Lacto
Ovo
Organic
Western
Juice bar
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Catering
Fusion
Australian
Refurbished and re-opened Dec 2015. Cafe serving lunch, dinner and desserts. Many dishes are gluten-free. Reported to serve dairy and eggs as of December 2024. Sometimes has live music. Was originally at 335 Trafalgar Square E. Hours reported being unreliable - call ahead to confirm opening times. Open Wed-Thu 12:00pm-9:00pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-9:00pm. Closed Sun-Tue.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
8 Church St, Nelson, New Zealand, 7010
-
Loading...
-
- Outdoor seating
- Reservations required
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
-
-
Last update on 24 Aug 2025 by CLRtraveller
Update business info
-
-
110 Reviews
First Review by Gertrude225
CLRtraveller
Points +10138
Many good vegan meals - Edit
They serve eggs and have dairy milk for hot drinks, but when the menu descriptions say “cheese,” it’s vegan cheese. I chose the quesadilla for my first visit, stuffed with beans and grated cheez, topped with a generous mound of hearty salsa. I bought a stuffed Biscoff doughnut to take away (I think they’re provided by local, vegan, La Chula Bakehouse). Next visit, I had the poké bowl - I liked the charred broccoli - and the “deconstructed cheesecake,” which was very good. Final visit, I chose the hot-pot (on the board, not the menu), which comes with garlic bread (toasted baguette slices) and a nice, green salad. The hot-pot was excellent! Many good ingredients, including butter beans, kumara, cauliflower, green peas, leek, and tasty sauce - highly recommended.
Read moreI have not explored the cocktail menu, but I enjoyed a pint of session pale ale on tap.
A wood stove makes it cozy on chilly days. Patio out back. Colourful décor.
There are a few food items for sale at the front, which may include Vego bars and Dandies marshmallows, and the cookbook from Portershed Café in Christchurch.
Wish it opened earlier in the morning, for breakfast plates. They did open at 11:30, rather than 12 noon (July 2025). I'm sorry to be leaving town before trying more of the menu!
Updated from previous review on 2025-07-12
Guest
lyneke
Points +92
Great food, needs support - Edit
I had a yummy lunch there last month. The ambience was great. The service was more than excellent. It would be so sad to lose this place. Please support them if you can. I live too far away for regular visits, unfortunately.
Read morePros: Food, Service, People
Guest
Scottish Clare
Points +762
Lovely food and setting with a great vibe - Edit
We visited in March 2025 and had a great time. The space is light and airy with a relaxed vibe. We had the 'Kissadeer' quesadilla and the Jungle Salad with added tofu. The portions were a good size and we both really enjoyed what we had. We had to have the banana split for old times and that too was delicious. There were lots of tasty sounding options on the menu and would highly recommend to anyone looking for good vegan food in Nelson.
Read moreGuest
kwvegan
Points +103
Funky Vibe and Tasty Bites - Edit
We weren't super hungry so just grabbed two small plates - The Kumara Fries and Tofu Bites. Both came with dipping sauces that were flavorful but so thin it was difficult to get much on your fry or tofu bite. But the tofu bites had great seasoning on their own. Both plates came out piping hot. We need to go back and try more of the menu.
Read moreNow about the vibe - lots of vinyl records on the wall and the menus are inside old album covers. There are plants all around and tons of light.
Guest
Sommerkind_1
Points +472
Cozy - Edit
Very sad to just pass through Nelson in the afternoon so we just got a selection of deserts and a donut. The Biscoff donut wasn't too special but the lemon and cheese cake were delicious. Good coffee and a nice vibe as well! They also sell some local tea.
Read moreEast st
Thanks for the feedback we will pass on the feedback on the biscoff donut to Lachula bakehouse. Take care!
Read moreGuest
EloiseSheridan
Points +54
Still great the second trip round - Edit
I unexpectedly got a second work trip to Nelson within a year from Australia. Last year, we stayed very close to East St and I visited I think 5 times in 4 days. This time a bit further away, but 3 visits in 5 days were still worthwhile. A bit disappointed to see they have had to add some dairy and eggs, but understand the necessity in today's market. Still have excellent vegan and gf options and the staff are lovely. Enjoyed the decor and atmosphere 👌
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-03-08
Pros: Vegan and gf options, Kissadeer might be one of my favourite dishes ever, Varied menu across the day
Cons: Not completely vegan any more
Guest
VeganVegasGirl
Points +912
Tot 10 Favorite! - Edit
Mouthwatering vegan foods; one of my favorite vegan restaurants anywhere. Fun informal vibe with friendly service, and delicious desserts. I could eat here weekly!
Read morePros: Informal, fun atmosphere, Fabulous food, Great desserts
East st
Thankyou so much !
Read moreGuest
owenk
Points +80
One if best vegan restaurants in NZ - Edit
One if best vegan restaurants in NZ. Lots of choices on a varied menu. Staff were helpful. However we asked for no chipotle sauce on burger but chef still added it😒We were still charged full price despite not eating burger buns. Would have scored a five only for that.
Read morePros: Lots of options including desserts, Starters / small plates were excellent, IPA beer on tap was very good
Cons: Not very careful with dietary requirements
East st
Hi there, Im very very sorry that this happened to you. Can I ask did you order the burgers without the buns? happy to offer you a voucher an apology for the chipotle aioli being in your burger. I will let the kitchen know. Thanks Vikki
Read moreGuest
yannick__ka
Points +1601
East St Cafe and Bar - Edit
One of our favorite places in New Zealand so far. We had a bowl and a quesadilla. Both were delicious and the portions were filling. For dessert we had the creme brulee and a banana split.
Read morePros: Many vegan options , Friendly staff , Fair prizes
Guest
Hodzic_fam
Points +1812
Great all around - Edit
It was a great experience all around. Food was tasty and beautifully presented, clean, and staff was very friendly. The beast burger was amazing 🔥
Read moreGuest
nicole_m
Points +4155
No longer all vegan - Edit
Update December 14, 2024 - they’re adding eggs and dairy to the menu. Boo
Read more—————
thankfully the food is delicious. I’m glad they fit me in as a lone diner on a busy Friday night too.
Updated from previous review on 2024-11-20
Pros: All vegan, Delicious food
Cons: Not open Sundays
nicole_m
Oh that’s so disappointing
Read moreGuest
lesbeanflannel
Points +1036
Great Atmosphere - Edit
Atmosphere and service are wonderful! Love the plants and that it’s all vegan. We both ordered Cesar salads for lunch - partner really enjoyed hers, mine was good but not something I’d rave about or crave. Best Cesar I’ve had was Vegan Street in Calgary, so I’ve yet to find one that matches that flavour!! Still would recommend a visit, found the portion sizes to be huge and fair for the expense.
Read moreGuest
janetnz
Points +663
Best salad I’ve ever had - Edit
I ordered the Cesar salad with a side/extra hash brown and holy [censored] that was a good Cesar salad; the best I have ever had. The hash brown was unnecessary for bulking up the meal but was a good addition for the flavour mix. I had been worried it might be mostly lettuce but they were very very generous with the olives, vegan feta, facon, cherry tomatoes etc. It also had fake chicken which was ok, but I actually think if they swapped that for a hash brown it would be really good.
Read moreGuest
NikolasFredriksen
Points +65
Delicious food, delicious vibes - Edit
Went there for a little snack and some afternoon beers and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was delicious and the whole vibe there is fun and chill.
Read moreEast st
Thanks!!!
Read moreGuest
channellehazel
Points +353
Lovely restaurant - Edit
Really nice staff, good food, and nice ambience! I enjoyed all the pot plants everywhere, and we both liked our meals.
Read morePros: Helpful staff, Nice food, Cool setting
Cons: Bit pricey
East st
Thanks for the feedback on everything we strive for. With pricing compared to most places we are pretty reasonably priced. We haven't upped much pricing even though everything across the board has gone up for us. We pay the price but we want to keep it that way so people can continue to afford to eat out and have quality food
Read moreGuest
albertina
Points +87
Thanks the Lord for places like this 🤩 - Edit
It’s not only a vegan eatery but also such a high-vibe spot. I felt lots of happy vibes when I entered the place. Was it the paintings on the wall together with the original hairstyles of the waiters? I don’t now exactly but I got definitely good vibes from this place ❤️
Read moreObviously loved the food also 😉 #Veganuary
Pros: Atmosphere , Menu , Service
Guest
rpoulova
Points +1781
My dream place! - Edit
Seriously, if I ever opened my own vegan place, this would be it! The items on the menu are exactly my favourite (don't get discouraged by the delivery menu on their website, that's not the full menu!) - burgers, quesadillas, reuben sandwich, pasta, risotto... O-M-G. There's also daily specials! Separate menu for lunch/snack/dinner. Service is quick and the food amazing, the interior of the restaurant is very cosy and beautifully decorated, and they host interesting events. I wanna eat there every day for the rest of my life, please.
Read moreEdit: My second visit after 3 months was far less enthusiastic, the menu has changed substantially and my favourite items such as risotto were no longer there. I couldn't decide as nothing sounded very appealing. Finally I decided for a Caesar salad, and it was well seasoned and full of flavour, but still nothing I would really crave. Prices seem to have gone up, too, and service was a bit slow.
Updated from previous review on 2023-12-16
Guest
Drum4it
Points +45
A welcomed night out... - Edit
Very well staffed, nice people, good atmosphere and decor and most importantly a varied and exciting menu...
Read moreI had the stack, wasn't sure what to expect but it was pretty cool and different to anything I've had before. Cheesecake was great as was the oat milk latte...
I am now back at my hotel feeling very full :-)
Guest
Chiddles
Points +210
Soooo good - Edit
It's the only fully vegan place in Nelson and its amazing! It's so hard to find vegan hot chocolate and theirs is amazing. The food is great, they sell giant vegan marshmallows and it's full of plants.
Read morePros: Great food, Good atmosphere
Guest
Orion
Points +1467
Best restaurant in town! - Edit
All vegan, all delicious.
Read morePretty much can’t go wrong here with the food and staff are always welcoming.
Guest
travelvegan24
Points +26
Finally a completely vegan restaurant! - Edit
Lovely service, phenomenal food and cozy atmosphere with lots of plants. Definitely coming back to try the other dishes! We had the Teriyaki bowl and a burger - both so good!!!
Read morePros: Tasty food, Cozy, Super friendly
Guest
VeganSoapDude
Points +10885
So good - Edit
Unique menu items, very delicious. I've never had broccoli on a reuben, but it was surprisingly amazing. Delicious food and a really cool place. Definitely don't miss it if you're passing through
Read moreGuest
Clem22
Points +42
Delicious ! - Edit
We ate very well ! We also had desserts which were delicious! The staff is very friendly. A very good experience, we will return without hesitation! And the coffees are great too!
Read moreGuest
Tonyh161
Points +116
Dinner - Edit
We had a great meal here last night! Loved the burgers and the cocktails were delicious 😋
Read morePros: Food was great. , Staff super friendly , Loved the pink lady cocktails
Cons: Nothing , Still nothing , Nope nothing
Guest
Angéline8888
Points +983
Best vegan restaurant in NZ - Edit
Simple: WE LOVED IT
Read moreWe went there 2 times and it was so delicious!! I loved the vibe, the food tasted really good and was original and different that what we had so far
I loved their cinnamon roll 😋
I definitely recommend it!
Pros: The wide menu, The vibe, The taste
Cons: A bit pricy
Guest
RoopaKrithivasan
Points +96
Best Caesar salad - Edit
Loved everything we got. Garbanzo fingers were amazing and this should be a thing everywhere. My favorite was the Cesar salad. Can't remember exactly what else we got but everybody went home happy. It's also a very cute, plant-filled space which I'm sure is even nicer in summer and with live music.
Read morePros: All the food was great, Lovely quirky vibe , Kid-friendly options
Guest
Kyle.O
Points +28
Fully vegan menu, great atmosphere. - Edit
Visited East St twice, even though we were only planning on passing through Nelson! Unforeseen circumstances of our travel saw us back in Nelson and we headed straight back to East St to sample more.
Read morePros: Completely vegan menu, Great atmosphere , The menus come in old record sleves!
Guest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business
See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 0 times.