The Honest Lawyer has occupied its Monaco waterside setting since 1995, presenting itself as an old-world English country pub and hotel on the edge of the Waimea Estuary. Memorabilia and a winter fire give the interior its traditional character, while the lawn, orchard and water's edge open the venue up in warmer weather. That contrast lets the restaurant serve as a cosy local through the colder months and a spacious outdoor destination when Nelson days are long.
The food is grounded in Kiwi pub cooking with an English influence and an emphasis on fresh local produce. Coconut prawns and ceviche offer bright ways to start, and seafood remains important further into the menu. Green-lipped mussels can arrive in Thai green curry or with chorizo and tomato, while the seafood chowder takes a richer route. These dishes make good use of the coastal setting without reducing the menu to fish alone.
Heartier choices give the pub its comfort-food backbone. A brisket and jalapeño cheese pie updates a familiar format, while beer-battered fish and chips, smoked ribs and steaks cover the classics expected from a substantial pub menu. Burgers and pizzas provide easy options for mixed groups, allowing one table to move between individual mains and food suited to sharing. The range feels particularly well matched to a venue that serves from late morning into the evening.
Weekend breakfast adds another reason to visit the Point Road grounds before lunch, and dessert options such as crumble, cheesecake, meringue, sundaes and affogato keep later meals flexible. The Barn, dining room, banquet room and orchard areas also give events distinct settings rather than a single generic function space. Whether the occasion is breakfast, dinner by the fire or a gathering outdoors, the pub's food and landscape remain closely connected.
Address: 1 Point Road, Monaco, Nelson 7011, New Zealand
Moved or closed? Tell us: Moved·Temporarily closed·Permanently closed
Honest Lawyer Menu
Entrees
Garlic Bread
Toasted ciabatta – garlic butter (V) (GF on request)
Soup of the Day
Your server will inform you of today’s flavour Price: P.O.A
Korean Fried Crispy Chicken
Crushed peanuts – lime – coriander – pickled onions
House-made Halloumi Bites
Salad – sweet chilli (V)
Ceviche
Fresh fish of the day – marinated in lime & lemon – capsicum – red onion – toasted ciabatta (GF/DF on request)
Grilled Prawns
Chilli garlic & lime – toasted crostini’s (GF on request)
Snacks
Fries
Tomato sauce (V) (*GF) (DF)
Wedges
Sour cream – sweet chilli (V)
Mains
Chargrilled Vegetable Salad
Seasonal vegetables – hummus – pickled red onions – raspberry vinaigrette – dukkah (GF) (DF on request)
Mills Bay Mussels
Thai green curry sauce – toasted ciabatta (DF) (GF on request)
Creamy Seafood Chowder
Mussels – prawns – smoked fish – scallops – toasted ciabatta
Mince & Aged Cheddar Pie
Buttered potatoes – seasonal roasted vege – jus
Beer Battered Fish & Chips
Beer battered fish of the day – salad – fries – tartare (*GF/DF on request)
Bangers & Mash
Beef sausages (2) – mashed potatoes – onion gravy
Indian Style Curry
Chicken thigh marinated in spices, in a rich tomato & yoghurt gravy – house-made naan – basmati rice (GF on request)
Braised Lamb Shank
White bean, bacon & tomato cassoulet – potato & parmesan gratin (GF)
Catch of the Day
Your server will inform you of today’s catch Price: P.O.A
300g Beef Rump
Cooked to your liking – fries – salad – onion rings – whisky peppercorn sauce
Burgers
Crumbed Halloumi
Miso mayo – grilled mushrooms – balsamic onions – fries (V)
Beer Battered Fish
Slaw – lettuce – tomato – tartare – fries (*GF on request)
Korean BBQ Crispy Chicken
Kimchi – burger cheese – crispy shallots – lime aioli – pickles – fries
Smashed Beef
Bacon & jalapeno jam – swiss cheese – lettuce – tomato – crispy onion rings – aioli – BBQ bourbon sauce – fries
Pizzas
GF base on request – $4.00
Margherita
Mozzarella – parmesan – pesto – tomato base (V)
Hawaiian
Ham – pineapple – mozzarella – tomato base
Chicken & Bacon
Mozzarella – parmesan – aioli – cream cheese base
Meatlovers
Pepperoni – bacon – ham – salami – chilli flakes – balsamic onions – BBQ sauce base
Seafood
Salmon – prawns – scallops – mozzarella – parmesan – lemon, dill & cream cheese base
Kids
Bangers & Mash
Beef sausage (1) – mashed potatoes – onion gravy
Battered Fish & Chips
Tomato sauce (*GF on request) (DF)
Fried Chicken & Chips
Tomato sauce
Kids’ Cone
Vanilla ice cream – waffle cone – sprinkles
Desserts
Cheesecake of the day
Served with vanilla bean ice-cream
Crumble of the Day
Vanilla anglaise – vanilla ice cream
Sticky Toffee Pudding
House-made caramel sauce – vanilla icecream
Berry Ice Cream Sundae
Vanilla ice cream – berry compote – cream (GF)
Chocolate Ice Cream Sundae
Vanilla ice cream – chocolate brownie pieces – chocolate sauce – cream (GF)
Affogato
Vanilla ice cream – coffee – your choice of liqueur
Breakfast
10AM – 12PM EVERYDAY
FULL BREAKFAST
Eggs your way, beef sausage, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, grilled tomato, baked beans, house-made potato rosti & toasted ciabatta
EGGS, AVOCADO & FETA ON TOAST
Whipped avocado, crumbled feta & eggs your way on toasted ciabatta
CREAMY MUSHROOMS
Served on toasted ciabatta
EGGS BENEDICT
2 poached eggs on house-made potato rosti’s with baby spinach & hollandaise sauce (V/GF)
FRENCH TOAST
House-made brioche, mascarpone, buttered maple syrup, toasted almonds & berries
VEGE BREAKFAST
House-made potato rosti’s, grilled mushrooms, avocado, poached eggs, spinach, topped with dukkah & curry oil (V/GF/DF)
Tap Beer
Steinlager Light – 2.5%
Mac’s Gold – 4%
Speight’s Gold – 4%
Speight’s Old Dark – 4%
Bottled Beer
Speight’s Summit Free – 0%
Steinlager Free – 0%
Corona Cero – 0%
Guinness Alcohol Free – 0%
White Wine
Kopiko Bay Sauvignon blanc
Wither Hills Sauvignon blanc
Brightwater Vineyards Sauvignon blanc
The Ned Sauvignon blanc
Red Wine
Kopiko Bay
Brightwater Vineyards
The Ned
Roaring Meg
Bubbles
Lindauer Brut – 200ml
Lindauer Rose – 200ml
Lindauer Sauvignon Blanc – 200ml
Lindauer Pinot Gris – 200ml
Cocktails
tequila sunrise
Tequila – Pomegranate Syrup – Orange Juice
red bull coconut margarita
Tequila – Triple Sec – Lime Juice
Blue Lagoon
Vodka – Blue Curacao – Lemonade
Pimms peach
Pimms – Peach Liqueur – Lemonade
Coffee
Espresso
Long Black
Americano
Bottle / Can
L&P
Mac’s Ginger Beer
Mac’s Feijoa, Pear & Elderflower
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Nelson
- Fish and chips Typical in Nelson: $28.50 $30.00
- Garlic bread Typical in Nelson: $12.50 $16.00
- Long black Typical in Nelson: $5.00 $4.00
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