The 26 best cheap eats in Kaikoura

Stopped for a quick drink after walking the Peninsula Track. Great spot for a relax in the sun with stunning views. Very spatious outdoor area, really liked how you could move around without feeling you're on top of your table neighbors. Good drink selection on offer, food looked good being served around us.

Magnificent location looking back at the Seaward Kaikouras. Beautifully renovated historic hotel. Good beer and wine list. Whisky selection is a bit odd. Food is hit and miss. Paua was very tender but underseasoned. Pork was good. BUT whitebait omelette was a scandalous waste of good whitebait. It was sat on top of a salad so it tasted entirely of the vinaigrette. And it was overcooked to the point where the edges were crispy. So it wasn't even an omelette - it was an overdone whitebait fritter doused in vinegar. Clearly whoever runs the kitchen has no idea how to handle delicate seafood.

Excellent stay at this newly renovated hotel. Excellent food in the restaurant... seafood chowder, whitebait. Even tho it was a Saturday night and the staff were super busy, they were extremely good. Room was beautiful, with balcony .. tho mine looked over the caravan/RV park. It was quiet and very well appointed, bathrooms with everything you could want including gold taps!

Wonderful experience in all regards. This hotel has been restored beautifully, lots of charm and ambiance. Food was superb, very generous portions and was prompt to arrived, as were the desserts, which were off the scale scrumptious. Visiting Kaikoura for our wedding anniversary, The Pier was highly recommend and we are glad we took the advice. Highly recommend.

Lachie Fleming and I didn’t stay at The Pier Hotel but ate there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner over a fabulous sunny weekend — and every meal was fantastic! The food was fresh and full of flavour, and the mussels were absolutely out of this world. The setting by the water is unbeatable, with gorgeous views and a relaxed, friendly vibe. Staff were lovely and welcoming each time we visited.

Awesome service with an awesome view. Passed through in full dress ups for a Hens Do and they had a great sense of humour. Cocktails and mocktails were delicious and the wee nibbles we got were also very tasty!

Didn’t stay here, recommended to eat there. I was disappointed that the bar staff directed us to book and eat in restaurant when others sat out side where we already had a table. The view is amazing and we were visiting from Australia. The seafood platter, wasn’t great value the Paua was like rubber, it was left on the plate, the rest of the meal was edible but was not amazing seafood. The beef cheeks, recommended were average. Walked to the whaler pub after and they had a $20 steak night, we regretted out decision to eat at the pier for $100…

We arrived a bit late, and most places were closed, with Zephyr's kitchen already cleaning up. However, the wonderful owner (I believe) went above and beyond, deciding to reopen the kitchen just for us. We ordered the lamb shoulder and pork belly – Every single dish was superb, especially the lamb shoulder. Beyond the fantastic food, she made us feel completely at home. This level of hospitality is rare and so appreciated.

Lovely place to dine. The food was superb. Only issue is they forgot our drinks and after waiting a long time we went up to the bar and asked for them. We were served Earl Grey tea instead of English Breakfast that we ordered. The salmon gravlax entree was amazing, and the lamb main was fantastic. The chocolate torte was nice. Highly recommended.

Recommanded by locals as the best restaurant in Kaikōura, we ordered the oyster blade of lamb for two with duck fat potatos and side veggies ($90) Firstly it was a huge and generous serve, the lamb was so tender you could cut it with a spoon. Flavouring was simple with rosemary, duck fat potatos were superby crispy outside and fluffy inside. The "seasonal vegetables" were very simple roasted mixed winter staples with a creamy dressing. I only wish the lamb flavours were bolder and punchier, like maybe with a head roasted garlic or additional oregano for complexity. Desserts were ok, we had the baklava interpretation which came with walnuts, caramel, banana and ice cream. Well executed but not the most memorable either. The restaurant itself is very simple, modern yet casual. Service was efficient and attentive but seemed to lack warmth, maybe because we were tourists.. Overall, well executed and solid dishes at an excellent price point. No complaints.

Wow, simply amazing, I just wish we didn't eat so much food at the lounge and on the plane before dining at this restaurant so we could eat more! We shared the polenta chips, which had a nice crunchy and didn't taste oily, and the most divine seafood chowder I have had in many years - I would come back just for the chowder. Just when we thought things couldnt get better, the fish of the day was cooked to the perfect texture and the pangratatto on top balanced the dish out perfectly. We loved the hearty vegetables and potatoes and only wish we could have eaten more.

We had an unexpected stop at Kaikoura after an accident blocked the road and we got stuck in traffic for almost three hours until the road was cleared. We entered this restaurant, were seated immediately and presented quickly. The polenta fries were and the stuffed chicken was sooo good. Lovely restaurant, great service, fantastic food.

Wasn't terrible but definitely did not live up to expectations. We had polenta fries and warm bread with dips to start. Polenta fries were amazing but bread was definitely not fresh. Was almost very lightly toasted (which I assume was from reheating) and seemed slightly stale. For mains we had fish of the day and pork belly. The fish was unfortunately overcooked and both the fish and pork belly were exceedingly dry. Service was also very slow. For the relatively high prices we expected a lot more.

I would have liked to have awarded Zephyr five stars because when it arrived the food was very good. There were two waitresses on duty, with about a dozen diners, and we were the last sitting, so not too much pressure. So it was odd that we waited too long for our menus (why not have them as part of the table setting?), water, and the opportunity to order pre-dinner drinks. A couple who arrived after us were attended to before we were. Maybe they were locals known to the restaurant, and I understand the importance of repeat customers compared to one-off visitors. And no problem at all if it doesn’t affect us adversely. However it took 30 minutes from entering the restaurant at just after 8pm to getting our main courses - the stuffed chicken breast and the confit duck leg. I know this because the time clock on my photos of these dishes is 20.36. Both were of top quality, as were the vegetables, and amongst the best food we’ve had during our five week tour of both North and South Islands. Congratulations to the chef. We then ordered slices of the cheesecake of the day and of the chocolate tart. We also asked for our tea and coffee to arrive at the same time. The hot drinks arrived within a few minutes, but not the two puddings. After about ten minutes I wondered why two cold dishes were taking so long. (Why hadn’t our waitress noticed?) I had to raise my arm to wave a couple of times to get attention which is embarrassing. (A common fault is a waiter who doesn’t scan the tables constantly to spot a customer needing something.) Waitress was flagged down, arrived, apologised, checked, and reported back; the chef had turned off the electronic ordering system so hadn’t received our order… Another five minutes and our delicious desserts arrived. At NZ$145.50 or GB£74.58 for two (there was no non-alcoholic wine on the list) this was very good value. In Wellington you’d have paid double that. I appreciate that staffing is a problem being experienced across the industry, but in this case I think it was more a question of vigilance and communication. Zephyr deserves five stars and I hope they go from strength to strength. P.S. I’m not the sort of customer who goes looking for discounts or refunds, but it would have been good to have been offered one. In this case I’d have declined because the gesture would have meant acknowledgment of these glitches, and that’s part of a good recovery.

We ordered the seafood platter and extra grilled fish. We didn't enjoy it all. There was very little flavor to any of it. Staff kept filling smaller orders ahead of us. Another customer apologized that they had been served before us (he noticed how long we had been waiting). The water views were very nice. Charlie's Bar was the only bright spot. A separate business but adjacent.

We were blessed with a nice sunny day, while dinning at this outdoor seafood kiosk in Kaikuora. The high light of the menu here is the fresh crayfish. We had the bigger one that was grilled to perfection. Nothing fancy, but the freshness is infused with natural sweetness. The seafood platter was value for money. All in it were done nicely, not at all overcooked and very fresh too. Flavourful and well balanced flavours to suit our taste buds. The seafood chowder was rather tasty with generous amount of seafood.

Very cool little spot right on the main road to Kaikoura seal colony. The views are spectacular, the food is cooked perfectly and it's busy! My husband says is the BEST chowder he has ever had! $9 chowder with $20 worth of seafood in it. All came with either rice or salad and all is gluten free except for the bread they serve with the chowder and good size portions. (chowder is gf) Def must stop. Spoke to some people who come here all the time.

Holy moly.. you like seafood??? DO NOT MISS THIS PLACE! I LOVE my seafood and this place did NOT disappoint. They had the freshest crayfish, green lip muscles, seafood chowder, salmon, scallops and salmon fritter, most cooked on a bbq grill... seriously great eats! Outdoor seating was awesome and a nice Pino Gris from next door complemented it all. Best thing .. pretty reasonable prices too!

The roadside seafood stall offers an average food experience, with dishes that were just so-so in quality. However, the charm lies in its setting - The casual roadside vibe combined with a sea-facing view makes the overall experience enjoyable despite the food not being outstanding.

Has the seafood platter - was great but a bit tasteless and I didn’t like the fritters much. Especially the crayfish one is disappointing due to lack in taste

So delicious and a lovely spot on a sunny day. We loved the scallops and white bait fritter. We weren’t so fussed on the chowder but that’s totally our personal preference, it was loaded with mussels and fish!

Came in and had the most amazing breakfast. Awesome friendly staff and some of the best sausages we have ever tasted. We will definitely be back to try the pizza. Highly recommended

We have tried two of their pizzas, one pasta and a carrot cake and enjoyed it. I was bit apprehensive of wedges on pizza but it was surprisingly good. For my Indian palate, it needed salt and it was so delicious after adding a bit of salt. Great vegetarian options plus lovely service. Would recommend this place.

What an awesome meal ! Two burger combos and a cod were ordered and they were all delicious! The cod was fresh from the seafood market store across the road and the burgers were awesome. The guy that served us this afternoon was also great and it was a friendly atmosphere. Their dessert cabinet looked yum too.

Great stop for dinner while en route to another area on the southern island. Enjoyed a local beer and a great chicken burger. Others in our party enjoyed beef and lamb burgers, which were delicious as well. Kind, helpful staff with a cozy welcoming space.

EPIC pizzas in a gorgeous building. We arrived late into Kaikōura and this place was closest to our accommodation. ZERO regrets….the food was amazing, the service was great, and I’m sad we’re not in town long enough to go back for more!!! We had two pizzas - The Farmhouse (apricot chicken) and Shrek & Dolly (lamb and pumpkin with mint sauce). They were INCREDIBLE!!!

Good food. Good pizzas n salad. Great pasta. Great supportive staff.

Visited this place for lunch on 12 June 2025. The food was enjoyable. The lasagne tasted good, but the portion was quite small compared to the accompanying salad.

Absolutely outstanding experience—10/10 for both the food and the service. The highlight, however, was the food. The chef is clearly very talented, as every dish was executed to perfection. The meat platter, in particular, was one of the best I’ve ever had. The selection was generous, offering a great variety that showcased the quality of ingredients and expert preparation. I can’t recommend this place enough.

We almost didn’t enter this restaurant as we had not seen any recent reviews. However, so glad we did! The food and service were excellent. Some really interesting menu choices. We were enjoying it so much we forgot to photograph our mains!

We had the meat platter for two - was not bad but It was not cheap either for what you get . The slaw was on the average side size to small size , the potatoes was nothing special and I felt like a nice tomato relish or some exciting sauce on the side would have been great . Service was great and we still enjoyed it .

Amazing food! We had the meat platter for two and it was delicious. We also squeezed in dessert and had some lovely brownies. Great service too. Would highly recommend.

Delicious! The chef really knows what he’s doing! We ate our way across the whole menu and were absolutely thrilled. The recommendation of the day was monkfish with couscous, roasted pepper, artichokes and spinach. It was wonderfully balanced with perfectly cooked, just-translucent fish. From our entire long trip through New Zealand, this was the best food we’ve had! Great service — and even the music and the atmosphere were perfect. So amazing!!

Absolutely delicious sandwiches - we had venison & duck. The wee side of potatoes was also perfectly seasoned. Friendly service. Inside looked cool/funky but as we were with our dog we could only sit outside on the Main Street or down the little alley (where someone came & smoked - yuck). Will definitely come back & will recommend to friends visiting Kaikoura :)

Great service and truly excellent food. The chef knows what he's doing. The best meal we've had so far on our trip through the US and New Zealand. Fair prices.

Very laid back place. Staff was a young lad who was very friendly. We wanted to try the deep sea cod but it was unavailable so we went with the standard fish and chips. Man, it was good! The chips were thick and fish was fresh. Will come again if we were ever back in Kaikoura to try the deep sea cod. Seemed like a favourite among the locals as well.

Coopers Catch is a well-deserved 5-star fish & chip shop. We had the battered cod, chips & half-crayfish and everything was divine. The batter on the fish was perfect and the fish itself had a lovely flavour. The chips were 10/10 - fluffy inside, crispy outside, just the right amount of salt. The cray was pricey but delicious, and worth getting for the experience. Definitely recommend!

The fried fish is surprisingly tasty!! Best one I had in my life. The fries were average though. Calamari is also not good as I can’t bite through. Overall still very recommended!

Outrageous prices for greasy crap. Would never ever go there again. Over $40 for this junk. I left hungrier, angrier, and significantly poorer. Genuinely felt like I’d been mugged by a deep fryer. If this place were the last fish and chip shop on Earth, I’d take up fasting. Then old mate from the shop told me I couldn’t feed the seagulls. I paid $40, I will feed it to whoever I want! I didn’t even put it in the trash because trash is better.

Ordered the six pack small squid rings combo. Value for money is definitely there, perfectly crisp and fresh and came with sauces. Would 100% recommend.

Thank goodness you are still. We haven't been to Kaikoura for a while and are so happy you are still there. Best fish and chips in N.Z.

Beautiful food they made for us from our fishing harvest!

We went here for dinner and enjoyed a steak special for about 20$. It was really good! I didn’t even get a photo of it because we were really hungry 😅 The carrot cake with ice cream was really good as well. It seems like a good place to hang out and play some pool with friends.

The Ribeye 250g was perfectly cooked accompanied with mash and a fresh green salad also the Fresh flour coated blue cod with fries and fresh salad was perfect. The service was excellent, a well run establishment, thank you

I totally enjoyed pork ribs and mussels. They were so tasty👍👍👍 nice Hazy beer. A guy with glasses on were very friendly They made me happy at the end of the day, after another horrible experience across the road.

This is not our first time here but one we enjoy going to when in Kaikoura. The food, service and atmosphere are really good so if you are in Kaikoura please give them a try as I'll be recommending them to both friends and family

Didn’t eat here, they had a $20 steak specials they looked amazing but we’d already eaten elsewhere. Had some beers, busy and great atmosphere

Was here for a birthday party. It was great food and great drinks. Moroccon Pea soup was the best. Hmmm.. desserts can improve.

They were very busy but managed to squeeze us in. Explained there would be a wait on food but it did'nt take as long as they suggested it might. Everyone had something different and all the meals were very nice.

Old school kiwi cafe with both menu and cabinet food . A bit dated, both decor and food but hit the spot. The front of house staff wore quite strange black shirts with palm trees and toucans on them ? I’m sure if you asked the reason they would shrug and say “Why Not?” Not many options for vegetarians but we made it work. Happy they offered oat milk for coffee

Popped in for a mid-afternoon coffee and sweet treat. Old fashioned style tea room, featuring classic items with modern twists, if not on the pricier side. Staff were friendly and accommodating. Indoor seating area could do with a bit of a spruce up, but matches the general vibe.

Horrible seafood pie for $9.50! I specifically asked the woman at the counter, “Does the seafood pie have lots of fish pieces?” She confidently said “YES.” What a joke! There was almost nothing inside. Just a couple of tiny mussel bits with seaweed (gross), and a few micro salmon flakes—literally the size of kids’ ear piercings. This was the worst and most overpriced pie I’ve ever had. I feel completely ripped off. She did not tell me the truth. For comparison: Night’n Day’s Wagyu pie is only $5.80 and tastes miles better. She doesn’t have any passion for service, food, or hospitality, and certainly gave me no good memory of Kaikoura. Not recommended at all

Why Not? 'll tell you why not, in my three weeks of being in NZ and getting coffee every morning at a different places this would have to be the worst coffee i had. It's not very often i have to tip out my coffee and at $7.5 each, it made it feel worse. In saying that it could have just been who made my coffee that day as some of the picture reviews look pretty good.

Sadly this is not a great review as my experience here was not great . Ordered bacon and eggs and savoury mince with a hard egg. Bacon and eggs came out with no bacon ! My egg was super runny ,so I took it back to counter and asked for a hard egg please,as well as bacon for the other meal Bacon came out Egg came out and was yet again runny Back up I go. The results of the 3rd egg and microwaved savoury mince are pictured ! No way was I going to eat that ! Toast was stone cold by this point Super disappointed I won’t be back

Maybe because the sunny ☀️ weather, or because the Chinese barista, we feel really warm and friendly at the time. The salmon quiche is delicious! Highly recommended! The cheesy texture and smoke salmon on top is a great combination! The flat white is one of my favorites in New Zealand! If in a sunny day you can just sitting outside to enjoy the sun.

We had good meal after amazing morning kayaking with friendly dolphins. So the food is great, the weather is amazing and fish and chips were good!

The best seafood chowder I’ve ever had. The entree size had 4 huge mussels and huge chunks of a white fish and small scallops and it was legit. The girl had the Lamb and it was good but the mash seemed like it was instant mashed potato’s vs the real deal. I had a pizza and it was also delicious. I’d like it cooked a minute more to make it a bit crunchier but the chili pepperoni was spicy and satisfied.

This is a lovely dinner spot in Kaikoura! We were told to try another restaurant near by but after looking at the place and menu, we decided Groper looked better and that ended up being a great decision. The food was delicious! They were cooking up a storm. I had salmon linguine and my boyfriend had a blackstone steak and our parents had salad and soup and wow it was all so flavorful. Even our dessert strawberry cheesecake was mouthwatering!

Good honest pub style food. A quiet side room was our choice of seating. The food arrived quickly and the portions were large. Perfect food for the palette of a teenager. Friendly staff make it a comfy place to visit. The atmosphere slightly tainted when the TV on the wall directly behind me started blaring a rugby game. Would take the teen again but ensure it was a non rugby day.

Rustic pub restaurant situated in the heart of Kaikōura. Order at the bar style restaurant, with plenty of different options on the menu to suit all tastes. The blue cod was light and fresh, and the linguine flavour was absolutely delicious. The restaurant area is quite loud with the TV speakers, despite being separated from the bar area, but that could potentially be our fault for visiting on a rugby game night.

We gave this place a few tries and although an epic location with various spots to sit for whatever you're seeking - Outdoor, indoor, restaurant, terrace, bar, booths, pool table area ... The atmosphere doesn't buzz. Food was okay, drinks were okay, lots of space to choose where to sit... Worth a try, hopefully the mauri comes!

Had the ribs special and some black mussels for a starter . Was great , friendly staff nice atmosphere, good value for money . Go check them out when your in Kaikoura

Meat just fell off the ribs with a deep and rich bbq flavour from proper smoking not just a last minute addition to pressure cooked pork. According to the Mrs the salmon was good too. Had a very small issue with service which the manager resolved really quickly, which btw is the way to do it, not after the event on a review platform. Great food, great experience, great place. For anyone in Kaikōura I'm the toe guy.

What a vibrant, eccentric little restaurant and pub in Kaikōura! Staff were friendly upon arrival, providing us menus, and informing us to order at the bar. We shared a BBQ meal, with beef brisket, and buttermilk fried chicken. The beef brisket was tender and flavourful, but the "edge" piece was very dry. The coleslaw and wedges were a tasty accompaniment. It was rather busy when we arrived, so would definitely recommend making a booking to avoid disappointment.

Was extremely disappointed with the size of the $75 Lobster I’ve had King prawns bigger than it! The $70 BBQ meat shared plate was much better value. The staff were awesome and the atmosphere was great. I would recommend trying anything other than the Lobster 🥺

10/10 Amazing service and hospitality, delicious food and nice vibe. We had the pāua steak and the bbq brisket. The brisket was moist and full of flavour. The pāua steak was cooked to perfection. We even ordered the sticky date pudding which couldn’t have tasted any yummier. Our taste buds were having a ball with the flavours of food we received. The real cherry on top was the hospitality and service in this restaurant. It was the best throughout my whole week’s trip of Christchurch and Kaikōura. Definitely a must if you’re coming to Kaikōura! You will not regret it one bit.

Delightfully warm by the fire after our Whale Watching. Had wedges which the wait staff checked were gluten free. They were delicious. Hubby had a piece of fish which was exceptionally fresh & delicious . staff were friendly & attentive.

My partner and I stumbled into this fabulous tavern yesterday afternoon looking for a meal. We found a warm welcoming haven of cold beer, delicious meals and warm atmosphere. The staff here are diverse in culture but each of them ooze personality. Our meal was a local fish and cooked, presented to perfection. Just what we needed. Tonight we’ve returned and as we sit by the fire sipping on our beer we still feel warm and embraced. This place is a Kaikoura treasure, keep up the fantastic work staff and management, chefs cooks and wait staff don’t change a thing!

The clayfish taste great! Very fresh and goes well with the garlic butter. The fries portion is huge. However, it is a bit expensive, ordered the half clayfish at $82.5 (note has different price depends on the weight).

We were a group of 8 and we tried quite a few dishes! We visited for lunch today and enjoyed everything. The chicken, ribs, cauliflower and beef burger ( and veggie) portions and taste were fab! Compliments to the chef. The beer selection wasn't bad either.

Coffee was fantastic. Food took a while, and the toast/muffin was not great and rock hard. Hollandaise sauce was split, eggs were flavourless. Staff were friendly, but service was quite slow (when we went it was relatively quiet too). The menu had few options, and one of the 5 options wasn’t available on the day.

My favorite cafe in New Zealand. Delicious breakfast, kind staff, and beautiful views! I had the Eggs Benedict and it was delicious - eggs perfectly cooked. I also tasted my boyfriend’s steak and eggs and the chimichurri was amazing. The coffee with ice cream was fun!

Gorgeous cafe with chilled and lovely ambience. Nice and attentive staff. Absolutely amazing coffee, glad we stopped here for a quick brekkie! We just had a pork sausage roll with pear and jalapeno to share, sad we did not try anything from the menu as we were running short of time. Will definitely be back!

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Simes Kitchen, and it was an outstanding experience! The ambiance was warm and inviting, perfect for a relaxed meal. The food was absolutely delicious, every dish was crafted with fresh ingredients and bursting with flavor. The service was exceptional; the staff was attentive, friendly, and made sure we felt well taken care of throughout our visit. I highly recommend Simes Kitchen to anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience. Definitely deserving of a 5-star rating! Check out the pictures associated with this review and follow on IG @ifooditravel

Had the steak burger, which is great 👍🏻. Steak is done just nice, seasoned well, and the sauce goes well with it. The truffle cheese fries is very tasty too. Also recommend the cappuccino, which comes with generous cocoa powder. Would rate it 4.5*!

After a year spent in NZ we found this treasure in Kaikoura and it was definitely the best breakfast we had in NZ. If you are there you have to try rump steak with hashbrowns and eggs benedict

BEST breakfast in Kaikoura. Banana bread was out of this world!!! Make sure you go between Wednesday-Sunday

Lovely brunch & cafe. Had the granola bowl & my partner had the egg Benedict. Only thing I’d change is less granola and more fruit as I couldn’t eat all that granola, as tasty as it was! Service was fab. Coffee also very good!

The service was amazing. The lady on the counter was really nice and helpful. The coffee was also great. If u only want coffee, it might be a great place to get it. But I definitely wouldn't recommend getting any salads in here. It looked and tasted spoiled. The baked stuff was good, tho.

Had gluten free eggs bene; the hash brown was the most delicious I have ever eaten. Crisp on the outside & fluffy inside. Very generous size portions too. The coffee wasn't hot enough for our liking but otherwise fantastic breakfast. Busy cafe; obviously popular.

I really liked this cafe in Kaikoura. The staff were welcoming as soon as I arrived. The place was pretty busy for a weekday with lots of locals which is always a good sign. The oat flat white was excellent, and the eggs on toast was simple and delicious, great flavour and seemed like quality ingredients. My only small comment would be the portion is a little small, and I was still a bit hungry when I finished. But overall, great cafe, definitely check it out if you’re in Kaikoura!

We stopped here on the beginning and end of our South Island journey and really enjoyed it! There is surprisingly a lot of seating options inside and outside (there is an outside deck in the front and back) Be sure to be there before 2 pm because the kitchen closes by then. You can still order drinks and food items at the counter only. We had the eggs on toast with a side of salmon and tasted very good! We also took away a spinach and cream cheese muffin which was perfect for our drive. Response to the owner: We came in at 2:05 and were denied ordering anything off the menu and could only get items in the cabinet. (The owner stated in my previous review the kitchen is open until 2:30 pm, which was not true on the day we came in).

You definitely have to stop here if you are passing through, car parking at the rear of the café, awesome friendly staff and the food was superb! Waiting to no little time! The decor, and aesthetics are superb!

Went with a group of 4 all our coffees came out in good time and nice and hot. My eggs benny could have had a little more bacon and spinach, but eggs cooked perfect. Staff friendly and good service considering how busy they were

Cod and Crayfish is very conveniently located on Beach Road. In fact we came because we happened to drive past it on the way to the supermarket. It is very popular; in the short time we were there, there were two groups of dine in guests and at least 4 others waiting to takeaway. Service was efficient. It is clearly more of a takeaway place than dine in.. won't fancy eating outdoors. Seats inside very limited. The seafood itself is fresh and delicious. Fries were superbly thick and crispy. Loved what I ordered: blue cod was my favourite, followed by squid rings and scallops. Now I'm wondering what the mussels taste like! Recommended for you to try this place. Total cost 61 for 3 persons.

Roadside fresh seafood stand with cooked takeaway and picnic tables. Great boiled crayfish and fries. Crayfish warmed on a hot plate with butter and a lemon wedge. Delicious!

Oh my gosh… we had kōura (crayfish) three times in 1.5 days: lunch, dinner, then breakfast. And this was my favourite spot of all!!!! In all honesty, this was a good reminder to myself not to just follow influencer recommendations bc sometimes the best places are the ones you discover yourself and take a chance on. We tried two other “famous” spots made popular by food vloggers, yet I’ve barely seen anyone talk about this one. Definitely a hidden gem!! The kōura was fresh and BBQ’ed to perfection, generously lathered in garlic butter (no stinginess here!) and salted perfectly. The battered cod was flaky and melted in my mouth, and the chips were classic Kiwi fish and chips style (I wish I took photos!), which made me so happy because throughout Ōtautahi (Christchurch) and Kaikōura, the chips I’d been eating seemed to be those flat thick cut ones which personally isn’t my favorite - I much prefer the classic! And then the garlic-butter banana prawns… sooo good and salty. Plus the scallops?! Incredible. 100% recommend — this place honestly deserves more hype?!?! I wish I had gone here 3 times!!

We didn’t originally plan to visit Cods and Crayfish, but the other fish and chip shop was closed. Cods and Crayfish is a popular spot known for fresh, locally caught seafood. Although there was a queue ahead of us, their service was efficient, and we didn’t have to wait long. The food was fresh, especially the moist, flaky fish cooked in a light, crispy batter. We like the Kumara chips but the whitebait Pattie was a little wanting for $12.00. Portion sizes were generous, and the menu also included other seafood options like veggie patties, mussels, and scallops. Service was quick, and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Located on Beach Road, the shop is convenient for travelers, with picnic tables available to enjoy the food outdoors along with scenic views. Cods and Crayfish also offers fresh seafood sales and delivery, including live crayfish and other local catches.

Called in to here on our way home. Being coeliac, i wondered if i would be able to eat anything. The lovely young woman that served us knew what coeliac entailed and offered to make white bait fritters. They had gluten free batter mix but i asked her to just make them with egg. The traditional way. I ordered two. And they were utterly delicious!!!!! Hubby made short work of his choices. So tasty. 😋 Love the effort put in by the staff to help every customer so they had delicious meal. Highly recommend. (I did think about crayfish but couldn’t be responsible for killing the live one in the tank. He got to live another day)

Cods & Crayfish always delivers with a delicious fish and chip meal every time we go through Kaikoura. The chips are perfectly cooked, salted just enough. The lemon fish tastes so good we always wonder why anyone would spend money on something more fancy. They throw in a lemon wedge to squeeze over the fish, now that's service.

One of the places that was in our must visit by recommendation of friends. No regrets had an amazing lunch time there with the blue cod fish taste amazing and the crayfish was so meaty and filled with juice. Highly recommend to stop by before heading to Picton. Do note the place is small but there was not much people during lunch time.

The fish of the day was excellent but half a Crayfish for more than 70NZD was definitely overpriced n overrated (disappointed by the taste). It was a VERY SMALL crayfish!! Putting the entire bowl in the plate took up the space on the plate itself and left no room for a more reasonable size crayfish. Clever but cunning. Staff were very nice though.

We didn't have table booked but they found us one after 10 min.The meals were very good. Tasty. The staff was a bit slow but it was full so I can understand why.

The restaurant was full. We walked in and asked for a table for two. Waited for 5+ min but got a table. Staffs were very nice and friendly. We had some snacks so just ordered today's soup and fish. Soup came with two pieces of small garlic bread and it was nice. Warmed up the body a little bit. Fish was a bit too fishy for me but dill on top was a good touch. The mashed potato at the bottom was nice too. Together we managed to finish the dish. We love cream brulee. So ordered one for dessert. The top sugar coating was too think. The cream part was .. little too sweet and creamy yet it was basic and standard. Perhaps we had our expectations set little too high. If you stay more than 2 nights in the area, I recommend you book a table in advance. But .. be patient with service time.

The best fine dining in Kaikoura! Got a special occasion in Kaikoura and want to eat fancy? Go, right now, to the Green Dolphin. I absolutely did not expect to find food like this in Kaikoura. It's a mix between fine dining and the size servings you'd expect at a bistro like Lone Star... giant servings, but of *excellently* prepared, 4 star food. The mix of trying to please everyone, as needed in a small NZ town, does mean that it doesn't reach the heights that they might like, but the meal is great, service is friendly and local, the wine and beer have a lot of South Island favourites, and you're supporting a restaurant doing something different in a small town.... and compared to the same meal in Auckland, Wellington, or Chchch, it's CHEAP AS. Go, surprise yourself. Dress up, have fun. Eat good.

Nice modern restaurant, with a view to see. The food was tasty just a bit expensive and smaller portions.

Great food and good views. Wonderful helpful people.

Amazing meal, super chilled atmosphere with views of the ocean. The new owners have done a great job and will definitely be back next time we’re in Kaikoura ( highly recommend mussels and Portabella mushroom mains) A++

The food here is insanely good. We had the Indian Butter chicken which was a perfect mix of sweet and spicy, when paired with the Garlic Cheese Naan was one of the best I've ever had. We also had the Lamb Bhuna which tasted so good with the various herbs and spices. Highly recommend to try it out if you are in Kaikoura.

Banging! Look, we can be quite discerning Indian-restaurant connoisseurs, used to the restaurants in the Middle East and the UK and can honestly say this place is really very good. The wine selection was predictably good, using the nearby Marlborough region as its anchor. We had the Vicar's Choice (no off-colour jokes please) Pinot -Gris and it was delicious. While quaffing on that, we ordered our food.... Wifey had Lamb Methi, and while it had the flavours you'd expect, the vibrancy was missing; not bad but could have been a lot better. I ordered the usual Lamb Vindaloo and explained that it would likely need extra chillies on the side. These were duly provided from the freezer (of all places) but really added to my experience, so a big well done there. It was absolutely delicious; a good rich sauce, decent hunks of nicely-cooked lamb, bordering on the sublime when I added the chopped chillies for that extra bang. The naan bread gets its own paragraph as it was really well-made, dripping with gorgeous ghee and a super balance between cooked and charred; I ate the lot. I didn't order the biryani, but would love to have done so. It comes with Raita, but unlike UK and Middle Eastern versions, without a vegetable curry side....a consideration perhaps? The critical question....would I come again? Well, yes, I think we would; there are lots of other nice otpions to try - esp the chef's recommendations. The place has most of the attributes we'd expect of an Indian restaurant in a UK-setting with 40 years more experience. So keep doing what you are doing and don't change your Vindaloo !

Best food in Kaikoura!! Really best restaurant in all of Kaikoura for me and without a doubt one of the best Indian restaurants I’ve ever eaten at. The food was absolutely outstanding: perfectly cooked, not oily, incredibly fresh, beautifully balanced in flavour not too spicy or overpowering, just perfectly seasoned and authentically delicious. You can truly taste the quality and care in every dish. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was very kind, polite and welcoming, and the chef even came out personally to bring the food, which made the experience even more special. If you value top-quality food, amazing taste, healthy dishes and authentic Indian cuisine, this place is an absolute must-visit. Truly exceptional in every way!

Loved this restaurant, I had the butter chicken (grannies recipe). If you love a nice spicy kick to your food, pick this dish! My friend had the chicken kurma, which is not spicy, but was also an amazing dish. We left with a full bellies and smiles on our faces. The waiter had great banter and excellent customer service. Would go for dinner here again!

After travelling in NZ for 2 weeks, we were ready for a really tasty curry - and that's exactly what we got! :) We can highly recommend the Lamb Sheek Kebab, Chicken Balti but ESPECIALLY the Malai Meethi Chicken. Super tasty! Really friendly service too.

I had a good time very friendly people and food was delicious he kept giving us free rice Was also my first time trying extra hot curry

The food here is absolutely delicious! They have lots of gluten free options, and the staff are incredibly nice and attentive. Good prices for the portions, food came quickly and was well spiced, too. Definitely recommend this place.

A bit too slow... Waited for 40min and the chicken arrived dry and hard. Wouldn't mind waiting for good food but this was not the case.

Jess provided excellent service and we were also impressed with Pixie's service. Went here with my big family to cook our fish and crayfish, and we also ordered a lot of chips. The food was amazing!! :)

Ordered 2 hot chocolates and 1 flat white. Got all 3 drinks cold and when I went back to my reheated. I mentioned it wasn’t just mine that was cold but all 3. And the lady that served us had the audacity to say it was my fault for leaving them outside for too long.

Delicious food! From the meals to the coffee (and fluffy) and the sweets from the cabinet 😍 Very friendly and helpful staff as well! We enjoyed very much and we'll definitely come back on our next visit to Kaikoura 😋

Took a team of 6 here for lunch. Food was nice. Reason for the low star ratting is they got 5 of our 6 orders wrong, when this was pointed out. It was our fault 5 times!! The other table behind us has a couple of orders wrong as well. What we did get was nice. Pity about service.

After finishing our fishing charter with Kaikoura Fishing Tours we bought our Crays and blue cod fish to Allure and even though they were closing they stayed open to cook our catch for us in a garlic butter sauce. Bev and Shane cooked up a feast, were super friendly and the food was delicious. Highly recommended!

Honestly, we hesitate to go in... But it was really really good ! Perfect for the price and the quality of the burger and sweet potatoes wedges ! the staff was really kind and I feel like it is underrated. So if you are looking for fast food and at an affordable price in Kaikoura, this is the place !

After the happy episode of good food + wine at Saint Clair, we drove to Kaikoura to stay for the night as we have whale watching tour the next morning. Alas! The luck was not with us this time as it was raining heavily with strong wind when we woke up the next morning. The plan was to have breakfast at Fluke Cafe before going for the tour but we were informed by the agency that all tours were cancelled for the day. A bit disappointed - yes - but I wanted to keep the mood up so I looked for a good breakfast spot. We reached Food Company Kaikoura still raining but the food as comforting and good too! ◾Mac & cheese with bacon ◾Corn fritters with extra streaky bacon ◾Scrambled egg, avocado on toast ◾Fluffy omelette with ham, cherry tomato and herbs, with toast on the side Our mood was instantly lifted by the warm breakfast considering the cold and rainy day outside. We continued our journey to Christchurch after that.

We stop here for a morning coffee with the family and kids loved it, the food was great and good price, breakfast in less than 5 min, toasts and bread all beautiful done, toilets inmaculate. Highly recommended friendly people, good job guys! keep it up.

Stopped in here going up and down the island, the staff are always warm and inviting (mother/daughter behind the counter) and the food is quick and ample, make sure you stop by the fudge cabinet on the way out as my wife does

Nice food, the staff were very accommodating for my fussy kids. Great kids area and good views of the snow capped mountains.

Food is average but a nice place for breakfast and brunch.

We've eaten here often now and always have a lovely time. Excellent breakfast and coffee. Great roasted sandwiches and excellent croissants. Friendly staff. Nice setting and overall a very good all round place. Awesome fudge too. Neapolitan is the BEST and creme brulee flavour fudge is too cool. Well done guys. keep it up!

The food we had was a steak sandwich and burger and they were all cooked tp perfection and very delicious. The coffees and iced chocolate were perfect. The staff were very friendly and were very good to us. It is a Cafe you must visit. Thanks for a pleasurable experience, see you next time we are passing through

Great place for a good solid kiwi style meal. Nice handy location by the sea with stunning views to the Apline peaks. Friendly relaxed atmosphere.

Tried to sit away from a speaker as they were playing 80's bAnGeRs. Friendly staff, good portions of pub food. The gulls loved our leftovers. Amazing views from the outside deck.

Nothing to complain about. Good food and good wine. The seafood was all fresh, tender and tasty.

Lovely experience. New bar lady from Belgium was fabulous. Excellent service!! We both had halloumi salad which was delicious. Would highly recommend. Little creatures beer and wither hills wine were gorgeous. Thank you.

Great food and wonderful service. Even the chef came to our table to sort out what he could prepare for my wife's allergies.

What a great location, lovely staff and food. We were staying nearby and walked in for a happy hour drink and snacks. The space is great and you can't get a better view of the sea in Kaikoura. The food is delicious kiwi style pub fare and good value. The staff were friendly and the overall vibe was great. Highly recommend

Ate here twice. First meal was Lamb shank - absolutely delicious & very generous portion. 2nd meal - lemon pepper calamari & pan fried fish. Very tasty, excellent portion & enjoyed the happy atmosphere

The veggie pie was quite disappointing. The pie structure was good but the fillings could have been more flavorful. The carrot cake was good.

$8 for a disgusting pie. We got 3 so it was $24. Chicken pie was a bit sour and only has a few strings of chicken here and there. In the steak and kidney pie, there was exactly two pieces of actual meat and three small bits of kidney. Mostly flavourless jelly. The steak and cheese pie was very average and tasteless but better than the other two. I suggest going to some other shop, so you're not disappointed.

Dropped in on Monday. Was served by a young man, tall, accent, ? Scottish, ? Irish. So polite, professional, keen to ensure I was being catered for. Felt like it may have been his first day. Really appreciated!!! Great work!!!

Kaikoura Bakery, conveniently plopped in a prime spot, lures you in with the promise of fresh selections that seem to be replenished as often as you blink. The display, packed with an array of baked goods, gives you hope—hope that’s quickly dashed when you take that first bite. Let’s get one thing straight: the food isn’t bad. It’s just... there. It’s the kind of stuff you’d eat because you’re hungry, not because you’re craving it. Flavors that play it safe, textures that don’t surprise, and an overall experience that leaves you wondering, “Is this really the best they can do?” Hopefully visitors to NZ get to taste better pie offerings than this bakery. Prices? Well, they’re exactly what you’d expect for the area—nothing shocking, nothing budget-friendly, just standard fare. You’re paying for convenience, not culinary excellence. In short, Kaikoura Bakery is like that one friend who always shows up to the party but never really makes it more fun. It’s there when you need it, but don’t expect anything memorable.

#Bakery cafe# Much more choices of cake and bread，scone is good，but the cinnamon rolls are hard. The coffee is too light for me.

Had steak and cheese pie, and a chicken sandwich. Both food options were good for on the go eating as I was passing through. Will be back here to try some different options.

Currently on a journey around the South Island to find the best pies. Ordered, - sausage roll: filling to pastry ratio was generous as per the photo. Pastry flaky and crispy as expected. Food was warm when purchased - mushroom steak pie: flavour of mushroom gravy was delicious although I felt that the mushroom filling could have been chunkier. Steak serving was great.

We visited this coffee shop a few years ago & were impressed. Loved all the knick knacks & paraphernalia & coffee of course was great. On this recent return visit to Kaikoura unfortunately it was closed. However I enquired next door & found out the lady opens spasmodically now, so will keep trying

Community is family who stick together through government opression, earthquakes and everything. These lovely people go above and beyond. Knowledgeable, engaging, motivating conversation is so rare to come by these days so expect to be challenged when you sit down with these incredible beings.

We weren’t really expecting much but the food was great!! We got the chicken burger ($23 each) and it was a really decent sized portion. Fries were just a bit too salty but everything else was perfect. The staff were also really nice. Well done!

Ops I forgot to ask her name, Mrs Owner of the cafe. She was awesome! Very patient, friendly and very helpful. Excellent! Coffee was superb! We also had brownie, lemon slice and chicken wrap plus the photos. Worth it! Thanks again for the great experience.

After our whale watching tour, we were looking for some delicious food. Happy we found that at Chiwis cafe! It is mainly a coffee shop I believe, but they have great food options as well. The staff or owner was super lovely, and the drinks were great too. All this with a very reasonable price, can only recommend it.

A very accessible location! The coffee and food were really tasty, and the staff were super friendly. They’ve got a great range of menu options, including Asian dishes. The place is clean, tidy, and just overall a great spot to hang out.

That is so awesome! Must try it. The seasoning and the chicken are so perfect! All food are cook on spot!

The best chicken udon we had so far in NZ. The broth was so good that I can feel the chef put in a lot effort to it. The flavour is well-balanced, and the chicken is so juicy and tender. We also ordered BLT & fries, the BLT itself is huge. They use clean oil to fry the chips, judging by the look of the chips. 👍 The lady who served us was very attentive. Will definitely come back if we come this way.

So lucky to find authentic Korean food in Kaikoura, along with good sushi and udon! Lovely people who own the cafe. Also, the kimchi here is legit - much better quality and taste than the ones you can buy at New World (and it’s more affordable here too - can buy a substantial tub for $10). I recommend: Bulgogi dupbap (tastes authentic!) and their curry udon. I got sushi for a quick lunch one day and it was fresh and delicious. Happy to support this family run business :)

Went there cold and hungry after a whale watching tour at 2pm on a Monday. Ordered a bowl of Sicilian seafood soup each and shared the large Marlborough mussels in garlic white wine sauce. The meal was fantastic. Ciabatta was soft and chewy, simply amazing. We wiped our plates clean.

Such great food and friendly service. We were a table of 3 and our meals came out fast and hot. So delicious! We had the fish tacos, chicken burger, craypot chowder and muscles. We wish we had room for dessert, but too full!

Despite being rather quiet, we were greeted by friendly staff, and welcomed into the restaurant. The light meals provided plenty of options, and both the seafood chowder and the fish tacos were delicious, fresh, and flavourful.

We had an amazing meal with great dessert- the tiramisu!!!! My partner got the fish burger which he loved, and I got the seafood chowder which was the perfect amount with really great toast. The staff went out of their way to serve us, and were fantastic to deal with. Highly recommend sitting out the front to watch some cheeky seagulls.

Lunch outing with my mates and the food was so scrumptious. The Angus beef burger was so yummy, the fish and chips was such a delight and the open steak sandwich was delicious. The flavors were perfectly balanced, and the presentation was beautiful. The staffs were attentive to our needs and very approachable. Definitely another add on to my "going there again".

My husband and I ate here this evening and had a lovely visit with the owner. We shared the seafood chowder and garlic bread…was very very tasty!!! I also ordered the starter green lipped muscles (had 14 of them) in sauce with garlic bread & my husband had the beer battered fish and chips with salad. Everything we had was delicious!!!! Can’t recommend this restaurant enough!!! Google said the restaurant closes at 5pm on Sunday, but it is not accurate. They were open. Thank goodness! Fabulous meal!

Craypot chowder soooo delicious! And the garlic bread? Soft, fluffy, and smells amazing! Had to order extra after devouring the first two! 😋

Want a place to stop in for some delicious food with great parking. Breakfast was delicious...if you love bacon and scrambled eggs...this is a place to go. Good selection of food. Staff service was excellent. Cool area for the little people Next time you are arriving, staying in or leaving Kaikoura I recommend you stop in.

Coffee is great! Ordered latte. Looks like pies not their specialty. Ordered pork and apple pie and brisket pie. Apple is too soft taste like fats… Got pepper pork taste, but pork is sooo little. The brisket pie slightly better, got strong beef taste.

Was looking forward to stopping here as had heard great reviews from friends. We arrived at about 10.30am so they may not have had the doors open for long. Lovely place in a great location with plenty of parking, including for bigger vehicles. Menu had a wide selection of options as did the counter cabinet. Great place to grab a takeaway or meal when travelling up or down the east coast. Now the tough call, we were the only two customers there (just opened) and the nice gentleman took our order with a smile.... then we waited.... Eventually the female there asked if we had had our drinks yet, then shrugged and made them for us. I had ordered Eggs 'P'enny, my food came out beautifully presented and was quite plentiful for the price which is in line with other cafes in the region. However, the hollandaise was icy cold, this quickly turned the rest of the food cold and I requested the plate be microwaved which the gentleman did without fuss, though he stated that that is how they always served it.... Hmmmm, take what you want from that, in 60 years of travelling, eating eggs benny all over the world, I have only ever been served cold hollandaise once before. Any how, after a quick warm up, the food was delicious. Yummy bacon and perfectly poached eggs. Will visit again, however next time I will be asking for all of my meals to be served hot.

Te Ana Caves Restaurant is an absolute must-visit in Kaikōura. The food is simply incredible, with every dish full of flavour and care. The staff are warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly, making you feel at home from the moment you arrive. The atmosphere is vibrant yet relaxed, and the view is nothing short of breathtaking — the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. One standout item is their toasted ham, cheese, and pineapple sandwich; it’s so delicious it’s worth the trip alone. If you miss this place, you’ve missed one of life’s true joys. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Kaikōura.

Was going to stop for a full meal but not that hungry so opted for coffee, hot chips and a custard slice. Chips were really good and coffee hot. But special mention goes to the Custard Slice ... OMG .... first bite and I was in heaven!! And the very best part it wasn't a huge slice. I thoroughly enjoyed the wee treat!

Amazing cave tours here! Cafe is really good but so glad to have the cave tours operating again. Jan, our guide, was really knowledgeable and entertaining. Good value for a family too.

Went in today to get a couple of coffee to take away. We brought our own cups but still got charged extra 50 cents each. So, we questioned the young lady who served us. She said ‘because you want to take it away’ 🤔 don’t think it’s too fair or make any sense.

The cookies were burnt and they are the most impatient workers ever and they gave me one peice of carrot so aked for more gave me one more peice all of us got toasted sandwich i think they forgot to turn the toaster on

We were rushed by the staff, that yelled through the room rudly, eventhough we were still deciding what to get and weren't even blocking the line. Then when we ordered she continued having an annoyed and unfrindly attitude. She poorly filled my wrap, every ingredient was used to the bare minimum. I like subway but this one was dissapointing.

Come here for a feed after our whale watching trip and was greeted with the most horrible service. The man who served us clearly didn’t want to be there and his attitude towards us was disgusting. He wanted to rush us out of the shop no eye contact just shouting different orders at us. The two ladies that worked there were very polite! However did seem to be a little scared of the man they were working with. Hope this isn’t something they have to put up with a lot!!

One of the worst subways I've been to in new zealand. They cut costs whereever they can. They dont have all the meat (made my Pizza Melt sub with normal salami only, no peperoni.. ), they dont offer all the cheese (although there was Mozzarella covered in the box next to the other too, I was asked to choose between cheddar and old english?!), the breads aren't even the same as they normally are. The customer service was also not too friendly. Overall not a good experience for what you'd expect at subway!

Disappointed that the sub of the day is always ham. Should be the sub of every day. False advertising. Definitely lacking in ingredients in every order. Cheapskate business using the subway name for customers.

So many salad ingredients unavailable and why do they only serve large salads? Regular has been crossed off the menu along with other items.

Either shut down or sell the business if you can't be bothered to run it properly

This is an uncomfortably small hut, but totally fine enough for a night. I'm a big fan of the work DoC do, but if they're going to charge (even a nominal amount) they do need to do some track maintenance clearing overgrown grasses from the hut to the summit. The hut has water (you need to treat), and a fireplace. A few places to leave boots and bags but not much space. Stinky toilet - byo toilet paper. The walk to the hut is a relentless uphill, took me (37y/o) 2 hours flat plus another 65 mins to the summit. Took an older lady 1.5 hours to the summit, and a mum with two young children 3.5 hours to the hut. The camping areas look decent (as flat as you'd ever get) but there's only a picnic table (no shelter to cook under if it's raining).

the views throughout the track (mt fyffe carpark to mt fyffe hut) were very nice and definitely made the walk worth it, but i’m ngl, as a beginner i struggled so much😭 majority of the walk is uphill and it was verrrryyy very tiring😭 nice views though!! - also i wasn’t a fan of the drive to the carpark lol because it was very bumpy and windey and if a car was coming from the other direction you’re kind of stuffed because you can’t fit 2 cars there

We went hiking from Mt Fyffe carpark to Mt Fyffe hut, and also reaching Mount Fyffe summit in the next morning, really worth to visit there. The landscape is magnificent. The sunset was so beautiful. If you are a beginner and with a heavy backpack, it may take you roughly 4 hours to reach the hut from the carpark. 90% of the track is quite steep, and roughly 60% is quite rocky, it is better to have a good pair of hiking shoes with grippier outsoles for improved traction, plus a pole with be great. The track is still doable if a beginner doesn't prepare well, but it definitely will take you longer time to finish, please be aware.

Can easily access via the 4WD Track in the dark with an average head torch (400 lumens was more than enough). Recommend waking up in the dark and heading to the summit for sunrise OR if you're not staying over night watch the sunset then hike down in the fading light/dark. Hut has a wee fire which is plenty strong enough for the size of the hut. There's plenty of space for cooking etc.

A pretty continuous uphill tramp from Mt Fyffe Carpark takes you to the lookout. Take a break. Then keep trudging up till you reach the somewhat flat secrion at 1100m with the gorgeous hut. This hut does not offer reservations. Has 8 bunks. A wood burner. The hut is pretty well built and insulated. But expect the doors to creak and squeak under high winds. There is water available. But recommended to treat or boil before consumption. There is a drop toilet about 10m from the hut. Enjoy spectacular views of the Kaikoura Peninsula. Sunrise and sunset can be gorgeous if there are clouds in the sky. This place also offers a dark sky experience on clear nights. The stars are clear and bright. You could almost pluck them out of the sky :-) Another 500m climb takes you to the Mt Fyffe summit. But its uphill most of the way. The route to the hut from the car park is tree lined, so views aren't commonplace apart from the gaps and lookout point. But on a windy day works as a blessing and gives plenty of cover. Not the most picturesque of NZ hikes but definitely rewarding once you reach the hut. Get your backcountry hut passes from the Kaikoura iSite to use for your stay. At $5 a night, that's a steal!

Absolutely stunning spot. The climb to the top is well worth it for a sunrise. We camped and it was lovely, having the tent open out with a view to the ocean was priceless. A very pleasurable hike, overnight in and out means you can bring some tasty snacks! I enjoyed everything I saw, and there were some magnificent sights that is for sure. 1n4m82OTTT4K_dqy37MdF8o9kBCPL1wlX

Yeah, i loved this place. Great views of kaikoura, awesome view of the stars on a clear night and there is also cellphone reception up there for those people who can't quite leave Instagram or Snapchat alone. There is water up here and a long drop toilet. Make sure you let people know when using the toilet as it has a glass window in the door!

Order: 1x Large Lamb + Chicken on Chips and salad with Aioli and Tzatziki (25$) 1x Blue Sea Burger with Curly Fries and Aioli (21,50$) We loved both a lot! The lamb is cut in stripes and really well-seasoned and so tender and that combined with the crispy shoestring chips and the aioli was perfect. I really recommend getting it with the salad to balanve out the meal. The chicken was alright, but I would probably get only lamb next time. ☺️ The burger was also really great, the fish was crispy and so were the curly fries, but the only thing that wasn't to our liking is the mildy sweet bun, which is only a minor thing. The worker was really nice and kind and the even tho the shop us quite small, it's cozy and offers several seating options. Thank you for the great meal! ☺️

We had spaghetti with meatballs, though unfortunately, the meatballs were still frozen. We were kindly offered a free drink, which we appreciated. The souvlaki was filling but overall we had hoped for a better dining experience.

Very very friendly staff and attentive! Had smiles on their faces which makes a huge difference! Environment was very warm and food service was amazing. Delicious food must try pepperoni pizza & kumura fries!

Amazing nice restaurant! We were looking for a place to eat and found this amazing place. Fortunately, we ordered a burger and pizza, and it was mindblowing! Highly recommend, and also, big shout to Pradeep for great customer service! Cheers!

Large portions of food served here which are made from fresh produce and made to order. Meals are quick and easy and tasty. We went on a weekday evening towards the end of the season and it seemed pretty quiet, a few tables were occupied at times. Perfect place if you're wanting something reasonably priced and tasty

We had the most delicious burgers here. Big size, fresh ingredients, great meat pattie. Very happy.

This is consistently the best burger place in Kaikoura! Beats anywhere in Christchurch. Our kids love the pizzas, and we all love the curly fries. Great friendly staff too.