Kai Whakapai Eatery & Craft Beer Bar

About Kai Whakapai Eatery & Craft Beer Bar

Kai Whakapai is a cafe eatery and craft beer bar known for good food, good brews and good service, with a laid-back, share-friendly vibe. By day it serves coffee and breakfast classics; by night it turns into a local spot for craft beer, wine, cocktails, music and good times, all set against lake views.

The name Kai Whakapai translates directly to "good food" — Kai meaning food, and Whakapai meaning to make good, set in order, or prepare. The business began in 1996 under original owner Matt, built on a sustainable sensibility of using what's available seasonally and locally, and that ethos still runs through the kitchen today.

The food ranges from breakfast staples like eggs benedict, a full Kai breakfast, Turkish eggs and house-made granola, through to a lunch and dinner menu built around steak sandwiches, burgers, salads, pizza and a well-loved "Sharesies" evening menu of share plates. On the drinks side, Kai pours around 16 taps of local New Zealand craft beer and cider that change daily, alongside a wine list, tap cocktails, specialty coffee and house-made cold brew. The menu is clearly marked for vegan, vegan option, no-added-gluten and no-added-gluten-option dishes, and the kitchen flags that it handles soy, nuts, wheat, honey, seeds, seafood, dairy, gluten and eggs.

Beyond food and drink, Kai Whakapai hosts live music and community events, including its returning winter Après season with live music and happy hour, and it offers digital gift vouchers for anyone wanting to share the Kai experience with friends or family. Orders can also be placed online for pickup or delivery.

Kai Whakapai: Good Food, Good Brews and Good Vibes

Kai Whakapai describes itself simply: good food, good brews and great service. The cafe eatery serves coffee and breakfast by day, then shifts into a locals' favourite for craft beer, music and good times once the sun goes down. The name says it all — Kai is the Māori word for food, and Whakapai means to make good, set in order, or prepare. Put together, it translates directly to "good food," and that idea shapes everything on the menu.

A history built on seasonal, local food

Kai Whakapai was started in 1996 by original owner Matt, with a sustainable sensibility from day one: use what's available seasonally and locally. That founding philosophy has stuck. Decades on, the business is described as intentionally reflective of local history, still leaning on the same idea of good, honest food made with care.

Breakfast classics and evening sharing

During the day, the menu covers the classics travellers and locals expect from a good cafe: eggs benedict, a full Kai breakfast with bacon, mushrooms and hash browns, an avocado smash, and daily seasonal specials from the kitchen team. Standouts include Turkish eggs with spiced yoghurt and dukkah, a slow-cooked brisket benny, and a coconut granola bowl with pumpkin-spiced chia pudding.

Once the evening rolls around, Kai leans into sharing. The "Sharesies" menu is built for groups, with loaded fries, a hummus plate, pear and chèvre, katsu fried chicken, and a meat and cheese board alongside more substantial mains like an open steak sandwich with Wagyu bavette, a crispy lamb salad, teriyaki pork belly, and Kai's own Tom Yum soup with prawns and rice noodles. Burger fans have four options, from a straightforward cheeseburger to a katsu chicken burger and a house-made beet-based plant burger, and there's a classic margherita pizza too.

Good brews, on tap

Craft beer is a big part of the identity here. Kai pours around 16 taps of New Zealand's finest beers and cider, with the lineup changing daily, so regulars can expect something new most visits. That sits alongside a wine list featuring local pinot noir, pinot gris, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and rosé, plus a run of tap cocktails including an espresso martini, margarita, mojito, Aperol spritz and a house Wanaka negroni. For those not drinking, there's a no and low beer selection, kombucha on tap, and cold-pressed juices.

Coffee, tea and something sweet

On the non-alcoholic side, Kai takes its coffee seriously, working with ethically and sustainably sourced beans for its full barista range, plus a house-made Vietnamese-style cold brew, a lavender London fog, iced mango, matcha cloud, and an Irish coffee made with Jameson's whiskey. A full tea range and hot chocolate round out the list.

Dietary care and everyday details

The menu is clearly marked throughout for vegan (VG), vegan option (VGO), no-added-gluten (NAG) and no-added-gluten option (NAGO) dishes, and the kitchen notes it handles soy, nuts, wheat, honey, seeds, seafood, dairy, gluten and eggs, asking guests to flag any allergies or dietary requirements.

More than a meal

Kai Whakapai also hosts live music and community events, with its winter Après season bringing live music, happy hour and food together in one evening. Orders can be placed online for pickup or delivery, and digital gift vouchers are available for anyone wanting to share the Kai Whakapai experience. The team also uses the site to recruit, describing a workplace built around a happy, compassionate and supportive team culture.

Signature items

• Kai Full Breakfast
• Turkish Eggs
• Open Steak Sandwich
• Beef & Haze Burger
• Kai's Tom Yum Soup
• 16 Craft Beer Taps

Menu

Mains

• Open Steak Sandwich — Wagyu bavette steak, truffle mayo, basil pesto, semi-dried tomatoes, mesclun, parmesan crisps, Turkish bread.
• Crispy Lamb Salad — Feta whip, roasted seasonal vegetables, mixed leaves, mint, sunflower and pumpkin seeds; tofu swap available.
• Charred Mushroom Skewers — Creamy polenta, Jerusalem artichokes, chimichurri, crispy artichokes.
• Teriyaki Pork Belly — Crispy skin pork belly, celeriac puree, grilled seasonal greens, lime, pickled chilli, teriyaki sauce, sesame seeds.
• Kai's Tom Yum Soup — Spicy Thai broth, prawns, bok choy, rice noodles, tomatoes, mung beans, coriander, sesame seeds.

Pizza

• Margherita — Slow roasted Roma tomato, buffalo mozzarella, basil; pepperoni can be added.

Drinks

• Craft Beer Taps — Around 16 taps of local New Zealand craft beer and cider, changing daily.
• Wine List — Local reds, whites and rosé by the glass or bottle.
• Tap Cocktails — House cocktails including espresso martini, margarita and Wanaka negroni.
• Specialty Coffee & Tea — Barista coffee, cold brew, matcha, tea range and hot chocolate.

Burgers

• Cheese Burger — Beef patty, American cheese, McClure's pickles, burger sauce and aioli, milk bun.
• Beef & Haze Burger — Beef patty, streaky bacon, smoked gouda, caramelised onions, McClure's pickles, lettuce, burger sauce and aioli, milk bun.
• Katsu Burger — Katsu crumbed chicken, kimchi, Asian slaw, pickled ginger, wasabi mayo, yakisoba sauce, milk bun.
• Plant Burger — House-made beet based veggie patty, edam cheese, pickled onions, lettuce, tomato, American mustard, aioli, seeded bun.

Sharesies

• Brisket Loaded Fries — Pulled beef brisket, cheese, spring onion, charred corn, crispy shallots, pickles, sriracha mayo.
• Kimchi Loaded Fries — House-made kimchi, cheese, onion, sriracha mayo, spring onion, sesame seeds.
• Thick Cut Chips — Served with tomato sauce and aioli.
• House-Made Hummus — Seed crackers, preserved lemon and parsley oil, crispy chickpeas.
• Pear and Chèvre — Goat cheese, poached pears, rocket, almonds, honey drizzle, warm olives.
• Katsu Fried Chicken — Soy and ginger marinated chicken thigh, panko crumb, wasabi mayo, baby spinach.
• Meat and Cheese — Martinez pepperoni, brisket, chorizo, red onion, ricotta salata.
• Salchicha — Martinez chorizo, jalapeño, red onion, roasted red peppers.
• Salmon Plate — Hot smoked salmon with capers, red onion and baby spinach.

Breakfast (Until 11:30)

• Kai Full Breakfast — Poached free-range eggs, streaky bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, bean salsa, wholegrain toast.
• Eggs Benny — Poached eggs, toasted English muffin, hot spinach, house-made hollandaise.
• Turkish Eggs — Seasoned yoghurt, jalapeño and Aleppo spiced butter, poached eggs, fresh herbs, almond dukkah, house-made flatbread.
• Brisket Benny — 12-hour slow cooked beef brisket, poached eggs, cajun spiced potato rosti, spinach, pickled onions, Aleppo chilli, hollandaise.
• Wild Mushroom Toast — Wanaka gourmet oyster and field mushrooms, whipped feta, pickled walnut salsa, spinach, parmesan, parsley oil, wholegrain toast.
• Coconut Granola — House-made granola, pumpkin-spiced chia pudding, coconut yoghurt, apple compote.
• Toast with Eggs Any Style — Eggs any style with harissa on Turkish toast.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kai Whakapai known for?

Good food, good brews and good service — breakfast classics by day, craft beer, wine and share plates by night.

Until what time is breakfast served?

The breakfast menu is served until 11:30am.

What's on the drinks menu?

Around 16 taps of New Zealand craft beer and cider, a wine list, tap cocktails, specialty coffee, tea and cold brew.

Are there vegan or gluten-free options?

Yes, the menu marks vegan (VG), vegan option (VGO), no-added-gluten (NAG) and no-added-gluten option (NAGO) dishes throughout.

Can I order food online?

Yes, Kai Whakapai offers online ordering for pickup or delivery.

Does Kai Whakapai host events?

Yes, including a winter Après season with live music and happy hour, alongside other community events.

Can I buy a gift voucher?

Yes, digital gift vouchers are available to purchase online.

Tips

• {"body":"Use the online ordering system to have food ready for pickup, or get it delivered.","title":"Order ahead online"}
• {"body":"The evening share-plate menu is built for groups and mixing several dishes.","title":"Go for Sharesies at dinner"}
• {"body":"The craft beer lineup changes daily across the 16 taps, so ask what's pouring.","title":"Ask what's on tap"}
• {"body":"Live music and events like the winter Après season run periodically — worth checking ahead.","title":"Check What's On before you visit"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Menu items are marked vegan (VG/VGO) and no-added-gluten (NAG/NAGO); kitchen handles soy, nuts, wheat, honey, seeds, seafood, dairy, gluten and eggs."}