12 Things to Do in Nelson for Foodies

Last Updated: 5 June, 2026

Food Tours and Activities in Nelson

Across the fertile plains and river valleys surrounding Nelson, combined with a sunny climate and a group of passionate and talented locals, a foodie’s paradise awaits.

Wine and craft beer are at the forefront of Nelson’s food scene, but you’ll also find so many hidden gems like cheese artisans, a peanut butter factory, spirit distilleries, markets and so much that they’ve created a 177 km (110 mi) bike trail to visit them all.

So, find food tours and activities with this list of the best things to do in Nelson for foodies. Plus, get more travel advice in The Foodie Guide to Nelson.

1. Cycle the Great Taste Trail

Nelson is so nutty about its food that there is a whole cycle trail dedicated to exploring the artisanry experiences of the Tasman Bay! The Great Taste Trail is a flat 177 km (110 mi) trail taking anywhere between one to four days depending on how much you want to do.

While natural beauty is just a small part of this coastal trail, it’s the boutique shopping, fruit stalls, cafes, craft beer pubs and winery restaurants that give this trail flavour.

Plan your ride with Kiwi Journeys, Wheelie Fantastic Cycle Tours or The Gentle Cycling Company.

Learn more about the trail in Mountain Biking in Nelson Tasman.

Location: Between the Nelson i-SITE and Riwaka.

2. Visit Nelson’s Wineries

From the Moutere Hills to the foothills of Richmond, Nelson Tasman is scattered with vineyards, many of which with cellar doors to taste the wines produced there.

Either visit the wineries independently by car or by bike, or join one of the driving tours of the region so you don’t have to worry about a designated driver.

Nelson Tours and Travel, Bay Tours, Wine, Art & Wilderness and more offer winery-hopping tours to make the most of the Nelson wine region.

Learn more about the wineries and where to find them in the 25 Nelson Wineries on the Nelson Wine Trail.

3. Check Out Nelson’s Breweries

If you’re more of a beer sort of person, no worries. Nelson has plenty of that too thanks to the hops grown in the region since the 1840s!

With that, there are several craft breweries in and around Nelson, some offering tours and others offering tastings in their restaurant.

Check out the breweries to visit in the 10 Craft Breweries in Nelson You Have to Try or book at brewery-hopping tour with the likes of Wine, Art & Wilderness, Nelson Tours and Travel, Day Out and more.

4. Take a Look Around One of Nelson’s Markets

Keep your Saturday morning free because The Nelson Market is not to be missed! A tradition for more than 40 years, The Nelson Market in Montgomery Square is a popular event with all sorts of foodie treats, including homemade teas, honey, jams, sodas, cow/goat/sheep cheese, juices, nuts, chocolate and the list goes on and on. You can also check out Monty’s Sunday Market in the same place on Sundays.

Alternatively, the Motueka Sunday Market is another huge event where you’ll find more local artisanry products and fresh produce.

Location: The Nelson Market and Monty’s Sunday Market – Montgomery Square, Nelson city centre. Motueka Sunday Market – Decks Reserve Carpark, Wallace Street, Motueka, approximately 48 km (30 mi) from Nelson city centre.

5. Tour Pic’s Peanut Butter World

Yes, Nelson is also home to one of New Zealand’s most-loved peanut butter brands, Pic’s Peanut Butter. Their factory is the base for making the favourite morning spread, as well as their factory tours on weekdays only.

You’ll get to tour the working factory, tasting creative peanut butter blends and even trying your hand at making your own.

It’s fun for the whole family, as featured in the 10 Things to Do in Nelson with Kids.

Location: 49 Saxton Road, Stoke, approximately 11km (7 miles) from Nelson city centre.

6. Do a Helicopter Fishing or Wine Tour

Amp the foodie experiences up a notch or two with a food-orientated helicopter tour!

Helicopters Nelson New Zealand might offer flights to just about anywhere doing anything in the region, but their “Marlborough Vineyard Discoverer“, flying to a Marlborough winery for tastings and a gourmet lunch, and “D’Urville Indulgence“, for helicopter reef fishing and having your catch prepared for lunch on the island, is a must for foodies!

Location: Nelson Airport, Dakota Street, approximately 7 km (4 mi) from Nelson city centre.

7. Indulge in High Tea at the Melrose House Cafe

To celebrate a special occasion or “just because”, book yourself a high tea experience at the Melrose House Cafe.

Served on antique china tiered platters amidst a historic home, the high tea at Melrose House Cafe feels like sophisticated dining from a bygone era.

Indulge in a selection of petite sweet and savoury treats accompanied by your choice of loose-leaf tea, locally-roasted coffee or a homemade soda or lemonade.

Location: Brougham Street, Nelson South, approximately 1.6 km (1 mi) from Nelson city centre.

8. Taste Artisan Cheeses at The Junction

For cheese lovers, The Junction Cheese Shop is one of the tastiest stops in the city. This specialist urban grocer showcases an impressive range of locally produced cheeses and dairy products from across the Nelson Tasman region, alongside artisan crackers, chutneys, honey and other gourmet treats.

The knowledgeable cheesemongers are happy to guide you through tasting sessions, explain the characteristics of different varieties and recommend pairings with local wines or craft beers.

It’s an excellent introduction to the region’s thriving artisan food scene and a great place to stock up for a picnic or food-focused road trip around Nelson.

Location: The Junction Cheese Shop, 228 Hardy Street.

9. Tour Neudorf Olives and Discover Nelson’s Olive-Growing Heritage

Set among the sunny hills of Upper Moutere, Neudorf Olives invites visitors to explore one of New Zealand’s most respected olive producers.

The groves thrive in the region’s warm climate and rich soils, yielding award-winning extra virgin olive oils celebrated for their unique flavour profiles.

You can wander through the olive groves, learning about cultivation and harvest techniques, before sampling a range of oils that showcase the subtle differences between varieties.

The tastings offer insights into how premium olive oil elevates food and wine pairings, making it a delicious addition to any gourmet itinerary in the area.

Location: Neudorf Olives, 138 Neudorf Road, Upper Moutere, approximately 35 km (22 mi) northwest of Nelson.

10. Cook Pancakes Over the Natural Flames

One of the most unusual foodie experiences you’ll find anywhere in New Zealand combines local history, geology and, of course, delicious food cooked right over a naturally occurring flame.

Guided tours to the famous Natural Flames take you deep into a remote forest valley in the Matiri Valley where natural gas seeps create a continuously burning flame emerging from the ground.

After learning about the site’s fascinating geology and history from knowledgeable local guides, you’ll enjoy freshly made pancakes cooked over the flames themselves, accompanied by traditional billy tea.

It’s a memorable combination of adventure and food that makes for one of the most distinctive culinary experiences in the Nelson Tasman region.

Location: Natural Flames Experience, starting from Murchison, approximately 25 km (15 mi) west of Murchison in the Matiri Valley.

11. Feast on Fresh Green-Lipped Mussels at The Mussel Inn

Few foods are more closely associated with the Top of the South than New Zealand’s famous green-lipped mussels, and The Mussel Inn is one of the best places to try them.

This iconic country pub has been serving travellers and locals since the 1990s and is renowned for showcasing regional ingredients in a relaxed, rustic setting.

The menu regularly features locally sourced green-lipped mussels prepared in a variety of ways, often paired with house-brewed beer, cider or ginger beer.

Beyond the food, the venue has become something of a Golden Bay institution, hosting live music and community events while championing local producers.

Location: The Mussel Inn, 1259 Takaka-Collingwood Highway, Onekaka, approximately 85 km (53 mi) northwest of Nelson.

12. Treat Yourself to Nelson’s Bars, Restaurants and Cafes

Finally, simply sit down and dine at one of Nelson’s exquisite restaurants to understand how good the local fare is.

We’ve already listed fine dining in The Luxury Guide to Nelson, romantic dining in The Honeymoon Guide to Nelson and street eats in Cheap Eats in Nelson.

Even with that, there’s much more on the menu, such as Urban Eatery specialising in fresh local produce, especially oysters.

We also love The Styx for their seasonal menu with everything cooked from scratch.

The Indian Cafe is Nelson’s favourite Indian restaurant with three locations across the city.

Finally, anyone open to tasty wholesome food should check out East St. offering a groovy atmosphere, vegetarian eats and sometimes live music.

Locations: Urban Eatery – 278 Hardy Street. Styx – 272 Wakefield Quay. The Indian Cafe – 94 Collingwood Street. East St. – 8 Church Street.

More Things to Do in Nelson for Foodies

That’s it for our guide to things to do in Nelson for foodies; for more information about dining and exploring in Nelson, check out the following articles:

Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in The Complete Travel Guide to Nelson.

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 [2025])
Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2025])
Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
Nelson Tasman Official Tourism
Nelson City Council (Local council website)
Tasman District Council (Local council website)

Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

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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