The North Island's southernmost pub sits almost on the beach, with breathtaking views across Cape Palliser to the South Island's Kaikoura Ranges. The rooms are no-frills (in addition to the doubles, there's a 10-bunk dorm), but having a drink on the deck at sunset is an unbeatable experience. The menu ($$-$$$) focuses on fish; the local classic whitebait fritters are served on mesclun salad greens with tomato salsa. This place is so Kiwi, you get a chocolate fish with your cappuccino. (Chocolate fish are iconic Kiwi candy, chocolate-covered pink marshmallows.) The highlight of the menu is the whole crayfish -- and though it costs a whopping $46 and has to be ordered two days in advance, it's guaranteed to have been caught that morning.
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