Crown and Bull — Restaurant in Dunedin

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Crown and Bull, and I must say, it exceeded all expectations! Nestled in the heart of the city, this charming restraunt strikes the perfect balance between classic pub fare and sophisticated dining. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and a little rustic with its exposed brick walls, soft lighting, and cozy booths that give the place a laid-back yet elegant vibe.

Food The menu at Crown and Bull is impressive, with a range of options that cater to different tastes and dietary preferences. We started with the Crab Toast appetizer, which was perfectly seasoned with a tangy Calabrian lemon cream — crunchy, flavorful, and just the right amount of spice. And topped with lumps of crab, bacon, localy sourced arugula, and corn. For the main course, I opted for the Truffle Steak (12oz Ribeye), which melted in my mouth, complemented by parmesan smashed potatos and sauteed season greens that were the epitome of comfort food done right.

Drinks The drink selection at Crown and Bull is equally impressive, with an extensive list of craft beers, wines, and cocktails. I recommend trying their signature Crown and Bull Old Fashioned, a refreshing twist on the classic cocktail, made with local spirits. If you’re more of a beer person, their rotating tap selections offer a great variety of local brews, each one pairing beautifully with the food.

Service The service was top-notch. My server Fish was knowledgeable about the menu and offered thoughtful suggestions without being pushy. There was a genuine sense of care, and it really felt like the staff wanted to ensure I had an enjoyable experience. The timing of each course was just right, and we never felt rushed.

Ambience The atmosphere here is perfect for both casual gatherings and special occasions. Whether you’re grabbing a drink with friends, enjoying a romantic dinner, or celebrating a milestone, Crown and Bull has the perfect ambiance to match the occasion. It’s cozy, but with enough energy to feel lively and vibrant without being overwhelming.

Overall Crown and Bull is a standout spot for anyone in the area looking for a high-quality, memorable dining experience. With delicious food, creative cocktails, and excellent service, it’s clear they take pride in what they do. I’ll definitely be returning soon to try more items from the menu and enjoy another round of drinks!

P.S. The all new private dinning room is gorgeous with a great view of beautiful main street. I loved the decor that shows the building throughout the years as a historic piece of dunedin history. This new private dinning experiance is great for any occasion be a business lunch or a wedding party. Book soon as spaced are...

UPDATE; Just wanted to update this post to let everyone know that the owner of Crown & Bull contacted me. He expressed sincere apologies for the unpleasant experience my family and I had and assured me that immediate actions are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future. A staff meeting has been scheduled to address the issues we faced. He acknowledged the miscommunication regarding the seating and explained the challenges they faced due to weather and reservation capacities.

He also addressed the comments made by an employee (in this group) and emphasized that her remarks were not endorsed by the restaurant. Actions are being taken to discuss this with the involved employee.

The owner's response showed a commitment to customer satisfaction and a willingness to make improvements, which is far greater than I experienced at the restaurant or by the employees in this group.

I appreciate him reaching out and taking responsibility, and I wanted to share this update with you all.

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This is the first negative review I have ever left for a Dunedin restaurant. Most of you know I give restaurants an extremely fair and kind review every time, which is why it pains me to do this.

I made a reservation at Crown & Bull for 11 people several days ago. I arrived with my elderly parents and family members at the reservation time and were placed at a table at the furthest outreaches of the covered area outside (underneath the wooden pergola with no heat lamps). As you all know, it is very cold and very wet tonight. Our table was soaked with rain and our feet were resting in puddles of water underneath the table. The rain was angled to a point where you could feel it as you sat. Sometimes you get the short end of the straw. I understand that. However, I don’t think they should be seating anyone in this section on a night like tonight.

There were several tables in the warm, heated lamp area that were dry, and most importantly, had no people at them. One section in the heated lamp area had two tables in a row with no people sitting in them. We asked to be moved to underneath the heat lamps, where multiple tables were empty and available but management refused. We also offered to wait our turn and asked how long that would take. This apparently was not possible.

Because my elderly parents can not safely stay in wet, cold, weather without any heat, we left. We went to a neighboring restaurant that treated our party with much more respect (without a reservation even) and we now know where to...

Love how they pretend to take care of things like they did in the comments. They did not settle or deal with this situation at all. Such a disgusting event that wasn't taken care of. I will never step foot in this place again and will not be recommended when we frequented this place with close friends and family. Overall, it is unexceptable.

This is a place I really did enjoy going to with my friends and family to have a night out. We've been going here for years but recently they have lost our business. One of the benches they had on the patio had completely collapsed and broke underneath my brother at the start of our night. Instead of coming up and asking us if he was ok, the bouncer came up, made fun of him, and created a heated situation. We ended up leaving the establishment and standing in the street, and one of the bouncers continued to escalate the situation, telling us we weren't allowed to stand in the street because that was their property then proceeded to argue with us and pushed my sister in law. It was completely unacceptable behavior. Instead of them de-escalating the situation, they continued to argue. A 200+ pound man pushing a 110 pound women as a threat is disgusting, and we will never step foot in there again. It has turned into a sloppy, overpriced, college bar with 20 year old egotisitical bouncers named Andrew and Ian that are looking for a fight (except for one that looked like he was 40 years old and about 5"3). Some lawsuit are waiting to happen right there, hiring people like that. Would not recommend for a night out with friends and we will be taking our business elsewhere. Yet another local bar lost in Dunedin because of these poor business decisions and ownership. Wondering what this place will look like in 5 years if this is the new normal for our everyday...