Review Green Dolphin Restaurant & Bar - Kaikoura

We didn't have table booked but they found us one after 10 min.The meals were very good. Tasty. The staff was a bit slow but it was full so I can understand why.

Delicious food quick service friendly staff beautiful views We will be back!

The best fine dining in Kaikoura! Got a special occasion in Kaikoura and want to eat fancy? Go, right now, to the Green Dolphin. I absolutely did not expect to find food like this in Kaikoura. It's a mix between fine dining and the size servings you'd expect at a bistro like Lone Star... giant servings, but of *excellently* prepared, 4 star food. The mix of trying to please everyone, as needed in a small NZ town, does mean that it doesn't reach the heights that they might like, but the meal is great, service is friendly and local, the wine and beer have a lot of South Island favourites, and you're supporting a restaurant doing something different in a small town.... and compared to the same meal in Auckland, Wellington, or Chchch, it's CHEAP AS. Go, surprise yourself. Dress up, have fun. Eat good.

Nice modern restaurant, with a view to see. The food was tasty just a bit expensive and smaller portions.

Great food and good views. Wonderful helpful people.

Amazing meal, super chilled atmosphere with views of the ocean. The new owners have done a great job and will definitely be back next time we’re in Kaikoura ( highly recommend mussels and Portabella mushroom mains) A++

Fresh and milky market fish Juicy and rich taste mussels

I have to say that my partner and I eat out often ,but this is one of the best meals ever. My partner had steak and Mussels, I had the vegetarian meal along with sides to share. Lovely and good coffee too We'll be back. Thank you 😊 It was perfect.

They want you to book on advance. On a Monday. 😳 We hadn't booked. So we got there at 7.15 and were given some sob story about no tables free till 8.30. As we were leaving a small table was offered - 'squeeze you in', he said. We sat. It took a while to order, and to receive our food. At around 8pm a couple arrived, no booking, but grudgingly was offered a table by the window. Who gets this! I don't! There were 4 empty tables at 8pm. We left at 8.45. Those were still empty! The food was really good, the service excellent. You have to ask for salt & pepper. Good wine too. I'd go again and I recommend it, just don't let the 'no tables available' stop you. Insist. It worked for 2 couples I noticed! Did I say at the food was really good? It was excellent.

I have just had a meal with my wife at the Green Dolphin in Kaikoura; this was a celebration of my partners 50th Birthday, so it needed to be good. I did take a good look around to find a suitable restaurant; there are after all a few to choose from given the location. I have to say, the meal was superb, and the service exceptional. Our waitress was attentive and charming, and you could see that all the staff just loves working there. The meal was very well prepared, presented and cooked and the wine list gave you a wide choice of types and price. Probably the best meal I have had in New Zealand, and I have lived here for twelve years. Highly recommend the Green Dolphin, but you had better book !

We visited the Green Dolphin twice within 3 days and it was both times Absolutely amazing. The service was outstanding and the food really good as the wine selection. Kaikoura hasn't got much to offer when it comes to gastronomic highlights but the Green Dolphin is in my opinion the number one option if you are in town. Don't go too late or give them at least a call that you are coming. You won't regret a visit, you will love it. The crayfish was an all over excellent experience and my friend who is a vegetarian had a really great alternative even the restaurant is specialised in fish and a bit of meat. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Everything about this place was fantastic! Huge range of wines: from the cheapest of budgets to the sublime. The food was superb! Great value for money. But the absolute best bit was the service. Highly recommend!