Roz's Insider Guide to Nelson
Neighbourhoods
The Wood neighbourhood is packed full of features: the Maitai River; The Centre of New Zealand; Queen's Gardens and Chinese Gardens; Miyazu Japanese Gardens; Founders Heritage Park and the Suter Art Gallery. Although mainly residential in nature, there is a Fresh Choice supermarket, small dairy, post office, fish & chip shop, Sprig and Fern Pub and Bobby Franks Cafe.
The Wood
The Wood neighbourhood is packed full of features: the Maitai River; The Centre of New Zealand; Queen's Gardens and Chinese Gardens; Miyazu Japanese Gardens; Founders Heritage Park and the Suter Art Gallery. Although mainly residential in nature, there is a Fresh Choice supermarket, small dairy, post office, fish & chip shop, Sprig and Fern Pub and Bobby Franks Cafe.
Restaurants and Bars
Hopgoods Restaurant
284 Trafalgar StA consistent award winner, fine dining in a relaxed setting.
Inspired by the flavours and vibrancy of South East Asian street food and hawker markets, Harry's Hawker House is a vibrant destination with delicious menu.
24 locals recommend
Harrys Nelson Restaurant & Bar
296 Trafalgar StInspired by the flavours and vibrancy of South East Asian street food and hawker markets, Harry's Hawker House is a vibrant destination with delicious menu.
Located over the water on Wakefield Quay with a seasonally driven menu which celebrates New Zealand produce – ask to sit on the deck for the best views
76 locals recommend
The Boat Shed Cafe
350 Wakefield QuayLocated over the water on Wakefield Quay with a seasonally driven menu which celebrates New Zealand produce – ask to sit on the deck for the best views
A contemporary restaurant, with delicious sharing plates. Has a lovely sheltered courtyard area to eat or drink out the back
11 locals recommend
Arden Bar & Kitchen
216 Hardy StA contemporary restaurant, with delicious sharing plates. Has a lovely sheltered courtyard area to eat or drink out the back
Cheap & cheerful, a bit chaotic but great fun and delicious tacos, ceviche and margaritas.
28 locals recommend
Nicola's Cantina
6 Church StCheap & cheerful, a bit chaotic but great fun and delicious tacos, ceviche and margaritas.
Sophisticated sharing plates featuring local seafood, venison, lamb and beef. Sit outside, in the restaurant or at the chef's window.
44 locals recommend
Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery
278 Hardy StSophisticated sharing plates featuring local seafood, venison, lamb and beef. Sit outside, in the restaurant or at the chef's window.
Delicious fresh Thai food. Licensed and BYO. Chockdee along the road is also good.
6 locals recommend
Tongtara Thai Restaurant
142 Hardy StDelicious fresh Thai food. Licensed and BYO. Chockdee along the road is also good.
Amazing bar with huge selection of malt whiskies and cocktails. Occasional live music
9 locals recommend
Kismet Cocktail & Whisky Bar
151 Hardy StAmazing bar with huge selection of malt whiskies and cocktails. Occasional live music
Your local pub on Milton Street! How pubs used to be – locally owned, small, social and friendly. There is also on on Hardy Street. Both sell their own beer and cider on tap and serve pub food.
18 locals recommend
Sprig & Fern
134 Milton StYour local pub on Milton Street! How pubs used to be – locally owned, small, social and friendly. There is also on on Hardy Street. Both sell their own beer and cider on tap and serve pub food.
Mango Indian Restaurant
227 Hardy StreetGood value Asian & Indian fusion cuisine - licensed and BYO
Parts & Service offers a tasty mix of small sharing plates, and meat and fish chargrilled over searing hot coals on the Josper Grill. There is also outdoor seating.
Parts & Service
Parts & Service offers a tasty mix of small sharing plates, and meat and fish chargrilled over searing hot coals on the Josper Grill. There is also outdoor seating.
Cafes
These cafes are open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, but generally closed in the evenings.
Your local café on the corner of Milton St and Tasman St serves great coffee and brunches. Outside seating which is dog friendly.
7 locals recommend
Bobby Franks Cafe
40 Tasman StYour local café on the corner of Milton St and Tasman St serves great coffee and brunches. Outside seating which is dog friendly.
Situated on the banks of the Maitai River there is a spacious interior and outside terrace overlooking the river.
Serves breakfast and lunch from the cabinet or a la carte menu, plus delicious sweet treats from the cabinet.
18 locals recommend
River Kitchen Nelson
81 Trafalgar StSituated on the banks of the Maitai River there is a spacious interior and outside terrace overlooking the river.
Serves breakfast and lunch from the cabinet or a la carte menu, plus delicious sweet treats from the cabinet.
Great range of cabinet food and blackboard menu situated inside the Suter Gallery with views over the Queen's Gardens
105 locals recommend
The Suter Art Gallery Nelson
208 Bridge StGreat range of cabinet food and blackboard menu situated inside the Suter Gallery with views over the Queen's Gardens
Mediterranean inspired cafe and delicatessen with an extensive selection of cabinet food in addition to a blackboard menu and wood fired pizza oven. Open for breakfast and lunch daily, and on Thursday/Friday evenings.
Comida - Pizza Paella & Pasta
Mediterranean inspired cafe and delicatessen with an extensive selection of cabinet food in addition to a blackboard menu and wood fired pizza oven. Open for breakfast and lunch daily, and on Thursday/Friday evenings.
Family business serving up traditional Italian home cooked pizza. Takeaway or eat in store. Open Thursday - Saturday for lunch from 11.30am and dinner from 5.30pm
Salvito's Pizza Bar
Family business serving up traditional Italian home cooked pizza. Takeaway or eat in store. Open Thursday - Saturday for lunch from 11.30am and dinner from 5.30pm
Good selection of cabinet food and blackboard menu, so great for brunch or lunch. Sunny outdoor seating. Closed in the evenings.
18 locals recommend
Lambretta's Cafe Bar
204 Hardy StGood selection of cabinet food and blackboard menu, so great for brunch or lunch. Sunny outdoor seating. Closed in the evenings.
Sightseeing
Each Saturday from 8am till 1pm the Nelson Saturday Market is in the Montgomery Square carpark, located between Bridge and Hardy Streets on the west side of Trafalgar Street. It is definitely something not to be missed, with arts, crafts, plants, fresh veggies and flowers, artisan food producers, food carts and coffee. On Sundays, the car park hosts Monty's Flea Market.
92 locals recommend
Nelson Saturday Market
23 Halifax StEach Saturday from 8am till 1pm the Nelson Saturday Market is in the Montgomery Square carpark, located between Bridge and Hardy Streets on the west side of Trafalgar Street. It is definitely something not to be missed, with arts, crafts, plants, fresh veggies and flowers, artisan food producers, food carts and coffee. On Sundays, the car park hosts Monty's Flea Market.
Take in the stunning views from the top of the Centre of New Zealand. The start of the track is accessed from the Botanic Gardens next to Pitt St. For a less energetic hike, wander along the Maitai river in either direction. There are walking maps and guides in the house for your use during your stay, including an art trail through the city.
131 locals recommend
Centre of New Zealand Monument
Take in the stunning views from the top of the Centre of New Zealand. The start of the track is accessed from the Botanic Gardens next to Pitt St. For a less energetic hike, wander along the Maitai river in either direction. There are walking maps and guides in the house for your use during your stay, including an art trail through the city.
A tranquil place to eat a picnic lunch or read in the sun. Adjacent, the Chinese Gardens are also very peaceful. The Miyazu Japanese Gardens are on Atawhai Drive near Founders Heritage Park, and are particularly spectacular in September when the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.
43 locals recommend
Queen's Gardens
A tranquil place to eat a picnic lunch or read in the sun. Adjacent, the Chinese Gardens are also very peaceful. The Miyazu Japanese Gardens are on Atawhai Drive near Founders Heritage Park, and are particularly spectacular in September when the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom.
A selection of relocated historic buildings, small shops and workshops with a café and organic brewery on site. Entrance fee.
56 locals recommend
Founders Heritage Park
87 Atawhai DriveA selection of relocated historic buildings, small shops and workshops with a café and organic brewery on site. Entrance fee.
For swimming, Tahunanui beach is a 10 minute drive away where Moana Paddle rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards. If you have a car take a day trip to the golden sands of Kaiteriteri.
107 locals recommend
Tāhunanui Beach
For swimming, Tahunanui beach is a 10 minute drive away where Moana Paddle rent kayaks and stand up paddleboards. If you have a car take a day trip to the golden sands of Kaiteriteri.
The Suter Art Gallery normally has a selection of free exhibitions. It also has a small cinema which runs film festivals over summer, a good café and gift shop.
105 locals recommend
The Suter Art Gallery Nelson
208 Bridge StThe Suter Art Gallery normally has a selection of free exhibitions. It also has a small cinema which runs film festivals over summer, a good café and gift shop.
Nelson, despite it's small population, is classified as a city thanks to its Cathedral. It's not particularly beautiful from the outside, but inside has stunning stained glass windows and a peaceful atmosphere.
21 locals recommend
Christ Church
1 Trafalgar SquareNelson, despite it's small population, is classified as a city thanks to its Cathedral. It's not particularly beautiful from the outside, but inside has stunning stained glass windows and a peaceful atmosphere.
Theses tranquil Japanese style gardens are a lovely place to explore and relax. Close to Founders Heritage Park.
11 locals recommend
Miyazu Gardens
Theses tranquil Japanese style gardens are a lovely place to explore and relax. Close to Founders Heritage Park.
Independent Shopping
This section focuses on independent, locally owned shops that you'll only find in Nelson.
A collective of 12 local artists (including myself!) displaying a vibrant and diverse range of paintings, prints, cards, fused glass and gifts. Other collectives worth visiting include Arty Nelson and The Little Beehive Coop.
Wall To Wall Art
112 Bridge StreetA collective of 12 local artists (including myself!) displaying a vibrant and diverse range of paintings, prints, cards, fused glass and gifts. Other collectives worth visiting include Arty Nelson and The Little Beehive Coop.
Award-winning independent bookshop with a wide range of best sellers, classics, non-fiction, reference books and magazines.
Page & Blackmore Booksellers
254 Trafalgar StAward-winning independent bookshop with a wide range of best sellers, classics, non-fiction, reference books and magazines.
Yup, they LOVE shoes at Taylors! A "big city" selection of women's and mens shoes - colourful, bold and stylish.
Taylors We Love Shoes
245 Trafalgar StYup, they LOVE shoes at Taylors! A "big city" selection of women's and mens shoes - colourful, bold and stylish.
Large antiques store with amazing treasures sourced from around the world. Even the windows are amazing.
Eclectric Antique Centre
254 Hardy StLarge antiques store with amazing treasures sourced from around the world. Even the windows are amazing.
Beautiful scented candles handmade in Golden Bay - make wonderful gifts or souvenirs.
Living Light Nelson Store
Beautiful scented candles handmade in Golden Bay - make wonderful gifts or souvenirs.
Art, glass, sculpture, jewellery, gifts & cards with little café inside.
15 locals recommend
Red Art Gallery & Café
1 Bridge StArt, glass, sculpture, jewellery, gifts & cards with little café inside.
Artist Anthony Genet creates beautifully crafted hand-blown glass and neon art. If you're lucky you'll get to see him creating his art. Next door is Jens Hansen Jewellery - makers of "The One Ring" from Lord of the Rings.
Anthony Genet - Flamedaisy Glass Design (glass art & neon)
324 Trafalgar SquareArtist Anthony Genet creates beautifully crafted hand-blown glass and neon art. If you're lucky you'll get to see him creating his art. Next door is Jens Hansen Jewellery - makers of "The One Ring" from Lord of the Rings.
Prints and orginals from Nelson’s, and perhaps NZ's, most famous landscape photographer
Craig Potton Gallery + Store
255 Hardy StPrints and orginals from Nelson’s, and perhaps NZ's, most famous landscape photographer
Further Afield
If you have a car, these are some suggestions of places worth visiting.
A feast of colour with blown perfume bottles, vases, goblets, paperweights, platters and bowls in beautiful colours created by Ola, Ossian and Annabel Hoglund.
19 locals recommend
Höglund Art Glass Gallery
52 Lansdowne RdA feast of colour with blown perfume bottles, vases, goblets, paperweights, platters and bowls in beautiful colours created by Ola, Ossian and Annabel Hoglund.
The Grape Escape Complex includes a cafe, Connings Food Market and The Junction (upmarket delicatessen with good local wine selection)
18 locals recommend
The Grape Escape Cafe & Catering
143 McShane RdThe Grape Escape Complex includes a cafe, Connings Food Market and The Junction (upmarket delicatessen with good local wine selection)
A favourite holiday spot for New Zealanders, Kaiteri has golden sand beaches and a range of cafes and restaurants.
54 locals recommend
Kaiteriteri Beach
A favourite holiday spot for New Zealanders, Kaiteri has golden sand beaches and a range of cafes and restaurants.
Enjoy a great day out in the small coastal town with bustling selection of cafes, restaurants, independent shops and galleries.
77 locals recommend
Māpua
Enjoy a great day out in the small coastal town with bustling selection of cafes, restaurants, independent shops and galleries.
Upper Moutere is home to many of Nelson's independent wineries, many of which have cellar doors and cafes.
www.tastenelsonwines.nz
If you don't have a car, speak to the iSITE about joining a wine tour.
12 locals recommend
Upper Moutere
Upper Moutere is home to many of Nelson's independent wineries, many of which have cellar doors and cafes.
www.tastenelsonwines.nz
If you don't have a car, speak to the iSITE about joining a wine tour.
Admire more than 150 immaculate classic cars in this iconic collection covering 100 years of motoring. Cafe and gift shop on site.
Classic Cars
95 Quarantine RdAdmire more than 150 immaculate classic cars in this iconic collection covering 100 years of motoring. Cafe and gift shop on site.