Located in the South Island of Aotearoa Blenheim’s main drawcard is its wine and while it certainly does a good elixir, and we can totally get behind a bit of a tispy cycle through a vineyard, it holds its own on the foodie front too. Besides, everybody knows the responsible thing to do before a wine tasting is fill up on some seriously good grub. And so you can make the most of every second of your time in this sunny town, we’ve rounded up the kitchens serving the best kai around. Forks at the ready.
Here are the best Blenheim restaurants.
Arbour Restaurant
36 Godfrey Road, Fairhall
Image credit: Arbour | Facebook
There’s no doubt that Arbour is one of the best restaurants in Blenheim. For starters, it’s hatted (twice) and it won NZ Best Regional Restaurant in 2022, and that’s even before you take a peek at the food which can only be described as art on a plate, seven times over. Yesiree, enter: Arbour’s MANY, a seven-course feast that’s constantly evolving and, delightfully, can be altered to accommodate dietary requirements. And while this is definitely boujee at $124 per person, if you book into their 5.30pm spot you can get amongst ‘Foodie Hour’ wrapping your mouth around the
Gramado’s Restaurant & Bar
74 Main Street, Blenheim Central
Another of the best restaurants in Blenheim is Gramado’s, the South Island’s very own slice of Brazil. Inspired by a small town of the same name, here, wine, good food and chocolate are top shelf. On the menu you’ll find New Zealand flavours, seafood and traditional Brazilian fare—think ‘feijoada’ (a smoky bean stew with spicy chorizo); flaming prawns ‘moqueca’; and the moreish, and naturally gluten-free pão de queijo puffed cheese balls which are basically life. They’ve got dietary requirements covered too. Be sure to save room for dessert for which we’d recommend Gramado’s chocolate volcano, a spicy choc lava cake spiked with Dragon’s Fury chilli sauce and served with pink peppercorns.
The Tamarind Indian Restaurant
14 Scott Street, Blenheim Central
Drawing inspiration from Southern Indian state, Kerala, known as the Land of Spices, The Tamarind delivers fresh, palette-punching Indian cuisine that’ll sate any appetite. Dive in with an array of entrees like cauliflower ‘65’ deep fried in chickpea and rice batter and served with tamarind sauce, broccoli pakora and lentil doughnuts with coconut curry. Follow with eggplant masala, a dosa pancake, black chickpea curry and meaty biryani. You might be surprised to note the bread list isn’t dominated by naan. Instead you’ll find porotta (also known as parotta or paratha), a round, flaky pastry that mops up curry like a dream. Delish.
Gohan On Scott
16 Scott Street, Blenheim Central
Image credit: Gohan On Scott | Facebook
For the best Japanese in Blenheim, make a beeline for Gohan On Scott. Open for lunch and dinner, the restaurant, co-owned by Boe Aitchison and Nat Moran, is a firm favourite, despite being a relative newcomer to the scene having opened in 2021. Specialising in Japanese cuisine with a creative Asian twist, you’ll find lively moments sprinkled through the menu in the form of sushi donuts and tacos alongside the more expected (and froth-worthy) gyoza, izakaya, fried rice, noodles, and sides. The restaurant’s fit-out is worth noting, too, with a mix of sleek, industrial lighting fixtures, and a generous smattering of greenery.
Scotch Wine Bar & Wine Shop
24-26 Maxwell Road, Blenheim Central
Image credit: Scotch Wine Bar & Wine Shop | Facebook
The menu at Scotch Wine Bar & Wine Shop is small yet perfectly formed. There are just three entrees: beef tataki, crumbed mushroom or pork rilette; and a choice of beef, slow-roasted pork belly, salmon fillet, or crispy vegetable stack for mains, all which come with homemade fries, salad, a slice of bread and their special house sauce. You can’t go wrong with any of these offerings and, of course, the hero here is the wine of which there are almost 2,000 bottles on rotation in their wine cellar. And if you find yourself particularly taken with a certain tipple, you can buy a bottle to enjoy at home. Lovely.
Eat Thai Restaurant
35 High Street, Blenheim Central
While it’s easy to find good Thai food, it’s hard to find dishes that mirror the full vibrancy and depth of the flavours you’ll find in Thailand but Eat Thai Restaurant does a bloody good job. Not only is the food incredibly delicious, it’s served quickly—hanger won’t get a look in. Start with joyfully light and pillowy curry puffs or crunchy money bags then enjoy a full romp through red and green curries, pad thai, fried rice and vegetable dishes. An extra adorable detail? The rice comes in flower or heart shapes. While the wine list isn’t massive, you’re able to BYO for a very reasonable corkage fee. And, if you can fit it, the sticky rice will definitely go down a treat.
Harvest Restaurant
776 Rapaura Road, Rapaura
Image credit: Harvest Restaurant | FAcebook
Also hatted, Harvest Restaurant is another jewel in the crown of the Blenheim foodie scene. Atmospheric authenticity is their schtick—a spot where you can relax knowing your every need will be catered to. The hero of the Harvest kitchen (alongside the top notch team of course) is the Mibrasa Charcoal oven which they credit for an elevated menu. Their 55-day aged beef rib eye has quite the following, as does their gravity-defying raspberry souffle, so while the menu changes frequently, if you spy either of these during your visit, we’d recommend you go all-in. And if you love an espresso martini, this is the place to indulge.
Dodson Street Beer Garden
1 Dodson Street, Mayfield, Blenheim
Effectively a beer spring inside a brewery that dates back to 1858, you’re sure to have a good time at Dodson Street Biergarten. They’re piped with Renaissance brews—a Marlborough-based craft beer brewer—with 12 on tap at any one time, and a further 12 guest brews for you to literally whet your whistle with. The menu is a flawless curation of local and international flavours that you crave practically as soon as you’ve got a pint in hand: schnitzel, garlic bread, burgers, chunky fries and pizza (available in gluten-free and dairy-free iterations). Want a sweet hit to finish? The apfelstrudel’s a must.
Eaten your way through Blenheim? Take a foodie roadie to neighbouring Nelson.
Main image credit: Arbour Restaurant.