The Stables Restaurant & Tavern sits at 1 McGlashen Avenue in Richmond, Nelson, in a building with a genuine connection to New Zealand's early thoroughbred industry. It was restored and recycled, brick by brick, from the original stables built in the early 1850s by Henry Redwood — a pioneer farmer who arrived in Nelson from Staffordshire in 1842 and became known as the 'Father of the New Zealand Turf' for his horse breeding expertise. In 1851, 33 imported horses established New Zealand's first thoroughbred stud here, and Redwood's black and red racing colours became known across Australasia. Today's building contains more than 35,000 original bricks, with the original stables floor still in place and protected by a heritage listing.
The Stables serves an extensive menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with platters and snacks to share, vegetarian options, and a special Young Buckaroos kids' menu. The bar offers a wide selection of local and familiar beers and wines, including a wine menu that can be matched to food, and all menu items can also be ordered as takeaway.
With a variety of dining areas — an intimate upstairs dining room for private functions, a cosy downstairs area, and a large covered courtyard with a wide screen TV and stage for live music and sport — The Stables suits everything from a quiet catch-up to a family dinner or a night out with friends. It also caters for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and business functions, either on-site or delivered to another venue.
In the heart of Richmond, Nelson, The Stables Restaurant & Tavern occupies a building with a genuinely remarkable history. Long before it served meals, this site was connected to Henry Redwood, a pioneer farmer who arrived in the new Nelson settlement from Staffordshire in 1842 and became known across the colony as the 'Father of the New Zealand Turf' for his expertise in breeding fine race horses.
Racing was Redwood's chief love, and he began importing horse stock from France. In 1851, 33 imported horses arrived, establishing New Zealand's first stud for breeding thoroughbreds right here in the Appleby foothills. Redwood's black and red racing colours became known all round Australasia. The stables he built next to his home in the early 1850s have since been restored and recycled, brick by brick, into what stands today as The Stables Restaurant & Tavern — containing more than 35,000 original bricks, with the original stables floor still in place and protected by a heritage listing. It's a fitting memorial to an outstanding pioneer of the district.
Today, The Stables focuses on fresh, seasonal and local produce, meaning the menu is constantly evolving. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served, alongside an ever-changing specials board, popular platters and snacks built for sharing over a beer or wine, and vegetarian options. Every item on the menu can also be ordered as takeaway, and online ordering is available for those who'd rather eat at home.
At the bar, The Stables pours a wide assortment of quality beers and wines, including locally produced products alongside all the familiar brands. A special wine menu is also available, designed to be matched with whatever's on the plate — a nice touch for anyone wanting to pair their meal properly.
The venue offers a genuine variety of dining areas. An intimate dining room upstairs suits a romantic dinner, and doubles as a space for private functions or special occasions. Downstairs, a cosy and warm dining area is popular through the winter months, while the bar leads out to a large covered courtyard complete with a wide screen TV and stage — ideal for catching live music or watching sporting events, especially in summer.
Families are well catered for, with a Young Buckaroos kids' menu offering smaller portions and options that appeal to fussier eaters. Beyond day-to-day dining, The Stables also caters for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and business functions, with the option to host the event on-site or have food delivered directly to another venue.
The Stables Restaurant & Tavern is open seven days a week from 11am until late, with plenty of parking nearby. Whether it's a family lunch, a night out with the girls, a romantic dinner upstairs, or catching the game in the courtyard, The Stables brings genuine Nelson history together with a relaxed, local pub atmosphere.