Alioke Eatery

About Alioke Eatery

Alioke Eatery — pronounced alley-oh-key — is a café in the heart of the Berryfields subdivision, run by wife-and-husband duo Alison and Marc. Billing itself as Nelson's newest café, it has spent the past three years becoming exactly what a growing suburb needs: a cornerstone of the community where residents come together over delicious food and genuine connection.

The partnership works because the couple split what they each do best. Alison, with her chefing and marketing expertise, leads the kitchen, crafting dishes that showcase her skill and passion. Marc, drawing on a background in labouring, landscaping and painting, manages front of house and the welcoming, friendly atmosphere that guests consistently mention.

The all-day menu runs from 7am to 2.30pm and covers plenty of ground: build-your-own gourmet bagels, a hearty Big Breakfast, Eggs Benedict, Smashed Avocado with beetroot hummus and dukkah, a black-bean Vegan Breakfast, sweetcorn fritters, burgers, a steak sandwich on rye and beef nachos, plus house-made granola, oat porridge and Belgian-style waffles. Kids under 12 get a menu of their own, and gluten-free bagels, bread and swaps are available.

Coffee comes first, though: Alioke pours Sublime, a locally roasted Nelson coffee the team calls the best in the city, served hot or over ice. The fridge leans local too — Chia Sisters, Kombucha Bros, McCashins and Pete's Natural — with a low-alcohol list of beers, ciders, Kahurangi and Seifried wines, and Lindauer. Google reviewers rate the café 4.2 out of 5, praising the open, welcoming space, outdoor seating, fresh creative food and friendly staff. Alioke is open 7am to 4pm, seven days a week.

Alioke Eatery: Nelson's Husband-and-Wife Café in the Heart of Berryfields

Alioke Eatery — pronounced alley-oh-key — is a café in the heart of the Berryfields subdivision, billing itself as Nelson's newest café. Behind the counter are Alison and Marc, a wife-and-husband duo passionate about great coffee and delicious food. In the three years since they opened, the pair have turned their individual talents into a cornerstone of the local community: a place where Berryfields residents come together over good food and genuine connection.

The Duo Behind the Counter

Alison brings chefing and marketing expertise to the partnership and leads the kitchen, crafting dishes that showcase her skill and passion. Marc, whose working background spans labouring, landscaping and painting, manages the front of house — a role that suits the warm, friendly atmosphere visitors keep mentioning. Together they have made Alioke more than just a café; it functions as a cherished local hub where neighbours catch up over flat whites.

The public agrees. On Google, Alioke holds a 4.2 out of 5 rating from 12 reviews, with guests praising the 'lovely open welcoming space', the top-notch food and coffee, and the friendly staff. One regular insists the date scones are 'the best', and several reviewers have already declared it their new local.

An All-Day Menu Until 2.30pm

The kitchen serves its all-day menu from 7am to 2.30pm, seven days a week. Mornings lean towards hearty plates: the Big Breakfast with streaky bacon, sausage and hash sticks, Eggs Benedict on sourdough, Smashed Avocado with beetroot hummus, crumbled feta and dukkah, and a dedicated Vegan Breakfast built on a black bean patty. Bagels are a category of their own — a standard version with spreads like Pics peanut butter or Nutella, or a gourmet build-your-own with fillings such as smoked chicken, salmon, halloumi or avocado.

As the morning rolls on, the menu drifts towards lunch: a grilled chicken burger with brie and spiced apricot sauce, an Angus beef and bacon burger, a steak sandwich on rye with caramelised onions and a fried egg, beef nachos and a chicken and cranberry salad. Sweeter options include house-made granola, summer oat porridge and Belgian-style waffles with caramelised banana, bacon and maple syrup. Several dishes can be made gluten-free on request, and there's a full menu for under-12s — sliders, chicken tenders, a grazing platter and mini waffles among them.

Serious About Coffee

Coffee is central to Alioke's identity. The team pours Sublime, a locally roasted Nelson brand they proudly call the best coffee in the city and their coffee of choice. Alongside the classic espresso range there's a full iced lineup — blended iced coffee, mocha and chocolate, plus iced lattes and americanos — as well as smoothies, protein shakes and a blended kids' iced chocolate.

The fridge is just as considered, stocked with local favourites like Chia Sisters juices, Kombucha Bros, and McCashins and Pete's Natural soft drinks. A low-alcohol list covers familiar beers and ciders plus local drops: Kahurangi Pinot Gris and rosé, Seifried sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, and Lindauer by the glass or bottle.

The Local's Local

Set in the growing Berryfields area, the café offers seating inside and out — reviewers mention an outside area that's handy on sunny Nelson days — and one visitor notes it's a short, easy walk from The Crossing cinema. Doors are open 7am to 4pm every day of the week, with the kitchen wrapping up at 2.30pm. Whether you're lining up a big breakfast after the school run, grabbing a bagel and a Sublime coffee to go, or settling in for a long weekend brunch, the aim is the same: delicious food, great coffee and a genuine welcome from the duo who run it.

Signature items

• Smashed Avocado
• Big Breakfast
• Belgium Waffles
• Gourmet Bagel
• Breakfast Burger
• Sweetcorn Fritters

Menu

Beer

• Heineken Zero — 0% alcohol beer
• Heineken — 5% beer
• Speights — 4.2% beer
• Corona — 4.5% beer
• Steinlager — 5% beer
• Steinlager Light — 2.5% beer

Wine

• Kahurangi Pinot Gris — 13%, by the glass or bottle
• Kahurangi Rose — 13%, by the glass or bottle
• Seifried Sauvignon — 12.5%, by the glass or bottle
• Seifried Pinot Noir — 14%, by the glass or bottle

Cider

• Rochadale Apple — 4.5% cider
• Rochadale Three Berries — 4% cider
• Ginger and Lime — 4% cider

Sides

• Fries — Small or large serve
• Hashsticks — Three hash sticks
• Bacon — Two rashers
• Sausage — Side of sausage
• Halloumi — Side of halloumi
• Mushrooms — Side of mushrooms
• Salmon — Side of salmon
• Avocado — Side of avocado
• Roast Tomato — Side of roast tomato
• Hollandaise — Side of hollandaise
• Aioli — Side of aioli
• Tomato Sauce — Side of tomato sauce
• Gluten-Free Bread — Gluten-free bread swap

Bagels

• Standard Bagel — Choose one: cream cheese, raspberry jam, marmite, Pics peanut butter or Nutella
• Gourmet Bagel — Choose one served with cream cheese: smoked chicken, bacon, salmon, egg your way, halloumi, avocado or sliced tomato and pesto
• Gluten-Free Bagel — Gluten-free bagel option

Champagne

• Lindauer — 12%, by the glass (200ml) or bottle (750ml)

Cold Drinks

• Smoothie — Berry, banana or tropical
• Protein Shake — Berry or salted caramel
• Iced Coffee — Blended; add cream
• Iced Mocha — Blended; add cream
• Iced Chocolate — Blended; add cream
• Americano Over Ice — Chilled americano
• Mocha Over Ice — Chilled mocha
• Latte Over Ice — Chilled latte
• Iced Lemon and Ginger — Refreshing iced lemon and ginger
• Kids Iced Chocolate — Blended iced chocolate for kids

All Day Menu

• Granola — House-made granola with coconut yoghurt, seasonal fruit and freeze-dried berries
• Summer Oat Porridge — Served with cream, berries, toasted nuts and mascarpone
• Belgium Waffles — Caramelised banana, bacon, whipped cream and maple syrup
• Eggs on Toast — Sourdough with two eggs cooked your way
• Creamy Mushrooms — Creamy mushrooms served on sourdough
• Eggs Benedict — Two poached eggs on sourdough with spinach and hollandaise; add halloumi, bacon or salmon
• Smashed Avocado — Avocado and two poached eggs on sourdough with beetroot hummus, crumbled feta and dukkah
• Big Breakfast — Two eggs your way, streaky bacon, sausage, tomato, mushrooms and hash sticks on sourdough
• Vegan Breakfast — Black bean patty, roast tomato, mushroom, baby spinach, beetroot hummus and avocado
• Breakfast Burger — Beef patty, bacon, fried egg, tomato relish, caramelised onions and onion rings with hash sticks
• Sweetcorn Fritters — Two corn fritters with red capsicum, avocado and capsicum-apricot sauce; GF on request
• Beef Nachos — Beef mince on corn chips with melted cheese, sweet chilli and sour cream
• B.L.T — Bacon, lettuce and tomato on rye with tomato relish and aioli, with fries; GF on request
• Chicken Burger — Grilled chicken patty, beetroot, lettuce, cream cheese, brie and spiced apricot sauce with fries
• Beef and Bacon Burger — Angus beef patty, bacon, lettuce and tomato in a brioche bun with BBQ sauce and aioli, with fries; GF on request
• Chicken and Cranberry Salad — Served on salad greens with cucumber, tomato, red onion and brie
• Steak Sandwich — Rye bread with caramelised onions, fried egg, lettuce, tomato and swiss cheese, with fries; GF on request

Kids Under 12

• Eggs on Toast — Eggs cooked your way on toast
• Kids Platter — Cheese, pretzels, fruit, mini pancakes, salami and a cookie
• Belgium Waffles — Served with fresh banana and maple syrup
• Chicken Tenders — Two chicken tenders with tomato sauce and fries
• Kids Beef Slider — Beef patty, lettuce and fries

Non-Alcoholic

• Nothing But Water — Still water
• Anew — Pink or blue
• Kombucha Bros — Kombucha
• Hibiscus Kombucha — Or ginger and lemon kombucha
• Chia Sisters — Orange and mango, feijoa and apple, boysenberry and apple, or sparkling lemon
• McCashins — Ginger beer, lemon lime and bitters, or pink lemonade
• Pete's Natural — Kola, lemonade, currant crush or pink lemonade

Frequently asked questions

What are Alioke Eatery's opening hours?

Open 7am to 4pm, Monday to Sunday. The kitchen serves the all-day menu from 7am until 2.30pm.

Where is Alioke Eatery located?

At 4A Central Park Lane in the Berryfields area (Appleby). One reviewer mentions it's a short walk through from The Crossing cinema.

What coffee does Alioke use?

Sublime, a locally roasted Nelson coffee, which the team describes as the best coffee in Nelson and their coffee of choice.

Are there gluten-free and vegan options?

Yes — there's a dedicated Vegan Breakfast, gluten-free bagels and gluten-free bread, and several dishes can be made gluten-free on request. Note that menu modifications may be limited during busy periods.

Is Alioke suitable for children?

Very much so. Kids under 12 have their own menu with eggs on toast, chicken tenders, a beef slider, a kids platter and mini Belgian waffles, plus a blended kids' iced chocolate.

Does Alioke serve alcohol?

A low-alcohol selection: beers including Heineken and Steinlager, Rochadale ciders, local Kahurangi and Seifried wines, and Lindauer.

How can I contact the café?

Phone 0272235400 or email alioke@outlook.co.nz.

Tips

• {"body":"The all-day menu runs 7am to 2.30pm. The café stays open until 4pm, but arrive before 2.30 if you want food.","title":"Mind the kitchen clock"}
• {"body":"Alongside Sublime coffee, the fridge stocks Chia Sisters, Kombucha Bros, McCashins and Pete's Natural — plenty of local flavour.","title":"Go local with your drinks"}
• {"body":"Gluten-free bagels and bread are available and several dishes can be made GF on request, though changes may be limited when it's busy.","title":"Gluten-free? Just ask"}
• {"body":"One reviewer mentions an easy short walk from The Crossing cinema — a natural brunch-and-film combo.","title":"Pair it with a movie"}
• {"body":"Reviewers mention an outside seating area — handy on sunny days.","title":"Try the outdoor seats"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Dedicated kids' menu for under-12s, plus a blended kids' iced chocolate.","dietary":"Vegan breakfast, gluten-free bagels and bread; several dishes GF on request. Modifications may be limited during busy periods."}