Quick Bites:

Scarlett & Co are known for their scones and C4 coffee, but what's a scone and cuppa without a chutney, relish or jam? There's a range of homemade offerings in store, many using locally grown produce. Try the Lime Mojito Marmalade, infused with mint and Bacardi. There's undercover parking too. 25 Palmerston Street, Westport. (03) 789 6653, on Facebook.

Follow the locals to Dawson's Hotel in Reefton. It's hard to go incognito when everyone knows each other, but they're of a friendly sort and the food is top notch. Open for lunch and dinner with a light bar menu available all day. The bar serves the local Reefton gin so try a tipple or two. Dawson's also offers accommodation, with multi-room units available. 74 Broadway, Reefton. (03) 732 8406, dawsonshotel.co.nz

For a pre-walk boost, try Em's Power Cookies, the invention of three-time Coast to Coast race winner and dietitian Emily Miazga. The Canadian Coaster baked up the idea for her energy cookies as a child and she's since perfected the recipe and sells them nationwide. Her hemp protein cookies were an NZ first. powercookies.com

Saturday night is burger night at Kathrin's, but every day is dessert day. Kathrin Wieczorek brings a taste of Germany to Westport with her homemade pastries, biscuits and cakes, as well as pies, sandwiches (with Bavarian burger bun bread) and quiches. The custard cream streusel rounds will leave an icing sugar trail, so best to follow it with a sticky custard snail – that'll clean any leftovers right up. 15 Rintoul Street, Westport. 021 420 513, kathrins.co.nz