
Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant
A historic European-style establishment in Dunedin, Bacchus offers a refined dining experience with stunning Octagon views and award-winning cuisine.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A historic European-style establishment in Dunedin, Bacchus offers a refined dining experience with stunning Octagon views and award-winning cuisine.
Reserve for Octagon View
Book in advance to secure a table with a view overlooking The Octagon.
Try the Flowerpot Bread
The warm flowerpot bread served with butter is a highly recommended starter.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
European
Price
$$$
Phone
+64 3 474 0824
Address
1st Floor/12 The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
Website
bacchusdunedin.nz/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Historic Ambiance with Octagon Views
Dine in a stunning 1880s building with classic high ceilings and ornate cornicing, offering spectacular views of The Octagon.

Exceptional Food Quality
Renowned for its commitment to high food standards, including a 15-year Hallmark of Excellence award for NZ Beef and Lamb.

Delectable Desserts
Indulge in unique and decadent desserts, with the sticky date and banana pudding being a standout favorite.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve for Octagon View
Book in advance to secure a table with a view overlooking The Octagon.
Try the Flowerpot Bread
The warm flowerpot bread served with butter is a highly recommended starter.
Steak Knife Recommendation
Consider asking for a sharper knife if you order steak for easier cutting.
Explore the Wine List
The restaurant boasts a very extensive wine list with diverse options.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve for Octagon View
Book in advance to secure a table with a view overlooking The Octagon.
Try the Flowerpot Bread
The warm flowerpot bread served with butter is a highly recommended starter.
Steak Knife Recommendation
Consider asking for a sharper knife if you order steak for easier cutting.
Explore the Wine List
The restaurant boasts a very extensive wine list with diverse options.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant is praised for its exceptional food quality, particularly its steaks and desserts, and its elegant, historic ambiance with views of The Octagon. While service is often noted as friendly and attentive, some diners have experienced lapses, and there's a recurring suggestion for sharper steak knives. The extensive wine list is a significant draw for many patrons.
"We were having a hard time deciding where to go in Dunedin and we are so glad we chose the Bacchus! Very good food, I really enjoyed the lamb, and there is something special about the flowerpot bread but I couldn't put my finger on it! All the portions were perfect and left just enough room for really good dessert, and the decaf espresso was delicious. Next time I'm in town I'll be back!"
ryan galloway
"Very nice restaurant with a view overlooking the octagon (not all tables). Small menu with different options and a very long wine list. The flowerpot bread comes freshly baked with butter. The sweet corn risotto was the best. The steak was of very good quality however overall it was missing some seasoning, but salt and pepper were available to help myself. My only recommendation is to provide a proper steak knife (mine was not sharp at all and made the cutting a bit of an adventure) as well as a larger fork (I’m not tall, but the fork was tiny considering the steak is served in a bowl shaped plate)."
S. K.
"My husband has been raving about this place for the past couple of years, and finally my travels brought me to Dunedin. It was such a wonderful meal that we returned the next day! We highly recommend the delicate ceviche in coconut cream appetizer which was rich yet light. We also had the chicken Waldorf salad as a shared starter one day and that was equally delicious. The chicken was perfectly tender and the mix of apples, walnuts, celery and assorted other fruits and veggies was beautifully balanced. Our exquisite mains of a flavorful baked sole with passion fruit glaze and a perfectly prepared fillet steak were also elegantly prepared and presented. I'm usually skeptical about restaurant steaks because they're oftentimes not as good as what we can cook at home but this was far from the case. It's a combination of the high quality NZ grass-fed beef and some outstanding cooking techniques. There was a very slight hint of wasabi and it came out perfectly medium rare and as tender and tasty as they come. For dessert, we enjoyed a decadent sticky date and banana pudding.
The hospitality was exceptional as is the restaurant's ambience. Located right in the Octagon in an elegant historic building, the restaurant sparkles! We’re excitedly planning yet another visit."
Anne H
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
To enjoy the best ambiance and potentially a table overlooking The Octagon, it is recommended to make reservations well in advance.
Reviewers highly recommend the flowerpot bread, sweet corn risotto, and the fillet steak. The sticky date and banana pudding is a popular dessert choice.
Yes, Bacchus is known for its very extensive wine list, featuring a wide range of New Zealand and imported wines.
The restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience, suggesting smart casual attire is appropriate.
Yes, Bacchus offers at least one dedicated vegetarian main course, the vegetarian tart of spinach, feta and cherry tomatoes.
The ambiance is described as elegant and historic, with classic high ceilings and ornate cornicing, creating a spectacular setting.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The Best Restaurants In Dunedin New Zealand
Restaurant, Wine Bar, European, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Seafood, Vegetarian. Occupying a historical building dating back to the 1880s, Bacchus is well worth a visit, even if it’s just for the architecture – the classic high ceilings and ornate cornicing are spectacular and are beautifully complemented by the wooden flooring and stunning sash windows that look over the city center’s Octagon. For the last 15 years, Dunedin’s longest established restaurant has been awarded the ‘NZ Beef and Lamb Hallmark of Excellence,’ owing to its dedication to maintaining exceptional food standards and offering a premier dining experience.
Nightlife in Dunedin
Overlooking The Octagon, this high-ceilinged, upstairs wine bar and restaurant in 1880s surroundings is as elegant as the wines on offer. An accompanying fine dining menu showcases New Zealand beef and lamb.
Places to Eat in Dunedin
Restaurants such as the Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant offer dining within a historic building combined with an imaginative and contemporary menu complimented with an extensive selection of New Zealand and imported wines – perfect for that special night out. Another place with a touch of difference is The Customhouse located on Dunedin’s waterfront and gateway to Otago Peninsula. Located in the historic Customs Building, enjoy outdoor seating with impressive water views and enjoy fresh salmon caught right there!
Top 6 Must-Visit Dunedin Restaurants in 2024: A Culinary Journey
Right in the heart of Dunedin, in The Octagon, Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant has been setting the standard for sophistication for years. If you’re after a dining experience that combines the best of European culinary traditions with the freshest local ingredients, Bacchus is where you need to be. The Silver Fern Farms Fillet Steak and Confit of Duck Leg are dishes that not only please the palate but also tell a story of culinary dedication and precision.
Top Fun Things to do in Dunedin [2021]
If you’re after a fine dining experience, then Bacchus is the place to go (1st floor, 12 The Octagon). Centrally located, it occupies one of the city's oldest buildings and is the longest established restaurant in Dunedin, having been in operation for over 21 years!. They have a great hoisin pork belly, or you could try their fillet steak on mustard mash which is really nice too.
A Guide to the City's Best Restaurants
Located in the heart of the city, Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant is perfect for wine enthusiasts and fine dining aficionados. The restaurant features an extensive wine list that includes some of the best wines from New Zealand and beyond. The menu offers a range of sophisticated dishes, from seared scallops to venison and duck breast.
Diners in Dunedin North, NZ
Bacchus, situated in the heart of the city, provides a luxurious setting for fine dining and wine pairings, with stunning views overlooking the Octagon. The Jitsu specializes in Japanese cuisine, offering an extensive selection of sushi and poke bowls in a modern setting that's popular among locals.
The Best Restaurants In Dunedin
Put on your fancy pants for an evening of classic fine dining and superbly matched wines with views over the Octagon. A sophisticated eatery and wine bar in the heart of the city, Bacchus has been a Dunedin institution for years, timeless like a great vintage, which they also have in spades.
Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant, Dunedin Review
Situated within The Octagon, right in the heart of Dunedin, Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant is one of the longest running and most respected venues in the area. Having recently celebrated 21 years in business, it certainly knows what's what and is a favoured spot for locals and visitors alike.
Top Dunedin things to see and do
If you’re after something a little fancier with a great wine list there is Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant or Gaslight which serves excellent house-made pasta. With its unique combination of youthful vibrancy and old world charm, Dunedin offers something for everyone.
Restaurants - Ōtepoti | Dunedin New Zealand official website
Fine dining in Dunedin doesn’t get any more centrally located than at this upstairs restaurant and wine bar in the Octagon. With extensive wine and whisky menus and knowledgeable staff, you can be assured of a happy sensory experience. 12 The Octagon, first floor
Where to eat in Dunedin
In the hub of Dunedin’s central city lies an award-winning wine bar and restaurant known as Bacchus. Firstly, the wine bar has an immaculate selection of Otago wines that is reason enough to go. Then, there are stunning views of the Octagon.
Best Restaurants in Dunedin
The establishment where the restaurant is based was built in the 1880s. Their menu has fine wine, beer and whisky. If you are looking for something to eat, you should try their slow-cooked pork belly, bok choy, and oven-baked chicken.
The ultimate guide to Dunedin’s luxury experiences
Seek out subterranean sophistication and excellent cocktails at Mr. Fox and sample fine wine over dinner at Bacchus. Or sample the newest and tastiest craft beers from Emerson’s, Moons or Steamer Basin breweries.
25 of the Best Restaurants in Dunedin
Address: 1st Floor, 12 The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin. Bacchus has some of the best views of The Octagon. The beautiful building where it is located matches the delicious food and fantastic wine options.
12 reasons Dunedin is New Zealand’s coolest city
Don’t miss breakfast at Buster Greens or Side-On, great coffee at Laneway, the Swan and The Kitchen Table, plus high-quality dining at the likes of No.7 Balmac, Two Chefs Bistro, Tītī, Moietyand Bacchus.
Explore | The Burlington | Dunedin
Bacchus is an award-winning wine bar and restaurant, conveniently located on the first floor at 12 The Octagon. Bacchus is well known for great service in a uniquely Dunedin setting.
Dunedin Restaurants, Bars, Breweries & Local Markets
Bacchus on the Octagon is another sublime dining experience - it's been going for a couple of decades and continues to live up to its excellent reputation.
Halal Restaurants Travel & Holidays
Bacchus Wine Cafe - ☎ +64 3 474-0824 - Level 1/12 The Octagon, - Great Muslim Friendly place for food and none-alcoholic drinks, pre- or after dinner show.
The best Oyster in Dunedin
The Pork belly was yummy, and the polenta was great. We had the Chardonnay from Hawkes Bay and it was amazing! I had the lemon cheesecake as dessert:...
The Foodie Guide to Dunedin
Finally, Bacchus Wine Bar at The Octagon is an award-winning restaurant with delightful beef and lamb dishes paired with local wines and whiskeys.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit