Karaka Lobster — Restaurant in Kaikōura

We traveled as a family for the first time from the North Island to the beautiful South Island. We had researched places that We'd read great reviews about, and Karaka lobster was at the top of places to visit.

Yes, we told all our friends, co workers and family that we were going to Karaka Lobster as well...

(Having worked previously in the hospitality industry, I understand how demanding the job can be).

However, on 14 February 2025, we decided this would be a lovely valentines treat for us all. We saw from your Instagram account, that flowers were being sold also. Money was not an issue. I'm mentioning this, because my complaint isn't about the price or product, it's about the service.

There were two workers behind the counter, a mature lady and a young lady. 2x customers had made an order and went outside to wait. A gentleman was waiting for his coffee.

NO ONE SMILED to acknowledge we were there, NO ONE said hello, NO ONE even mentioned they would be with us soon.

I stood there and smiled at them both, NO smile back or friendly gesture was returned. The mature lady went to their left off to another space (NOT TO BE SEEN AGAIN??), the younger one made the coffee for the gentleman waiting, served him. Didn't acknowledge me once (NO EYE CONTACT), and proceeded to collect the rubbish bin and left the cafe space.

I stood there speechless, awkwardly smiled at the gentleman, and he raised his eyebrows and shrugged his shoulders.

We stood there for another 5 mins and no one returned. I was absolutely guttered..

Your staff may have been focused on other things, busy with their job etc This should never be acceptable behavior towards customers.

We left.

I hope this example can be used for quality improvement regarding...

On my way home to Christchurch yesterday, we stopped in for lunch at Karaka Lobster Cafe. NZ $107 and $98 crayfish were worth every dollar spent. Staff took the shell off mine and cut my tail into pieces, which was so appreciated. They also served lemon, vinegar and thousand island dressing to try with my crayfish.

What service from the staff, who went beyond normal, to ensure a pleasant experience at their cafe.

Exceptionally clean cafe and toilets, with a million dollar view of the sea a few steps away from the cafe. Easy parking for all.

In the future I will drive past Kaikoura towards Blenheim, to have another meal of crayfish for my lunch, at the Karaka Lobster Cafe. Others where eating yummy whitebait patties. If I wasn't so full with crayfish, I would have ordered one patty as well. Go try it everyone.

Five stars for fresh food, staff and views of our beautiful NZ sea coastline.

Update. Got back to Kaikoura 4 November 2021 and drove the extra 25 minutes towards Blenheim to get my crayfish lunch at Karaka Cafe, before going back to Kaikoura to start our break. The crays were not as large as I purchased in March, but...

Prices are insane and inconsistent! Most expensive lunch I'll ever have in my life.

When asking about the lobsters, they wanted to charge 100 bucks for one of them. slaps another lobster on the scale, oh its 95 now, nah.

We asked for the cheapest lobster there was, grabs another one slaps it on the scale, split second later its 86 bucks. Yeah they all looked the same.

5 minutes later, another customer asked for the cheapest lobster, they were charged 75 bucks.

What's going on there?

Unfortunately it wasn't till after paying you realize they have a tourist trap operation going on, after two coach loads of tourists came,

Honestly thought tourist trap operations exist in Europe or the US w.e. Not here in our own backyard, though nevertheless it was a costly lesson.

Ok, besides that, the food was fresh, and was lovely to eat, but what leaves a bad taste is the insane, inconsistent prices. + the fish n chips, 25, and 5 bucks on the drink... easy $100+ blown away,...