Motueka’s Best: Your Top 5 Food & Drink Spots (2025 Review)

Motueka, you know, that gem nestled right by the Abel Tasman National Park, is more than just golden beaches, and actually it’s got a really great culinary scene waiting to be explored. From beachfront cafes serving up fresh seafood to cosy bars pouring locally brewed craft beer, there’s totally something to tickle everybody’s taste buds. I spent, like, ages wandering around, taste-testing basically everything I could get my hands on to bring you this, honestly, hand-picked list of the top five places you absolutely have to visit. Get your appetite ready, ’cause we’re gonna explore some amazing spots!Local Guide

1. The Smoking Barrel: BBQ Heaven with a Kiwi Twist

Alright, so first up, let’s talk about The Smoking Barrel. If you’re after, basically, proper BBQ, then believe me, this place has that proper American smokehouse feel but infused, so to speak, with that laid-back Kiwi vibe. The atmosphere is very casual, think picnic tables, fairy lights, maybe some live music on the weekend. The stars, actually, are those beautifully smoked meats. The brisket, oh man, it’s tender, juicy, and basically melts in your mouth. The pulled pork is pretty awesome, too, especially piled high on a brioche bun with their homemade coleslaw. They also do awesome ribs with lots of flavour that I find delicious. It’s pretty awesome food. Trust me.

And it’s almost not just about the food, yet it’s about that whole experience, right? It’s basically that type of place you go with mates, crack open a cold one, and, you know, just chill out while chowing down on some proper good BBQ. It’s also, slightly, popular with locals, that I find promising. The Smoking Barrel definitely wins points for atmosphere, flavours, and portion sizes – which, as a matter of fact, are very generous, I will say. They usually, actually, have some interesting specials happening, and you could be pleasantly shocked.

Must-Try Dishes at The Smoking Barrel

• Brisket: A definite must-try. Seriously tender.
• Pulled Pork Bun: Amazing with their coleslaw, so good!
• Ribs: Juicy and flavorful, like your proper ribs.
• Mac and Cheese: Really creamy and very cheesy comfort food.

2. The Park Cafe: Relaxed Vibes and Delicious Brunch

If you, so to speak, fancy a spot with lovely gardens, pretty relaxed vibes and great coffee, The Park Cafe is like your place. It’s a, very nice place to unwind, grab a really great brunch, or just chill out with a coffee and a piece of cake. It also might be tucked away just outside the main hustle, and it’s kinda one of those places that locals absolutely adore, like you would imagine. It is, pretty chill. You see that there are people walking around. The seating area is so spacious, that is ideal for families or if you just feel like, sort of, spreading out a little. The cafe has, maybe, a really relaxed, almost friendly atmosphere, making it great for everybody. Take the family.

The food is honestly delicious, too. Their cabinet food actually looks, like, homemade, and all those dishes always change slightly with whatever is in season. Their brunch menu isn’t that big, however it is, actually, pretty awesome and offers different versions of Eggs Benedict, yummy big breakfasts, and fluffy pancakes, that I also find awesome. Don’t go without tasting one of their slices or cakes either, they’re pretty nice to just chill with, okay. The staff have very good service, so, are, in general, pretty amazing, that I really like about that place. It’s very ideal.

The Park Cafe’s Brunchtime Delights

• Eggs Benedict: Ask them how the hollandaise sauce is made, is that the lemon is real, too, probably.
• Big Breakfast: Pretty substantial and very tasty, ideal to kickstart the day.
• Pancakes: Light, so fluffy, you can probably make art with them, you know.
• Homemade Cakes: Definitely have a treat from that cake display!

3. Toad Hall: Groceries, Cafe & Pizza…All in One

You know what’s so good? You see this next place we have. Imagine a funky, kind of health-focused grocery store, an honest awesome cafe, and pretty amazing pizzeria all rolled into one…and that’s Toad Hall! It is almost like stepping into another funky reality as soon as you walk inside, so basically it is really vibrant colours, quirky displays, and an atmosphere buzzing with lots of things. So, actually, they source a pretty decent bunch of local and organic products, then have, for sure, some good-looking produce, artisanal cheeses, and a really good range of delicious goods. Actually, there are a ton of goods. I’m sure that you will see them there. That’s very sure, for sure!See health food.

But actually Toad Hall’s not all about that shopping; honestly, they’ve also got a nice cafe area. Honestly, their coffee is great, and they always have tasty baked goods to enjoy. Though the real treat is the pizzas they have baked in a wooden fire in a unique setting outside! That they produce is fantastic, and the wooden fire will, so to speak, fill it with flavours from a really smoky taste with that super delicious crust. As a matter of fact, they’ve got a good range of pizzas, but so also you can customise all you want. Honestly, the staff also always go that bit more. Make a visit to enjoy this, so to speak, place! Is that unique. I told ya!

Toad Hall’s Multifaceted Menu

• Wood-Fired Pizzas: Obviously, these are a definite yes!
• Fresh Salads: Try one that has really lovely and healthy options.
• Organic Coffee: Try coffee out, honestly!
• Sweet Treats: Always awesome with a great cup of coffee!

4. The啤酒店(The Beeri Haus): Craft Beer Paradise

Basically, beer enthusiasts, get ready! So, The Beeri Haus could be your, sort of, holy grail in Motueka, which could be a great spot to be. This spot, basically, has that proper cozy feel – think comfy couches, you know, dim lighting, maybe, a buzzy atmosphere – the kind of place you wanna chill out, sample that local brew. They tend to specialise with offering beers on tap only from all of those Nelson/Tasman region craft breweries. It might be one thing trying all the cool IPA’s and trying all sorts of beers and styles. If I would say I love tasting, that might not actually express enough how good it can actually be, so this must be it for the Beeri House.try beer

The friendly staff know their beer also. Actually, I felt, more or less, if I needed anything, I got help really quick, so basically, if I feel that you cannot decide then they can assist that, by trying all these different little ones, offering samples to help with that, or suggesting that perfect one to suit you and to meet all what you actually are seeking in this place. Actually, you need to ask about the rotating handles they keep here with those new offerings because maybe, maybe you can actually enjoy beers with flavours here with, seriously, local. They only also serve snacks which does fit well in this place, they usually, slightly, come here at night, so that this, for instance, makes a nice addition in those spots to be to give those awesome, really different spots out.Snack beers

Must-Try Brews at The Beeri Haus

• Anything on Tap from a Local Nelson/Tasman Brewery: Because local’s more yummy
• Ask The staff member: Seriously, take on their recs to discover a new taste!
• Rotating Special Taps: Because it has nice ones, yeah!
• Cheese Board: This snack has tasty goodness with those drinks!

5. Hooked on Marahau: Fresh Seafood With Incredible Views

So finally, lets go into one seriously spot near those beautiful waters in Abel Tasman. Basically if I was here right now. As a matter of fact Hooked on Marahau must be one of those ideal settings if I was nearby some perfect treat on foods nearby that perfect water, seriously? It almost comes pretty obvious right from here name itself – this space right here will be dedicated toward delivering top-tier tasty delights that are as actually refreshing that is also satisfying, as always . Obviously you do know? Fresh catches every single time – the food are, so very special when you visit this awesome cafe here! Obviously they love and go straight near here.Near views.

I, also think there can actually be a variety for all tastes over at Marahau. It turns nearly more easy once they get here to have some famous seafood. So lets say the fresh fish, you know or I see these very yum looking mussel in the yum dish here – trust with me? It just turns better. Even for the non sea fans because it makes people seriously better and they always got tasty options! Imagine? Having just those local bites. Or even just eating on its own just gives a full yum point? I actually just enjoy visiting here or something for you or basically more! With seriously the view of Abel you already gonna enjoy so with tasty snack = Perfect. Why visit anywhere other now? Or better yet. With Sea

Seafood Sensations at Hooked on Marahau

• Fresh Fish: Just yummy straight outside the place seriously.
• Mussels: Super cooked mussels from the area here, what, you need.