The Store — Restaurant in Kaikōura

I feel very special in this place...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting 'The Store' for the second time and I have to say, it exceeded all of my expectations once again. The location on the ocean shore is stunning, with the Kaikoura mountains providing a breathtaking backdrop. The African vibe of the cafe adds to the unique and stylish atmosphere, making it a must-visit destination. The interior of the cafe is beautifully designed, with a rustic yet modern aesthetic. The decor is a mix of natural materials, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The outdoor seating area is perfect for enjoying the stunning views, and I can only imagine how beautiful it would be to have a wedding or celebration here. The food and drinks at 'The Store' were also fantastic. I had a delicious caramel latte and a mouth-watering pastry. I could tell that everything was made with care and attention to detail. The staff were also incredibly friendly and attentive, making my experience even more enjoyable. Overall, I would highly recommend 'The Store' to anyone visiting the area. The location, atmosphere, and food all make it a truly special place. It's also a great venue for special occasions such as weddings and birthday celebrations. I can't wait to visit again and explore more of what this cafe has to offer.

If you ever come to Kaikoura, this is the place that is worth an 1 h...

We had been so looking forward to having lunch at the store. It is the first time we have travelled down the Kaikoura Coast since the earthquake. When we arrived there seem to be a lack of staff who were all very young. My wife loves Salt-N-pepper calamari and was so looking forward to sampling some of the finest of the Kura seafood. When it arrived there were about 6 supposedly squid pieces that were like dried up pieces of string. There was absolutely no flesh and it was all but inedible. Underneath it was a mass of packet rocket salad padded out with at least three tomatoes chopped up which was totally overwhelming some red onion and some cucumber. I have never all my life had such dreadful squid. We told the waitress and whilst she offered to refund the money which we didn’t take as we were in a hurry, my wife just said please don’t serve that to any other Customer it’s disgusting. I suspect it was frozen, very old, very overcooked and clearly whoever was cooking had absolutely no pride in what they were putting out as it was obvious, right from the outset that it was not in any form Salt and pepper calamari but salt and pepper...

Decided to take a drive from Blenheim to have lunch there. Not a good decision but not entirely their fault. Two buses were parked in the car park and the queue was out the door. Eventually got inside and noticed that nearly all the tables were occupied by senior citizens. Not having any alternative had to wait to get our order in. Eventually got to order two cooked meals and two coffees. Managed to find an empty table but had to clear the previous diner's plates etc off it onto a nearby baby's highchair. We waited a good 45minutes before our meal arrived. They must have been sitting there for some time because they were closer to cold than warm. By the time they arrived our coffees had long been drunk. We had to ask for utensils and even these had seen better days. Coffee was great but the service and the general tidiness was very disappointing. Don't think they did enough to try and help themselves but in the location they are in they probably...