11 Best Restaurants in Upper South Island and the West Coast, New Zealand

At this café, shop, and produce market in a former church, enjoy breakfasts of French toast, free-range eggs Benedict, or free-range eggs cooked any way you like. Then stock up for your holiday travels from the food market. Or you can just chill over a wholesome lunch like the excellent slow-roast lamb burger. There's also an interesting kids' menu, and you can indulge in the cakes and berry ice creams anytime. Beverages include fresh brews from the Townshend Brewery next door. Weekend dinners in summer feature music performances.

This big, indoor–outdoor café–restaurant overlooking a rolling surf beach on State Highway 1 makes one of the best road stops in the area (maybe even the whole country). You can choose lunch from a selection of prepared dishes or order from the menu. You'll find it halfway between Kaikoura and Blenheim. It's a beautiful, wild spot with the Kaikoura Mountains towering in the background. There's a huge log fire inside and a large outdoor deck with several private garden areas. Just make sure you stop early because it usually closes by 4 pm.

Lots of wholesome breakfast and lunch options, hot snacks, and sweet treats are offered here. Some popular choices include the snapper (fish) sandwich, Beechwood burgers, and real fruit ice cream. This is a great place to stock up for your rafting or hiking efforts, and they manage the passing crowds well.

Here's a bright outdoor eatery sharing space with the Dolphin and Albatross Encounter operations and a gallery/shop. Food is available off the all-day menu or from the cabinet; breakfasts and light lunches are appealing; and their cakes and slices are always tempting. The partially glassed-in courtyard is sheltered in most winds, and there's plenty of indoor seating. As at any outdoor café in Kaikoura, don't leave your food unattended because the birds will snatch it quicker than you can say "seagull!"

In the lovely old former Collingwood Courthouse, on the main crossroads into town, this laid-back and popular café makes good use of local produce. Their big breakfast and eggs Benedict will set you up for a trip to the beach or Farewell Spit or Heaphy Track. Look also for the fresh muffins and panini, the pies and pizzas, and daily blackboard special. The coffee is good, too. There are indoor and outdoor tables, but it gets packed in summer.

In this cheery beer garden–restaurant, hearty ales and craft brews are matched with traditional German cuisine, pizzas, gourmet burgers, and Kiwi fare. If beer is your focus, you can also get a beer-tasting tray. It's not all about wine in Marlborough, but yes, there is also a good range of wines. There's also a good kids' menu. This can be a busy venue, especially when the locals are here for a big rugby game or music gig, so think about booking your table ahead of time.

Homey hospitality and a great vibe in this colorful, retro-style spot comes with house-cooked breakfasts (scrambled eggs are as good as you'll find anywhere), lunches, and baked goods. Plus, the outlook over the Grey River is terrific.

Sprawling gardens make the perfect surrounding for this rambling, 160-year-old, colonial cottage where the menus are built around organic produce, which is all sourced locally, including from the Riverside Community, which owns and operates the café and its own farm. Menu choices range from stylish restaurant fare to French bistro-style with a range of salads and cakes. Sit indoors or on the big verandas, and enjoy the artwork that surrounds you. If you're interested in the workings of this community, established in 1941 by Christian conscientious objectors, you're welcome to take a closer look. The café sits right by the Great Taste Cycle Trail. 

At this quirky café and delicatessen, the honey comes directly from the in-house beehive. A breakfast menu, baked goods (try the cheese scones), and lunch dishes that change with the seasons are on offer. Coffee is from Christchurch roaster, Empire. Great selection of craft wine and beers too. On your way out, stock up from the deli.

Sustainably caught seafood is the star at this casual, friendly café, but other menu offerings are equally appealing. Meals range from eggs, pancakes, and toasties for breakfast and brunch to lunch steaks, soups, and salads. There’s also a range of the finest Kiwi craft beers and very good coffee served at this indoor/outdoor eatery.

The locally farmed mussels are the stars in this quirky café although the other meals like fish, burgers, pastas, and salads, all served with local wines and craft beers, are also good. As for the mussels, you can order them steamed or grilled with amazing flavors and toppings. On sunny days, head to the courtyard out back.