The Smoking Barrel

The Smoking Barrel is a bit of a Motueka institution. The family-owned and operated restaurant specialises in low & slow American style BBQ, statement burgers, and gourmet donuts. The atmosphere inside is friendly and cosy, with plenty of greenery and various private nooks to settle into. Out the back, a lush garden basks in the afternoon sun and provides a handful of outdoor tables.

Everything at The Smoking Barrel is made in-house wherever possible. Meats are flavoured and slow-cooked overnight in a smoker with a capacity of 120kg of meat at one time. The restaurant runs a brunch menu in the morning (expect to find café classics with a bbq twist) and switches gears to dinner from late afternoon. For serious carnivores the sharing BBQ platter offers a taste of multiple different meats, such as brisket, ribs, and pulled pork; and if meat is not your thing, you’ll find a few meatless options to choose from, too.

Oh, and as for those famous donuts ­– they are made from scratch in the small on-site bakery. The flavours of these bad boys change weekly and while the busy baker pumps out some 400 pieces a day, you still need to get in early to wrap your mitts around one of them!