Cray, it's in our DNA

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Since the start of the 20th century, our family have been providing Kaikoura locals and visitors with the freshest crayfish in New Zealand. 

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Two generations and 40 years have passed since 1980 when our family started cray fishing off the coast of Kaikoura. Knowing these delicacies coming out of our waters were only destined for the overseas market, we wanted to ensure that New Zealanders had the opportunity to purchase the crayfish directly from the sea to their plate. In 2000 our family started selling fresh crayfish from the mornings harvest out of the road front shop at the Waipapa Bay Campground

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Sixteen years on Kaikoura's 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused a slip behind the camp that made the grounds for the original shop unsafe and non-operational. ​With a bit of kiwi ingenuity our family set up a new shop and were serving fresh crays to Kaikoura locals and visitors again - just this time from a little food caravan. 

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Our reputation for the freshest crays on the coast grew. The natural progression was for a more permanent facility - Karaka Lobster, Premium Seafood and Cafe.

 

Karaka Lobster Café is located just 30 minutes North of Kaikoura, overlooking the beautiful Okiwi Bay. We are the gateway to the cray fishing coast.

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We can't wait to see you for a crayfish soon - the Karaka way.

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Where to find us...

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Okiwi Bay, 2825 State Highway 1

Kaikoura

New Zealand

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Current Opening Hours

Friday-Monday:

9:00am - 4pm

(Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

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Summer Hours 

From 1 October 2022 - 1 May 2023 

9:00am - 4:00pm

7 days a week

Temporarily closed

- we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause 

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