🇳🇿 | Nelson – A Hidden Foodie Paradise! 🤯🍽️

Nelson rarely makes it onto NZ travel lists, but this severely underrated gem is a culinary wonderland—like a secret hideout for world-class chefs! I even did a progressive meal across multiple spots (worth every calorie!). Here are my must-eat highlights: 🍤 1. The Boatshed Cafe 📍 350 Wakefield Quay Scampi bathed in smoked butter—so rich, so unforgettable! "The seafood here ruined all other seafood for me." ☕ 2. Sublime Cafe (Multiple locations, even the airport!) Ice Chai Latte = life-changing. Their fresh milk-based drinks? Pure magic. 🥛✨ 🦪 3. Urban Oyster Bar & Eatery 📍 278 Hardy Street Beef tartare with Lao Gan Ma (!!)—why is this so genius? Oysters & sashimi = ocean-fresh. Missed the Vietnamese coffee tiramisu (next time!). 🍷 4. Arden Porta Via 📍 216 Hardy Street Duck liver puffs + anchovy butter = salted umami heaven. Regret: Should’ve paired with Sauvignon Blanc instead of cocktails! 🛒 5. Saturday Farmers’ Market German sausages, black garlic honey, Korean spicy cookies—wild & delicious. Bought 3,000-year-old wood slabs 🪵 + grandma’s hand-knit sweaters (proceeds go to forest conservation!). 🍣 Bonus: Mystery Japanese Spot Hokkaido scallops so sweet, they made me question reality. ✨ Why Nelson? ✔ Unexpected gourmet scene in a tiny town. ✔ European retirees who dress up for grocery shopping—the vibe is immaculate. ✔ Proof that NZ’s best flavors hide off the beaten path! #HiddenGems #NelsonEats #NZFoodie #UnderratedNZ #EatLikeALocal