The Boat Shed Cafe — Restaurant in South Island

Discovering the Best Breakfast in New Zealand: The Boat Shed Café

When it comes to breakfast in New Zealand, The Boat Shed Café in Nelson stands out as an unparalleled gem. Nestled by the serene waterfront, this café offers a combination of delectable cuisine, impeccable service, and breathtaking views, making it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists. From the moment you step into The Boat Shed Café, you are enveloped in an atmosphere that perfectly blends casual elegance with a welcoming charm, setting the stage for a memorable dining experience.

A Culinary Delight: Eggs Benedict and Chorizo Scramble

At the heart of The Boat Shed Café's menu are their standout breakfast dishes: Eggs Benedict and Chorizo Scramble. Each dish is crafted with precision and passion, showcasing the café’s commitment to quality and taste.

The Eggs Benedict at The Boat Shed Café is nothing short of spectacular. The dish features perfectly poached eggs, their yolks golden and runny, resting on a bed of fresh, toasted English muffins. The muffins are topped with a generous helping of tender ham or smoked salmon, offering a choice that caters to diverse palates. The crowning glory is the hollandaise sauce, which is rich, creamy, and has just the right hint of tanginess. The balance of flavors is impeccable, with the silky sauce complementing the savory ham or the delicate smokiness of the salmon. Each bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes, making it clear why this dish is a favorite among patrons.

Equally impressive is the Chorizo Scramble, a dish that brings a burst of flavors to the breakfast table. The scrambled eggs are cooked to perfection, maintaining a creamy consistency that speaks to the skill of the chefs. Mixed into the eggs are chunks of spicy chorizo sausage, which add a robust, smoky flavor that elevates the dish. The chorizo is complemented by the addition of fresh herbs and a sprinkle of cheese, creating a savory medley that is both hearty and satisfying. This dish is a perfect example of how simple ingredients, when combined thoughtfully, can create an extraordinary culinary experience.

A View to Remember

One of the most striking features of The Boat Shed Café is its stunning location. Situated right on the water’s edge, the café offers panoramic views of Nelson’s harbor and the surrounding mountains. The large windows and outdoor seating area allow diners to enjoy the natural beauty of the area while savoring their meals. Whether you visit in the early morning as the sun rises over the water or later in the day when the light casts a golden glow, the view is always breathtaking.

The ambiance created by this scenic backdrop is both relaxing and invigorating. There’s something inherently calming about dining next to the water, with the gentle sounds of the harbor and the sight of boats bobbing in the distance. It’s a perfect spot for a leisurely breakfast, whether you’re catching up with friends, enjoying a romantic meal, or simply taking a moment to yourself.

Exceptional Service

The service at The Boat Shed Café is another aspect that sets it apart. The staff are known for their friendliness and professionalism, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that each guest has a pleasant experience. From the moment you are greeted at the door to the time you leave, you are made to feel welcome and valued.

The waitstaff are knowledgeable about the menu and are always ready to offer recommendations or accommodate special requests. Their attentiveness adds a personal touch to the dining experience, making you feel like more than just another customer. This level of service, combined with the café’s excellent food and stunning location, creates a dining experience that is truly exceptional.

Coffee to Die For

No breakfast is complete without a great cup of coffee, and The Boat Shed Café does not disappoint in this regard. The café takes its coffee seriously, sourcing...

Because I know that this place gets busy, I phoned ahead (3 mins before arriving) to check if there’s a table. I was told to come over - table for two won’t be a problem. Then, had to stand in the cold doorway for 7 minutes before being attended to at all. Duty manager - Minke - was rushing around attending to tables while the arrivals piled up in the small entrance, really creating a hazard for the staff carrying food, because the kitchen is right next to the entrance. Only after filling two orders (despite there being many available waitstaff) did she finally give attention to the people waiting in the cold. We then bundled onto a small table even though there were many open tables, but we got told they were “reserved”. No reserved signs were on these tables, even though those signs were available. While we were sitting down, surprise - those tables didn’t all fill up. They stayed empty even after we left.

The waitress that served us was friendly, attentive and nice - which is one of two reasons this review isn’t a total crash and burn. Reason two - They were able to swop out salmon for bacon on eggs benedict, which was also very well cooked and prepared - brioche was out of this world. Bit on the expensive side in my opinion - but it was good nosh, so happy to pay that amount.

Further to this - the tables aren’t “refilled” once they’re used. (No refills of napkins etc.). Salt and pepper cellars were also missing - had to ask after going around to five other tables myself to try swop it out, but there were only empty containers. When we asked the waitress for new cellars, being her first day, she asked the manager about it, who told her to swop it out with another table. (After we said to her - it’s empty). Also - shout out to the waitress, who really had an excellent attitude, and saved this from being a 1-star review.

This place is not that big, and I find it amazing to see they can’t cope with the volume of people compared to the number of staff. Everyone felt so rushed and uneasy. Compare this to a normal non-touristy place, and it’s just not normal to have to pay such a premium and really have a...

Do not come to this cafe unless you don't mind waiting for 15 mins to be severed and waiting for another 30 mins for your food.

Today is Tuesday, not even on a weekend, we arrived after 1:15pm. We were seated at a table inside, directly under the sun due to the glass roof, offering limited shade and no breeze. After waiting for 10 minutes, the adjacent table became available, and we requested to move there for more shade.

Unfortunately, the manager didn't clean the new table thoroughly; it was not wiped, and remnants of salt and sugar were still visible.

Waiting for another 5 mins, a wait staff finally came to take orders. She was one of the most friendly staff. Before she came, it felt like we were invisible to all other staff members. She acknowledged and apologized for the wait. Unfortunately, she didn't mention about the wait time for the food.

Our iced tea came quick, but we didn't understand what 'house-made iced tea' meant. The menu didn't help, all you could see was a glass of red liquid with half a piece of lemon. The wait staff also didn't know what tea it was and had to ask the barista.

After waiting an additional 30 minutes, it was 2 pm, and we were both hot and hungry, seriously considering canceling our order and finding another place to eat. I need to point out, the cafe wasn't full; in fact, it was half-empty in the last 15 - 20 mins. We couldn't figure out why it took so long for the food to be ready. Expressing our frustration to another staff member, we asked if we could cancel our order since our food still wasn't out. Unfortunately, he didn't acknowledge our frustration, and within a minute, he brought our food without addressing the prolonged wait. The customer service here seems lacking, possibly due to inadequate training for both the manager and staff.

The food is okay, like regular cafe food, portion is average, but a bit more expensive. If you get to sit outside by the water, it might be better as you get a view. However, right now in November, watch out for lots of Cottonwood seeds in the air. Personally I wouldn't recommend...