Thanks to all of you for you comments and wisdom. We have booked a two week trip that includes so many wonderful adventures. Would anyone have suggestions for restaurants, food stops, bakeries, coffee shops and bars in any of the following: Auckland, Nelson, Blenheim, Fox Glacier, Queenstown
Thank you all for you help!

Have a look at Melnq8's NZ trip reports.
Full of luscious eats & good places to have them.

Nelson -

One of our favorite Indian restaurants of all time:

http://www.littleindia.co.nz/nelson-city

We also liked this place:

http://theindiancafe.com/

There's a Sprig and Fern pub in both Nelson and Motueka, we visited the one in Motueka twice, but didn't eat there, so can't vouch for the food. Lots of local craft beers on tap, plus pub food.

http://www.sprigandfern.co.nz/

Plenty of wineries in the region if you want a splash out lunch. http://www.winenelson.co.nz/wineries.htm.

The Smokehouse on Mapua Wharf (between Nelson and Motueka) is known for the best fish and chips around - they used to also own the attached Appleshed Café, which was previously called the Smokehouse Café - this was a favorite of ours from years back. I've not tried them since the name change, but the menu looks similar, might be worth a go if you're in the area. http://www.appleshed.co.nz/.

The Golden Bear on Mapua Wharf has some interesting local beers on tap, plus Kiwi style Mexican food, which was nothing to get excited about, but I can vouch for the beer and cider.

http://goldenbearbrewing.com/

Nelson is the craft brewing capital of NZ: http://www.craftbrewingcapital.co.nz/

Blenheim - you might want to look into Burleigh Pies, supposedly the best pies (as in meat pies, not dessert pies!). They were at the top of my list this year, but we didn't make it there. If you go, do let us know if they live up to the fuss.

http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/ShowUs...th_Island.html

Fox Glacier - don't get your hopes up here, not a lot on offer - we've had decent meals at the Cook Saddle

Franz Josef - not on your list, but The Blue Ice makes nice pizza and has a bar

Queenstown -

You're spoiled for choice here. Cafes and pubs on every corner, something for everyone.

Fergburger is incredibly popular, and while I'm not a burger eater, they cater to all tastes - beef - chicken, fish - pork - falafel. Be prepared to stand in line and not get a seat. Their bakery next door also makes some nice goodies, loved the ciabatta. http://www.fergburger.com/fullscreen.html

We usually eat Indian in QT - we like The Spice Room and Once Upon A Time

Patagonia makes fantastic ice cream and hot chocolate, they also have coffee and elaborate deserts

You might be interested in Amisfield in Arrowtown, fab pinot noir and a well regarded bistro (winery prices)

Happy eating!

Can I add my faves for Qtown..?
The Cow (in Cow Lane) and Joe's Garage for breakfast/coffee/lunch.
And Auckland?
Wynyard Quarter has some nice options, and if you have a car...I love Delicious in Richmond Road for Italian.
Jimmy's Pies are world famous in Otago for the best mince and cheese pies - look for the pie warmer in petrol stations and dairies...Yum!

hi Howsaker,

not much that I can add to Mel's list, but one general recommendation is to try the road-side cafes - they are almost universally excellent, being individually run with good, reasonably priced food, and often very yummy cakes!

In Nelson, we had a terrific meal one night at the Boat Shed http://www.boatshedcafe.co.nz/

We took the opportunity to try the "trust the Chef" option which was pretty good, and the tables at the back right over the water are particularly nice, with a great view of the sunsetting as you're eating.

We also ate here: http://www.cafeaffair.co.nz/ - it clearly didn't make much of an impression on me so I assume that it was fine.

one afternoon we did a tour of the wineries - dare I say that it probably doesn't much matter which ones you go to? At one point we appeared to be following the same route as an organised tour but we managed to shake them off, and found ourselves here:

http://www.mouterehills.co.nz/

we arrived a bit late for a proper meal but we shared a generous plate of pate and cheese in lovely surroundings, with one of us able to enjoy some delicious wine - really the nicest place we found. We also found our way to the oldest pub in NZ - which I think that Mel and her brother came across recently too. Again we were too late for a meal but DH said that the beer was good.

Thank you for your ideas! All sound wonderful.