Top Restaurants in Nelson
Where to eat Bar food in Nelson: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Find out what Bar restaurants to try in Nelson. 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. Sprig & Fern Tahuna
Overall Ratings
4 based on 122 reviews
The Sprig & Fern Tavern Tahuna is situated on Beach Rd just off the main coastal route into Nelson from Richmond. You will be hard pressed to find a bar with a more "outdoorsy" feel. Walk in through the iron gate and white picket fence and take a seat to
Reviewed By Lindyblu
With a range of casual indoor and outdoor seating the Sprig & Fern in Tahunanui is a great venue for one of those long overdue catch up with friends. Thereâs the extensive collection of beers and cider on tap plus and a variety of food on the menu including snacks, burgers and pizza. We had the lamb and beetroot pizza - delicious.
9. The Free House Inn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By 464harrietw
This has become one of our locals after regularly receiving good service and excellent craft beer and cider options. The chips could be improved as they are quite thick, but I would highly recommend giving the other menu items a go! Great vibes, great location.
8. The Vic Brewbar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 498 reviews
The Vic Brewbar is the South Islandâs first fully-fledged Macâs Brewbar. Found in the historic Victorian Rose building on Trafalgar Street and known by locals as the âVic Roseâ, the Brewbar is a unique Nelson pub and restaurant that offers live entertainm
Reviewed By Amelia M
Friendly service, quick cooking, a piece of fish that was deep fried but not oily, the side of summer vegetables was huge, and the cider with syrup flavouring was so good I really should have had another.Will 100% be back the next time we're in Nelson.
7. Sprig and Fern Hardy St
Overall Ratings
4 based on 206 reviews
Right at the heart of Nelson City CBD is the Hardy St Sprig and Fern Tavern. A full range of natural, locally brewed craft beers and regional wines are available to go with a mouth watering selection of pub food including traditional English pork pies. Re
Reviewed By Catherine C
We ate - and drank - here twice while in Nelson. My husband's nachos were so good the first time, I ordered them the second time. Unfortunately there were not great that time. Just a melded together mess of congealed components. The curried sausage and rice was good though. And the beer selection as well. Note there's outdoor seating around the back as well as on the sidewalk/street. Overall an enjoyable place.
6. Smugglers Pub and Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 648 reviews
SUPREME WINNER TOP SHOP 2014 and WINNER FOOD, BEVERAGE & HOSPITALITY CATEGORY - NELSON The Smugglers Pub and Cafe is famous for its hearty meals, foaming craft ales and great wines all served up in a unique old world atmosphere.Located within easy walking
Reviewed By Gourmette1948
We have been here many times. Usually quite good. Not today! Service bad, waitress answering back with a smart comment. Had to keep asking what we were having. We waited for them to come over so we could have a second drink. Got up ourselves. Chicken filo overdone, but nice flavour. Requested no coulis on apple turnover. We could tell it had been scraped off and covered with icing sugar. There were no pleasantries and no effort being made to make us feel welcome. It will be a while before we return.Thankyou for taking the time to review us. All feedback is appreciated especially for training purposes, we pride ourselves on our food and our service.We are sorry to hear that you did not enjoy your experience with us and hope you bought your concerns to either your server or the duty manager on the day. As part of our commitment to service and quality assurance every meal is checked within a few minutes of being delivered to the table and if there are any issues we are happy to either replace the meal with another of the same or something else of your choosing on the menu.
5. Flames on 40 Restaurant Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 156 reviews
Flames on Forty Restaurant Bar is a local favourite - offering a variety of dishes that reflect the region and the seasons - from family favourites through to a succulent steak. Childrens menu is available. Located at the entrance to The Hotel Nelson on W
Reviewed By Adventurer29757
I had Beef & Mushroom pie, husband had lamb shank both great. Think staff member who served us could have let us know you now have a self serve water dispenser - had to ask Justice for water. We are regular diners and feel more variety would be appreciated by regulars.Thank you Adventurer29757 for your review. Please accept my apology for not having water delivered to you at your table - The self service water station is part of our host responsibility being to to always have water readily available - it certainly is not there to replace table service. Justice has asked that I pass on her apologies for not delivering water to your table. We are in the process of introducing our summer menu so we do hope you enjoy some of the new dishes on your next visit.Kind regardsKim and the team at Flames on Forty Restaurant Bar
4. 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
3. 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.
What to do and see in Nelson, New Zealand: The Best Places and Tips
2. Burger Culture
Overall Ratings
4 based on 244 reviews
Welcome to Burger Culture, Nelson's only dedicated burger joint that is fresh, handcrafted, and independent. The team is an amalgamation of people we have loved working with in the past with a passion for hospitality and drive for success. Family is one o
Reviewed By hector0108
We are locals and have visited Burger Culture twice before and both times left not impressed. We gave them a third visit and confirm we will not be back. Chicken burger at best tasted average but for the price is not value. The chicken tenders were horrible, over cooked burnt, dry and tasteless even the sauce could not revive it! It was a Saturday and opening is 12pm?? There was about 5 groups waiting outside 5-10 mins before 12pm and they still had a locked front door! They could have let customers in for a seat and a menu. Lucky for them that it as sunny winter day and people waited.
Nelson Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Nelson
1. Eddyline Brewery & Pizzeria NZ
Overall Ratings
4 based on 97 reviews
Eddyline is a fun, family-friendly pizzeria and brewery serving gourmet wood-fired pizzas and brewed onsite award-winning ales and lagers. Our wood-fired pizzas are hand-tossed, wood-oven fired, individual sized 30cm with a great variety of toppings from
Reviewed By owlesey
From my first review I now love this place and we often come here for work functions. The pizzas are thin based and I love the mushroom and apricot chicken the best. Fantastic selection of craft beers and goid wine selection. Good place for end of week drinks and catch ups.
Most Popular Brew Pub food in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand
