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7 Best Places to Eat in Motueka After your Abel Tasman Skydive

Skydiving over the Abel Tasman is a feast for the senses. Spectacular sights of snow-capped mountains, golden beaches, and three national parks. The sound of the wind as you free-fall from 16,000 feet. The feeling of weightlessness as your parachute opens. The taste of adventure as you launch yourself into the unknown.

All of the fun, fear, and excitement of skydiving can work up quite a hunger. And if you’re visiting the Nelson-Tasman region or in Motueka for the day, then you should absolutely follow-up your skydive with a meal at one of the town’s best restaurants, cafes, or eateries.

You are spoilt for choice of great places to eat in Motueka. These are just a few of the best.

#1. Toad Hall

Toad Hall is a Motueka icon. It’s a second home for many of the locals and a place that visitors love to discover. Delicious food (try the World Famous Lamb Burger), ice cream, juices, and coffee. It’s a great place to sample the local craft beer, such as the award-winning Townshend. The garden-style outdoor dining area is one of the best places to relax and reflect on the fact that you just jumped out of a plane in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Location: 502 High Street, South, Motueka

Hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Thurs, and 8am-5pm Fri, Sat, Sun

#2 The Smoking Barrel

Did somebody say donuts!? The Smoking Barrel may have built its reputation on delicious, donuts (seriously, they are amazing!), but it has established itself as one of Motueka’s top eateries, serving everything from breakfast bagels to smoked BBQ beef cheek burgers. Go here if you want big flavours and hearty, Instagram-worthy plates of mouth-watering food. Try the popular BBQ Tasting Board for a great value meal to share with friends (you might need to ask for a doggy bag)

Location: 105 High Street, Motueka

Hours: 8am-11pm Thurs, Fri, Sat, 8am-4pm Sun, Wed, closed Mon, Tues

#3. Ginger Dynamite

Heading to Abel Tasman National Park or Golden Bay after your skydive? Ginger Dynamite in Riwaka is a great place to grab some food and coffee on the way. The no-frills, bright red container cafe and outdoor seating area is the perfect place to relax and refuel. Famous for its pies and cruffins (a cross between a croissant and muffin), which are sure to hit the spot after your epic skydive. Try the award-winning smoked warehou and tarakihi (fish) pie – you won’t be disappointed.

Location: Main Road, Riwaka

Hours: 8am-3pm everyday

#4. Chokdee

If you’re craving Southeast Asian cuisine after your skydive, Motueka’s longstanding Thai restaurant Chokdee has got you covered. Chokdee is a Motueka institution and a favourite with locals and visitors alike. Authentic Thai food and friendly service in a comfortable dining area located right on the main street for your convenience. If in doubt, go with the Phad Thai – it’s as good (maybe better?) than anything you’d find in Thailand. The owner is also a passionate skydiver and former co-owner of Skydive Abel Tasman.

Location: 109 High Street, Motueka

Hours: 11am-2pm, and 5pm-9pm everyday

#5. Simply Indian

The best Indian food in Motueka – hands down. Sometimes a curry and naan bread are the only things that will hit the spot. Simply Indian was created for those times. The food really is fantastic and the service is delivered with a smile. If you’re a sucker for tradition, you really can’t beat the butter chicken. You can dine in or grab a takeaway and head somewhere scenic to eat.

Location: 130 High Street, Motueka

Hours: 11am-2pm, and 5pm-10pm everyday

#6. Sprig & Fern

The Sprig & Fern is another local institution. If you want to experience a modern, Kiwi pub with great food and a massive beer selection, stop in here after your skydive. They’ve got great burgers, pizzas, and steak meals and they brew their own award-winning craft beer. They’ll often have new varieties on tap, or you can stick with the tried and true favourites. Just ask the bartender and they’ll match a tipple to your taste buds.

Location: 191B High Street, Motueka 

Hours: 2pm-11pm (late) everyday

#7. Riverside Cafe

Riverside Cafe is a five minute drive from the town centre, situated in a charming 150 year-old homestead. It’s an incredibly comfortable and relaxing place to visit, which might be just the thing you need to recover from your adrenaline rush. Riverside serves great coffee and cakes as well as a full breakfast and lunch menu. Try the smoked beef brisket dish paired with a red wine from one of the local vineyards. The service here is something special, too. In winter they provide heaters, blankets and even hot water bottles to outside diners.

Location: 289 Main Road Lower Moutere

Hours: 8.30am-4pm Mon-Fri, and 9am-4pm weekends

As you can see, there’s no shortage of great places to eat after your skydive. While 95% of our customers say skydiving with Skydive Abel Tasman was the best experience of their lives (and the rest were speechless!), choosing a great place to eat and come back down to earth is the cherry on top of an epic day in paradise.

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