of a better place to have a memorable lunch at in Nelson!
3. Cod & Lobster Brasserie
Overall Ratings
4 based on 851 reviews
Cod & Lobster Brasserie is a seafood restaurant and cocktail bar located in the heart of Nelson. Enjoy the best seafood from around New Zealand, meticulously mixed cocktails and fresh, regional fare - including beef, lamb and venison. Open for brunch, lun
Reviewed By NannaA53
Somewhat surprised at the change in menu from what was previously, an extensive range of offerings, to much fewer choices. â¹ï¸Staff as always were knowledgeable, friendly and professional in regard to the food and extensive cocktail menus. Lemon Sole in Garlic was scrumptious - fries couldâve been hotter. Fillet of Beef was tender and accompanying potatoes luscious. Would recommend the Broccoli, Blue Cheese and Avocado side dish. Cocktails - these were very much the hit of the evening!! Pharmaceutical Stimulant #2 and Message in a Bottle were the winners. Would return for cocktails any day! Hello NannaA53,Thank you kindly for taking the time to review us. All great things you mentioned, although the slightly smaller menu this time of year is just to help keep us fresh and seasonal. It gets a bit of a boost in items during our peak trading. Hope to see you back then. Kindest Regards,Nick Widley
Where to eat Bar food in Nelson: The Best Restaurants and Bars
2. Urban Oyster Bar and Eatery
Overall Ratings
4 based on 683 reviews
Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery is Nelson's newest and most innovative dining experience. Don't be afraid to put your elbows on the table and engage us and your fellow diners. Get to know us and what's inspiring us today. We'll be delivering the things we're cu
Reviewed By Robert S
We checked this place out before we came and had it on our list to try when we were in Nelson. We checked out the website before we walked over because it was a holiday and it said they were open so we went. When we got there it was closed.Hi Robert thank you for your review, we really appreciate you dropping our hard earned rating from 1st Place to 3rd place in order to inform people we were closed on a public holiday. You may appreciate that if you had of looked on our website it clearly states on our opening hours that we are closed on public holidays, so does our facebook page. Our staff work extremely hard for us and they really appreciate having an extra day off on a public holiday. So we are sorry that we weren't open for you when you wanted to come and dine. We feel your review is unfair and unjust and quite honestly it is reviews like this that make it very hard for the hospitality industry. We are more than happy to receive constructive criticism, but in this case you didn't experience Urban in any way and to post a one star review because we were closed is simply wrong.
1. Hopgoods
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1272 reviews
Good honest local cuisine, served in a casual environment.
Reviewed By Mcmlix1959
As soon as we arrived in Nelson, we asked the hotel for a recommendation, one of which was Hopgoodâs. From start to finish, the dishes were nothing short of superb. The service was friendly and attentive.The price for such fine quality is more than fair.
Most Popular Gastropub food in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand
