David’s guidebook
Food & Drink
If you are looking for places to eat whilst you are in Nelson. The city has many Cafes and Restaurants to choose from and we haven't come across a bad one yet so here's a few places that we recommend:
Best fish and chips in town, especially the gluten free chips and its only around the corner, they also do great burgers!
Recommend you order from home and collect to save time.
CJ's Atawhai Takeaways
664A Atawhai CrescentBest fish and chips in town, especially the gluten free chips and its only around the corner, they also do great burgers!
Recommend you order from home and collect to save time.
Our favorite, no bookings, so you may need to wait but no usually for too long. Its always humming and busy whatever night you go and the food is amazing. If you are looking for an experience this is the place to go.
We recommend if possible to grab a seat along the bench by the open kitchen, you get to see what they do plus you may get an extra treat. Even the little dots of sauce on your plate burst with flavor.
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Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery
278 Hardy StOur favorite, no bookings, so you may need to wait but no usually for too long. Its always humming and busy whatever night you go and the food is amazing. If you are looking for an experience this is the place to go.
We recommend if possible to grab a seat along the bench by the open kitchen, you get to see what they do plus you may get an extra treat. Even the little dots of sauce on your plate burst with flavor.
This is the Nelson's iconic restaurant, sitting over the water, amazing views, definitely worth a visit, top end food cooked by an amazing chef, been here many times. They have a "trust the Chef" option which is five courses for $75 per head, well worth it, if that's not your choice the menu is great anyway.
Recommend to book in advance and ask for a seat out on the deck if you can for the best view:)
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The Boat Shed Cafe
350 Wakefield QuayThis is the Nelson's iconic restaurant, sitting over the water, amazing views, definitely worth a visit, top end food cooked by an amazing chef, been here many times. They have a "trust the Chef" option which is five courses for $75 per head, well worth it, if that's not your choice the menu is great anyway.
Recommend to book in advance and ask for a seat out on the deck if you can for the best view:)
Top tasty Indian, can eat in or takeaway, most affordable eat in restaurant with BYO, our choice for Takeaways.
Best to ring ahead for takeaways as very popular, menu available on guest fridge.
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The Indian Cafe
94 Collingwood StTop tasty Indian, can eat in or takeaway, most affordable eat in restaurant with BYO, our choice for Takeaways.
Best to ring ahead for takeaways as very popular, menu available on guest fridge.
Cool buzz, great food, awesome selection of hot chips, good all-round favourite for all.
Kids love it but also great if you fancy a good quality burger and choices. Chicken wings are good too, you have to be brave to have the hot ones:)
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Burger Culture
279 Trafalgar StCool buzz, great food, awesome selection of hot chips, good all-round favourite for all.
Kids love it but also great if you fancy a good quality burger and choices. Chicken wings are good too, you have to be brave to have the hot ones:)
This wee restaurant is attached to Nelsons Cinema, so can add a movie too!
Large Pizzas that you can also take away.
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Stefano's Pizzeria
91 Trafalgar StThis wee restaurant is attached to Nelsons Cinema, so can add a movie too!
Large Pizzas that you can also take away.
Looking for an iconic Turkish fix, good and fresh. This is the place to come for take always or they have a small authentic eating area.
Akbabas
130 Bridge StLooking for an iconic Turkish fix, good and fresh. This is the place to come for take always or they have a small authentic eating area.
This is the place for your general Thai and takeaways or eat in. Good food but if you want something a bit more special then I suggest Nahm.
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Chokdee
83 Hardy StThis is the place for your general Thai and takeaways or eat in. Good food but if you want something a bit more special then I suggest Nahm.
Superb Euro-Thai cross over. Has sea views. Special place or for foodies, one of our favorites.
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Nahm
322 Wakefield QuaySuperb Euro-Thai cross over. Has sea views. Special place or for foodies, one of our favorites.
Haven't been here ourselves yet, but have only heard good things. So definitely a place for our Vegan friends.
Most of the restaurants in Nelson offer Vegan options but always good to check first.
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East St Cafe, Restaurant and Bar
8 Church StHaven't been here ourselves yet, but have only heard good things. So definitely a place for our Vegan friends.
Most of the restaurants in Nelson offer Vegan options but always good to check first.
If your looking for that pub atmosphere then this is the place to go and eat, they have specials most days. They often have music too at the weekends. Its right in the center of the city. During the summer the Rd outside is shut off so you can eat outside which is great.
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The Vic Mac's Brewbar
281 Trafalgar StIf your looking for that pub atmosphere then this is the place to go and eat, they have specials most days. They often have music too at the weekends. Its right in the center of the city. During the summer the Rd outside is shut off so you can eat outside which is great.
Good food and an awesome place to take kids under the age of 12, they have the most amazing gardens to play in, so they can go off and you can relax and enjoy.
You can feed the eels too, food provided for free, they even supply funky loan sunhats and mouse tails for children to play chase with.
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Jester House Café
320 Aporo RdGood food and an awesome place to take kids under the age of 12, they have the most amazing gardens to play in, so they can go off and you can relax and enjoy.
You can feed the eels too, food provided for free, they even supply funky loan sunhats and mouse tails for children to play chase with.
Awesome place for those good quality gifts to take home. Lots of food stalls offering wide range of healthy foods to sample - nice Saturday breakfast treat. Fresh veggies and the cheapest in town.
Definitely worth a visit - one of the best markets in NZ
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Nelson Saturday Market
23 Halifax StAwesome place for those good quality gifts to take home. Lots of food stalls offering wide range of healthy foods to sample - nice Saturday breakfast treat. Fresh veggies and the cheapest in town.
Definitely worth a visit - one of the best markets in NZ
Lovely relaxed and beautiful place to wander around, with the bonus of good quality shops and restaurants. Also contains a brewery and a wine tasting place.
We visit here often
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Mapua Pier
8 Aranui RdLovely relaxed and beautiful place to wander around, with the bonus of good quality shops and restaurants. Also contains a brewery and a wine tasting place.
We visit here often
If you want a real kiwi experience this is for you, good for all the family, learn about some Maori culture and get to be on the water in one of the most amazing places in the world, the bonus is that you have others to help you to paddle.
The beach here is amazing either take a picnic or there are restaurants, kids will love playing in the golden sand whilst you relax and enjoy the amazing views.
If you want an experience this is one that's worth while combine with the beach or local walks and you have a great day out.
Waka Abel Tasman
If you want a real kiwi experience this is for you, good for all the family, learn about some Maori culture and get to be on the water in one of the most amazing places in the world, the bonus is that you have others to help you to paddle.
The beach here is amazing either take a picnic or there are restaurants, kids will love playing in the golden sand whilst you relax and enjoy the amazing views.
If you want an experience this is one that's worth while combine with the beach or local walks and you have a great day out.
Amazing beach, amazing place:) Just have to do it!!
Relax on the beach
Hire a kayak - either alone or guided tour
waka - experience
eat out
go for walks
Mountain bike tracks
Water Taxi into the Abel Tasman National park
Kaiteriteri station
3 Sandy Bay-marahau RoadAmazing beach, amazing place:) Just have to do it!!
Relax on the beach
Hire a kayak - either alone or guided tour
waka - experience
eat out
go for walks
Mountain bike tracks
Water Taxi into the Abel Tasman National park
Lovely wee village on the edge of the Abel Tasman. Nice wee café and further along the road a funky burger place called the Fat Tui
Just past the Café is the first point of entry to the Abel Tasman Park, follow the signs, from here you can walk for as long as you like, large carpark with toilets.
We go here for lunch in the summer, the Café "Hooked On" or the Fat Tui for burgers.
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Marahau
Lovely wee village on the edge of the Abel Tasman. Nice wee café and further along the road a funky burger place called the Fat Tui
Just past the Café is the first point of entry to the Abel Tasman Park, follow the signs, from here you can walk for as long as you like, large carpark with toilets.
We go here for lunch in the summer, the Café "Hooked On" or the Fat Tui for burgers.
Great for all the family, large grass areas with gas BBQ's which are free to use. Amazing beach, playgrounds and further along an Amusement Park which inc outside Trampolines, Go-Karts, Water Slides etc .
Amazing beach and shallow water ideal for children. If you keep an eye out Orcas and Dolphins have been know to swim around here.
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Tāhunanui Strand
Great for all the family, large grass areas with gas BBQ's which are free to use. Amazing beach, playgrounds and further along an Amusement Park which inc outside Trampolines, Go-Karts, Water Slides etc .
Amazing beach and shallow water ideal for children. If you keep an eye out Orcas and Dolphins have been know to swim around here.
Things to do - on wet days
Always good to have a few things up your sleeve if the weather isn't playing the game:)
Our No1 pic, one of the best, easily accessible cave networks you'll come across. Its a family run business, $20per adult less for others. The tours start on the hour so be there at least 15 mins before to pay otherwise you may miss a bit of the tour or have to wait for the next one, each tour lasts approx. 45 mins. There is a small café and shop also on site.
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Ngarua Caves
Main RoadOur No1 pic, one of the best, easily accessible cave networks you'll come across. Its a family run business, $20per adult less for others. The tours start on the hour so be there at least 15 mins before to pay otherwise you may miss a bit of the tour or have to wait for the next one, each tour lasts approx. 45 mins. There is a small café and shop also on site.
The Steps lead to Nelsons Cathedral, it is in a lovely setting and a place you can get a good view of the city's main street from. Look out for events that are often held in this beautiful building.
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Christ Church
1 Trafalgar SquareThe Steps lead to Nelsons Cathedral, it is in a lovely setting and a place you can get a good view of the city's main street from. Look out for events that are often held in this beautiful building.
A cool little museum out lining Nelson's and the areas local history, they often have amazing visiting exhibitions so look out for those too.
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Nelson Provincial Museum
Cnr Trafalgar St and Hardy StreetA cool little museum out lining Nelson's and the areas local history, they often have amazing visiting exhibitions so look out for those too.
If you fancy a shopping fix this is an alternative to Nelson city, especially on a rainy as a major part of it is undercover. Its just like a small traditional Mall.
It has a Food Court but there are also restaurants and cafes just outside. Nelson itself has overhangs over most shops so shopping in the rain is manageable too.
Large stores that aren't in Nelson:
Kmart
Pak & Save
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Richmond Mall
Talbot StreetIf you fancy a shopping fix this is an alternative to Nelson city, especially on a rainy as a major part of it is undercover. Its just like a small traditional Mall.
It has a Food Court but there are also restaurants and cafes just outside. Nelson itself has overhangs over most shops so shopping in the rain is manageable too.
Large stores that aren't in Nelson:
Kmart
Pak & Save
If you love something arty and/or cars this is a place to visit. The World of Wearable Arts has become an international phenomenon. It started in Nelson and became so big and popular it was moved to Wellington. So Nelson now has the museum show chasing some weird and wacky clothes designs, they are amazing, definitely worth a look.
It has a gift shop with some very nice quality items made by NZ artists. It alsonhas a very nice café too, great to just pop into if you are on that side of town.
The back of the museum houses probably one of the largest collection on cars.
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World of WearableArt & Classic Cars Museum
1 Cadillac WayIf you love something arty and/or cars this is a place to visit. The World of Wearable Arts has become an international phenomenon. It started in Nelson and became so big and popular it was moved to Wellington. So Nelson now has the museum show chasing some weird and wacky clothes designs, they are amazing, definitely worth a look.
It has a gift shop with some very nice quality items made by NZ artists. It alsonhas a very nice café too, great to just pop into if you are on that side of town.
The back of the museum houses probably one of the largest collection on cars.
If you want to see some of the worlds best glass pieces this is the place to come. You might not be able to afford the largest pieces but they are worth making the effort to see, they are amazing.
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Höglund Art Glass Gallery
52 Lansdowne RdIf you want to see some of the worlds best glass pieces this is the place to come. You might not be able to afford the largest pieces but they are worth making the effort to see, they are amazing.
Walks
A cool walk which includes a swing bridge and a small river to cross, when you get to the water fall if you want a picnic just climb the next piece and at the top is an open area with a picnic table.
Whispering Falls
A cool walk which includes a swing bridge and a small river to cross, when you get to the water fall if you want a picnic just climb the next piece and at the top is an open area with a picnic table.
Short walk to the beginning of the Riwaka River, quite popular.
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The Riwaka Resurgence
Riwaka Valley RoadShort walk to the beginning of the Riwaka River, quite popular.
Split Apple Rock sits just off shore, lots of people Kayak to it but you can take this short walk to it too if you don't fancy going on the water to see it.
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Split Apple Rock
Moonraker WaySplit Apple Rock sits just off shore, lots of people Kayak to it but you can take this short walk to it too if you don't fancy going on the water to see it.
This is an awesome place to view the whole Bay but make sure you go up on a clear day, not a log walk but you have to walk uphill all the way.
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Centre of New Zealand Monument
This is an awesome place to view the whole Bay but make sure you go up on a clear day, not a log walk but you have to walk uphill all the way.
This is a great walk, everyone who has done it says so:) there are two options to do the whole walk you need to leave a car to Glenduan (the end of the walk) and then continue on to Cable Bay. Once you reach the beach at Cable Bay you can see the signs of where the walk starts from. There's a hill to climb to start but then it flattens out for the rest of the walk.
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Cable Bay
This is a great walk, everyone who has done it says so:) there are two options to do the whole walk you need to leave a car to Glenduan (the end of the walk) and then continue on to Cable Bay. Once you reach the beach at Cable Bay you can see the signs of where the walk starts from. There's a hill to climb to start but then it flattens out for the rest of the walk.