Bacchus is located in the historic Calmuet building in the heart of Buffalo's Entertainment Dist
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Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant

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

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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Wed/Fri 18-21h

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Bacchus is located in the historic Calmuet building in the heart of Buffalo's Entertainment Dist

Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant

Highlights

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.

"An elegant historic setting combined with exceptional food and an extensive wine list makes Bacchus a must-visit."

TIP

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.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens 12PM

Cuisine

European

Price

$$$

Phone

+64 3 474 0824

Address

1st Floor/12 The Octagon, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand

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High

Highlights

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Historic Ambiance with Octagon Views

Historic Ambiance with Octagon Views

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

The Best Restaurants In Dunedin New ZealandNightlife in Dunedin
Exceptional Food Quality

Exceptional Food Quality

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

Top 6 Must-Visit Dunedin Restaurants in 2024: A Culinary JourneyGoogle Review
Delectable Desserts

Delectable Desserts

Indulge in unique and decadent desserts, with the sticky date and banana pudding being a standout favorite.

Google Review
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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

4.6
(491k reviews)

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

Exceptional food quality
Elegant historic ambiance
Extensive wine list

What People Dislike

Occasional service inconsistencies
Steak knife sharpness

Frequently Asked Questions

To enjoy the best ambiance and potentially a table overlooking The Octagon, it is recommended to make reservations well in advance.

Google Review

Reviewers highly recommend the flowerpot bread, sweet corn risotto, and the fillet steak. The sticky date and banana pudding is a popular dessert choice.

Google Review+2

Yes, Bacchus is known for its very extensive wine list, featuring a wide range of New Zealand and imported wines.

Google Review+1

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 Best Restaurants In Dunedin New Zealand

The ambiance is described as elegant and historic, with classic high ceilings and ornate cornicing, creating a spectacular setting.

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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.

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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.

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