Smugglers Pub and Cafe
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Smugglers Pub and Cafe
Review
About
SUPREME WINNER TOP SHOP 2014 and WINNER FOOD, BEVERAGE & HOSPITALITY CATEGORY - NELSON The Smugglers Pub and Cafe is famous for its hearty meals, foaming craft ales and great wines all served up in a unique old world atmosphere.Located within easy walking distance from Nelson's Tahunanui Beach and set amongst the areas' busy motel district, the Smugglers is ideally placed to cater for your group no matter how large or small. Food is available all day and into the evening with extensive snack, lunch and dinner menus including gluten free and children's menus for young smugglers. We stock a variety of regional, national and international wines along with Mac's & Speights beers, Guinness, Kilkenny, Becks and Stella Artois.We are open seven days a week including most holidays and absolutely no surcharges ever. So come on down relax and enjoy the award winning atmosphere that is so unique to Smugglers.
Features
CUISINES
Bar, Pub, New Zealand
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Beach
Digital Payments
Dog Friendly
Free off-street parking
Free Wifi
Full Bar
Gift Cards Available
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Sports bars
Street Parking
Table Service
Takeout
Television
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available, Street Parking
Does this restaurant have a TV?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 11:00 AM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
11:15 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Contribute
4.3
788 reviews
Excellent
431
Very good
244
Average
58
Poor
35
Terrible
20
Brent B
1 contribution
Mar 2025 • couples
Lovely meal - generous portions - fair price and attentive staff - great night. The brisket was on point - falling apart at the touch of the knife. The pulled lamb salad bowl had a myriad of delightful flavours. Followed with creme brule and fruit with a couple of cocktails to finish. The waiters were bright and bubbly (especially Becca); and were happily able to tailor a couple of dishes to meet our requirements. The service was efficient and prompt - all at a fair price. Definitely back again.
Written March 17, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steph S
Nelson-Tasman Region361 contributions
Dec 2023 • friends
I’ve been here a few times lately and the service is second to none and food is always superb! The owner is often out doing service and taking orders, nothing is to much or a problem and that 2 course menu a main & dessert or coffee (you choose if you don’t want a dessert have coffee) $25.50 fantastic!
The beer tasting board - great value!
Written December 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alan B
Wellington28 contributions
Jan 2025 • couples
This spot is a great place for dining for small through to large groups.
During our stay in the area over six nights, we ate at Smugglers twice. The first time there was three of us and three nights later it was two. The food is good, the service prompt and friendly and the price is great value.
We noticed on our second visit that tables had been pushed together to accommodate groups larger than four and the big tables in the main area had been pushed together and had a group of ~16 dining together. In spite of several big groups on the second night, the service was still good and there wasn't any protracted wait time.
Written February 1, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin F
6 contributions
Jan 2024 • friends
We came there without we have booked a table but they arranged one directly. The food was splendid, the waitress was a smart, bright, funny girl and responded rapidly. They served a well tasting menu with broad variety, from salads to slow cooked meat.
An extra plus for our waitress Ei Ei Wai ❤️
Written January 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
Food was a bit substandard. The chicken was burnt and the salad dry. We had a large group of us. Two people didn't turn up and the waiter gave us a wind up about booking for too many people. Sorry can't help people being unwell. He was short, rude and very unhelpful.
Written July 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vacation29922178519
3 contributions
May 2023 • none
Disappointed, ordered a steak was nicely cooked but too small, came with a average sized baked potato with chives and sour cream, potato was powdery and coleslaw was average. For the price have had much better at other restaurants in Nelson. My son's burgers were alright but the chips were greasy and looked like they had been through the deep fryer twice. Cheese cake was average. Ordered a beer and glass still had lipstick on it from previous customer. They replaced my beer which is fine but a little sorry about that wouldn't have gone astray. Can't say I will be heading back there any time soon. Average at best.
Written May 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RosaLyn H
Nelson-Tasman Region12 contributions
Dec 2021 • friends
For the past years we have enjoyed delicious economical lunch dinners most Sundays, and are always greeted with enthusiasm and our food and drinks have always been consistently excellent, no matter who we were accompanied by, children or adults. Our guests were always catered for, with attention and their particular needs met. We can give the highest recommendation for this restaurant.
Written December 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alysha V
Nelson390 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
We ordered the fish of the day and the ribs. The fish wasn’t fresh, we could smell it coming long before it reached the table and it tasted as bad as it smelt. The veges that accompanied the fish were plain & simple boiled peas, carrots & beans. The mash was delicious though!
The ribs were undercooked and not worth the price. No water bowl either.
Disappointed, it was just alright. The service was great, attentive and friendly.
Written July 10, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alec w
Auckland82 contributions
Aug 2022 • none
This Pub/Cafe has un unusual décor but it works, great Staff, Mike, Paul and Val look after you, and their 2 course Gourmet Lunch set Menu with choice, must be close to NZ best value menu. Eat her weekly
Always consistent, prompt, tasty.
Take a bow Smugglers, great plus Lunch, and any meal here at any time, froma quick coffee to an evening awash with liquid, you cant go wrong.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RosaLyn H
Nelson-Tasman Region12 contributions
Jun 2022 • family
We, a couple of older women and friends, usually enjoy a delicious meal most Sundays and always can rely on the excellent food as well as the above and beyond care and service, however when I took my .38 year old nephew and his parents yesterday for his birthday, we were treated to even more outstanding attention, for which we were most grateful. However, I am writing this grateful review because for the first time in the past 17 years we tasted their soup, and my most discerning sister- in-law and myself really enjoyed their most delicious mushroom soup of the day. It is going to make my choice of what to order even more difficult in the future. Recommend them most highly thank you.
Written June 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RosaLyn H
Nelson-Tasman Region12 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
Very comfortable, superior, reliable, great value for money and excellent food, drinks, and service. They have excellent, wonderful value seniors and kiddies menus as well as superior reasonably priced pub fare from the main menu. I enjoy their delicious crisp fish and chips, especially because the accompanying salad is varied, tasty, and substantial, one friend loves their lamb's fry and bacon, another their steaks and one adores their fried camambert. Because of their superb service, the maitre'd particularly outstanding, you can take all members of your family and know all can be satisfied, made feel very welcome and special needs met, for example, I need to be served quickly and they always are extremely accommodating. The last two lady baristas made my fussy coffee delicious with magnificent cremas, all much appreciated. There is an outside area for taking our little emotional support dog which is an imperative companion for our 96-year-old mother. Highly recommended eatery!
Written April 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ted Smuggler
Thank you for thorough review. We will certainly be looking forward to hosting you again soon.
Written May 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
luarna
2 contributions
Nov 2024 • family
Visiting Nelson so popped in for an evening meal. Absolutely fantastic! Hubby had fish of the day which was John Dory. Plenty of it and well cooked. I had beef and Yorkshire pudding. The beef was so tender and I counted six different veges on the plate. The best sundae we'd had in ages to finish. The staff were very friendly too. We'll definitely put it on our list of restaurants to revisit. Well done!!!!
Written November 11, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
770david
Nelson16 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
A great meal, great service and and a great place to dine. the lunch time menu specials are very reasonably priced and taste great, we had the home made pie of the day and it was very good.
the staff were very nice and friendly as always.
Written June 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pippy
5 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
Beautiful meal of fresh cod served with lovely salad. Fast and extremely helpful. We regularly use this restaurant when we are in Nelson and would recommend to anyone wanting a good wholesome meal in a pleasant environment
Written October 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cindy S
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • family
Not recommended for vegetarians!!! One option. After my family received their meat meals my vege burrito was missing. Waited politely for 15minutes to receive a chicken burrito!! Err no, chicken is meat. Knocking a beer off my tab didn’t fill my belly. Went home hungry. Smuggler’s sumg alright.
Written February 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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