Nin's Bin
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Details
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PRICE RANGE
$40.00 – $201.00
CUISINES
Seafood, New Zealand
Special Diets
Gluten Free Options
features
Is this restaurant good for local cuisine?
Details
About
Nins Bin was first estabilished in November 1977 as a roadside caravan selling fresh local crayfish. Still to this day it offers just that, right next to the beach for an ulitmate New Zealand experience.Only a 20minute drive north of the Kaikoura Township, it is a perfect stop off point to either dine in or take a crayfish away for your enjoyment later on!
PRICE RANGE
$40.00 – $201.00
CUISINES
Seafood, New Zealand
Special Diets
Gluten Free Options
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Waterfront
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4.0
370 reviews
Excellent
211
Very good
91
Average
28
Poor
15
Terrible
25
T D
Philadelphia4434 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
During our Kaikoura stay, we visited this food stand on State Highway 1 - outside of Kaikoura. Their speciality is the crayfish. You pick the crayfish you'd like (price is written on it - between 88 NZD to 110 NZD per crayfish). They cook it freshly for you right there. You can either eat it outside on wooden benches and tables or take it home. The mussles are huge and so fresh and firm. Great place for fresh seafood!
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elocker
Auckland33 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
We were excited about the prospect of visiting Nin's and the experience didn't let us down. Super welcoming and friendly service, the crayfish was fresh and cooked superbly and the location and views are just perfect. Even the prices written on the tails is a clever way to help choose a crayfish (or two in our case!)
Written 18 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Strickes
Rotorua District1590 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
We ate here recently whilst travelling in the area. First time to Kaikoura so decided we had to visit the iconic Nin's Bin and try some of the seafood on offer.
We had originally planned to have some crayfish but we found that to be a little to pricey at $65.00 per tail (cooked in garlic butter).
So decided on a piece of fish and some mussels. Both quite pricey too at $8 for a piece of fishing and $20 for 1 dozen mussels. The fish was battered and deep fried, the mussels steamed.
My husband was happy with the mussels but I found my piece of fish to be very chewy and difficult to break apart. Very unusual for fish. And it left an extremely strong metallic taste in my mouth. So I was obviously disappointed.
The lady in the caravan is very welcoming and chatty and even at lunchtime there were several people stopping to purchase food.
There is a limited menu but that is ok, nice to see they are keeping to seafood. But I wonder if it is the situation of Nin's Bin which has people stopping. As we were surprised at prices and food.
Set on a stunning stretch of coast line and right on the beach, it is a nice place to stop and sit. Seating available. And also some history of the area on display board area which is very well done.
Written 3 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Celine G
Metz115 contributions
Nov 2020 • couples
We heard about Nin's bin from friends so we went there to get a crayfish. When we arrived the staff ( make skinny brown long hair) welcomed us with " it's not a $5 meal here" we knew that it costed money to buy fresh crayfish but wanted to try it anyway. It went worst and worst when the guy started insulting my partner and being more than racist toward us ( we are from France and Belgium but live in NZ for 6 years). When I decided to pay and told that my boyfriend was a bastard for not paying! Women can also offer a meal right? It has been the worst service I have ever had. We didn't know that it was a rip off after talking to Locals.. Don't go there, service is terrible and mean. Price is insane. We should have left and regret paying this a** so much money.
Written 20 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GrantMack
Auckland Central2 contributions
Nov 2020 • solo
Absolutely essential stop when heading through, this iconic crayfish food truck is terrific value. Don't be fooled by the other place nearby. Place hasn't changed in 30 years. A nostalgic reminder of the way New Zealand used to be.
Written 11 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffany Collard
Trundle13 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Today on our way between picton to christchurch we stopped here to have some Lobster lunch as it had been highly recommended to us. It wasn't to dissapoint either. The lobster was absolutly amazing cooked with garlic butter. Extremely delicious the lady was a very nice lovely person to speak to. If you love lobster defiiantly worth stopping in here.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona P
Auckland74 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
Drove 17 km from Kaikoura with the family. No fish available at 1 pm on a Thursday. The options were $55 for a crayfish tail - or $20 for whitebait (between 2 slices of white bread). So it’s 5 star restaurant pricing for a roadside caravan. If you want a great view this is your place, if you want value not so great....
Written 30 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
glenn b
Tauranga5 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Stopped in for fish and chips. The meal was exceptional the cod was fresh and tasty. The chips cooked to perfection. A plesant addition was slices of lemon. The meal was presented on a wooden tray which was a nice touch. Staff were plesant and in good humour despite being being very busy.
Written 16 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
0jacquiew
Nelson93 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
It was a hot, busy day when we stopped here but the guy serving could not have been nicer. He really made our day with his kindness and hospitality, which is hard to do when it's just the one person cooking and serving and there's a lunchtime rush. And the fish and chips were great!
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keepitreal100
Christchurch18 contributions
Oct 2020 • business
The old iconic nin bins, been awaiting for them to open all year.
As I have fond memories from childhood.
Well was I mislead, $20 for a whitebait sammy is daylight robbery.
Not only were the prices ridiculous, staff didn't know which way was up, public had lined up to await being served and staff weren't sure which orders were who's or who was next, wait time was over the top for a simple takeaway and they also run out of stock an hour into lunch service. Not a good start to the summer season guys.
I hope you pull it together as nin bins is iconic kiwi stop, but next time we will be spending our money elsewhere where it's worth it. Very disappointed 😔
Written 26 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
medievalscot
Havelock North92 contributions
Oct 2020 • none
having seen an article about Nin's Bin, I was determined we would stop here on our travels south.
it is not your cheap lunch (although you can get fish n chips) but it is so worth it, and the overall experience we found to be fantastic. What could be better than sitting by the ocean (even on a cool October day), eating a crayfish beautifully cooked with garlic butter?
Our crayfish cook was entertaining and friendly - as I use a wheelchair I could not get into the caravan so he brought some crays to me so I could have my pick.
A real treat.
Written 8 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ryan D
3 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
Well as a person from the states, and my hometown being close to the coastline I was super excited to find this little spot that I’ve heard from my own family and friends to try. Went to New Zealand to venture to many spots as traveling through on a honeymoon. I found the relaxing Nin’s Bin around Kaikoura. I absolutely love seafood but have had plenty of bad seafood, hoping to eat at a spot that was going to live up to the lore, hyped up by my close friends and fam. I wasn’t disappointed. If your able to get the crayfish it is a must, large portion good flavor and definitely had me wanting more it was worth the money spent. I always get fish and chips as well. like many restaurants I visit if the basic entrees on a menu are bad, good luck. This plate however also a good heap of delicious chips and fish was done correctly and is a go to with picky eaters of seafood. Delicious and tastebud satisfying I was glad to have made the stop and observe the gorgeous beachfront. I recommend anyone passing through, stop on by. Yum!
Written 26 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angelkitana
Singapore347 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
This place serves the freshest catch; the crayfish we got (warmed with garlic butter) was deliciously fresh and meaty. It was a meal in itself even shared among two people. The mussels are fresh and such a generous portion for the price paid. Shelly is utterly lovely. She was so bright and cheery even though we were one of the first customers and so helpful in explaining to us how to have the crayfish.
Written 12 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bryce W
66 contributions
Feb 2021 • none
We stopped at Ninn’s Bin as we had always driven past it on prior trips. We arrived just on midday and purchased a crayfish tail and a large whitebait fritter that was plenty for us both for lunch. A magical spot to have lunch in the sunshine.
Written 2 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CSU2014
Auckland49 contributions
Jan 2023 • family
Definitely worth stopping here enroute to Kaikoura! We bought a crayfish cooked with garlic butter and fish and chips, everything was yummy and well worth it. The service was great too, friendly and informative. Recommend as a must-do on way into Kaikoura.
Written 7 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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