The white Boat Shed Cafe on its timber stilts over the water in Nelson at sunrise, yachts moored beyond

Fresh, local, seasonal.Out over the water.

A produce-led seasonal menu, oysters shucked to order, and a deck over the harbour at 350 Wakefield Quay.

Book a table See the menus

Sunsets over the harbour Open for lunch and dinner

One day at the boat shed

Brunch at the weekend, lunch, a Bistrot dinner from four, then the sun goes down behind the hills.

  • Monday to Friday from 11:30am until late
  • Saturday and Sunday from 9:00am until late
  • Bistrot Menu, Sunday to Thursday from 4pm (September only)
BrunchSaturday and Sunday from 9amRead the menu LunchMonday to Friday from 11:30amRead the menu BistrotSunday to Thursday from 4pmTwo courses, $55 Trust The ChefFour courses or fiveLet the kitchen decide
French toast with caramelised banana and streaky bacon beside a flat white on a honey-coloured timber table

Brunch, from nine on weekends.

Eggs, hash cakes and French toast on the timber tables while the water is still flat.

Weekend breakfast

Boat Shed Big Breakfast

$30

Handmade apple-fennel pork sausage, streaky bacon, avocado, hashbrown potatoes, sourdough, eggs any way, jus

Eggs Benedict

$25

Hot muffin, streaky bacon, poached eggs, hollandaise

French Toast

$26

Caramelised banana, streaky bacon, maple mascarpone

Turkish Breakfast

$26

Poached eggs, roast mushrooms, sourdough, yoghurt, chilli garlic oil

More breakfast and sides

Also on the breakfast menu

Smoked Fish & Potato Hash Cakes

$25

Poached eggs, hollandaise, shaved fennel, cress

Pumpkin & Potato Rosti

$26

Poached eggs, avocado, red onion, feta, parsley salad

Eggs Royale

$26

Hot muffin, seared Regal salmon, poached eggs, hollandaise

Eggs Any Way

$25

Grilled sourdough, tomato & red pepper chutney, streaky bacon or Regal salmon

Sides

Streaky bacon

$10

Roasted mushrooms

$10

Hashbrown potatoes

$10

Grilled avocado

$10

Handmade apple-fennel pork sausage (2)

$10

Seared Marlborough sea run salmon

$12.50

Shoestring fries

$12.50

Roasted garlic mayonnaise

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Menu and prices as published on boatshedcafe.co.nz, 21 September 2026.

Lunch by the water.

Oysters shucked to order, then whatever the market and the kitchen agree on.

A cast-iron dish of golden potato gratin scattered with chives on a timber table

To start and share

Shucked to order oystersGFDF

$5.50 each

Served natural, green apple mignonette. Six for $30

Southern fried oyster

$6 each

Sauce gribiche

Grilled sourdough

$18

Whipped roe, capers, parsley, lemon

Salmon tartareGFDF

$26

Dashi crisp, pickled shallots, fresh apple, burnt onion oil

Baked Mills Bay mussels (8)GFDF

$26.50

Lemongrass and ginger mayonnaise, Sichuan chilli oil, coriander

Goat cheese gougères

$18

Raisin, pine nuts, honey, thyme, black pepper

Mains

Seafood chowder

$26.50

Mussels, potato, fennel, celery, parsley, garlic butter, cream, fresh sourdough, butter

Risotto

$30

Streaky bacon, roast chicken, white beans, grilled bread, rocket, parmesan

Braised beef short ribsGF

$40

Parsnip puree, kohlrabi, fennel, green apple remoulade, jus

Pan roasted market fishGF

$40

Alusia beans, nduja, gremolata, cress

Entrees, sides, dessert and cheese

Entrees

Market fish cevicheGFDF

$26.50

Guacamole, radish, crispy shallots, soy and sesame dressing

Beef tartare

$26.50

Parmesan, chives, anchovy dressing, sourdough crumbs, endive, rocket

Buffalo stracciatella

$26.50

Fennel, orange, pistachio, chilli, grilled sourdough

Cured Akaroa sea run salmon

$26.50

Pickled cucumber, dill crème fraîche, grilled toasts

Roast beetroot salad honey

$26.50

Candied walnuts, soft goat cheese, croutons, soft herbs, sherry vinegar dressing

Caesar salad

$26

Cos romaine, croutons, Cantabrian anchovies, Grana Padano, anchovy dressing. Add roast chicken for $32

Fried West Coast whitebait

$28

Sourdough, sea salt butter, lemon

Sides

Shoestring friesDF

$12.50

Roasted garlic mayonnaise

Chopped cos lettuceGF

$12.50

Buttermilk dressing, radish, zaatar

Roasted baby carrotsGF

$14

Whipped feta, mint, almonds, Baharat spice

Dessert

Dark chocolate marquiseGF

$16

Roasted cherries, olive oil, whipped cream

Warm gingerbread

$15

Apple caramel, vanilla ice cream. Dairy free option

Butterscotch pots de crème

$15

Bourbon caramel, pecan shortbread, mascarpone cream. Gluten free option

Cheese

Saint Agur, France

Blue cheese

Délices de Bourgogne, France

Triple cream cheese

House-baked bread, fruit and nuts

$12 / $18

One cheese $12, two cheeses $18

GF gluten free, DF dairy free. Dishes can be adjusted for dietary needs, so please tell us when you book.

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Menu and prices as published on boatshedcafe.co.nz, 21 September 2026.

The Bistrot Menu is back.

A bistrot-style dinner from four o'clock, as the light comes low across the water. Sunday to Thursday, through September.

Entree and main
$55
Oysters, shucked to order
$5.50 each
A half dozen, natural
$30
Book a table
Two glasses of sparkling wine and a bowl of oysters on the deck rail in low sun, flat blue water behind
Braised lamb with heirloom carrots on a white plate, timber table beyond

Five courses, zero decisions.

Trust The Chef is designed to be enjoyed by the whole table. The kitchen chooses, you eat.

$85Four courses, at lunch, per person
$115Five courses, at dinner, per person
Book a table

Dietary needs can be worked around. Please tell us when you book.

The full dinner menu

Bites

Shucked to order oysterGFDF

$5.50 each

Served natural, green apple mignonette. Half dozen $30

Southern fried oyster

$6 each

Sauce gribiche

Grilled sourdough

$18

Whipped roe, capers, parsley, lemon

Salmon tartareGFDF

$26

Dashi crisp, pickled shallots, fresh apple, burnt onion oil

Goat cheese gougères (8)

$18

Raisin, pine nuts, black pepper, thyme infused honey

Entrees

Market fish cevicheGFDF

$26.50

Guacamole, radish, crispy shallots, soy and sesame dressing

Baked Mills Bay mussels (8)GFDF

$26.50

Lemongrass and ginger mayonnaise, Sichuan chilli oil, coriander

Beef tartare

$26

Parmesan, chives, anchovy dressing, sourdough crumbs, endive, rocket

Buffalo stracciatella

$26.50

Fennel, orange, pistachio, chilli, grilled sourdough

Seared scallopsGF

$34

Butternut, capers, bacon, parsley

Cured Akaroa sea run salmon

$26.50

Pickled cucumber, dill crème fraîche, grilled toasts

Mains

Angus Pure sirloinGF

$44

Roasted beetroot salad, horseradish cream, beef jus

Goat cheese & roasted garlic soufflé

$38

Roasted beetroot, grilled artichoke, honey walnuts

Pan roasted market fishGF

$40

Alusia beans, nduja, gremolata, cress

Braised lamb shoulderGF

$40

Baby carrots, Brussels sprouts, whipped feta, mint, dukkah

Braised beef short ribGF

$40

Parsnip puree, kohlrabi, fennel, green apple remoulade, jus

Truffle mushroom duxelles risottoGF

$42

Seared scallops, parmesan, truffle

Sides

Baked potato gratinGF

$14

Brie cheese, chives

Roasted baby carrotsGF

$14

Whipped feta, mint, almonds, Baharat spice

Brussels sproutsGF

$14

Paprika, kimchi mayo, garlic butter, parmesan, almonds

Chopped cos lettuceGF

$12.50

Buttermilk dressing, radish, zaatar

Dessert

Dark chocolate marquiseGF

$16

Roasted cherries, olive oil, whipped cream

Warm gingerbread

$15

Apple caramel, vanilla ice cream. Dairy free option

Butterscotch pots de crème

$15

Bourbon caramel, pecan shortbread, mascarpone cream. Gluten free option

GF gluten free, DF dairy free.

Menu and prices as published on boatshedcafe.co.nz, 21 September 2026.

Functions and private dining

Family celebrations, work dinners and special occasions, with a Trust The Chef shared menu or a tailored limited-choice menu that fits your group and budget.

  • 8 to 12 guestsThe Seaside Room or the upstairs loft
  • 20 to 22 guestsThe waterfront deck, fully covered and heated, where available
Ask about a function

Gift vouchers

Sent by email, valid for 36 months, and good for any table at the boat shed.

Buy a gift voucher

Find the boat shed.

On the Nelson waterfront since 2009.

Where

350 Wakefield Quay
Stepneyville, Nelson 7010
Open in Google Maps

Open for lunch and dinner

  • Monday to Friday11:30am until late
  • Saturday and Sunday9:00am until late

Public holiday hours are posted on our Instagram.

Get in touch

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Concept redesign, not the official Boat Shed Cafe website. Photos, menus and prices are theirs. Reservations are made on boatshedcafe.co.nz