Karaka Lobster

Karaka Lobster is impossible to miss as you travel on State Highway 1 along the Kaikōura coast – just keep your eyes peeled for the giant Crayfish (lobster) on the roof of a building and you’re there.

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.

At Karaka Lobster you can choose your own crayfish, and either enjoy it cooked delicately in house (served with fresh salad, home-grown lemon and garlic bread) or have it wrapped up ready to take with you on the road. The crays are delivered fresh to Karaka daily and caught right off the coast using sustainable fishing methods. 

While it goes without saying that crayfish is at the heart of it all at Karaka Lobster, there’s also other seafood treats on offer such as West Coast whitebait fritters. If seafood is not to your taste, take your pick from a number of other refuelling options from L’affare coffee to a cabinet filled with your usual café suspects.