We had the most wonderful evening here. The food was delicious, and so fresh (the portobello mushrooms are a must!). Service is so friendly, and the location is superb. Make a booking, get a window seat, and watch the sky as night falls across the bay.
We were staying nearby and made a reservation for our first night. That was a good thing to do as you are then allocated some of the better tables - with a lovely view. The wine list is interesting and the menu while not hugely adventurous is well crafted and the food that is served is tasty. We ended up enjoying three meals over out 5 nights on the Peninsula and we enjoyed each one of them.
We stopped here at 20.30 after having visited the Pinguin place. We did not know the place and just wanted a quit bite as it was late. And what a lovely surprise, a hidden gem as far as we’re concerned. Barry is such a nice and friendly host. The food was good and I had an excellent wine. The atmosphere is rustique, music relaxing , popular jazzy. And the food was good! Not that max score as I felt the espresso was not the best I‘ve had, although definitely also not the worst 😉 We would definitely recommend this place and come here again next time we are here.
Excellent country bistro on the bay, located in a period house with comfortable warm vibe. Extremely friendly staff knowledgeable and happy to work around our food allergies. Salmon was excellent, as was pan fried sole (fish of the day). And a sizeable and carefully chosen wine list. We found this just driving by but it's good enough to be a destination restaurant. There's also nice outside seating if good weather.
We have thoroughly enjoyed everytime we get to go to 1908 for a meal, we suggest this restaurant to all out guests who are wanting a lovely meal and a relaxed ambiance, Pauline
will try to give you everything you want, just a wonderful owner, I have never in the eight years here had a complaint from anyone they have all enjoyed there night at 1908.Yes Pauline's Lamb shanks are devine, its a must.
We stumbled across this lovely restaurant one evening while exploring the peninsula. The staff were great, very friendly. This beautiful restaurant has character and charm with a relaxed ambiance that even left the kids feeling at home.
Pauline's lamb shank was divine, definitely worth trying!
Thanks 1908 staff for a lovely evening and a delicious meal.
We stopped for coffee and cake. Great service and lovely setting.
An evening to remember ! It was about to rain when my friends and me decided to have a hot drink and we found 1908 cafe,one of the most welcoming place and enjoy the warm atmoshpere and talking to the super nice and friendly manager. She helped us to find a place to sleep for the night and saved our evening !
If you ever go to portobello, you should definitely go there. :)
Having made our reservation on line, based on reviews of 1908 Cafe Restaurant, we found that dining there was all, if not more than we expected.
The menu was excellent and dishes well presented, along with friendly service. Next trip to Dunedin we will be back.
As locals on the peninsula we have found ourselves often venturing down the road to Portobello to enjoy a meal at the 1908. We have found the food, the service and the atmosphere to always be welcoming and enjoyable. The owner always strives to make our visit feel special and is quick to accommodate extra requests whenever possible. The 1908 is certainly one of our favorite places to dine in Dunedin and we feel lucky to have it out on the peninsula.
We have been going to 1908 regularly for lunch on a Sunday for a number of years. Not only is it a pleasant drive, when you get there the staff are welcoming and friendly and the food is delicious. I thoroughly recommend going to 1908.
Carol
My family often eat out at 1908 as we enjoy the good homely food and the always friendly staff. We always feel very looked after.
We had our sons 13th birthday there with a large group and were given a room to ourselves. The staff were very accommodating. Everyone enjoyed themselves and all from Louis' extended family, Great grand mother, down to 4 year old sister enjoyed their meal. All in all an excellent night.
It's the sort of place that could become a families regular Friday night meal out.
If you want somewhere easy and child friendly with good comfort food thats not going to break the bank I throughly recommend 1908 cafe.
Went for a meal and had an experience of a lifetime. The food was to die for as well as the view. Have not been down that way for a very long time but we had an amazing meal and the service was not to be faulted. would recommend to all, thank you for the great southern experience
I had an absolutely beautiful meal at the 1908. Loved the warmth of the burner and the genuine wholeheartedness of my hosts. After sunning myself in the outdoor courtyard with a glass of wine, I was treated to a delicious dish of the daily catch (flounder, if I recall), and at a very reasonable price. Unfamiliar with the wine list, I was recommended a nice local South Island chardonnay. The only down point I can think of was the background music- it was a tad tiresome (classical, so may just be my taste).
All the best 1908
As the owner of the 1908 Cafe I feel I have to defend myself about your comment. As we do endeavour to be as welcoming as possible we do get heavily booked and it is our policy to take care of the people who have reserved a table. I do remember that night you were greeted and seated on the couches with menus to browse and a table was almost set when you decided you weren't going to stay. As we have a great range of people wanting different things from using the internet, just to have a coffee or a drink to wanting a main meal that is why the opening comment is "how can I help"! I am very offended by the VERY personal attack as I don't think there would be many people that would say late 40's as being elderly.
An historic building, beautiful food and friendly, professional service, we really enjoyed our visit here. They were very accommodating when we requested a slight tweak to a dessert (could we add butterscotch sauce to the chocolate fondant, and yes they could, and man it was amazing!).
Friendly staffs with great views, the restaurant make their own foods even dessert.
I was surprised they provided delicious foods with fair price. Good vibes, I will get back there in the night time very soon.
Good food, honestly prepared. It is about a 20 minute drive outside of Dunedin cbd in Portobello. A lovely view of the bay. There is outdoor seating for warmer days. A great place for lunch or dinner. A very impressive wine list, also well catered for beer drinkers.
Excellent lamb shank and seafood chowder. Portions were big and the server kindly helped us split our order into 2 portions.
Amazing dinner, excellent taste and friendly services. The steak was nice and flavourful also the condiments. Cozy dining room and relaxing.
Very good place to eat. Good service and gluten free options also available.
Beautiful classic French food. The chocolate fondant was awesome when paired with the caramel sauce, which the maitre de happily accommodated after a request on our part. We will definitely be returning.
The decor has recently been freshened up since the new owners took it over a year ago. Lovely historic building with an array of beautiful local art on sale.
Thanks 1908 for a lovely evening.
Under new management during covid restrictions. Clean, presentable lunch and dinner eatery with some brilliantly presented food ad sweets.
Enjoyed the visible passion and ambition from the owner.
Prices are on the high end but happy to support in a recovering covid climate.
Instantly feel comfortable when entering. Friendly staff and great service. Immersed in history
My entrè soup was massive and food was good.
kids friendly and very delicious food!
Absolutely wonderful! Great atmosphere, friendly helpful staff. The drive out from Dunedin was awesome. The only thing I was disappointed about was the lack of salad with my steak.. other than that top notch all round and wonderful value. Will definitely be back if I ever visit Dunedin in the future.
Absolutely delightful food and a nice, warm place to come into out of what was an awfully wet and cold day. Both my main and my dessert was very tasty with a great complement of flavours. The steak was cooked as requested and wa well presented on the plate.
The dishes took longer to arrive than some other restaurants but there is a clear sign indicating that all dishes are prepared as ordered rather than pre-prepared and so will take longer to arrive.
We had a lovely intimate meal in lovely surroundings
Great food and service
Staying in Portobello and went in for lunch. I loved my portobello mushrooms and pumpkin on homemade toast. My wife was ok with a mozzarella mushroom toastie. Our friend really enjoyed his chowder. Later on, they were very nice to do a take-away dinner for us, on our plates from the Portobello Motel. Our chickpea and haloumi dish was truly excellent. Our friend raved about her salmon on Moroccan lentils. The panna cotta, and the brownie with salted caramel topping also got raves for dessert.
Very good food
Especially the services
Don’t miss it
We come back at second day
The lunch is also very good
You won’t regret to have meal here
A great place and host.....awesome menu and service 👌....
Great warm place and real kiwi food! Lovely staff and relaxing views from the garden
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