Well and truly a pioneer in plant-based fare, East St Café & Bar has been on a mission to showcase vegan food in Nelson for over a decade.

The menu is brimming with delicious choices, from brunch to lunch to evening eats and desserts, and drinks that feature a number of craft beers and ciders mainly from the Nelson region, plus a selection of New Zealand wines. The folk at East St pride themselves on making everything possible onsite, including the burger buns and sauces. 

The interiors here are funky and fun.  A multitude of houseplants hang from the ceiling and rumour has it that it’s possible to purchase one to tuck under your arm on the way out.  The tables and chairs are 1950s Formica type and rows of vinyl line part of the back wall. There’s a strong emphasis on cosiness and in winter a fire keeps the Nelson café and bar roasty toasty, while in summer the back garden comes alive with its own bar and plenty of outdoor seating.

East St Café & Bar owners Tejas Arn and Vikki Radbourne Arn are music enthusiasts (find the menu in between old LP covers) and turn the space into a music venue at least once a week. Check out their social media accounts to keep on top of upcoming gigs.