Rustic Restaurant & Bar
About the Business
Welcome to Rustic Restaurant & Bar, a licensed, independent family-owned establishment located in the heart of Dunedin, Otago. Situated at 50 Princes Street, our restaurant and bar offers a delightful dining experience with a menu that will tantalize your taste buds from breakfast to dinner.
At Rustic, we take pride in offering a variety of options to cater to all dietary preferences. Whether you're vegan, gluten-free, or prefer sugar-free alternatives, we have you covered. While we pay homage to the great steak houses of New Zealand, our menu goes beyond red meat. You'll find delectable dishes such as Oysters, Calamari, Chicken, and Fish, all expertly prepared to perfection.
Steeped in history, Rustic Restaurant & Bar is located in the iconic Savoy building, which was established in 1910. Throughout the years, it has earned a reputation as Dunedin's grand venue for elegant dining and unforgettable events. The Savoy's unique historic architecture and prime location have solidified its status as a true landmark in the city.
Over the years, the Savoy has hosted numerous cherished events, including school balls, weddings, and elegant corporate functions. Although it closed its doors in the late '80s, the building underwent significant refurbishment in the early '90s to reclaim its former glory. Today, Rustic Restaurant proudly continues the century-old tradition of elegant dining while infusing South African flavors and local favorites into our dishes. Each meal is prepared with generous portions and quality ingredients, ensuring your satisfaction with every bite.
The ambiance at Rustic is as inviting as the menu itself. The Savoy's beautiful timber finishes, creative ceilings, and antique brass chandeliers create an earthy warmth that perfectly complements our hearty food and South African twist. Whether you're seeking a romantic dinner for two or a gathering with friends and family, our cozy atmosphere will make you feel right at home.
To accompany your meal, we offer a wide selection of New Zealand and imported wines, catering to all tastes. Our knowledgeable staff can assist you in finding the perfect pairing for your chosen dish, enhancing your overall dining experience.
Rustic Restaurant & Bar's trading hours are from Monday to Saturday, opening at 5 PM and closing at your convenience. Please note that we are closed on Sundays. However, we happily accept bookings for special occasions outside our regular trading hours.
Join us at Rustic Restaurant & Bar for an unforgettable dining experience that combines elegance, South African flavors, and genuine family hospitality. We strive for perfection in every dish we serve, ensuring that your visit leaves you with cherished memories and a desire to return.
Photos
Location & Phone number
50 Princes Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin, Otago 9016, New Zealand
Hours open
Monday:
12:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday:
12:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday:
12:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday:
12:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday:
12:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday:
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sunday:
Closed
Reviews
"As a South African expat, I really wanted to love and support this place but unfortunately after trying it more than once it has been disappointing too many times. I came with my Kiwi friends to try the South African dishes last weekend and again nothing was available. We ended up changing our orders 3 times because of unavailability of the menu items. Very disappointing. We then waited an hour and 40mins for our food to arrive. It was cold and bland and definitely not worth the price. Not once during our wait for food were we offered drinks or an update or apology for the delay. It definitely was not busy with only 3 or 4 other tables so we were confused as to why the wait was this unreasonable and the staff so unavailable. Such a great concept and great decor but poor poor execution and people skills. We felt ignored and unimportant even after waiting patiently and giving them the benefit of doubt. Unless management changes and they up their game significantly, I doubt we will even suggest this place again. A real shame."
"We had high expectations for this place. We were warmly greeted on arrival, but that quickly soured. We were up for the All Blacks vs Australia game and looking for a good place to dine out after full time. We booked in advance and arrived early. It all started with half the menu being unavailable after talking to the owner. This was disappointing given we were keen try some traditional South Africa food. We instead chose some kiwi staples just keen to get a feed and move on. What followed was a 1.5hr wait for our meals, having never been asked once whether we wanted any more drinks. One of the wait staff felt sorry for us at some point and offered a free garlic bread, a small consolation. Numerous other groups were served prior to our food arriving despite us having been only one of two groups in restaurant to start with. When we finally got our meals, they were subpar, probably chucked in the microwave for 30 seconds before plating up and not anywhere near worth the price tag in the menu. We were encouraged to stay for a complementary drink, but we more interested in getting out of there. We left with a bad experience and a bit of a let down after an otherwise good day out (thankfully the All Blacks won!). Unlikely to frequent here again and would strongly advise that you find somewhere else for a night out to avoid disappointment."
"Poor service , waited 30 minutes for someone to take our drinks order and then got up and ordered at the bar. Waited 40 minutes to be told the specials , waited an hour and fifteen for our meals, salmon was a weird white/pale pink colour, No crisp on the skin, tasteless, bed of potatoes was three roast spuds and some watery vege Husbands meal was a cold burger bun and no condiments with his chips - it was yuk. So disappointed, especially when starving and anything tastes good at that point eh. Oh and the garlic bread was gross, dry and old , a supermarket one heated in our oven was better than this. Plus they were not busy - staff standing around with nothing to do"
"Our party of 6 thoroughly enjoyed the ambience, food and service. The food presented was generous, delicious, excellent value and clearly prepared by a team that takes absolute pride in the quality of fare they serve. In browsing the menu I instantly knew what I would order, steak and ribs. It was like two mains on one plate (pictured) and came with a small salad (ok by me) lovely fries, a sauce an jus. While slightly rarer than the medium rare requested, it was still a flavorsome, quality cut and very enjoyable. The ribs were also tasty with a very nice sauce smothering them. Delightful. The others in the party were also highly impressed with a generous pair of amazing crumbed hoki fillets and stuffed chicken breast packed with flavor on an equally delightful mash being highlights. Special shout out to our friendly and attentive waiter Miles on his second day on the job, well done Miles you were excellent. The food was a little slow coming out but we were well attended to and the house made it right keeping the hunger pangs at bay. Altogether an excellent evening all round, we'll be back."
"WOW... It was amazing dinner. Food was wonderful. Lamb shank was so perfectly cook, chicken burger was so good. Chicken was so tender, the sauce in the chicken was so Gooooood. Our daughter enjoyed her cheese burger (kid Meal). There are so many selection of meals, beverage and dessert. The cream soda was so good. Bring back childhood memory. If you are looking for a place for a date night. I recommend to come here. Decor is so stunning. You should see the bar! Big fire place. We definitely come back."
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