The Caves Kaikoura Cafe

92 State Highway 1, Kaikoura Flat, Kaikōura 7371, New Zealand
+64 3 319 3319
$$$ Cafe
(146 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to The Caves Kaikoura Cafe, a true gem nestled along State Highway 1 in the stunning coastal town of Kaikoura, New Zealand. This charming cafe offers a delightful escape for travelers and locals alike, providing a menu brimming with mouthwatering options and a warm, inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of New Zealand hospitality.

As soon as you step inside, you’re greeted by the lovely aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the inviting bustle of a busy kitchen. The decor strikes a perfect balance between modern renovations and a cozy, rustic charm—ideal for a casual meal after a day of exploring the breathtaking surroundings. In fact, the scenic views coupled with delicious sustenance set the stage for a memorable dining experience.

The menu at The Caves is impressively diverse, catering to a variety of tastes. Start your meal with their Garlic Ciabatta topped with Parmesan Cheese ($12.50), a crispy and cheesy delight that’s sure to ignite your taste buds. For something heartier, try the Seafood Chowder, a warm and comforting bowl ideal for those cooler Kaikoura days, served alongside flavorful garlic or plain bread ($26.00). If you're in the mood for something classic, their Homemade Beef Lasagne with accompanying fries is a crowd favorite, beautifully layered and bursting with flavor ($27.00).

Breakfast is a highlight here, with offerings like the Caveperson Big Breaky, featuring Middlehurst Butchers sausage, streaky bacon, mushrooms, and tomatoes ($24.50)—a plate that doesn’t skimp on hearty goodness. Whether you’re grabbing a quick coffee and a Custard Slice—a divine pastry that has left many customers singing its praises—or enjoying a leisurely meal with friends, The Caves Kaikoura Cafe makes every visit unforgettable.

Real patrons echo this sentiment, with customer Mumu X noting the café's fantastic location and the extensive menu perfect for road-trippers. Another frequent visitor, Riftcreator, raved about the clean, renovated space and the speedy, friendly service despite busy hours. With plenty of parking available, including for larger vehicles, The Caves is conveniently accessible, allowing you to stop, unwind, and perhaps indulge in a slice of the renowned custard dessert.

In short, The Caves Kaikoura Cafe not only serves up delicious food in a stunning location but also fosters an atmosphere of warmth and friendliness that will make you feel right at home. Next time you’re traveling along the picturesque coastline of Kaikoura, remember to stop by this delightful café. Your taste buds will thank you!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Offerings
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Saturday

7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sunday

7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

146 Reviews
Mumu X

08 Oct 2025

Was looking forward to stopping here as had heard great reviews from friends. We arrived at about 10.30am so they may not have had the doors open for long. Lovely place in a great location with plenty of parking, including for bigger vehicles. Menu had a wide selection of options as did the counter cabinet. Great place to grab a takeaway or meal when travelling up or down the east coast. Now the tough call, we were the only two customers there (just opened) and the nice gentleman took our order with a smile.... then we waited.... Eventually the female there asked if we had had our drinks yet, then shrugged and made them for us. I had ordered Eggs 'P'enny, my food came out beautifully presented and was quite plentiful for the price which is in line with other cafes in the region. However, the hollandaise was icy cold, this quickly turned the rest of the food cold and I requested the plate be microwaved which the gentleman did without fuss, though he stated that that is how they always served it.... Hmmmm, take what you want from that, in 60 years of travelling, eating eggs benny all over the world, I have only ever been served cold hollandaise once before. Any how, after a quick warm up, the food was delicious. Yummy bacon and perfectly poached eggs. Will visit again, however next time I will be asking for all of my meals to be served hot.

Riftcreator

01 Oct 2025

Fantastic to see the Caves back up and running again! Have been a frequent customer for over 30 years. Great renovation, as always great parking, very clean and the food was amazing. Food arrived quickly, great sized meals and fresh. Was a very busy day but the staff were all amazing and so friendly. And what a view! We are all looking forward to stopping again on our next trip to Picton.

Geoff Wilson

25 Sep 2025

Te Ana Caves Restaurant is an absolute must-visit in Kaikōura. The food is simply incredible, with every dish full of flavour and care. The staff are warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly, making you feel at home from the moment you arrive. The atmosphere is vibrant yet relaxed, and the view is nothing short of breathtaking — the perfect backdrop for a memorable meal. One standout item is their toasted ham, cheese, and pineapple sandwich; it’s so delicious it’s worth the trip alone. If you miss this place, you’ve missed one of life’s true joys. Highly recommended to anyone visiting Kaikōura.

Tess Curry

04 Sep 2025

Was going to stop for a full meal but not that hungry so opted for coffee, hot chips and a custard slice. Chips were really good and coffee hot. But special mention goes to the Custard Slice ... OMG .... first bite and I was in heaven!! And the very best part it wasn't a huge slice. I thoroughly enjoyed the wee treat!

Pam Wilson

24 Aug 2025

Want a place to stop in for some delicious food with great parking. Breakfast was delicious...if you love bacon and scrambled eggs...this is a place to go. Good selection of food. Staff service was excellent. Cool area for the little people Next time you are arriving, staying in or leaving Kaikoura I recommend you stop in.

Scotty Wilson

14 Jul 2025

Excellent all around great people great service, so good to see it up and running again I had bacon and eggs and the quality of the food was 5 star I travel frequently to Kaikoura and I will be back for sure

Bex Gardiner

07 Jul 2025

We were so glad that we stopped in for lunch on our way down to Christchurch, the food and service was fantastic. I especially loved the pies, I loved them that much that we stopped in on our way back home. Fab food, fab service and fab views. Recommend

Kat H.

24 Jun 2025

Highly recommend Te Ana The Caves! We stopped by in the morning for breakfast, they had delicious pies ready to serve for a quick breakfast. We had chicken cranberry, brisket, and pork! As well as coffees and hot chocolate. We were headed to a fishing trip, they told us to bring our catch back and they would cook it for us. We did just that, dropping off 4 crayfish and a catch of perch and cod! We returned at 3pm for a feast! Wow, it was beautiful and the taste was amazing! We were so impressed! Highly recommend a stop by to meet their friendly staff and enjoy the tasty food!

Join the The Caves Kaikoura Cafe Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.