Beach House Cafe

About Beach House Cafe

Beach House Cafe is a character-filled house on the Main Road in Kaikōura, serving all-day breakfast and brunch alongside C4 coffee. Bread is made on site, and the cabinet and menu offer a twist on many of the classics, from a smashed avo stack to a seafood chowder loaded with Mills Bay mussels and shrimp.

The cafe supports Aotearoa producers, sourcing ingredients from suppliers like Harris Meats, Matcha Made and Boring oat milk, and working with like-minded people. A dedicated kids menu (Tamariki Kai) and a full drinks list - from espresso and iced matcha to smoothies and boozy coffee - round out the offering.

Beach House Cafe is open seven days a week, closed only on Christmas Day, and welcomes both locals and travellers passing through Kaikōura. Bookings usually aren't needed, though groups of six or more are encouraged to call ahead.

Beach House Cafe: All-Day Brunch and Coffee on Kaikōura's Main Road

On the Main Road in Kaikōura, Beach House Cafe brings a character-filled house to life with all-day breakfast, brunch and superb coffee. Bread is made on site, and the cabinet and menu put a twist on many of the classics - a nod to the cafe's own style rather than a straight copy of the standard brunch menu.

A Menu Built Around Local Flavours

The all-day "Eat" menu ranges from the BH Benedict - poached eggs on potato hash with house hollandaise, finished with a choice of bacon, mushroom or Akaroa hot smoked salmon - through to a plant-based Scrambled Tofu with turmeric tofu, smashed avo and dukkah. The Seafood Chowder brings together smoked fish, Mills Bay mussels and shrimp in a creamy base with garlic toast, while the Lamb Burger uses a local lamb and herb pattie with beetroot, pickled onion and mint jelly. A Soul Bowl of quinoa, avocado and beetroot hummus, and an Open Fish Sandwich with pan fried local catch, basil pesto and crispy capers round out the more substantial options, alongside a BH Souvlaki available with falafel, chicken or local Middlehurst lamb.

Coffee at the Core

Beach House Cafe pours C4 coffee - among the best of Aotearoa's brews - across the usual range of blacks and whites, plus hot chocolate, chai latte and a rotating list of smoothies by Sandbag, including the Blue Magic (spirulina and blueberries) and The Tropical (mango, pineapple and turmeric). An iced drinks menu covers everything from iced matcha to iced coffee and iced chocolate, and there's a kids version topped with ice cream and cream.

Sourcing With Purpose

The cafe makes a point of supporting Aotearoa producers, working with suppliers like Harris Meats, Matcha Made and Boring oat milk, sourcing the best ingredients and partnering with like-minded people.

For the Whole Whānau

Tamariki Kai, the kids menu, covers bacon and egg on toast, hotcakes with maple and banana, fresh fruit salad, fried chicken and a ham and cheese toastie - each served with a drink.

Visiting Beach House Cafe

Beach House Cafe is open seven days a week from 6:30am to 3:00pm, closed only on Christmas Day, at 39 Beach Road, Kaikōura. Bookings usually aren't needed, but groups of six or more are welcome to call ahead.

Signature items

• BH Benedict
• Seafood Chowder
• Lamb Burger
• Soul Bowl
• Scrambled Tofu
• Open Fish Sandwich

Menu

Eat

• BH Benedict — Poached eggs on potato hash with spinach and house hollandaise, choice of bacon, mushroom or Akaroa hot smoked salmon
• Scrambled Tofu — Turmeric tofu, smashed avo, mushroom, salad greens, sauerkraut, beetroot hummus, dukkah on rye
• Big Boy — Poached eggs, bacon, beef sausage, hash, mushroom, spinach, tomato, toast
• Smavo — Smashed avo, feta, mushroom, greens, dukkah, poached egg, beetroot hummus
• Eggs on Toast — Free range eggs your way on toast
• House Granola — Toasted oat seed granola topped with yoghurt and seasonal fruit
• Hotcakes — Vanilla hotcakes, caramelised banana, mixed berry coulis, ice cream
• Vegie Nachos — House made beans, corn chips, cheddar, sour cream, guacamole, salsa
• BH Souvlaki — Toasted hot pita with hummus, tabbouleh, lettuce, tzatziki, chilli; choice of falafel, chicken or local Middlehurst lamb
• Soup of the Day — House made soup, served with garlic toast
• Seafood Chowder — Creamy chowder with smoked fish, Mills Bay mussels and shrimp, served with garlic toast
• Lamb Burger — Local lamb and herb pattie, beetroot, pickled onion, aioli, salad greens, mint jelly, served with fries
• Soul Bowl — Salad greens, quinoa, avocado, tomato, toasted seeds, beetroot, hummus
• Open Fish Sandwich — Pan fried local caught fish, salad greens, tomato, basil pesto, crispy capers, served with fries

Drink

• Black / Pango — Espresso, long black or americano
• White / Mā — Flat white, cappuccino, macchiato or latte
• Chocolate / Tiakarete — Hot chocolate or mocha
• Chai Latte — House chai
• Smoothies by Sandbag — Blue Magic, The Dragon, Nut Job, The Tropical, Green Room or The Acai One, made with real ingredients and coconut water
• Iced Matcha — Organic matcha, mango or strawberry
• Iced Espresso / Latte / Coffee — Iced coffee range
• Iced Chocolate / Chai — Iced dessert drinks
• Kids Iced Drinks — Made with ice cream and topped with cream

Tamariki Kai (Kids)

• Bacon & Egg on Toast — Kids meal, served with a drink
• Hotcakes — Maple, banana, cream
• Fresh Fruit Salad — With yoghurt
• Fried Chicken — With fries
• Toastie — Ham and cheese, with fries

Frequently asked questions

Where is Beach House Cafe located?

At 39 Beach Road, Kaikōura 7300, on the Main Road.

What are the opening hours?

Open 7 days a week from 6:30am to 3:00pm, closed on Christmas Day.

Do I need to book a table?

Usually not, but groups of six or more are encouraged to call ahead.

What coffee does Beach House Cafe serve?

C4 Coffee, described as among the best of Aotearoa's brews.

Does the cafe have vegan or vegetarian options?

Yes, including the Scrambled Tofu, vegan aioli, and plant-based additions across the menu.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes, the Tamariki Kai menu includes bacon and egg on toast, hotcakes, fruit salad, fried chicken and a toastie.

Does Beach House Cafe make its own bread?

Yes, bread is made on site.

Tips

• {"body":"Made with smoked fish, Mills Bay mussels and shrimp, served with garlic toast.","title":"Try the seafood chowder"}
• {"body":"Open from 6:30am daily for the full breakfast menu.","title":"Go early for breakfast"}
• {"body":"Bookings aren't usually needed, but call for parties of six or more.","title":"Call ahead for groups"}
• {"body":"Options include Blue Magic (spirulina and blueberries) and The Tropical (mango, pineapple, turmeric).","title":"Try a Sandbag smoothie"}

Good to know

• {"family":"Tamariki Kai kids menu available","dietary":"Vegan and vegetarian options available, including Scrambled Tofu and vegan aioli"}