Top Restaurants in Upper Moutere
Where to Eat in Upper Moutere: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Discover the best restaurant in Upper Moutere, New Zealand including The Smokehouse, Jester House cafe, Golden Bear Brewing Company, Upper Moutere Store & Coffee Shop, Riverside Cafe, Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar, Kahurangi Estate, Moutere Hills Vineyard & Cafe, Moutere Inn, The Apple Shed Cafe & Bar
Things to do in Upper Moutere
1. The Smokehouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 240 reviews
Takeaways & Deli on the historic Mapua Wharf. Our onsite takeaways are a Nelson favorite. Come and savour our delicious fish and chips while relaxing on the wharf where you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Waimea Estuary. Or grab a cool drink from the local craft brewery where an easy going band is often playing in the courtyard. Additionally our onsite Deli showcases all our Smoked Salmon, Fish, Mussels and Pate. The Smokehouse experience is based on the concept of delicately hot smoking local seafood, using traditional brick kilns and natural manuka shavings. The whole process is overseen by our experienced smokers in a true balance of art and science. 100% Natural 100% Preservative Free
Reviewed By Daniel K
Partner was ordering pizza across the road at the wine bar and I was told we were allowed to eat fish and chips out front of the bar. Ordered a piece of snapper and half chips. Got three fillets of fish and too many chips to eat. Only negative is paying for the sauce.
2. Jester House cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
Reviewed By Bob and Di H - Nelson
Visiting this place continues to be something special. With its quirky features one wonders what next?. A visual surprise such as a toaster carved out of a tree stump complete with its levers and a slice of toast greets visitors on arrival. There are similar quirky devices to amuse children too, not to forget the tame eels.
However the realism is the amazing and ongoing hospitality offered together with the array of outdoor dining choices. And a feature of superb local produce truly served to perfection. This writer remains in awe as to where such amazing and delightful staff are found. No matter how busy they are the service is always there with a smile. We do love visiting this place it's always such a joy.
3. Golden Bear Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4 based on 88 reviews
Reviewed By hlmackenzie - London, United Kingdom
I stopped off here half way through my ride on the Great Taste Trail. They only serve their own brewed beers and cider and offer a menu of mexican food and the standard burgers. I had a chicken burrito, which was delicious and a pint of the house lager. It was reasonably priced and served relatively quickly. I had a table outside in the partial shade and left just as the live music was starting. It's a busy place with a great ambiance, one of the more informal places on the Wharf.
4. Upper Moutere Store & Coffee Shop
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By kiwisolargal - Nelson, New Zealand
Upper Moutere Store is in a picturesque village that also has New Zealand's oldest pub. If you are driving out to Motueka, Kaiteriteri Beach or the Abel Tasman from Nelson take the inland route to Upper Moutere Store and return via the coastal route. Take some lovely photos and enjoy the rural views. Upper Moutere store sells just about everything you need including local wines, beer and food. The Grocery store is extensive and the attached cafe offers great food and lovely coffee, tea, and cold drinks. The friendly staff and owners Sefton and Kris Ferrick will make you feel welcome. Definitely a taste of rural New Zealand and well worth the visit only 45 minutes from Nelson. Lots of wineries, potters, and artists abound in this gorgeous part of the country.
5. Riverside Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Winner of Wild Tomato magazine's best regional rural restaurant 2010 and recommended by both North and South and Cuisine magazines, Riverside Cafe is an integral part of the historic Riverside Community (est.1941). We serve fantastic fair-trade coffee, and a delicious selection of home made cakes, slices and our amazing brioche, with gluten free options always on offer. Our seasonal menu includes local produce,free range meats and eggs, plus superb wines from the plethora of vineyards in the Moutere area. You can dine al fresco in our lovely garden or on our sheltered deck area, or grab a table inside the historic cafe (built 1860) and be inspired by the local art which adorns the walls! A unique and wonderful cafe, offering a very warm welcome. We are open 7 days a week from 8.30 To 4pm, plus open for dinner on Friday evenings. Bookings are recommended!
Reviewed By ohiowanderer - Columbus OH
We drove out to the Riverside Cafe for lunch. The parking lot was full but after a short wait, we got a parking spot. The cafe is in an old house with lawns and Gardens. The staff were pleasant, but not overly friendly. We chose food from the cabinet, salads and quiche. The salads were very tasty. I'd definitely go back.
6. Jellyfish Restaurant & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 581 reviews
Reviewed By Louise B - Wellington, New Zealand
The restaurant is very large - a bit barn like - but does have outside Seating. The food was very good but my lamb needed extra potatoes or such like. The fish was very good and more of a 'full meal'. Desserts were delicious but smaller than The Apple Shed's.
7. Kahurangi Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By Teale S - Brisbane, Australia
While most vineyards were closed over the winter months, we where delighted to find this estate open for tasting. Friendly hospitality & a great knowledge of their wines. We also tasted the Portuguese Ports which were amazing! We have some lovely reds & fantastic ports to join our collection back home.
8. Moutere Hills Vineyard & Cafe
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 137 reviews
Moutere Hills is a boutique, family owned vineyard, restaurant and winery set in the picturesque Upper Moutere in the South Island of New Zealand. The restaurant is a hidden gem, tucked away in a private rural setting 2km from the Moutere Highway. There is an extensive dine-in menu and a range of stunning Moutere Hills wines, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Riesling. Locally made beer (currently Founders, Dales and Golden Bear) is also available on tap.
Reviewed By LesCheshire - Cheshire
We sat outside in the shade on a hot summer’s day in an attractive rural setting and enjoyed excellent food and wine. The service was good, the staff friendly and the vineyard owner personally conducted the complimentary wine tasting which is available to diners.
We shared a platter which was enough for the two of us and the ingredients were of high quality. The home-smoked fish was particularly delicious. For those with bigger appetites, other customers’ meals looked sizeable and were attractively presented.
This is as good a winery cafe as I have visited and more personal than larger scale wineries such as the Mission Estate in Napier which is one of my favourites.
9. Moutere Inn
Overall Ratings
4 based on 95 reviews
New Zealand's Oldest Pub in it's original building. Serving lovely seasonal meals, craft beer and all wines are sourced within 10km of the Inn.
Reviewed By Foxy-Froggy - Epsom, United Kingdom
We were recommended to visit this pub, the oldest in New Zealand (or so we were advised), for an evening meal, and weren’t disappointed.
The pub itself, built in 1850 and completed in 1853, looks like it hasn’t had much in way of a facelift during the intervening years, but the menu was interesting, and what we ate was delicious.
The staff here are exceptionally friendly, and made us feel very welcome. We were offered to taste the different ales before deciding which to select.
We elected to eat outdoors as the evening was pleasant, and service was good.
While the ambience, tables and settings were somewhat basic, the food made for this, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Full marks to the chef, and the folk that run this establishment!
10. The Apple Shed Cafe & Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 533 reviews
Reviewed By PedroNP - New Plymouth, New Zealand
When you first go to a cafe or restaurant that you aren’t familiar with, there can be confusion as to the ordering protocols in place. Do you need to go back to the counter to order, or will the staff come to you? And that becomes more of a problem when there is a significant delay between being seated and staff next taking an interest in you. That was the case here. It took too long to be recognised by staff, and that can cause resentment. We eventually approached the bar, only to be told that “please sit down, we will be with you shortly”. Not good enough. We went from ordering a full meal to having a small snack, then going elsewhere. The Mapua wharf area is a special place and should be presenting the best of everything NZ has to offer - including service. Go there and enjoy the views, but demand better service.
