Top Seafood Eateries In Kaikōura

At Karaka Lobster you’ll get to taste crayfish the way it’s done best – freshly caught each morning, served with homegrown lemons, garlic bread and your choice of crisp salad or fries. Karaka Lobster also sells whole crays that can be taken away to cook at home, or enjoy your feast in the beautiful Okiwi Bay.

Okiwi Bay 2825, State Highway 1, Kaikōura

This caravan sits right beside State Highway 1 – an iconic spot for satisfying your crayfish cravings. A third generation family-run business, Nin’s Bin continues to catch and cook crays much in the same way it did in the early days – the boat is launched right up front, the crays cooked across the road and served with fresh lemon and garlic butter. Sit ocean-side and watch the seals play as you dig your teeth into the freshest local fare.

State Highway 1, 6, Kaikōura

One of Kaikōura’s longest running fish n’ chip shops, The Top Shop is the local take-out joint. The owner (known lovingly as Crazyjane) ran the hairdresser next door for some twenty-two years and took over the fish n’ chip side of things four years ago. The shop is tucked within the triangle where Beach Road veers off State Highway 1 – keep an eye out for blue picnic tables and you can’t miss it. The Top Shop is known for great burgers as well as your classic chip shop items.

240 Beach Road, Kaikōura

The Kaikōura Seafood BBQ has its permanent park-up spot en route to the Kaikōura Peninsula Seal Colony. One of the more affordable spots to appreciate the kaimoana offerings of this coastal town, go for the seafood platter and get to sample fish, scallops, mussels, whitebait, salmon and last but not least, crayfish.

55 Fyffe Quay, Kaikōura Peninsula, Kaikōura

Known amongst locals as the restaurant with the best views in town, The Pier Hotel will definitely not disappoint for its vistas as well as its seafood offerings. The go-to here is the Crayfish Chowder, made with fresh local crayfish and served with homemade bread – simple, yet oh-so-delicious.

1 Avoca Street, Kaikōura

The premium fish n’ chip shop in town, Coopers Catch prides itself on fresh fish always cooked to order. The offerings here include full meals that can be enjoyed right up front and of course your classic take-out options that can be enjoyed at home or around the corner at the beach. Try blue cod for your fish and you won’t know what hit you!

9 West End, Kaikōura

Zephyr has taken the crayfish challenge to the next level with its ravioli dish made from this local delicacy. Handmade in the kitchen, the secret to the deliciousness may well be the crayfish oil created in the restaurant, which tops off this journey for your taste buds.

40 West End, Kaikōura

The house specialty and a crowd pleaser at Strawberry Tree Irish bar and restaurant is the Crispy Skinned Flounder. This is a whole fish served up on a bed of fries, fresh salad, lemon and aioli – a must try for seafood lovers and adventurous eaters.

21 West End, Kaikōura