The 10 Best Bars and Restaurants in Kaikoura, New Zealand

As far as dining is concerned, Kaikoura is a haven for seafood lovers. The New Zealand town is known for being a great spot to catch (and eat) crayfish, among various other fish and seafood. But even if you don’t like this type of cuisine, you’ll easily find the ideal place to eat, drink and be merry. Here are 10 bars and restaurants guaranteed to satisfy all travellers.
The Whaler Bar and Restaurant
Bar, Restaurant, Seafood, Pub Grub
The Pier Hotel Restaurant & Bar
Bar, Restaurant, Seafood, Pub Grub, European
Locals and visitors alike love to pop into The Pier Hotel’s restaurant for a casual meal and drinks. Seafood is where the restaurant thrives — if you want to try some of Kaikoura’s famous crayfish, this would be the place to do it. To top it all off, local wines are always on the drinks menu and the venue’s friendly, country-style ambiance is enhanced by the historical photographs dotted around the bar area.
Green Dolphin Restaurant and Bar
Bar, Restaurant, Contemporary, European, Seafood

The family-owned Green Dolphin Restaurant and Bar prides itself in using freshly caught fish, wild game and locally sourced produce to create an authentically Kaikoura cuisine experience. The dining room offers incredible panoramas of the bay and the Seaward Kaikoura Range, which greatly complement the restaurant’s stunning seasonal menu as well as its boutique beer and wine selection.
Koura Bay Lodge
Golf Hotel, Hotel

Lobster Inn Tavern
Bar, European, Contemporary, Seafood, Pub Grub

The Lobster Inn Tavern offers everything you could possibly need on a casual night out: a large screen where you can watch the latest live sports match, private gaming rooms with 16 slot machines, as well as generously apportioned meals and a classic drinks menu to keep all tastes content. Crayfish (i.e. lobster) is the obvious choice for diners, though there are various other options to try too, including a wide assortment of pizzas and seafood mains.
Zephyr
Restaurant, Contemporary, Oceanian, European

Black Rabbit Pizza
Pizzeria, Restaurant, Italian, Vegetarian
With a mix of unique creations and flavours we all know and love, Black Rabbit is a pizza lover’s dream. Lunch or dinner are on offer every day, and the restaurant has plenty of takeaway options too. Interesting toppings on the menu include seafood, rabbit, wild game, chicken with wild nuts as well as lots of vegetable combinations for non-meat eaters.
SlamClub
Restaurant, Cafe, Contemporary, European

Donegal House
Bar, Pub, Restaurant, European, Irish, Contemporary, Oceanian, Vegetarian
Donegal House is an Irish hotel, pub and restaurant known for its homely meals, interesting historic setting and all-round friendly vibes. Roast meals with a choice of lamb, pork or chicken is where Donegal thrives; vegetarian meals and hearty seafood delicacies are always on the menu too. An expansive outdoor seating area makes this the ideal place to chill out with a glass of Marlborough wine as you bask in the amazing sea views.
Caves Restaurant
Cafe, Restaurant, Contemporary
Head to Caves Restaurant for an unpretentious seaside lunch that celebrates the good-old New Zealand fares. With an array of cabinet treats, burgers, plus a rich offering of seafood, beef, lamb and chicken mains this is a place that aptly caters to all appetites and food preferences. You can wash it all down with a nice cup of coffee, smoothie or even a milkshake if you want to satisfy your sweet-tooth inclinations.
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