7 Things to Do in Picton for Foodies

Food Tours and Experiences in Picton

Get your trip to the South Island to a gastronomical start with one of the food tours in Picton. Nestled between the renowned Marlborough wine region and Havelock’s green-lipped mussel and salmon farming region, Picton is in the centre of foodie heaven. Experience it all for yourself following these things to do in Picton for foodies.

For more food tours and activities, check out The Foodie Guide to Picton and find accommodation with a restaurant or self-catering in the 10 Best Accommodation in Picton for Foodies.

1. Tour Marlborough’s Wineries

Let’s begin with a foodie must-do, sampling the wines of New Zealand’s largest wine region! You won’t have to worry about finding a designated driver for your wine tasting experience, as winery-hopping tours complete with driving, commentary and paid tasting fees are available with Sounds Connection (more info on Viator and Tripadvisor) or Marlborough Wine Tours (on Viator and Tripadvisor) from Picton. They’ll pick you up from your accommodation and take you to the cellar doors and wineries of the region to learn about New Zealand’s prolific wine industry and taste a multitude of varietals. There’s also sometimes the option to also try craft beer and visit a chocolate factory. Alternatively, private personalised wine tours are an option with Hop n Grape Wine Tours Marlborough (on Viator and Tripadvisor) or make things more affordable and flexible with Hop on Hop off Wine Tours (on Viator and Tripadvisor).

Location: Tours pick-up from Picton accommodations, except Hop on Hop off Wine Tours who depart from the Picton i-SITE, The Foreshore, Picton town.

2. Go on a Seafood Cruise

Other aspects of Picton’s foodie scene is its green-lipped mussels and salmon, both of which can be experienced on a seafood cruise with the Marlborough Tour Company. You’ll cruise through the breathtaking scenery of the Queen Charlotte Sound via catamaran to a salmon and mussel farm. There, you’ll indulge in fresh samples of seafood paired with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. You may also get the chance to see seals, dolphins and penguins. Learn more about this seafood cruise on Viator and Tripadvisor.

Location: 2 Wellington Street, Picton town.

3. Experience Craft Beer in Blenheim

While not strictly in Picton, Blenheim is just a short drive away and features some fantastic foodie experiences to include in your itinerary. Marlborough is also home to a vibrant craft beer scene which is best experienced at Dodson Street Beer Garden. Not only do they have one of the largest menus of local and international craft beers in New Zealand, but also on-site is the Renaissance Brewing Company whose beers are available in tasting trays.

Location: 1 Dodson Street, Mayfield, Blenheim, approximately 27km (17 miles) from Picton.

4. Indulge in High Tea

Looking for a little weekend treat in Picton? Escape to Picton‘s Restaurant is open for high tea every Saturday and Sunday from 2pm to 5pm, serving all sorts of sweets and savouries on tiered stands accompanied by antique tea sets. Enjoy the historic ambience of the restaurant’s 1902 building as you devour macaroons, opera cake, lemon curd tartlets, a selection of traditional sandwiches and much more. Make your experience with a pot of tea/coffee or opt for the glass of bubbles option. We also list this accommodation in the 10 Best Accommodation in Picton for Foodies.

Location: 33 Wellington Street, Picton town.

5. Check Out the Local Markets

Again, not strictly in Picton, our next recommendation is a short drive to the neighbouring town of Blenheim where you’ll find some local foodie markets. The Marlborough Farmers’ Market happens every Sunday from 9am to 12pm where you can try and purchase cheese, bread, produce and more straight from the producers. You can also find interesting local food products, like wine, nuts, etc. at the Marlborough Artisan Market on Saturday mornings between 9am and 1pm. See more things to do in Blenheim here.

Location: Marlborough Farmers’ Market – Corner of Alabama Road and Maxwell Road, Blenheim. Marlborough Artisan Market – Wynen Street Carpark, Blenheim, both approximately 28km (17 miles) from Picton.

6. Visit a Chocolate Factory

Since we’ve recommended a few things in Blenheim, you might as well take a quick detour to the local chocolate factory on your way there. Makana Confections is a boutique chocolate factory among the vines of the Marlborough wine region where visitors are welcomed with a free sample of handmade chocolate. Watch the chocolatiers at work through the factory viewing window while you browse an array of chocolatey treats in their shop, all made with no artificial preservatives.

Location: Corner Rapaura Road & Odwyers Road, Renwick, Blenheim, approximately 25km (16 miles) from Picton.

7. Dine at Picton’s Restaurants, Cafes and Takeaways

Picton offers a range of relaxed restaurants, cafes and takeaways, many with stellar views of the Picton Harbour and an excellent example of Kiwi cuisine. For a takeaway breakfast or lunch, head to the Picton Village Bakkerij, which specialises in European-style bread and sandwiches, as well as Kiwi savoury pies, cakes and more. If you prefer to dine in for breakfast or lunch, check out Gusto for all sorts of naughty treats like French toast with bacon, banana and maple syrup and other cafe crowd-pleasers. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, DA’s The Barn is a good honest Kiwi-style restaurant with good honest portions. And if you fancy fish and chips to eat on the Picton Foreshore, pick some up from Shai Shai’s Takeaways, who also do burgers with fresh ingredients and crispy battered fish. For links to more recommendations, check out The Foodie Guide to Picton.

Location: Picton Village Bakkerij – 46 Auckland Street. Gusto – 33 High Street. DA’s The Barn – 48 High Street. Shai Shai’s Takeaways – 83A High Street.

More Things to Do in Picton for Foodies

Sources:

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2024])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2024])
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
Marlborough NZ (Regional tourism website)
Visit Waitohi / Picton (Regional tourism website)
Marlborough District Council (Local council website)

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About The Author

Laura S.

This article has been reviewed and published by Laura, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Laura is a first-class honours journalism graduate and a travel journalist with expertise in New Zealand and South Pacific tourism for over 10 years. She also runs travel guides for five of the top destinations in the South Pacific and is the co-host of over 250 episodes of the NZ Travel Show on YouTube.

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