Having eaten at Bouterey’s several times and having received exceptional cuisine and service every time, I thought it was high time I noted down my thoughts for others to ponder. I’m a regular restaurant goer around the country and it’s not often one receives excellence consistantly.
An element of this restaurant I particulary enjoy is how the owners have managed to combine a fine-dining experience within a relaxed, homely environment and with casual dining prices. Too often diners must compromise on quality if they want to save on money, or break the bank to eat superb food – that’s certainly not the case here.
Also of particular note at Bouterey’s is the high level of service. What is good food if not supported with customer appreciation? Here, staff remember your name and deliver your food and drinks without interrupting your conversation. Their knowledge of specials and wines is perfect and they never seem to falter.
After all that is said, let’s get down the food, which is just devine – as you’d expect with a Michelan trained chef running the kitchen. The menus change seasonally so there’s always something new to experience. And it’s nice to know you’re eating the freshest local ingredients available, which the chef details on the back of the menus.
On our last visit our table firstly ordered breads and oils and the chicken liver & foie gras pate to share. For someone who doesn’t usually like liver, I can eat Matt’s chicken liver & foie gras til the cows come home!
For entree I chose the special of oysters which were fantastic. Other guests at our table ordered the warm pressed confit of duck; and the panko crumbed salmon & chilli smoked mussel cake. All meals were eagerly devoured without complaint.
For my main I ordered spiced loin & braised cheek of Freedom Farm pork. It’s nice to see Bouterey’s has a committment to sourcing organic and well-treated meat products where possible. The meat was juicy and tender and the flavours came together beautifully.
My husband also had the pork, and our dining companions ordered the fish of the day (fresh and cooked to perfection) and the organic lamb pie (just the ticket on a cold winter’s evening).
As usual we left our wine choices up to the able wait staff to ensure perfect food-wine matches.
Though quite full by this stage and promising myself I wouldn’t succumb to the dessert menu – again! – I did share a dessert tasting plate with my husband, which allows you to get a little of everything, including Matt’s scrumptious home-made ice-cream.
I’m not a sweet tooth and often do not order desserts at restaurants but Matt’s desserts are naturally sweet rather than sugary sweet and so are devourable without leaving that sickly after taste.
If you haven’t been to Bouterey’s yet, put it on your must do list. The judges for the Cuisine Restaurant Awards can’t be wrong three years running!

Amazing place which made our anniversary night incredible. What can I say everything was 5 star about this place. We rang late but were accommodated. The restaurant is up market but feels very relaxed. We were greeted warmly and then experienced the best food and service I have ever had. The food was worth every cent. Thanks again to Matt and his team the night was fantastic.

I had such a bad experience at Bouterey’s. We went for a special anniversery dinner and my partner called that morning to make a reservation and inform them of a special dietry request for the two of us. When we got there, they gave us no opinion, only said that they prepared one meal and one desert. When the chef came out with it he informed us that he only thought there was one of us needing the special option and that he had to split it. It was absolutely tiny. The desert was the same. When we were done we were absolutely starving. Even though we essentially split a meal we were charged for two. It was very expensive. As soon as we left we went to another restaurant and had a huge meal as it felt like we hadn’t had a thing to eat. It really ruined what was meant to be a wonderful night.

Gerrit –
Have now been called twice and harassed the second time by the manager. Have explained that there was an oversight on our part about the wine but it was only a small issue. The overall service was not 5 star as I was lead to expect. Manager kept going on about how I only gave him 1.5 hours to prepare a Vegan meal (which in the end was cut in half and served as 2 mains). I made the reservation early that day and called back a few minutes later to discuss the Vegan issue, but could only leave a message. Was not rung back but finally got back to him after 4pm.

I do not appreciate this kind of behavior. When I was spoken to the second time over the phone strong language was used by the person I was speaking to just before he hung up the phone. This I do not expect from a 2 star restaurant. We will not be going here again and advice others to be wary.

Thank you.

WOW was certainly the word of the night! Having come up to Nelson for the Easter break from Invercargill, my friend insisted that we go to Boutereys for dinner with our other halves. We had a fantastic night – the food and service were excellent. In particular the pate was divine. Thank you to Tania and Matt for such a wonderful experience and we will definitely be back on our next trip.

A first time diner at Boutereys we were expecting big things – great service, wine list, food and atmosphere. We got the lot. Dining with children (10& 12) was not a problem. Tables are well spread out in the restaurant so conversations cannot be annoying. Brilliant.

Having eaten at all grades of restaurants and cafes over the years I was blown away with the recent meal at Boutereys. The service was impeccable and friendly but thankfully not over-attentive, each course was beautifully presented and flavoured, and the wines I had chosen to match the food came from a very impressive wine list. Admittedly, this is not the cheapest place to dine in and around the Nelson region but if you are wanting excellent service, outstanding food and the chance to experience what an award-winning chef can produce in his kitchen, then it is well worth a visit.

We enjoyed eating at Bouterey’s very much. The food was superb as well as the ambiance. The fact there was carpet on the floor made it quieter than most restaurants enabling our party to chat to each other! The service was excellent.

Had a lovely meal but felt it was too expensive compared to other places in Nelson.

My partner and I booked a table at Boutereys Restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. We had heard a lot about this restaurant from various friends but never visited ourselves. The evening’s experience exceeded all our expectations from the the initial meet and greet to tasteful decor and the mouthwatering food, and I must say the food was outstanding, matched with exemplary service and a fine wine list packed full of local Nelson wines. We will not be waiting for another anniversary to return !

Not good if you enjoy a well sized portion, or are a vegetarian/vegan. We could hardly see the food and after reassuring us, over the phone, that they could easily accommodate our needs, admitted later that our diets were not so easy to cater for!
The prices were extortionate for what we received and we departed very hungry.
The decor and the staff are good. But we will not be recommending this restaurant to anybody.

WOW!WOW!I love to dine out! and have tried numerous restaurants around NZ i live in Auckland. My husband and I decided to try this delightful restaurant in Richmond and like i said WOW! what an experience I wish this amazing chef would move up my way the atmosphere in the restaurant just makes you want to relax the food is exquisite, mouth waterng its food with a difference The owner Matt puts passion and flare into his food and it shows would highly recommend if you haven’t been you need to go!!!!

On several recommendations from friends, we decided to dine at Boutereys to celebrate our first wedding anniversary.
For starters, my partner husband ordered duck and I ordered an artichoke and oyster soup. At first the wrong dish came out for my husband, it was promptly dealt with and he went on to enjoy his starter.
I was a little disappointed with my soup, firstly it wasn’t hot and it barely covered the bottom of the dish. But after a busy day, I was hungry and finished it anyway. When the waitress asked how the soup was I told her my thoughts which she then relayed to the chef.
Being an open plan kitchen I could see the chef was angry with my criticism and moments later he came out of the kitchen with a small espresso cup of the soup and plonked it down in front of me and abruptly said “try that and see if it’s any better” and stormed off back to the kitchen. He clearly took my comments as a personal insult and I thought his actions were very rude and made me feel very unwelcome. From that moment on our dining experience was spoilt and I felt very uncomfortable sitting facing the kitchen. I did try the soup again and I’m sure it tasted exactly how an artichoke and oyster soup should, but having never tried it before I was entitled to dislike it.
We stayed for our main course because we had already ordered it. The pork I ordered was an exquisite dish. But unfortunately the food is only a part of the whole dining experience and after being intimidated by the chef, we won’t be dining there again or recommending the restaurant to any of our friends or clients.

When it comes to food no detail is left wanting. Chef and owner Matt has a hand in every dish that passes through the open kitchen and his attention to detail shows in the delightful flavours. Each dish respects the base ingredient. My beautifully cooked fish was the star rather than being dominated by sauces and unnecessary extras. Superb food was backed up with quick and efficient service. This is a must visit fine dining restaurant.

Very good both times i have been. Good chef and nice decor. Service varies though. Finding quality service staff in this region is always an issue. Having the owner/chef always on duty enables consistancy in the back of house and it shows.

The degustation evenings are a great dining experience. Don’t get me started on the pate’…. simply fabulous.

Delicious food – great service, an exciting menu and the closest thing to fine dining in Nelson. Would definitely dine here again.