Recommended as the place to stop-in for fresh seafood while visiting Dunedin, my brother and I were able to get fish'n'chips for carryout. It was good. We came in during the later afternoon. One of the guides at the cruise terminal had recommended that Bluff oysters were in season, and the best place to get it was a restaurant near the town center: Best Cafe. So we took the shuttle into town from the cruise port (about a 25 minute ride), and immediately searched out the cafe. The inside is airy with a good arrangement of tables. A sign clearly indicated that they were out of oysters (and mussels) for the day, which I have to admit was really disappointing. But the fish fry was recommended as well, so decided to try that. There were open tables, but the constraint was how much fish they could deep fry at one time, so were told a 25 minute wait. They do have a separate door for carryout, so decided to do that instead. We placed and paid for our order, was quoted a time similar to the dine-in wait time (since the fish still had to be cooked). It was ready exactly at the time quoted, and was still piping hot and oily as we ate it walking down the sidewalk while going to the next stop. Blue Cod fillet (NZ$12 for two fillets), elephant fish (NZ$8.50 for one fillet) - Fries cooked in beef tallow (NZ$4.50). All of it was served together, and it was really well fried. The fries were great. The fish was good: the batter was light and really accentuated the large portions of fresh fish used. It was first time eating elephant fish, and it was ok...very firm, not oily at all. The blue cod is really a good fish for fish'n'chips, and is something I would get again for a fish fry. Squid Rings (1/2 dozen for NZ$9) - they were large and definitely fresh. The same batter as the fish was used, and wasn't as successful on the slippery squid, especially for on-the-go. Next time, we will come earlier to try the recommended oysters and different fishes offered and try it dine-in. read more

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Such a friendly owner. We came in right as they were closing without realizing their hours. Not only did what I believe was the owner allow us to come, she also came to greet us at the end to make sure our food was good. Unfortunately, they were out of a lot of their menu items so we were limited in what options there were. However, despite that, the food was still tasty. I can't say this is the best fish and chips I've had, but it was still very solid. Both the sole and blue cod were great, though I did prefer the blue cod more. They also had a fried pineapple which reminded me of a sugared donut outside but pineapple inside which was an interesting try (wouldn't say amazing but unique) Inside look like what you'd expect from a family owned shop. There's nothing special inside, but given how friendly they are I would definitely come here for good food and friendly staff. read more

Best Cafe - Seafood Near Me - Dunedin, OTA

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Had the blue cod bites and chips for take away. Very inexpensive and a ton of chips. Everything was well seasoned. Order arrived quickly and staff were friendly. read more

This is a basic restaurant with great food and throwback ambience. Service is excellent and the blue cod unbelievably a amazing.

We both got fish and chips. My wife will only eat fish if it doesn't taste like fish so she asked for that and was happy with the result. I have never been to a restaurant where they had so many types of fish on the fish and chips menu. I ordered sole and was happy with the order. Great chips although I would call then fries because we are from Massachusetts. It's unlikely we will be in New Zealand again but we would definitely eat here again. read more

Best Cafe - Butter in a shell. - Seafood Near Me - Dunedin, OTA

The chips here were very good but I was expecting more from the fish based on prior reviews. Or maybe we ordered the wrong things because the guy at the next table ordered a whole fried flounder with capers and garlic sauce with a green salad and it looked super! I had tried to order the tarakihi special of the day, but apparently the waitress misheard me because I received the ordinary tarakihi platter, no green salad for me! The platters come with a little coleslaw and a slice each of beet and tomato. Didn't seem like very much fish to me, and was adequate but not super. Hubby had groper which was better, son had the white bait patty which was too eggy for our taste. read more

On a cold day, a hot fish & chips meal with a beer, it's the best. I liked the sole fish, tasty but not too fishy. Service was great too. read more

Best Cafe - Sole fish & chips - Seafood Near Me - Dunedin, OTA

If this is the "best" Dunedin has to offer than it's definitely worth a trip to London for the real deal. Service was standoffish and if you happen to order at the takeaway counter you're asked to leave promptly once your order is ready even if the shop is completely empty. Ketchup is extra. The fish tasted a bit fishy and the chips were just ok read more

We found this place after a bad experience at Plato's. Fish and chips, nicely cooked, gluten free, safe for my wife who has a severe allergy to gluten Thank you for a wonderful safe meal. We'll be back again read more

I was actually really disappointed by my lunch at Best Café. TripAdvisor reviews billed this place as the "end all" for delicious Blue Cod and Bluff oysters. But what I experienced were a half-dozen oysters that tasted only like the sea and ran a whopping $22.50, followed by a fish that had no flavor whatsoever. It's a cute little cafe, but it's a shame it just isn't better (or cheaper). read more

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The fish was just ok... but the service was not very good. They have indoor and take away. The indoor is much more expensive. We did take away but just sat at the benches of the take away counter for a few seconds while figuring out plans. I might have had a French fry or two. The staff yelled at us and told us to leave. There was nobody else there or in line...It was rude read more

It really is the best cafe for the best fish and chips you'll ever have! The blue cod and the groper were delicious in that perfectly crisp batter. Skip: The pan fried sole was mushy. The chips were a bit heavy and thick for me, just not my style. read more

Cute little cafe we found that was close to the train station. We were able to order and eat a delicious meal.....fish and chips, hamburger, and oysters for lunch. We had an hour before we had to meet up with our tour group, and we had plenty of time to sit and enjoy rather than having to "take away" our lunches. The fish and chips were delicious and a real bargain at $9.90 NZ. read more

Terrific seafood joint. Fresh, simple, good but minimal wine and beer selection. A great night if you are in Dunedin

In the past 6 weeks we have had lots of fish and chips while visiting New Zealand and Best Cafe has the most delicious blue cod and chips! The batter is so light and airy and the fish is so fresh. Terrific meal! Thank you!! read more