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 their visitors with the freshest, most delicious 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. However, knowing these delicacies coming out of our waters were only destined for the overseas market, we decided to ensure New Zealanders could have some of our own Kaikoura crays for themselves. So, in 2000 our family started selling fresh crayfish from the mornings harvest out of the Waipapa Bay Campground road front shop.

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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. 

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But alas, with a bit of kiwi ingenuity our family set up a new shop and were serving fresh crays to Kaikoura locals and visitors again in no time - just this time from a little food caravan. 

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Our reputation for the freshest crays on the coast grew and, naturally we grew our cafe to a more permanent facility - Karaka Lobster, Premium Seafood and Cafe.

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You could almost say, here, at Karaka Lobster Cafe located just 35 minutes North of Kaikoura looking out over the beautiful Okiwi Bay we are the gateway to the crayfish coast. As in Māori "Kai" means 'food,' and "Koura" means 'crayfish' or 'lobster,' so it's no wonder what the Kaikoura coast is famous for!!

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So we can't wait to see you here soon to experience a crayfish - the Karaka way.

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Okiwi Bay, 2825 State Highway 1,

Kaikoura, New Zealand

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Opening Hours

Friday-Monday:

9:00am - 4pm

(Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

Temporarily closed

- we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause 

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