The Pier Hotel

We dined at The Pier Hotel just recently. Our reservation was set up by our accommodation host, and the hotel arranged a vehicle for us, although we were staying less than 500m away. The location of the hotel is amazing, and we were treated to a visit by a pod of orcas just outside the hotel, which we could view from our table. The food was local seafood and did not disappoint. If we were lucky enough to visit Kaikoura anytime soon, I would not hesitate to return.

Rubbish!!!! Do not bother eating here. Extremely overpriced for average pub food. The only positive was the beer was cold and good, don’t let the fresh paint job on the pub fool you into thinking the food is any good.. (unless your happy with paying above average prices for standard pub food🤣 Very disappointed, I’m writing this now as I cook myself a toasted cheese sandwich in the motorhome because im still hungry after spending $180 on my family to have dinner . Skip this joint and thank me later

We trekked out to the Pier-on a recommendation, having booked a table first (very important). Staff were efficient, good range of food and wine, and reasonably stocked bar. We both enjoyed our meals (Crayfish chowder and the other Steak. No issues for us, other than a constant drizzle on the way back to town (the restaurant does offer a shuttle service, as it happens).

Great place for a drink and view is exceptional. Went there with family visiting from the UK and decided to book a table for dinner. Unfortunately the food was well below par. The chowder had to be sent back as it was cold and not much better when it arrived back. My vegetarian option was indescribable. I really wanted to impress my family as I regularly go for a drink here but left embarrassed by the whole thing.

On a clear day, this would be a magic spot with a great view. Unfortunately, the night we stayed it was cloudy and dull but lovely and quiet. The price was right but somehow my normally eagle eyes didn't notice that we'd have to go down the hall in the middle of the night to a shared bathroom. The breakfast setup was okay though one couple hogged the fridge with all their stuff. It's all a bit ragged and tired but the staff are all efficient and friendly. We had a nice meal in the restaurant and ordered fish & chips as we had seen in the room menu it was $29. We knew what we wanted so didn't check and were unpleasantly surprised that the fish, chips and salad were $42 not $29. The sticky date pudding dessert was great. My only real disappointment was that an alarm woke us at 3:30am and we were panicked and wondering what to do, as were several other hotel guests. After surmising that it wasn't a fire or a tsunami, I googled it and found out that it's not uncommon in NZ smallish towns that this is the way they alert all the local fire brigade volunteers for various emergencies. Had we known this (a little notice on the door would have been appreciated) we wouldn't have been so freaked! I know now but I suspect many tourists get caught out by this. I hope nobody has panic (or heart) attacks.

RESTAURANT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED!!! This place is shocking. Ripping off tourists because they know they're one time visitors. Place is dirty. Staff unhelpful. Seafood ruined! Glasses dirty, bathrooms with toilet paper and wet all over floor and generaly dirty. If that's what the bathrooms are like then I hate to think of the standard in the kitchen.Went for a celebration and wished I'd gone somewhere else. Do not buy the crayfish unless you want to be ripped off. You pay for a certain weight and we ordered two sizes. One was $40 more - supposed to be a big crayfish. We both received a half each of a small crayfish. We put the shells together and they were from the same crayfish. Barely legal and it was like rubber!!!. Could not cut with knife. The Paua you could have used to mend a Tyre. The chips were nice though lol and the desserts were edible. Would not go again.