Why Not Cafe — Restaurant in Kaikōura

If you want homemade, good, honest kiwi food, then Why Not Cafe is the place! All food is homemade in house( apart from the GF range)- everything from fresh and hot homemade pies, mince on toast, superb toasted sandwiches to seafood chowder. My husband had the seafood chowder and proclaimed it to be the best he’s had since Cape Cod in Massettuchetts ( USA) two years ago. Big hunks of fresh blue cod, mussels and prawns in a delightful chowder( the roux was perfect - very smooth with no graininess!) I always say a good toasted sandwiches is the sign of a cafe that knows what it’s doing! There should be no scalding hot fillings to burn your tounge( yet the filling should still be warm), a little bit of s and p and not overly cheesy or greasy. I ordered the cheese onion and tomato. Onion was brunoise cut( finely diced) and not overly done, and tomato chunks of even size so none over cooked. Absolutely delicious. La affare coffee which was also superb. We ordered two flat whites and they came out quickly and were perfectly presented, creamy and went down a treat. The owners proudly let us know they make everything in store - and our super hospitable and lovely. What a rare find these days in times where good, honest home cooked food is hard to find. Menu selection is wide and they cater for dietary needs. We will be back! Jo...

Really not impressed with this cafe. Food was dry and expensive for the portion size. It was very busy when I went so had to sit outside, which is fine but with the cafe being self service I had to get up to get a knife and fork, while I was away from my seat a seagull stole my food. Some of the staff were very unaccommodating and said it was my fault i shouldn't have left my seat and just made me feel like a fool. I was literally away from my seat for 5 seconds. Not great customer service. I've been very impressed with everywhere I have visited in NZ but this place really put a damper on things. Shocking staff mentality and customer service. Why Not Cafe... more like Why Bother...

Walked in there 15 minutes after they opened, staff were very friendly and offered to make us a coffee but did say that the chef hadn’t arrived for work yet. We tried the coffee and it was burnt and had a sour taste to it, we couldn’t drink it. Then once we ordered our food we waited approximately 35 minutes for our food (there was no other customers that came in during that time). When our food came, I had pancakes so they came with maple syrup, the maple syrup was spilled all over my plate. Then my pancakes were dry. The other person I came with had the eggs benedict and ended up vomiting for 2 days. Overall staff was very nice but I couldn’t say the same...