Food scene
Melrose House Cafe
26 Brougham StGreat cafe in beautiful historic house and grounds.
Hopgoods Restaurant
284 Trafalgar StExcellent food, atmosphere and service.
Harry's Hawker House
296 Trafalgar StDelicious, fresh, small plates of Asian-inspired food.
Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery
278 Hardy StContemporary cuisine, shared plates.
Nahm
322 Wakefield QuayLovely setting overlooking the harbour, delicious South East Asian cuisine.
Bobby Franks Cafe
40 Tasman StGreat cafe, relaxed environment.
Beautiful cafe adjacent to the Suter Gallery, overlooking Queens Gardens.
105 locals recommend
The Suter Art Gallery Nelson
208 Bridge StBeautiful cafe adjacent to the Suter Gallery, overlooking Queens Gardens.
An iconic Nelson restaurant, overlooking the harbour. Beautiful sunsets. Excellent cuisine.
76 locals recommend
The Boat Shed Cafe
350 Wakefield QuayAn iconic Nelson restaurant, overlooking the harbour. Beautiful sunsets. Excellent cuisine.
Excellent food, particularly fish meals. Lovely view over the water.
48 locals recommend
The Apple Shed Kitchen & Bar
1 Aranui RdExcellent food, particularly fish meals. Lovely view over the water.
Red Art Gallery & Café
1 Bridge StGreat little cafe. Excellent art gallery and gift store.
Great, intimate restaurant and wine bar with a courtyard. The wine bar is called Porta Via.
11 locals recommend
Arden Bar & Kitchen
216 Hardy StGreat, intimate restaurant and wine bar with a courtyard. The wine bar is called Porta Via.
Parts & Service
274 Hardy StreetIndustrial dining space with coal-fired Josper Oven.
Local institution, pub in an old church building, serving a large range of craft beers. Food available, but you are also welcome to bring your own including takeaways.
43 locals recommend
The Free House Pub
95 Collingwood StLocal institution, pub in an old church building, serving a large range of craft beers. Food available, but you are also welcome to bring your own including takeaways.
Rustic cuisine
228 Rutherford StreetGreat French cafe, very close to our guest suite.
In our opinion, the best fish and chip shop in Nelson! Great crumbed fish (many kinds to choose from).
Giuseppes Fish & Chips & Burgers
In our opinion, the best fish and chip shop in Nelson! Great crumbed fish (many kinds to choose from).
Burger Culture
279 Trafalgar StDelicious burgers, donuts, shakes.
Sublime Coffee
211 Haven RdCafe that serves it's own brew - Sublime Coffee.
Very good coffee, no decaf.
Right opposite Tahunanui Beach.
13 locals recommend
Raglan Roast Tahunanui
623 Rocks RdVery good coffee, no decaf.
Right opposite Tahunanui Beach.
Excellent vegan cafe with very cool interior (plus courtyard).
40 locals recommend
East St Cafe, Restaurant and Bar
8 Church StExcellent vegan cafe with very cool interior (plus courtyard).
The Indian Cafe
94 Collingwood StExcellent Indian food, dine in or take away.
Hardy St Eatery
136 Hardy StExcellent cafe food.
Excellent local coffee roastery. They have a little coffee shop in an old, colourful villa on Haven Road as well.
Sublime Coffee Roastery and Brew Bar
32 New StreetExcellent local coffee roastery. They have a little coffee shop in an old, colourful villa on Haven Road as well.
A complex of several shops including Connings Food Market, The Junction (specialising in wine and cheese), GoodFor, and the Grape Escape Cafe.
Old Factory Corner
151 McShane RdA complex of several shops including Connings Food Market, The Junction (specialising in wine and cheese), GoodFor, and the Grape Escape Cafe.
Sightseeing
Lovely city beach - good for walking, swimming, paddleboarding, kite surfing, kayaking. Patrolled swimming area in summer months. Dog friendly at far end of the beach.
107 locals recommend
Tāhunanui Beach
Lovely city beach - good for walking, swimming, paddleboarding, kite surfing, kayaking. Patrolled swimming area in summer months. Dog friendly at far end of the beach.
Boutique shopping, wine bar, restaurants, cafes, ice cream, brewery. You can catch the ferry to Moturoa/Rabbit Island from Mapua Wharf.
62 locals recommend
Mapua Wharf
8 Aranui RdBoutique shopping, wine bar, restaurants, cafes, ice cream, brewery. You can catch the ferry to Moturoa/Rabbit Island from Mapua Wharf.
Beautiful golden sand beach. Access to the Abel Tasman National Park (water taxis).
54 locals recommend
Kaiteriteri Beach
Beautiful golden sand beach. Access to the Abel Tasman National Park (water taxis).
Rotokura / Cable Bay
Lovely rocky beach. Spectacular views from the walkway.
Excellent market selling food, local produce, arts and crafts.
92 locals recommend
Nelson Saturday Market
23 Halifax StExcellent market selling food, local produce, arts and crafts.
The Suter Art Gallery Nelson
208 Bridge StExcellent art gallery, with visiting exhibits.
Historic theatre, beautifully renovated. Local and touring productions are staged here.
9 locals recommend
Theatre Royal Nelson
78 Rutherford StHistoric theatre, beautifully renovated. Local and touring productions are staged here.
Codgers Trails
135 Brook StMountain Biking trails, very close to town.
The largest fenced sanctuary in the South Island. Check website for opening hours.
25 locals recommend
Brook Waimarama Sanctuary
651 Brook StThe largest fenced sanctuary in the South Island. Check website for opening hours.
Expansive beach with picnic areas set amongst pine trees. Great for families. Excellent toilet facilities.
72 locals recommend
Rabbit island
Expansive beach with picnic areas set amongst pine trees. Great for families. Excellent toilet facilities.
Great place to eat a packed lunch in the sun. Lovely view of Nelson city from the steps.
Pikimai / Church Hill
Great place to eat a packed lunch in the sun. Lovely view of Nelson city from the steps.
Lovely place to take kids. Explore the historic buildings and have lunch at the cafe.
56 locals recommend
Founders Heritage Park
87 Atawhai DriveLovely place to take kids. Explore the historic buildings and have lunch at the cafe.
Shopping
Little Beehive Co-Op
123 Bridge StWonderful shop for gifts, local products, quirky cards.
Art gallery and gift shop. Stocks a lot of NZ products. Beautiful design store.
15 locals recommend
Red Art Gallery & Café
1 Bridge StArt gallery and gift shop. Stocks a lot of NZ products. Beautiful design store.
Palm Boutique
67 Bridge StNZ Designer clothing.
Darby & Joan
6 Aranui RdBeautiful homeware store on Mapua Wharf.
Must do! Full of local food, produce, crafts, buskers. Packed in summer months.
92 locals recommend
Nelson Saturday Market
23 Halifax StMust do! Full of local food, produce, crafts, buskers. Packed in summer months.
This is the studio, but there is also a gallery located at 123 Hardy Street showcasing local ceramics.
Kiln Studio
123c Bridge StThis is the studio, but there is also a gallery located at 123 Hardy Street showcasing local ceramics.