The Craypot Kitchen & Bar is a long-running institution in Kaikoura, located at 70 West End in the heart of town. Formerly known as the Craypot Café, the recently refurbished venue is now run by new owners Amy and Tumai, who describe it as a spacious café, restaurant and bar with a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and a tasty menu.
Crayfish is the restaurant's speciality, offered on a specialty menu featuring fresh Kaikoura Rock Lobster when available. The all-day menu spans brunch, lunch and evening dining, with dishes ranging from a well-reviewed seafood platter and smoked fish cakes to a ribeye steak, steak sandwich, dumplings and an eggplant tomato stack. Desserts include a Basque Burnt Cheesecake and Tiramisu, both popular with diners, and there's a dedicated kids menu for younger guests.
The full bar serves local craft beers, wines, non-alcoholic juices and soft drinks, alongside barista-made coffee, and the venue caters to special dietary requirements. Guests can dine inside or out on the covered veranda during the summer months, and the restaurant is large enough to comfortably handle group bookings, which are recommended, especially for evenings.
Right in the heart of Kaikoura township, at 70 West End, The Craypot Kitchen & Bar has been a long-running institution in town, now under the ownership of Amy and Tumai. Formerly known as the Craypot Café, the venue has recently been refurbished, bringing a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff and a tasty new menu to a space with a unique rustic seaside ambiance.
As the name suggests, crayfish is the star here. A specialty menu features fresh Kaikoura Rock Lobster when it's available, with staff able to confirm current pricing since it can change without notice. It's a fitting speciality for a town synonymous with crayfish, and one that draws visitors who search the area looking for the real thing. One diner recalled searching all around town for crayfish before finding it at The Craypot, adding that the seafood platter they ordered alongside it was fresh, delicious, and great value for the portion size.
The Craypot is open for brunch, lunch and evening dining, with a menu built to suit whatever time of day guests arrive. Beyond the seafood platter, dishes that have earned praise from diners include a ribeye steak, a steak sandwich, and dumplings, alongside vegetable-forward options like an eggplant tomato stack. One reviewer called their ribeye steak and tiramisu "excellent," while another singled out the steak sandwich and dumplings as "really delicious." A separate kids menu is also available, making the restaurant an easy choice for families.
Dessert gets its own dedicated menu, with options like a Basque Burnt Cheesecake that diners are encouraged to enjoy either after a meal or on its own with a coffee. It's a fitting way to end a visit, whether that's a full dinner or a quick stop for coffee and something sweet.
Alongside the food, The Craypot runs a full bar featuring local craft beers and a solid selection of wines, plus non-alcoholic juices and soft drinks for anyone not drinking. For the morning crowd, barista-made coffee is available to enjoy on the covered veranda or to take away, making it as suited to a quick caffeine stop as to a long lunch.
The restaurant is spacious, described as perfect for group bookings, but equally welcoming for a solo coffee or a quick lunch. During the warmer months, the covered veranda opens up as an outdoor dining option, letting guests enjoy Kaikoura's coastal setting while they eat. The kitchen also caters to special dietary requirements, so the diverse menu can flex to suit different needs.
Under its winter hours, The Craypot serves lunch seven days a week from 11:30am to 2:30pm, with evening dining available Monday, Saturday and Sunday from 5pm to 7pm. Because hours can shift with the season, the restaurant recommends calling ahead to confirm current times, and bookings are recommended generally, especially for group dining or evening meals.