Connings Kitchen, Nelson Travel Guide

Free Guide: Paddock-to-plate café-deli in Tasman’s heart: fresh, farm-grown kai, coffee, and wholesome bites amid playgrounds and rural calm. Family magic from wonky veggies to your plate.

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Connings Kitchen

A brief summary of Connings Kitchen

Paddock-to-plate café-deli in Tasman’s heart: fresh, farm-grown kai, coffee, and wholesome bites amid playgrounds and rural calm. Family magic from wonky veggies to your plate.

Connings Kitchen blends café and deli vibes at a family-owned market garden in rural Appleby, New Zealand. Enjoy fresh paddock-to-plate meals, coffee, cabinet snacks, and take-home kai made from seasonal produce grown on-site. With indoor/outdoor seating, playgrounds, and parking, it's a wholesome stop for breakfast, lunch, or quick bites amid Tasman farmland.

0.5–2 hrsTime to spend
$Budget
Indoor & outdoorSetting
4 / 5Mobile signal

On-site amenities

  • Restrooms
  • Food options
  • Drink options
  • Seating areas
  • Sheltered areas
  • Picnic areas
  • Trash bins
  • Parking available
4.5 Excellent · 16 Google reviews
Plan your visit

Opening hours

  • Mon8 am–4 pm
  • Tue8 am–4 pm
  • Wed8 am–4 pm
  • Thu8 am–4 pm
  • Fri8 am–4 pm
  • Sat8:30 am–4:30 pm
  • Sun8:30 am–4:30 pm

Opening hours as listed on the venue’s Google Business Profile. Hours can change for services and special events, so check with the venue before you go.

Address
151 McShane Road, Complex, Appleby 7081

Getting there

Driving

20-min drive from Nelson airport via State Highway 6; free parking on-site, 151 McShane Road.

Public Transport

Bus from Nelson to Richmond (15 min, NZ$5), then 10-min taxi/Uber (NZ$20); rural spot limits direct routes.

Cycling/Walking

Cycle-friendly Tasman Cycle Trail nearby (30 min from Richmond); flat rural roads, but no dedicated pedestrian path.

Discover more about Connings Kitchen

Overview

Nestled at 151 McShane Road in Appleby, Connings Kitchen forms the welcoming heart of Connings Food Market, a family-operated haven emphasizing fresh, local produce. This fusion café-deli showcases the best of paddock-to-plate philosophy, transforming wonky veggies from the adjacent market garden into delicious, affordable meals. Open daily from early morning, it serves coffee, hot drinks, raw treats, lunch options, and dinner take-aways, all rooted in seasonal Tasman bounty like broccoli, strawberries, and corn.

The Café-Deli Experience

Step inside to peek at vibrant cabinets brimming with wholesome snacks and hearty fillers. Signature offerings highlight farm-fresh ingredients: soups, New Zealand-inspired dishes, brunch plates, and bakery items. Grab a flat white alongside cabinet food praised for quality and value, or opt for take-home kai for the whānau. Outdoor seating invites relaxed al fresco dining, complemented by playgrounds for kids and ample parking for easy access.

Paddock-to-Plate Journey

The Connings family grows 40-50 crops yearly on their GAP-certified farm, harvesting daily for peak freshness. Imperfect produce finds new life in kitchen recipes, reducing waste while delivering nutritious, low-mileage kai. Complementing the café, the market stocks meats, breads, pasta, and dry goods, making it a one-stop rural gem just minutes from Richmond.

Practicalities and Ambiance

Hours run 8am-4pm weekends, 8am-5pm weekdays (slight variations), currently closed evenings. Affordable pricing suits all, with efficient service handling queues swiftly. The casual, family-friendly space buzzes with locals seeking genuine Tasman flavors amid green fields, offering a tranquil escape from tourist trails.

Why Visit

Ideal for road-trippers, families, or solo foodies, Connings Kitchen embodies sustainable, heartfelt hospitality. Savor the story in every bite—from seed to puku—while supporting a business that's filled Nelson Tasman bellies for decades with earth-friendly goodness.

Evendo Review Centre

Reviews from Google
By star rating

Guest reviews

Best time to go

Quietest: May, Jun & Jul · before 8am or from 4pm

How busy it gets, month by month Estimated
  1. Jan: 89% of the busiest month
  2. Feb: 100% of the busiest month
  3. Mar: 78% of the busiest month
  4. Apr: 56% of the busiest month
  5. May: 44% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  6. Jun: 33% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  7. Jul: 44% of the busiest month, one of the quietest
  8. Aug: 44% of the busiest month
  9. Sep: 56% of the busiest month
  10. Oct: 67% of the busiest month
  11. Nov: 78% of the busiest month
  12. Dec: 89% of the busiest month
How busy it gets, hour by hour Estimated
  1. 7am: 11% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  2. 8am: 44% of the busiest hour
  3. 9am: 67% of the busiest hour
  4. 10am: 78% of the busiest hour
  5. 11am: 89% of the busiest hour
  6. 12pm: 100% of the busiest hour
  7. 1pm: 89% of the busiest hour
  8. 2pm: 78% of the busiest hour
  9. 3pm: 67% of the busiest hour
  10. 4pm: 33% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest
  11. 5pm: 11% of the busiest hour, one of the quietest

Busy times are Evendo estimates for a typical year, to help you plan. Actual crowds vary with events, school holidays and the weather.

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