It isn’t just giant sperm whales that are drawn to feast in Kaikōura’s bountiful waters. The tiny coastal town on the South Island’s east coast lures two-legged seafood lovers too. What’s on the menu? The clue is in its name: Kaikōura means ‘eat crayfish’ in Maori.

Nature on a plate, coming right up. Explore unique New Zealand dishes made with fresh, seasonal produce. Unearth a wide variety of root vegetables with their comforting flavours; a staple of winter cooking.

This crayfish spot used to work out of a small caravan just around the corner, and opened the doors to its modern café in late 2019. With a car parking area and views of the ocean right up front, it’s easy to see why passers by are enticed to stop.