Sime's Kitchen

Offering your usual café fare with a twist, Sime’s Kitchen is bound to surprise and delight. 

Their seasonal menu includes French toast with fresh figs, pistachio cream and dulce de leche, plus plenty of other interesting options for those who want to branch out from the likes of Eggs Benny. Coffee is brewed to perfection with Peoples Coffee beans, and the cabinet is stocked with delicate sweet treats. 

Existing within the walls that once housed the iconic Hislop’s Wholefoods Café, Sime’s continues on a similar path of values: keeping food as pure as possible and continuing partnerships with local producers. The famous Hislop’s organic wholemeal flour and honey are staples, along with other locally sourced ingredients. 

Sime’s owner-operator, Christchurch-raised Sam McConnochie, has years of hospitality experience from Melbourne, and has drawn inspiration from his favourite places over the ditch in order to deliver something unique for Kaikōura. Sam is passionate about respecting the past and in fact the name Sime’s is a tribute to Sam’s whānau who ran a bakery by the same name in Dunedin for over 40 years. Some of the recipes used today are based on Sam’s grandfather's recipe book, and in the cabinet more often than not you’ll find his great Aunty June’s slice.