Best Restaurants in Nelson?

Oyster Bar and Eatery - URBAN

For lunch, nibbles, drinks and dinner

OPENING HOURS

Monday from 4 pm

Tuesday to Saturday all day from 11.00am

http://www.urbaneatery.co.nz

Tel: 03 546 7861

Owner Matt Bouterey’s, a Michelin-trained chef, with some of the greats including Anthony Demetre, Gary Rhodes and Marco Pierre White.

This Restaurant/bar, I would have to say, is personally my number one pick in Nelson. Out of 10, it gets a 9, since nobody can get a 10…

They are open from 11 pm all day from Tuesday to Saturday, except for Monday which is open from 4 pm, closed on Sundays.

The food is a combination of casual and fine dining, the produce is sourced from local suppliers and you get the feeling that their standard of quality and presentation is important to them. The menu is designed to be shared, or not, it doesn’t really matter.

The drinks list is fab, comprised of local craft beers, a beautiful wine list and tequila sipping menu. Plus everything else you would expect, they do it well.

The ambience is one of a chilled-kiwi music vibe, which we love.

The staff are relaxed and accommodating, sometimes taking a seat while explaining what’s on offer and the chefs are flexible with the menu in terms of offering alternatives for vegetarian options which is always a good sign.

It certainly is to our taste and while it possibly might not be as such for you, I would highly recommend giving this restaurant a go.

Harry’s

For nibbles, drinks and dinner

OPENING HOURS:

4 pm till Late

Tuesday to Saturday

Location

http://www.harrysnelson.nz

Tel: 03 539 0905

Harry’s is ideally located right on Nelson’s main restaurant and bar hub, at the top of Trafalgar Street. The atmosphere is dark and rich on the inside with good music and has outside seating as an option.

They have a great cocktail, wine, craft beer and awesome whiskey menu.

The food is a European take on Asian cuisine, with an authentic feel. It is good. I would say that they do veer towards spicy, so if this isn’t for you be sure to mention it to them.

During summer they are super busy on the weekends, with the bar side of the restaurant really kicking off. Its is a cool vibe but pretty loud at times.

I would recommend Harry’s if you like Asian style hot-food.

Deville Cafe and Bar

For breakfast, lunch and drinks

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Saturday 8 am to 4 pm

Sundays 9 am to 3 pm

Kitchen closes at 2.30pm

Open on Friday evenings till 8.30pm

Location

http://devillecafe.co.nz/index.html

Tel: 03 545 6911

DeVille is a family business with a focus on serving an excellent standard of cafe classics from fresh, locally grown produce from the sunny Nelson, Tasman region. They support local brewers and vintners with a draught beer selection and wine list reflecting our location within the hop and grape growing capital of New Zealand.

The cafe has a large open outdoor seating area which caters to larger numbers and also has events with a stage area, that stage becomes seating area during the day.

The ambience/setting is great and the food is pretty good too, you’ll enjoy it for sure.

Morri Street Cafe

For coffee, breakfast, lunch (burgers some evenings) and Art

OPENING HOURS

Monday to Friday 7.30 am to 3.30 pm

Saturday & Sunday 8.30 am to 4 pm

Morri burgers – we are now open Thursday, Friday, Saturday 5.30pm – late

Public Holidays 9 am to 3 pm

Closed – Christmas Day, New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday

http://www.morrisonstreetcafe.co.nz

Tel: 03 548 8110

Location

Morri Street cafe is located in a beautiful old building in a very easy to find location just off Nelsons main strip. 3 min walk from the Heart of Nelson Villa.

The coffee is probably the best I’ve had in the area and the atmosphere is relaxed, creative and open.

While the food is good, locally sourced, freshly baked breads and sweets, it isn’t the best in terms of seasoning, but that is my own probably skewed opinion as I like highly flavoured foods! Plus I certainly haven’t tried everything..

They always have new artists work on display, and have a gallery upstairs. This makes for more interest and for the whole experience I would recommend.

The Kitchen

For breakfast, coffee, juices and lunch

https://ktchn.co.nz

Tel: 021 19 58246

Location

The Kitchen is a great little cafe situated on Bridge Street about 5 minute walk from the Heart of Nelson Villa.

‘The Kitchen ethos; From their website’..

FOOD IS MEDICINE

Hippocrates is considered the father of medicine and the greatest physician of all time. He famously said ‘Let Food be your Medicine and Medicine be your Food’. The Kitchen exists to inspire you to make this a reality in your everyday life. We strive to offer you great choices around food and provide you with education and resources to encourage a healthy personal and family lifestyle that is nutritious, enjoyable and most of all, achievable.

So as you can see they are very into promoting the healthier side of food. They offer raw cold pressed juices, nutritious smoothies, locally sourced seasonal produce and meat, vegetarian, vegan and raw vegan options.

The food, for all its healthiness, is still super tasty and the coffee is also great! Or have a turmeric latte which is yummy and super healthy.

The cafe itself is small but light and bright, with outdoor seating if preferred.

I often come here to just relax, have a good breakfast and work on my laptop.

I would recommend, especially for the health orientated person, but all would enjoy I believe.

Burger Culture

For burgers and beers

https://www.burgerculture.co.nz

Tel: 03 546 9020

Location

Claim to fame:

'Nelson’s only dedicated burger joint’

Burger culture is that, a great place to have a burger right by the church stairs on Trafalgar street. 1 minutes walk from the Heart of Nelson Villa.

The on-street seating area has a great rowdy vibe where you can see people happily eating awesome burgers while sipping a cold beer. For what it is, it’s worth it. Burgers. Beers. Can’t go wrong. Do it.

Hopgoods & co

For a fine dinning dinner experience

http://www.hopgoods.co.nz/menus/

OPENING HOURS

Mon - Sat 5.30pm-Late

Closed Sundays & all public holidays

Tel: 03- 545-7191

Location

From their website, explains best:

Hopgood's & Co. - located in the heart of Nelson - was opened in 2005 by Kevin and Jane Hopgood with the aim of presenting modern, seasonally-based bistro-style dishes in a casual and relaxing environment. The restaurant is housed in a heritage-listed premises, formerly known as the Dalgety & Company Ltd Building, which offers a stylish backdrop to the food and wine. The menu at Hopgood's is deliberately kept short and changes regularly, allowing the kitchen to make the most of the great produce Nelson has on its doorstep. "Hopgood's is all about simple food done well; we source many organic vegetables from local farmers and showcase the best wines the Nelson region has to offer." Originally hailing from London, Kevin spent more than twenty years working in some of the city's toughest kitchens including the legendary Le Gavroche with the Roux brothers.

It is a beautiful restaurant, in the best location with amazing food. If this is your thing, then you’ll enjoy it. Highly recommend.