Restaurants in Nelson, Richmond and Motueka
Nelson is the seafood capital of New Zealand, so it isn't unreasonable to expect top seafood in the area's restaurants. Combine that with a wealth of horticultural produce, world-renowned wines, and a casual atmosphere, and the stage is set for some memorable dining. There's been a rush of new cafes - not all worth visiting - and you won't be short of an opportunity to dine well.
In Nelson
For the best coffee in town, head for Zumo Coffee House, 42 Rutherford St. (tel. 03/548-7405; www.zumo.co.nz), open Monday through Friday 7am to 4pm, weekends 8am to 3pm. Lambretta's Café Bar, 204 Hardy St. (tel. 03/545-8555; www.lambrettas.co.nz), remains popular for light meals (especially their pizzas), and a good time. It's invariably packed with people enjoying pastas, pizzas, and seafood dishes daily from 8:30am until late. The Suter Art Gallery's Suter Café, 208 Bridge St. (tel. 03/548-4040), looks out into the leafy environs of Queen's Gardens. They have delicious counter food, with lots of vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options. They're open daily from 9am to 4pm in summer (until 3:30pm in winter).
Excellent Japanese cuisine can be found at Miyazu Japanese Restaurant, Rutherford Hotel, Nelson (tel. 03/548-2299; www.heritagehotels.co.nz), where you can watch slick Japanese chefs preparing your meal in front of you. They're open Monday through Saturday from 6pm. For a quick sushi fix, don't miss Haroo Sushi, 50 Bridge St., Nelson (tel. 03/546-6123); and pizza fans can eat their fill at Pizza Bar, 105 Hardy St. (tel. 03/548-8990; www.pizzabar.co.nz).
Top Tastes -- Pick up a free copy of Eat Drink Nelson from the visitor center, or check www.eatdrinknelson.co.nz for all the best restaurants and boutique food producers in the region.
Mouthwatering Morsels --For the best and biggest range of ice cream in town, head for Penguino Gelato Café, 85 Montgomery Sq., Nelson (tel. 03/545-6450; www.penguino.co.nz), where you'll find 18 flavors made from traditional Italian recipes. Try the gelato, sorbet, sundaes, "bambinos" for children, and big four-flavor cone for the ambitious. They're open daily in summer, 11am to 6pm. Chocoholics should explore the sweet delights at Zatori Café de Chocolat, 270 Trafalgar St. (tel. 03/546-9202; www.zatori.co.nz). It's the perfect place for an indulgent morning or afternoon tea, or dessert after dinner. They're open Monday through Saturday 9am to late.
Raise Your Glass -- With a strong hop-growing history, it's not surprising that Nelson delivers on the beer front. Two breweries to visit are Founders Organic Brewery , Founders Historic Park, 87 Atawhai Dr., Nelson (tel. 03/548-4638; www.biobrew.co.nz), the country's first certified organic brewery complete with a cafe that serves great lunches; and The Vic Brew Bar, 281 Trafalgar St., Nelson (tel. 03/548-7631; www.macs.co.nz), where they serve a range of premium, award-winning beers. They're open daily from 11am until late.
In Richmond
One of the popular casual favorites in the area is the Honest Lawyer Country Pub, 1 Point Rd., Monaco (tel. 03/547-8850; www.honestlawyer.co.nz), which is not actually in the country at all, but near Nelson Airport. It's a replica of a classic English pub, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily from 7am till late. But by far the nicest Richmond eatery is Bouterey's Restaurant, 251 Queen St., Richmond (tel. 03/544-1114; www.boutereys.co.nz). It's open Monday to Saturday for dinner and features fresh and organic local produce whisked into edible delicacies by Michelin-trained owner/chef Matt Bouterey. Before coming to Nelson, Bouterey ran the famous Sugar Reef Restaurant in London and cooked for celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Michael Caine. His international menu will seduce you in seconds.
In Motueka/Mapua
The Naked Bun Patisserie, 66-68 Aranui Rd., Mapua (tel. 03/540-3656; www.thenakedbun.co.nz), is a European-style patisserie where you'll get not only divine sweet things but also organic breads and savory snacks. It's open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4:30pm, weekends 8am to 4:30pm; dining is available indoors or out.
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6 Results
- Seafood
Boatshed Café
You'll want to get window seats next to the water, or sit outside at the historic boatshed restaurant because the views are glorious (the restaurant sits on a quay over the water). The food is darn good, too, whether you handpick your own wriggly crabs or crayfish and have them…$$Waterfront - Modern NZ
Hopgoods
Kevin Hopgood has worked with Gordon Ramsey, and other big name chefs, in London and he brings a welcome style and professionalism to Nelson with his calm, rustic-chic contemporary restaurant. Here, he puts out handsomely presented dishes from a short and frequently changing menu…$$Nelson - Cafe
Lambretta’s Café Bar
As you can likely tell from the name, there's an Italian theme to this uber-popular bar-cafe (it's invariably packed day and night). It’s a favorite with the bar crowd and although not all meals are not outstanding, they do serve excellent thin-crust pizzas and hearty pastas.$Nelson - Modern NZ
Morrison Street Café
Always bustling (some would say noisy), the Morrison Street Cafe earns its popularity with its friendly service and because of its surprisingly creative menu, which scans the globe and is on a par with what you'd get in a far fancier (and pricier) place. Among the surprises on the…$Nelson - Pizza
Pizza Bar
There's a good crust to sauce to toppings ratio on the pies at Pizza Bar. We also like the many creative additions you can pile on top of your 'za, like minced beef, egg and red capsicum. Either dine in in the pleasant but unremarkable looking, booth laden dining room, or take yours…$Nelson - Cafe
Suter Art Gallery Café
Swell salads, meat pies, real pots of tea (no teabags here) and a scrumptious array of desserts makes this cafe a perennial favorite. The fact that it's housed in a conservatory–like setting to one side of the gallery, looking out over leafy Queen’s Gardens (a Victorian-style park),…$$Suter Art Gallery
