Nelson Italian Week
27 February – 8 March 2026
This year, we’re spreading the Italian spirit across Nelson and beyond the Festival day!
27 February – 8 March @ Various Locations
Italian Week in Nelson Restaurants
If you needed an excuse to dine out – this is it!
For ten delicious days, selected Nelson restaurants will bring a taste of Italy to tables across the city. Check out the list of participating restaurants and their special dishes.
PARTICIPATING VENUES
Arden Bar & Kitchen (216 Hardy Street, Nelson) – Homemade fazzoletti with whipped ricotta, roasted cherry tomatoes and basil and pistachio pesto. Book a table →
Bays Bagels (75A Kawai Street, Nelson South) – Caprese bagel. Facebook page →
Chokdee (83 Hardy Street, Nelson) – Italian-Thai fusion spaghetti ai frutti di mare (Spaghetti Chookdee Ocean). Book a table →
Comida (7 Alma St, Buxton Square, Nelson) – Prosciutto, figs and mozzarella. Book a table →
Eddyline Pizzeria & Brewpub (8 Champion Road, Richmond) – Pizza prosciutto, rucola, stracchino or mozzarella. Book a table →
Elba’s Pazza Pizza (Mapua) – Calzone della Nonna, a classic Italian folded pizza filled with ricotta, mozzarella, seasonal greens and Italian cured meats. Facebook page →
KiwiKai (Nelson Market & Motueka Sunday Market) – Italian burger. Website →
Oceano Restaurant @ Rutherford Hotel (27 Nile Street West, Nelson) – Panfried gnocchi with hazelnut, sage butter and kale, topped with fresh grated parmesan cheese. Website →
Stefano’s (91 Trafalgar Street, Nelson) – Book a table →
The Dog’s Bone (70B Achilles Avenue, Nelson) – Juicy thick beef burger pattie on crisp dill pickles, topped with fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil; served on a toasted potato bun, slathered with pesto mayonnaise | Book a table →
Tides Bar & Eatery (66 Trafalgar Street, Nelson) – Crab & chilli linguine tossed in a caper butter sauce with grilled garlic prawns and fresh rocket; homemade cannoli with ViaVio ricotta, coffee gelato & chocolate sauce Book a table →
27 February – 1 March @ State Cinemas
Mini Italian Film Festival
Settle into the cinema and travel through Italy on screen. This curated mini film festival brings powerful stories, history and contemporary Italian cinema to Nelson.
Friday 27 February
6.00 pm – An Ode to Naples (107 minutes), documentary | Get tickets →
8.00 pm – Gloria (106 minutes), drama + music | Get tickets →
Saturday 28 February
4.30 pm – Sacrificate Cassino! (120 minutes), documentary, preceded by short film Maunga Cassino (15 minutes) + Q&A with director Paolo Rotondo | Get tickets →
8.00 pm – Maria Montessori (99 minutes), drama | Get tickets →
Sunday 1 March
7.30 pm – Parthenope (137 minutes), drama + fantasy | Get tickets →
7 March, 7 pm @ Nelson Centre of Musical Arts
Pianist Flavio Villani plays at NCMA
Renowned Italian-New Zealand pianist Flavio Villani presents Memoria: Echoes & Transformations. Uniting classical and original music, the programme explores how sound carries memory, reshapes emotions, and reveals new inner landscapes.
From 23 February
Italian Corner @ FreshChoice + Prego
Kick off your Italian Week at the supermarket. From 23 February, Prego (visit Facebook page) and FreshChoice Nelson (visit website) will feature their own Italian product corner – perfect for stocking up on pantry staples and aperitivo essentials.
5 & 6 March, 6 pm @ Red Door Theatre
Tarante x Nelson Fringe Festival
Tarante’s latest show, Born in the Mediterranean, brings together four Italian dances in an immersive performance that celebrates culture, community and movement.
