We celebrated a birthday at 1908. The setting was lovely – a fine, sunny day and a table out in the courtyard. The children were very well looked after, with a basket of toys delivered to the table. The children’s menu was a little pricey ($13 pp), although the waitress was more than happy for our two young ones to share a dish, and brought out an extra plate. I ordered steak with a garlic sauce and found it really disappointing – it was supposed to be medium rare but was boot leather on part of it and dripping blood on the other (time constraints meant I couldn’t send it back). It came covered in a sauce which tasted very much like packet gravy. My husband had the fish, which he enjoyed. The salad was very average – a lettuce leave, a carrot cutout and a few sprouts. We felt the price was very high for the quality of the food – for $28 I would expect a top quality steak and high quality salad.

While the service was very friendly, the children were well looked after and the setting lovely, we felt the food was very overpriced and the quality disappointing.

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

For those living in Dunedin, a fairly long and twisting drive for an average meal.
So far, the most expensive fish & chips for lunch that I have encountered.
I found their seafood chowder disappointing – who stole the seafood from the kitchen?
Wines seemed in the pricey region.

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

First, I would like to say that sarah stone is completely out of order, putting comments like that. I went here for lunch one day. Food was ok, but not great. I think it would make a big difference if the chips were hand cut.

First Review: Run by a middle aged lady with a very bad attitude to the general public. We decided to eat there without a reservation, and were greeted without a smile by this woman asking us “What can I do for you?” It was obvious we hadn’t gone there to have our teeth pulled. She said she was full and had we reserved? Then she decided she had an empty table and asked us to wait. After 10 minutes and no attempt to set the empty wooden table, she said rudely in my opinion: “I have to serve my reserved guests before I serve you, but you will be served eventually”. I was under the impression that all clientele should be treated the same, whether they had a reservation or not – we had arrived before ‘reserved’ guests and therefore should be seated and greeted first. I can only presume she wasn’t keen on ‘tourists’ and even though half the restaurant was empty she made no attempt to welcome or feed us. The couple in front of us had just walked out and we did the same. We found a perfectly satisfactory pub over the road with smiling staff ready to greet us – the other couple were eating there as well. Give the 1908 a miss – we didn’t even get as far as the food. Perhaps she doesn’t realise there is a recession. Reply to her comment: I am sorry but the table wasn’t set it was completely empty you had made no attempt to serve us. All customers should be treated the same, whether they come in with a reservation or not – first come first served. Why should we be served after customers who had not even arrived ? Late 40s? Dream on.

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.