Cods & Crays is a locally owned and operated fish and chip shop and fresh seafood outlet at 81 Beach Road (SH1) in Kaikōura. Fresh fish arrives daily from local fishermen, and customers can select a piece of fresh fish of the day or their regular fish, cooked battered, crumbed or grilled, and served with a free smile and a slice of lemon.
Beyond the takeaway counter, Cods & Crays sells fresh fish, seafood and live crayfish and mussels straight from their tanks, either to take home raw or cooked on request, sourced from fishermen locally in Kaikōura and the coastal waters around Aotearoa. In summer, the Beach Road location also serves real fruit ice cream made with a choice of fruit.
The business also runs a Mobile Food Truck selling takeaways, real fruit ice creams, milkshakes and other drinks (though not fresh fish, crayfish or other seafood, which are only available from the main Beach Road outlet or online). Cods & Crays delivers fresh seafood nationwide, with South Island orders usually arriving the next day and North Island orders taking up to two days.
At 81 Beach Road, right on State Highway 1 in Kaikōura, Cods & Crays describes itself as 'fish & chips the way it used to be.' It's a locally owned and operated business, with fresh fish arriving daily from local fishermen and friendly staff serving up a real kiwi favourite.
At the heart of Cods & Crays is a simple promise: pick a piece of fresh fish of the day, or go with the regular fish, and the team will cook it exactly how you want it — battered, crumbed or grilled. Every order comes with a free smile and a slice of lemon. Alongside the fish, the takeaway menu covers burgers, seafood, kids meals and meal packs, with delivery also available for those who'd rather stay put.
One of the things that sets Cods & Crays apart is its live seafood tanks. Customers can buy live crayfish and mussels straight from the tank, always a local favourite, or have them cooked on the spot. All fish is prepared on the premises, sourced from fishermen locally in Kaikōura and from the coastal waters surrounding Aotearoa New Zealand.
During the warmer months, the Beach Road location also serves real fruit ice cream, made with a choice of fruit — a mouth-watering stop for anyone after something sweet alongside their fish and chips.
Cods & Crays operates from two premises: the main Beach Road outlet, where fresh fish, seafood and live crayfish and mussels are sold, and a Mobile Food Truck, which sells takeaways, real fruit ice creams, milkshakes and other drinks — though not fresh fish, crayfish or other seafood, which remain exclusive to the main store and the online shop.
For those further afield, Cods & Crays also sells fresh fish, seafood and live crayfish and mussels through its online store, with orders packed and delivered as quickly as possible to guarantee freshness. South Island deliveries usually arrive the next day, while North Island deliveries can take up to two days, handled through external couriers. Online orders go through a secure payment gateway, with GST included in all prices and delivery and handling fees added at checkout.
Because seafood supply depends on season and conditions, some items may occasionally be out of stock — Cods & Crays recommends getting in touch to check availability if something isn't listed. Some products may also contain allergens, so anyone with concerns is encouraged to check with staff before ordering.
Cods & Crays is open seven days a week from 9am to 8pm. Whether it's a classic fish and chips takeaway, a live crayfish straight from the tank, or a real fruit ice cream on a hot day, Cods & Crays remains a genuine Kaikōura institution for fresh, local seafood.