Melrose House Cafe

About Melrose House Cafe

Melrose House Cafe is set in the beautiful grounds of historic Melrose House in the heart of Nelson, offering delicious food, freshly brewed coffee and homemade treats. From leisurely brunches to elegant High Tea, there's something to savour at every visit.

The menu covers brunch and lunch favourites, from toasted sandwiches and poached eggs through to a Salmon Gravlax and hearty roast meals, alongside a dedicated High Tea served beautifully on tiered platters and antique china. Coffee and sweet treats round things out, with freshly brewed coffee, cakes, slices and other homemade delights.

A dedicated children's menu is available for under-12s, and many dishes come with gluten-free options. Please let your server know of any allergens when ordering.

Melrose House Cafe: Brunch and High Tea in Historic Nelson Grounds

Melrose House Cafe is set in the beautiful grounds of historic Melrose House, right in the heart of Nelson. It's a spot built for savouring — delicious food, freshly brewed coffee and homemade treats, whether guests are dropping by for a leisurely brunch or settling in for a more elegant High Tea.

Brunch and lunch

The brunch and lunch menu covers a wide range of freshly prepared meals and homemade favourites. Options include a toasted sandwich with a choice of fillings, poached eggs on toast with hollandaise, and heartier dishes like the All Day Grill, loaded with bacon, sausage, potato hash and poached eggs. The Salmon Gravlax stands out as a lighter option, featuring citrus-cured salmon, kumara rosti and housemade almond dukkah, while roast meals — beef, pork or chicken, with a vegetarian option on request — bring a more traditional plate to the table.

High Tea

For something a little more special, Melrose House Cafe offers High Tea, described as 'a little indulgence served beautifully on tiered platters and antique china.' It's a fitting fit for the heritage setting of Melrose House itself.

Coffee and sweet treats

Rounding out the offering is a coffee and sweet treats menu, with freshly brewed coffee, cakes, slices and other homemade delights. Dessert options on the main menu include pavlova, carrot cake, chocolate cake, cheesecake, apple strudel and a vegan cheesecake, plus a further selection displayed in the cabinet.

Looking after every guest

A dedicated children's menu covers under-12s, with smaller versions of toasted sandwiches, poached eggs, soup, a mini roast meal and a Junior Grill, plus kid-friendly desserts. Gluten-free options are available across much of the menu, and guests are asked to let their server know of any allergens when ordering.

Visiting Melrose House Cafe

Melrose House Cafe is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 3pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 4pm. It's closed Mondays and public holidays. The kitchen also closes for a short break between 1:30pm and 2pm, booking dependent. Melrose House Cafe is located at 26 Brougham Street, Nelson, and can be reached by phone or email to book a table.

Signature items

• Salmon Gravlax
• All Day Grill
• High Tea
• Halloumi Salad
• Roast Meal
• Pavlova

Menu

Desserts

• Pavlova — Garnished with ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream or coconut yoghurt.
• Carrot Cake — Garnished with ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream or coconut yoghurt.
• Chocolate Cake — Garnished with ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream or coconut yoghurt.
• Cheesecake — Garnished with ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream or coconut yoghurt.
• Apple Strudel — Garnished with ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream or coconut yoghurt.
• Vegan Cheesecake — Garnished with ice cream, fresh fruit, whipped cream or coconut yoghurt.
• Cabinet Desserts — A further selection of desserts displayed in the cabinet.

High Tea

• High Tea — A little indulgence served beautifully on tiered platters and antique china.

Side Dishes

• Sauces — Hollandaise, mango and peach chutney, or tomato sauce.
• Vegetable Sides — Roasted tomato, potato hash, kumara rosti, or sautéed mushrooms.
• Protein Sides — Bacon, grilled sausage, salmon gravlax, halloumi, or two eggs.
• Bowl of Fries — Served with tomato sauce or aioli.

Brunch & Lunch

• Toasted Sandwich — Two fillings from ham, cheese, tomato, onion or pineapple; extra fillings, bacon or mushroom can be added, gluten-free bread available.
• Two Poached Eggs on Toast — Served with a side of hollandaise; toast can be swapped for potato hash and baby spinach, gluten-free toast available.
• In-House Soup — Ask your server for today's option, served with toasted bread and butter, gluten-free bread available.
• Halloumi Salad — Baby lettuce, fennel, couscous and cherry tomatoes tossed with mango chutney and French dressing, topped with pan-fried halloumi; remove couscous for gluten free.
• Salmon Gravlax — Baby lettuce topped with citrus-cured salmon, served with kumara rosti and poached eggs, hollandaise and housemade almond dukkah; gluten and dairy free.
• All Day Grill — Roasted tomato, bacon, grilled sausage, potato hash, sautéed mushrooms and two poached eggs, topped with fried onion rings, served on toast with onion jam or tomato relish; remove onion rings for gluten free.
• Roast on Rye — Carved meat on toasted rye with tomato relish, topped with Swiss cheese and grilled, served with tossed salad and gravy; beef with horseradish, pork with apple sauce, or chicken with cranberry sauce.
• Roast Meal — Oven-roasted meat with roasted and seasonal vegetables, gluten-free white sauce and gravy; beef, pork or chicken; vegetarian roast available on request.
• Senior Special Two-Course Roast Meal — Oven-roasted meat with vegetables, gluten free, followed by a choice of dessert or tea/coffee.

Coffee & Sweet Treats

• Coffee & Sweet Treats — Freshly brewed coffee, cakes, slices and other homemade delights.

Children'S Menu (Under 12)

• Toasted Sandwich — Two fillings from ham, cheese, tomato, onion or pineapple.
• One Poached Egg on Toast — Served with a side of hollandaise, gluten-free toast available.
• In-House Soup — Served with toasted bread, gluten-free bread available.
• Mini Roast Meal — Oven-roasted meat with a selection of seasonal vegetables, gluten free.
• Junior Grill — Bacon, grilled sausage, potato rosti and a poached egg on toast with onion jam or tomato relish, gluten-free bread available.
• Two Scoop Ice Cream — With chocolate or berry topping.
• Brownie and Ice Cream — Gluten free.
• Chocolate Mousse — Gluten free.

Frequently asked questions

What are Melrose House Cafe's opening hours?

Tuesday to Friday 9am-3pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm. Closed Mondays and public holidays.

Does Melrose House Cafe offer High Tea?

Yes, served on tiered platters with antique china.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, a dedicated menu for under-12s.

Are gluten-free options available?

Yes, many dishes have gluten-free options, often for a small extra charge.

Where is Melrose House Cafe located?

26 Brougham Street, Nelson, set in the grounds of historic Melrose House.

Does the kitchen close during the day?

Yes, the kitchen closes for a break between 1:30pm and 2pm, booking dependent.

Is there a vegetarian roast option?

Yes, available on request.

Tips

• {"body":"Especially around the 1:30pm-2pm kitchen break.","title":"Book ahead"}
• {"body":"A special option served on tiered platters with antique china.","title":"Try the High Tea"}
• {"body":"Let your server know when ordering.","title":"Mention any allergens"}
• {"body":"A two-course roast meal with a dessert or tea/coffee to finish.","title":"Consider the Senior Special"}

Good to know

• {"family":"A dedicated children's menu is available for under-12s.","dietary":"Many dishes have gluten-free options; vegan cheesecake and a vegetarian roast are available on request. Please tell your server of any allergens."}