Local Gems
Toi Toi Coffee House, Nelson
Toi Toi Coffee House, with Tania Raw If you’re looking for a coffee place to call your new ‘local’ then look no further than Toi Toi Coffee House. We have certainly embraced it as our favourite and proudly tell anyone we can that owner Tania Raw is serving the best coffee in Nelson. Tania is…
Read MoreCantina Nicola (Nelson)
From left to right: Rio, CJay, and Angel Cantina Nicola has been a Nelson institution for many years. I’ve eaten there a few times in the past but haven’t been to dine there since 2023. In February 2026 new owners took over the business and friends from Southern California had told us they rated the…
Read MoreBrook Waimārama Sanctuary
The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary has been a labour of love for many volunteers over many years. Their vision and hard work has led to the creation of something really special very close to the centre of Nelson – a place where people of all ages can experience abundant birdlife and celebrate the reintroduction of birds…
Read MoreDonegal House (Kaikōura)
Donegal House is establishing itself as a mecca for people travelling around the country in campervans because of its well appointed (and very reasonably priced) facilities. We came across it for the first time on the very day that the current owners took over and it is thriving in their competent hands. Even on that…
Read MoreThe Cow Shed (Murchison)
Sometimes it’s amazing how many times you can drive past something and not notice it’s there. This is the case for The Cow Shed in Murchison. According to the member of staff who showed us to our table, The Cow Shed has been operating for more than 13 years but this was the first time…
Read MoreTe Mahuru Retreat (Kaikōura)
We’ve stayed at Mahuru Retreat just north of the Kaikōura town centre several times now and it’s hard to beat in terms of a warm welcome, value, and comfort. Host Jen (and her cute dog companions) always provide genuine hospitality, from the fresh flowers from her garden in every room, to the freshly baked bread…
Read MoreThe Coffee House (Rai Valley)
If you’re travelling through Rai Valley on a weekday do yourself (and your tastebuds) a favour and stop for a drink and a bite to eat at The Coffee House. The coffees are excellent and the food is delicious. There are a range of savoury and sweet treats. My personal favourite are the egg and…
Read MoreLe Cafe (Picton)
Le Cafe is a cultural hub for the Picton community, hosting many visiting musicians and providing a meeting spot for locals and a highlight for visitors to the Picton waterfront. We absolutely loved the food that we were served. My fish was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented and Clem’s venison burger was delicious. Sitting in…
Read MoreCloudy Bay Vineyard (Marlborough)
Whether you’re a serious wine connoisseur, a gourmand, or just someone looking for a picturesque setting to enjoy a nice glass of wine, there’s an experience for you at Cloudy Bay. We enjoy relaxing outdoors sitting in a couple of the excellent bean bags and watching the clouds scuttle overhead. It always feels like the perfect…
Read MoreThe Styx (Nelson)
The Styx Restaurant By The Sea is a Nelson institution and has a special place in my heart. It was established by chef Joe Horton and Tony Robertson in 2012, the same year that I moved to Nelson with my two children and started my own business. Since then it’s been a dearly loved venue…
Read More