Golden Bay

Located in the heart of Tākaka, just behind the Wholemeal Café, the Dancing Sands Cellar Door is open from 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday. Gin tastings are always free. Pop in to taste the magic for yourself.

For good vibes, great service, delicious food and a range of locally crafted beers, step inside the grungy space that is Roots Bar in Tākaka. Located at the top of the township, the iconic bar plays host to a great music culture within its rustic and welcoming atmosphere. A huge player in the region’s music scene, Roots Bar have cranked up the vibe with the installation of their new, fully-bespoke audio system that was purpose-built for the space. Owner Holly Osmond is also proud of their strong focus on sustainable and ethical foods, saying their meat is 100% traceable and produce locally sourced. “Our menu moves along seasonally, and we are running a lot of exciting specials at the moment.” Showcasing local bands and acts over the upcoming months, follow Roots Bar Facebook or Instagram pages for up-to-date info on their events. Open seven days from 11am until late, check out Roots Bar at 1 Commercial St, Tākaka.

MONZA is the acronym for More Outstanding New Zealand Art. MONZA Gallery was established 18 years ago by painter/owner Philly Hall in a beautiful 1915 wooden building on Tākaka’s main street.

Stocking purely Golden Bay art and representing approximately 35 contemporary artists. MONZA is run by a creative local pair – Philly and jeweller/ artist Nic Wooding, who share their local Golden Bay knowledge having been involved with arts in the area for over 30 years. MONZA enriches your notion of what talent lives in Golden Bay with an amazing range of art styles, dimensions and techniques. You stroll into the warmth of the gallery’s rich red walls and find a wide range of jewellery, sculpture, paintings, drawings, ceramics, weaving and more – a must stop-in to view and purchase your next favourite piece of local art.

The Courthouse Café is open year-round and seven days a week for breakfast, brunch, lunch and coffee. On Saturday evenings it opens for pizza nights with delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas made on the premises.

“When my partner Sue and I purchased it in 2021 we quickly came to realise that we are the guardians of a local community institution,” says Jon Fraser. “It’s incredible how many Nelsonians come over for the day,” says Sue. “We are delighted with the surprise they find at the end of State Highway 60, there is a café with high standards of food, great coffee and service that they don’t expect to find,” adds Jon.

Famous for its fish pies and mussel chowder, the café has a menu to satisfy most palates along with an array of cabinet delights and fresh bread baked on site.

“We are so fortunate to have inherited such outstanding staff whose love for their jobs shows in the wonderful response we get from customers,” says Jon.

Sue Dasler’s pottery workshop and gallery sits across the courtyard from the Courthouse Café and is another drawcard for visitors to the site.