Nins Bin

Nins Bin is a classic Kaikōura destination for seafood.

This iconic caravan restaurant sits oceanside along State Highway 1 where it first opened up some 40 years ago. A third generation family run business, Nins Bin was named after, you guessed it, Nin, an old lady who used to live in the tiny red shed that sits close to the caravan. Current owner-operator Johnny’s grandfather used to catch the crays, cook them in the cookhouse and bring them to the caravan for Nin to sell. 

These days the process is not much different. The crays are caught early morning right out front using sustainable fishing methods, cooked across the road in a cookery (in a copper pot that fits up to 40kg at one time) and served with fresh lemon and garlic butter direct from the caravan – simple and delicious.

There’s plenty of outdoor seating in the form of picnic tables along the coastline and a few seats inside if the weather is not playing ball during your visit. Watching the seals bathe on the rocks while enjoying some delicious kaimoana, is quite the ideal Kaikōura experience.