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Hours
Tue
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Wed
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Thu
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat
5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, European, New Zealand, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Is this restaurant good for lunch?
Details
About
Good honest local cuisine, served in a casual environment.
PRICE RANGE
$21.00 – $45.00
CUISINES
European, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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5.0
1,448 reviews
Excellent
1,193
Very good
188
Average
46
Poor
20
Terrible
1
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Robert D
5379 contributions
Nov 2024 • solo
I had a delicious dinner at the elegant Hapgood's & Co. My slow-cooked lamb neck was very tender. Since I did not have a starter, I had room for dessert. I ordered the "72% Chocolate Mousse", which came with bananas and passionfruit sorbet. It tasted as good as it looked.
Written 11 January 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.
Ellen L
Philadelphia102 contributions
Feb 2024 • couples
We booked ahead (be sure to make a reservation) and were greeted like old friends. Vicki, our waitress, was spectacular. I ordered a glass of wine which I didn't like (not restaurant's fault) and she insisted on finding me the right wine. She brought me 3 choices to try. The owner, Kevin, came out himself to greet us - and brought our appetizers. I think the tuna appetizer was one of the best things I've ever eaten. I had the fish for main and chocolate for dessert. The entire meal was beyond outstanding and the service was the cherry on the top.
Written 9 February 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.
notagain9
Nelson124 contributions
Apr 2023 • family
Wow, a surprise birthday meal with my family. As expected, the food was divine. The fussy 20 year old was well impressed with the food and beer selection! The service was wonderful and attentive, lovely to see some younger servers who were keen to please. As a local this remains our "go to" restaurant for consistently excellent food and service.
Written 3 April 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.
Maxwell S
Wellington51 contributions
May 2024 • family
When visiting my sister in Nelson, we always eat one night at Hopgoods. This time was very, very disappointing.
We booked 2 days prior and when we arrived there was no table set for the 3 of us so we were left to wait. When eventually seated my partner ordered a cocktail from the menu but was told it wasn't available. We ordered food and I ordered a $75 bottle of wine but was told that also wasn't available and as an alternative they suggested a $96 bottle, which I quietly declined.
I ordered steak and while it was cooked well, the single round medalion was the width of a toilet roll tube and about 4cm tall. I estimate it at about 50-60g. At $45 this means Hopgoods are charging almost $1000 per kilo.
The desert was lovely. When we left around 9pm, the restaurant was almost empty and when I arrived home 10mins later, I was still hungry.
During the meal, my sister, a long time Nelson resident who always enjoyed Hopgoods, suggested that perhaps this was the last time we should eat there. And unfortunately she is right. It is extremely poor value for money.
Written 7 June 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.
Kevin Hopgood
I'm very sorry to hear you had a disappointing experience. I would be happy to talk to you face-to-face, it's never our intention for a customer to leave unhappy. We do run out of things occasionally and I apologise for this. With the table not being ready this happens when a table overstays its allotted time or the customer arrives early for their booking. Our Beef fillet is NZs finest it is weighed and cut to 130 to 150 grams and I completely refute that you received a 50/60 gram piece of fillet. Why didn't you bring it up while dining we are always happy to look at things and address any concerns and put things right. I would be very happy to chat to your sister anytime. Why does a local person hide behind a computer and not bring this up on the evening, what do you hope to achieve with this review?
Written 8 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ella Gunn
24 contributions
Apr 2024 • friends
If you’re in Nelson and searching for an exceptional dining experience, look no further than Hopgoods Restaurant. I genuinely don’t think you can find better than this spot. The beef fillet is nothing short of extraordinary—perfectly cooked, tender, and bursting with flavor. Pair it with the fried broccoli, and you’ve got a match made in culinary heaven. It’s my personal favorite, and I’m confident it won’t disappoint anyone. The quality of the food here is so divine that it’s hard to find anything like it elsewhere. If you appreciate top-notch cuisine, Hopgoods is an absolute must-visit in Nelson.
Written 15 August 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.
Milo M
1 contribution
Feb 2021 • none
Once the peak fine dining experience in Nelson, sadly the last two visits suggest that’s behind it. The food was generally good and quite well presented but for the prices the quantities and level of execution was neither the Hopgoods of old nor anything like value for money. Service was similarly more casual bistro than the level of sophistication which used to round out a memorable night eating out.
Written 16 February 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.
jimmyAuckland
I'm really sorry we didn't meet your expectations.
I can say hand on heart our food and service is the best it's ever been (not always perfect) and I have owned Hopgood's for 15 years. We are not and never have been fine dinning and have always aimed at casual Bistro style food and service, hence Cuisine giving us an award for casual dinning. The ingredients I buy are some of the best in NZ and a lot of them locally sourced from our market and farmers.
If you feel you can come back, let me know (either book online and leave a note or ring and ask to speak to me) and we can have a chat over a glass of wine. All the best Kevin Hopgood
Written 21 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nikkit
Christchurch169 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
To our tastes and pockets we found other restaurants with more appealing plates at a lesser priced. The food has a lot going on with flavours so for us it was confusing on the palate when trying multiple dishes . Our group tasted almost everything on the menu but the stand out was the lamb . It was a pity that no one suggested ordering 2 so we could all get a sizeable portion . Desserts were also a winner for all .
Great wine selection.
The place is obviously popular and very busy on a Sunday night so found we needed to go inside to order extra drinks and plates .
Written 14 January 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.
Gurleen D
5 contributions
May 2024 • family
We were in NZ for a total of 3 weeks and this was the best meal of our entire trip. It was pricier than the others but you get what you pay for. The bread with mushroom butter was sublime and the main courses were incredibly tender and delicious. The staff were friendly and attentive and the setting was lovely. It's a shame we love so far away, I would love to go back and eat there again.
Written 16 May 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.
MobettainHawaii
Honolulu196 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
BEST Dinner & ambiance! Each item we ordered was Exceptional! The bread with the Mushroom butter was extremely flavorful, and everything after that beyond words. Our server was delightful, knowledgeable and her suggestions gave us the perfect evening. We look forward to returning the next time we are in Nelson.
Written 24 March 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.
David D
7 contributions
Oct 2023 • family
Clean place,
We had the 5-course tasting menu with wine accompaniment.
The succulent meal, the dishes well presented
On the other hand, the wines were of average quality and it did not match the dishes except the Pinot noir with pork cheek.
This is a personal assessment
There are very good wines in the Mapua region and not too expensive, why choose wines from Australia or France

Written 24 November 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.
jenniferberg24
San Francisco58 contributions
Dec 2024 • couples
What a fun night out for dinner! Everything was top notch, from drinks at the bar and chatting with the owner, Kevin, to fantastic and friendly service from the hostess and our server. Very unique local menu, every dish was absolutely delicious! We had never had a meal like it! Enjoyed pig cheeks, lamb neck, venison loin that came with a small game pie that was amazing, and we also had a few appetizers and a side that were all incredible. Definitely a night to remember! Thanks to Kevin and all the staff!!
Written 28 December 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.
moldoc2
Foster City42 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
The restaurant has a nice and unpretentious ambience and exceptionally attentive and knowledgable servers. We had a crayfish toast appetizer that was divine, as well as a zucchini flower starter that was multidimensional in taste and texture and left us wanting more.. But we knew were in for more taste treats realized with Ricotta gnocchi that were a puff of wonderfulness with an exquisite confit yolk sauce, and a confit duck leg with duck sausage main course that also had layers of flavors and textures. A fried broccoli side dish in anchovy cream was the perfect accompaniment. We wrapped up the dinner with a shared custard with poached stone fruit dessert that did not disappoint. They have a very good wine list that showcases some of the best wines from all the wine growing regions throughout New Zealand. If you love great food do yourself a favor and reserve well in advance of visiting Nelson for a memorable meal.
Written 3 February 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.
Mae
Darwin15 contributions
Sept 2022 • couples
My hubby and I dined here tonight on a whim and were absolutely blown away. We had the paua schnitzel, duck, lamb, coffee and tea truffles and chocolate pave. Every meal was a 10/10 and we were finishing the plates so fast we probably looked like we hadn’t eaten in weeks. The staff were amazing - particularly the manager who gave us another serve of truffles on the house and our waitress (with the tattoos who has a family in Darwin - hi!) who was super accomodating and friendly. Amazing experience.
Written 6 September 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.
Diane H
Warkworth1 contribution
May 2021 • none
During a three night stay in Nelson we booked to dine at this restaurant partly because we had heard of it's good reputation, and partly because we share the same surname (though no relation) and thought it would be fun to meet the owner and say hi. What a great experience we had! The staff were friendly and attentive, the food was amazing, and Kevin Hopgood was a lovely guy who came out to meet us and chat - so friendly. Our mains were the mushroom ravioli and the flounder, both delicious. Our desserts were the banana custard with coconut, rum, passionfruit and the caramelised goat's cheesecake - just fabulous! We had a lovely dessert wine too, can't remember the name. Prices were similar to other restaurants we ate in during our South Island holiday, but the food here was the best. Highly recommend.
Written 17 May 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.
Silvia G
2 contributions
Jul 2021 • none
Hopgoods is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Nelson. Usually the experience there is good. But recently we were very disappointed with the service provided at Hopgoods. We just went in for a late evening glass of wine but were told by the waiting staff who greeted us quite abruptly that she needed to check with the manager if that was ok. Atfer a rather long wait she came back and said that they were closing soon and the we really could only have one single glass of wine and definitely nothing else. The restaurant area was still quite full and people were still dining. We chose quickly but it tookquite some time for someone to take our order.
We felt very awkward and not welcome at all.
It could have been very different and I would have expected a much higher level of service skills appropriate for the number 10 restaurant in New Zealand. I emailed the manager directly with my feedback but never got a response.
I don't think we will be back in a rush.
Written 31 July 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.
Kevin Hopgood
I take this on the chin. Not replying to an email is not good and not how we work. It was located today in a junk file. I and the manager have taken all points on board, we are all disappointed.
If you feel you can return, we will put it right.
Kevin Hopgood
Written 2 August 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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