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Kaikoura Seafood BBQ
Review
About
The Seafood Bbq is located by the beach where we cook fresh seafood to order on a BBQ with garlic butter and lemon. We offer crayfish meals, seafood platters, Paua, whitebait fritters and a selection of other seafood. Everything on the menu will come served in a sandwich or with rice and salad. Open daily (weather permitting) from 10am - 4pm and Saturday's are 10am - 3pm. Recommended by the lonely planet.
Features
CUISINES
Seafood, Barbecue, New Zealand
Meal types
Lunch, Brunch, Drinks
Special Diets
Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Beach
Dog Friendly
Family style
Free off-street parking
Outdoor Seating
Parking Available
Seating
Street Parking
Takeout
Waterfront
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Free off-street parking, Parking Available, Street Parking
Is this restaurant on the beach?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 10:00 AM
Sunday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tuesday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Thursday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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4.1
824 reviews
Excellent
402
Very good
243
Average
103
Poor
46
Terrible
30
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Kaylee S
Charlotte19 contributions
Oct 2024 • couples
Absolutely delicious. Really enjoyed sharing the platter for 2, has all of the options you want to try without breaking the bank too bad. The area around it is so well done. While you wait for your food, you can grab a drink at the spot next door or some ice cream from a nearby food truck.
Written 30 October 2024
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.
andreasam91
Auckland Central2939 contributions
Jan 2025 • solo
I was here recently, this kiosk is just what you need to fully enjoy a day at the beach. Freshly cooked fish, I took a delicious salmon consumed fromte mare on wooden benches near the kiosk. Portions ok and prices reasonable.
Automatically translated
Written 30 January 2025
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.
Stephen & Sue
Canberra2753 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
Park the car, order your fish and chip, select the crayfish from the cooler, wait 20 minutes and have a sensational lunch.
Seating is all outdoors by the road, grab a chair, or a seat at the table and tuck into to really nice freshly cooked seafood.
If the weather is bad you will need to eat in your car or drive somewhere as this is all outdoors.
And beware the seagulls. They have no fear whatsoever and will swoop and steal your food even as you collect it. (One got my bread at the precise moment I picked up the tray).
Written 24 December 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.
andy
North Yorkshire23 contributions
Jan 2024 • solo
Great location, but average and not a “BBQ” as you’d expect. No sign of hot coals and no BBQ taste, smell or colouration on the crayfish itself.
You get to choose your Crayfish & all are priced - so that’s good (although it’s hard to imagine the size the advertised “from $25” would be.
Sadly the accompanying salad & rice were very poor - tired salad (with lots of raw onion - a pet hate) and rice that was barely warm.
Lots of people rave about this place, but for me they’re trading on historic reputation, which is a pity.
Written 10 January 2024
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.
Neale1810
Kingston-upon-Hull3343 contributions
Nov 2024 • couples
Had driven past this eatery on the way to see the seals and thought it looked a good place to eat later on for lunch.
It was busy when we arrived (assume it’s always like this on a nice day) and so weren’t surprised of the predicted half hour wait. We managed to find a table OK as there were only 2 of us.
Our food arrived as they predicted and our view on what we had is as follows
Whitebait fritter - could taste the fish but didn’t enjoy it
Cray fritter - had virtually no taste
Fish if the day - gurnard - needed some seasoning on it
Scallops in garlic butter - no garlic at all and scallops didn’t taste fresh
Maybe we chose the wrong items but we were really disappointed with the tasteless food. No BBQ in sight so no flavour from cooking method either.
Written 21 November 2024
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.
Teresa K
Runaway Bay163 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
An Absolute Shocker. The prices are exorbitant for what you receive. The only good comment I could make is the bread was fresh. The Crayfish sandwich had absolutely no taste and was a creamy texture. The Whitebait Sandwich had minimal flavour. The 6 Scallops were minuscule and were lost in the salad & rice and not all had the Roe. Wish we had spoken to the locals prior our visit rather than after. Predominantly International Visitors here oblivious to the fact that Kaikoura has far better choices for dining!
The Seafood Platter was sad looking and the couple next to us ordered a whole crayfish that was seriously small for the price. My advice is check out other venues before going here!
Written 3 November 2024
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.
Tessa S
Wellington1 contribution
Nov 2024 • couples
WARNING ⚠️ ⚠️ Do Not come here you will be disappointed
The crayfish was NOT fresh it had absolutely NO taste it was dry and tough. The prawns and mussels we're rubbery and chewy with an awful taste. The fish had absolutely NO taste. The crayfish fritter was sloppy with NO taste. The white bait fritter was sloppy with NO taste, scallops were not nice, just a plate full of OLD and RUBBERY seafood. Don't let the pictures fool you and don't waste your hard earned money.
Written 25 November 2024
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.
Kris Powell
Kaiapoi46 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
Ordered seafood platter and its just alright! Were not impressed with whitebait fritter and crayfish fritter. Could have ordered 1/2 crayfish with rice /salad instead.
Shop have a nice seating outdoor arrangement but be there before lunch time (it opens at 10:00) coz the wait takes 30 mins when it gets busy.
They do not serve chips however they have rice and salad to get you through the day and a seafood chowder for $8.
Not too far away theres a food truck that serves alcohol.
Written 8 October 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.
FengXueSG
Singapore1629 contributions
Dec 2022 • family
Kaikoura is famous for crayfish (actually lobsters, local Kiwi call them crayfish), and you don't have to go to fancy restaurant and pay premium to enjoy it.
The kiosk is just outside town, on the road side towards Point Kean.
You pick up your own lobster (60 to 70 NZD a whole lobster; you can order half as well), and they grilled it and serve with rice, bread and salad.
Grab a beer or a glass of wine from nearby bar kiosk, and enjoy under the sunshine!
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.
Kiwi Traveller
Christchurch24 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
This would hands down be the worst meal we have ever had. This had been recommended and we were excited but left feeling revolting and ripped off. Luckily our children didn't want anything and they love seafood as it was expensive. We ordered a crayfish fritter, seafood chowder and two lots of scallops. The fritter was tasteless and so greasy, the seafood chowder was brown and revolting and the six scallops were dry, tiny and tasteless. The chef was grumpy and they needed another chef to help as the wait was long.
Written 16 April 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.
katecU5170ZY
We’re very sorry you had such a negative experience at our business. The comments of greasy fritter, dry scallops we take very seriously.
We will certainly be trying to correct this.
I’m hoping you are able to give me a call on 027 3300 511 or email kathrynjeanclaridge@gmail.com.
Hopefully we can do our best to improve the impression our business made.
Kathryn & Llewis
Written 27 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alice
Morecambe53 contributions
Nov 2024 • family
Try to avoid going when a whale watching group has just got back because there is a big queue and even bigger wait for food. There isn’t enough seating for everyone either. Wanted a paua fritter but there wasn’t any available so had a crayfish one. It was ok.
Written 10 November 2024
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.
Bijou.Haus
Ho Chi Minh City434 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
We came across this roadside mobile eatery while walking out from the town of Kaikoura to the seal colony.
This was by far the best seafood we have had for quite awhile and certainly the best meal we had during our 19-day trip in New Zealand!
Located by the roadside with the beach just next to the site, one can imagine how fresh the seafood were in their food and the barbecuing was beautifully done in a food truck sort of stand.
Large picnic tables and small round tables were set up underneath the trees by the roadside, which makes for a rather pleasant and chilled vibe as we enjoyed our delicious lunch.
Price wise, we paid about NZD72 for 3 persons, which I believe is relatively cheap in New Zealand.
If we ever find ourselves in Kaikoura again, this will be the first place we head for!
Written 26 February 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.
Brent & Margy
Christchurch215 contributions
Jan 2022 • none
Can't leave kaikoura without eating crayfish. Choose your crayfish in chillbin (labelled with price, $35 half up to $70-$96 whole. They then BBQ and serve on platter with rice, salad and garlic bread. Yum
Written 26 January 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.
Beth Wode
14 contributions
Nov 2022 • solo
I had been looking forward to this bbq ever since I began planning my NZ holiday and it didn’t disappoint . The crayfish was perfectly cooked and I also had the seafood chowder which was soooo tasty. The ladies that run it are super friendly and chatty, I would highly recommend.
Written 9 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.
Geejae
Cambridge7 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
This was the absolute, handsdown worst food I have ever bought!! The salad was '"thrown" on the plate and the rice was dry, that was the best part...the crayfish fritter was just egg, I saw one tiny bit of something that my have been crayfish and just to top it off it tasted burnt and as if the hot plate was dirty!! My husband had "fresh" blue cod which was also terrible, overcooked and we suspect had been frozen. Don't risk it ... Don't stop. The van with wine and beer however was great ...friendly and nice selection.
Written 24 September 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.
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