Guytons fishmonger is located at Wakefield Quay, and is known as Nelson’s best fresh fish supplier. Their product is always fresh, with plenty of choice of different fish species, shell fish and frozen product. Staff are knowledgeable and helpful. Fish from here is consistently good. Highly recommended.

Fresh Choice on Collingwood Street always has a good selection of fresh fish available, at competitive prices. I find it’s convenient to shop here and buy my fish with my other groceries, and have never been disappointed with the quality of the fish available. Great for a salmon steak on a friday afternoon.

The Smokehouse on Mapua Wharf is known for its delicious hot smoked local seafood. The fish is smoked in traditional brick kilns over natural manuka shavings. The Smokehouse sells hot-smoked salmon, mussels, warehou, kingfish, mackerel, hoki, eel, tarakihi as well as smoked fish pates -all delicious, moist and sweet. Well worth a visit to Mapua to try, or look out for it at the supermarket or Nelson Saturday Market.

Try a fish slider at Streat Kitchen for a quick, tasty fresh fishy lunch - a pan seared slice of fish in between two sides of a soft white bun. Yummy.

This is my go-to for a curry night - eat in or take out. Always reliable, reasonably priced and the food is delicious. It does get busy though and I often find its better to order a take away and eat it in the Freehouse (across the road - they provide plates and cutlery) with a nice cold beer.

Best pizza in Nelson, without a doubt. Hot, tasty, nice thin bases and quick service. Tuesday nights can be chaotic (cheap night at the movies) so book a table or you might miss out. My fave is MOB - Mushroom, Onion and Bacon. Yum

More yumminess here - busy like all the good places (yes they do take bookings) and a great range of nosh - from nibbles and tapas style dishes to larger meals, depending on your appetite. Recommend the Carne Fajitas if you are hungry….

Dinner below ground is a bit of a novelty - the East Street Cafe is in a basement below a backpackers in Nelson. I like them for their hearty range of vegetarian food - including GF and vegan options. Generous servings and reasonable prices. Good for a casual feed without breaking the bank.Can recommend the veggie burger!

My Favourite craft beer venue in Nelson - the Freehouse has an ever changing selection of craft beers from all over the country. This pub is not tied to any one brewery so you’ll get a great selection of best New Zealand beers to try. Set in a converted church, there’s plenty of room outside to sit in the sun, or a warm fire inside in the winter, plus a great schedule of live music.

The Sprig and Fern on Milton Street, Nelson, does a mean IPA as well as a great range of beers, ciders, lagers and even an alcoholic lemonade. It’s a small, friendly pub in a quiet residential part of town, popular with cyclists and walkers as well as locals. There’s a fish and chip shop next door and a warm fire in winter, outdoor deck in summer. Great local pub with a friendly atmosphere and great staff.

Yummy Founders beer has been made in Nelson for many years and is known and loved by the locals. Founders cafe and brewery recently had a facelift, so you can see the brewing in action, and they sell their own very tasty range of brews, alongside a great range of cafe food. There’s a spacious beer garden and plenty of space for kids to run around.

Lighthouse Brewery is one of the smallest breweries in New Zealand. Owner and chief brewer Dick Tout brews 200 litres at a time from his Echodale Place microbrewery. 

Dick’s beer has won critical acclaim from both national and international beer tasters. 

He loves showing visitors his brewery and especially enjoys giving them a taste of his pilsners, stouts, lagers and dark beers.

The Moutere Inn claims to be NZ’s oldest pub. It’s set in the rolling Moutere Hills - the best hop growing region in New Zealand - and sells a rotating range of beers from around the country. It’s a real traditional kiwi country pub and a great place for a hearty meal or just a taste of good beer.

Willow Floral Design is the most gorgeous florist in Nelson, run by people who really know how to deliver a feel good message. Sarah and her team will help you choose the right flowers for the right occasion (red roses maybe?) and deliver them in good time. Willow does beautiful floral design, stylish and fresh, and has some great gifts as well.

Flowers for Nelson is a great local Nelson based florist. Owner Carl is a very talented florist who grows a lot of the flowers for his work in his home garden. He delivers personally all over town, and make sure your loving message is safely delivered into the right hands.

Earthbloom takes a fresh, new look at floristry with some great romantic bouquets for valentines day. They love what they do and make sure their clients love the flowers they receive. Great location on Waimea Road - pop in on your way to or from work!

Miss Flower Girl is based in a Nelson home garden studio but serves Blenheim and Marlborough as well as the Nelson area. Owner Sara Lee is one of Nelson’s best known florists and her work is always fresh and exciting. Plus they have free delivery for Valentines Day!

Coffee at its best - I like my soy latte smooth and creamy and the barista at Bridge Street makes them spot on, plus they give you a sweet little min cookie on the side. Yum. Handy hint - buy a 10 coffee card and save heaps.

The coffee aficionado’s home in Nelson - lots of cool coffee varieties, great service and a cool and very relaxed environment. Great service, good baristas and all in all a great place to go for coffee.

European flair makes this cafe stand out - the interior decor is very Parisian, the staff are nicely dressed in white shirts and canvas aprons and the coffee and snacks are delicious. It’s getting better known so quite busy these days but the service is still very good.

A restaurant at night but a very nice coffee place during the day - open to the sun, with comfy sofas as well as the usual tables and chairs. There’s a gourmet deli attached with kitchenware, books and European food so alway every interesting to hang out here. The coffee is consistently hot and smooth - very nice place to go.

Paula’s is one of those cool places you should make a bee line for when you’re in Nelson. Run by a Masterchef runner-up, its a perfect place for a coffee break, maybe with a slice of Paula’s delicious home baking. The cafe is spacious and has a welcoming atmosphere, pretty decor and a comfy sofa corner.

Karyn of Artistic Beauty Nelson is a beautician and make-up artist with over 11 years experience in the industry. Karyn does a great range of manicures and pedicures as well as the full range of makeup services and photo shoot make up - great for pampering for a special occasion

About Beauty is not your average spa. The staff are a welcoming family and the atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. You can relax knowing you are being looked after by professionals. About Beauty does a full range of nail care treatments ranging from shape and polish to a full spa manicure and pedicure. They also do a pacific rejuvenation wrap and a french polish and beautiful gel colour nail polishes.

Nelson Day Spa’s Spa Manicure at $33 is a good way to treat your hard working hands. The luxury manicure starts with a soak then cuticle push, nail shape and file. Follow that with a tension releasing hand and arm massage and nail polish in a colour of your choice. Then you’re ready to face the world again!

Located in the Marble Arch Arcade off Hardy St, Shop 5 Nails services include artificial nails, both acrylic & gel, also natural nail overlays. For your feet try their gel toes, manicures & pedicures and repairs. They also offer gelac & shellac gel polishes.