Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant
+64 3-474 0824+ Add websiteWrite a ReviewImprove this listing
Hours
Mon
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Tue
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Wed
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Thu
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fri
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Sat
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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CUISINES
European, Wine Bar, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
features
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
CUISINES
European, Wine Bar, New Zealand
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.5
297 reviews
Excellent
176
Very good
81
Average
16
Poor
15
Terrible
9
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Stephen & Sue
Canberra2671 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
With just about everything in this university town shut for new year, Bacchus was the last fine dining place still open.
The mains covered the standard NZ options of beef, duck, lamb, fish etc and were done well, but without anything that made this a stand out meal, apart from the mash which was awesome.
Service was, as always in NZ, warm and welcoming and the price of food and wine was good value for the quality and service.
Written 14 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
On the mark
37 contributions
Oct 2020 • business
Boutique type restaurant upstairs from the Octagon. Don’t be put off by entry, it’s old n looks a bit run down but once up stairs you get the idea if it’s old world charm. Service was excellent. Bacchus has won a NZ beef & lamb award ever year for past 20 years so make sure you order beef or lamb. They do have chicken n fish on the menu as well. Make sure when booking you don’t get a table in the hallway as you walk in to the restaurant. Food was excellent especially the beef cheeks! A bit pricey so be prepared. Cost us $290 four with no alcohol!
Written 30 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
Newcastle5 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
We went in on spec and were relieved to get a table for two very quickly. Even though the place was almost full of customers from the cruise ship, we were served reasonably quickly. The beef cheeks and lamb rump were very tasty and well cooked and our wine complemented the meal perfectly.
Written 17 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
annieandnick
Wellington353 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
We called up around 4pm hoping for a bite to eat. We were welcomed by two lovely staff members but when we said we were wanting food we were promptly dismissed by a male (possibly the manager, certainly not a friendly one). We understand that not all restaurants serve food at 4 o’clock but it was his manner that put us off. Pretty poor ‘service’ on a day Dunedin should be welcoming visitors (here for Elton).
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hungrywiz
Hamilton31 contributions
Oct 2020 • family
Yes prices are a bit high compared to a pub or bistro but this is fine dining and very reasonable for the quality of food that you get. Ate pork belly that was probably the best I had ever. Excellent wine list, this a bit over price, as I don't all restaurants in NZ for wine...we know how much it costs in the shop!
Excellent service and nice atmosphere, if I have to recommend one restaurant in Dunedin, this will be the one
Written 30 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff T
26 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
We dined here for New Years Eve and had a great experience. We were impressed by the amazing food, good wine and outstanding service, especially on a such a busy night and with the restaurant fully booked. Hopefully we'll make it back sometime to dine again!
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CRAFTY_CUTS
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • couples
We had heard good reviews about this place,from where we were staying at The Chamberson Hotel down the road.
The menu looked amazing, but when we first walked in we were greeted by guests sitting at a table in the doorway. Kind of lost to where the main restaurant was… we asked them where to go. Walking past the kitchen I smiled at the chef, but got a rude look back like he didn’t want to be there.
I was starting to feel like this was not the place I was expecting. In the main restaurant the decor was very cold and definitely wasn’t what I expected judging by the Laurent Perrier and Perrier Joet posters as you came up the stairway. We ordered the Waldorf salad and the risotto for an entree at around about $22 each. I felt like I could’ve made a better risotto myself, it was very bland. For the main we both ordered salmon. It sounded amazing with all the right elements for a delicious dish. Unfortunately upon seeing it on our plate it looked very average, and tasted overcooked and underwhelming. The beer list with Speights at the top lwas a put off straight away. However the wine Selection looked amazing and we were recommended a very good rosé.
Our waiter was very polite and funny. But I think he understood that we were not having a good time and were not happy as we got up and left straight after the main course, as he approached us to offer up the dessert menu.
I would highly recommend not going to this restaurant I’ve never eaten such average food for a reasonably high price tag in a very long time. I think you would be better off going to the local pub for a good old pub meal. I really don’t understand where these high reviews are coming from, maybe I had to high an expectation of Bacchus. When I consider a restaurant pitched the way Bacchus was, places like Rata in Queenstown or Muttonbird in Wanaka come to mind. Unfortunately Bacchus doesn’t even come close.
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
russellycat
Dunedin31 contributions
Jun 2022 • friends
Went for dinner with friends. The menu hasn’t been updated here in a very long time. Options are boring and desperately need updating.
I had the parsnip and pear soup. It was nice. Followed that with the lamb rump which was nicely cooked but again uninspired. Dessert was a huge disappointment. Apple tart tartan served cold and soggy and the garnish of sliced orange, kiwi fruit and melon looked straight out of the 90’s.
Nothing really terrible about the meal but for the same price there are so many better places to go.
Time for a change guys!
Written 18 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hugh „Red“ O‘Donnell
Munich137 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Simply the best food in Dunedin. More than this - they have an amazing selection of NZ wines (and others of course). The chef is more than talented. Not only that it tasted great, it looked amazing as well. The restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings of Dunedin on the first floor. Staff is very friendly- just go and try out!
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ilya42
Toronto227 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
We arrived at 8:30 for our dinner. The place on Saturday night was almost empty but we figured that it was late.
We got an excellent bottle of wine and a pretty good cheese plate (not great but certainly ok)
The issue was the worse main dish we had in NZ, it was lamb rump. Despite being advertised as medium rare, it was not. The vegetables were overcooked, meat chewy. I could not it but wife did not like it but was so but was so hungry that she at least finished her meat.
Despite leaving it the dish almost untouched no follow up from the staff. For a fine dining restaurant, at least on this night there was no chef in the kitchen nor staff cares to make it right. Yet some of the wine was $2800 - Penfolda Grange
I would strongly recommend going elsewhere, Spleight Ale House was 100 times better with lamb that melts in your mouth and perfect vegetables
Written 29 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leslye T
Heathcote Wine Region9 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
We went in search of a fine dining restaurant, giving us a break from our bus tour’s ordinary cafes and sandwich shops. After asking a few people on the street, we found Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant. At first, we were intimidated by the stairs going upstairs as we both have mobility issues.
It was worth the difficult walk! Rose, the chef, produces the most delicate flavours only tasted in Michelin-starred restaurants. The food is beautifully presented, service is impeccable and it was a lovely restful experience. Bacchus must be pleased for his name to be used in this awesome dining establishment.
Written 29 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
messer3009
Santa Ponsa95 contributions
Jan 2024 • couples
Rarely have I had such an unfriendly reception. You come up and walk past the kitchen and the chef looks at you as if: what are they doing here? Then into the dining room. It was just before 6 p.m. Everything was nicely laid out, not a single guest there. 3 bored employees behind the counter who, when we asked if we could get a table to eat, offered us the smallest table right in front of the toilet door. We were trapped there. Too much of a good thing.
Written 19 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travel07949478080
Wellington1 contribution
Jul 2024 • business
Nice location great potential but food really didn’t hit the mark. Stuffed calamari….. three pieces looked nice but two pieces were cold and the sauce was thin and tasteless . Pork belly for main was ok but served on bok choy and sushi rice yet had zero Asian flavour
Was kind of weird
Nice staff but an across the road getting a burger to finish the night off
Written 3 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
apph
Guam234 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
My husband has been raving about this place for the past couple of years, and finally my travels brought me to Dunedin. It was a wonderful meal, from the delicate ceviche in coconut cream appetizer to our exquisite mains of a flavorful baked sole with passion fruit glaze and a perfectly prepared fillet steak. I'm usually skeptical about restaurant steaks because they're rarely 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 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 a return visit.
Written 3 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Graeme M
Christchurch17 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
The reception and ongoing attention by the waitresses was perfect. The wine list was the best I’ve seen this year, including in Australia. Mainly local wines. Good variety on the menu. Pate followed by lamb rump followed by rhubarb crème brûlée and then coffee. I’m not at all fussed by cous cous but it was ok. After spending a month dining on the Gold Coast it was good to be reminded what Kiwi service is about.
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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